Regulations effective January 1, 2014.
Welcome to Athabasca University's Post-LPN BN program. This unique program is designed specifically for the regulated (practicing) Licensed Practical Nurse.
The Centre for Nursing and Health Studies offers the post-LPN BN program.
This program is designed to provide the Regulated (Practicing) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with the opportunity to continue his or her education in nursing in a baccalaureate program that offers flexible modes of course delivery and opportunities to develop a clinical focus. Graduates are eligible to write the Canadian Registered Nurse Examinations and to apply for registration with the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta. If you plan to practice in a jurisdiction other than Alberta following completion of this program, please contact the regulatory body in that jurisdiction, before applying to this program, to determine acceptance of the program when seeking a temporary practice permit and active registration as a registered nurse.
Program Plans
Our online program plans can assist you in selecting the courses needed to fulfill your program requirements.
Counselling Services offers an assessment website, 'Mapping Your Future: Your Career and Athabasca University.' Athabasca University has also developed program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating.
NOTE: Students are required to follow the degree regulations in effect at the time they enrolled in their program. Students who are inactive (have not registered for a course within 12 months from their last course contract end date) must re-enrol and will complete the regulations in effect at the time of re-enrolment.
For additional program information, please email bnadvisor@athabascau.ca.
Enrolment Requirements
- Graduation from an approved practical nurse (LPN; RPN) certificate/diploma program.
- Regulated (Practicing) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta. Proof of active registration/licensure must be submitted at time of application and maintained while completing the program.
- Equivalent of one year full-time work experience (1,700 hours) as a Licensed Practical Nurse (submit letter(s) from employers to substantiate).
Students with Non-Canadian/Non-United States Education
Those students presenting non-Canadian/non-United States degrees for admission and/or possible transfer credit, must obtain a specialized or course-by-course evaluation of post-secondary course work from an international assessment agency, for example, the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS). For more information, see the Admissions section of the Calendar that explains the admission process for Non-Canadian Students.
Official transcripts for any completed Canadian courses or programs in Nursing taken to obtain licensure in Canada must be submitted.
What literary term is found in lines 6-8 great gatsby answers. Second Undergraduate Degree
LPN Students who hold a recognized first degree in a discipline outside of nursing who wish to obtain an AU Bachelor of Nursing degree must apply under the Second Undergraduate degree regulations. These students may transfer applicable coursework from the previously completed degree to satisfy up to 50 per cent of the total credits required to complete the post LPN BN program. Preparatory (100 level) credits cannot be used to fulfill the requirements of a second undergraduate degree. Those students who hold an international credential in the same discipline who wish to obtain a Canadian credential may be permitted, in consultation with the Program Director and reviewed by the Office of the Registrar.
| Program Structure | |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Nursing (BN) degree credit requirements | 120 |
| Credits awarded for successful completion of practical nurse certificate or diploma program | 30* |
| Total credits required to complete the post-LPN BN degree | 90 |
| Residency requirement. A minimum of 45 nursing credits must be obtained through Athabasca University | 45 |
| Graduation with Distinction or Great Distinction. At least 24 credits (excluding courses using a pass/fail grading scheme) must be obtained through Athabasca University in order to be considered. | 24 |
| Maximum Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) (for non-nursing) credits | 9 |
| The 90 credits required to complete a post-LPN BN degree shall be distributed as follows: | |
| • required and option nursing credits | 60 |
| • required non-nursing credits | 15 |
| • support and option non-nursing courses | 15 |
| * Additional credit may be awarded for university-level courses completed before enrolment to the post-LPN BN program. Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition may be awarded for non-nursing University-level courses. University-level nursing courses taken prior to enrolment in the post-LPN BN program will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Transfer credit will not be granted for nursing clinical courses that are more than 5 years old and nursing theory courses that are more than 7 years old and non-nursing required, support and option courses that are more than 10 years old at the time of the request. | |
Course Requirements
Courses listed in Cluster A are prerequisite to those listed in Cluster B, and courses listed in Cluster B are prerequisite to those listed in Cluster C. Pre/co-requisite course requirements are also present within both Cluster A and B. Students are responsible for ensuring that prerequisites (including the specified Program GPA) and co-requisite course requirements are met throughout the program in accordance with the Prerequisite Declaration Form.
NOTE: Clinical courses will only be offered within Alberta.
Non-Nursing Required, Support and Option Courses (30 credits)
| Cluster A Courses (30 credits) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Required Non-Nursing Courses (15 credits) | ||
| ENGL 255 | Introductory Composition (recommended)* or junior/senior level university or equivalent ENGL course | (3) |
| HLST 320 | Teaching and Learning for Health Professionals | (3) |
| MATH 215 | Introduction to Statistics or | (3) |
| MATH 216 | Computer-oriented Approach to Statistics | |
| PHIL 152 | Basic Critical Thinking or any 200-level or higher philosophy course | (3) |
| PSYC 290 | General Psychology | (3) |
| Support Courses (6 credits) | ||
| 1. Humanities (300/400 level) | (3) | |
| 2. Social Science or Science (300/400 level) | (3) | |
| Options Courses (9 credits) | ||
| May be selected from Applied Studies; other than Nursing (NURS), Humanities, Social Science, or Science. | ||
| A maximum of 3 credits may be at the 100 level; at least 3 credits must be at the 300/400 level. | (9) | |
* Students are strongly encouraged to register in their English course early in their program.
| Cluster B Nursing Required and Option Courses (51 credits) | ||
|---|---|---|
| NURS 250 | Exploration of Professional Nursing Practice | (3) |
| NURS 322 | Nursing Informatics | (3) |
| NURS 324 | Concepts and Theories in Nursing Practice | (3) |
| NURS 328 | Understanding Research | (3) |
| NURS 400 | Adult Health and Health Alterations | (3) |
| NURS 401 | Professional Practice with Adults Experiencing Health Alterations | (6) |
| NURS 432 | Management and Leadership in Nursing Practice | (4) |
| NURS 434 | Community Health Promotion | (4) |
| NURS 435 | Professional Practice in Community Mental Health Promotion | (6) |
| NURS 436 | Family Health Promotion | (4) |
| NURS 437 | Professional Practice in Family Health Promotion | (6) |
| NURS 438 | Trends and Issues in Nursing and Health Systems | (3) |
| And 3 credits from the following list: | ||
| NURS 326 | Health Assessment | (3) |
| NURS 327 | Home Health Nursing | (3) |
| NURS 440 | Independent Study | (3) |
| NURS 442 | Gerontological Nursing | (3) |
| Cluster C Courses (9 credits) | ||
|---|---|---|
| NURS 441 | Consolidated Professional Practice | (9) |
Computer Requirements
Access to a computer with basic word processing and Internet access is required. Refer to the online glossary.
Specific Regulations
Given the unique and professional nature of thepost-LPN BN program, some of the general policies governing academic studies at Athabasca University are superseded by the following regulations.
- In order to register in a nursing course with a practicum component, students must present proof of the following:
- Regulated (Practicing) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta. Proof of active registration/licensure must be maintained while completing the program.
- Compliance with all requirements listed on the Clinical Practicum Requirements Checklist.
- The pass mark for all nursing courses is C- (60 per cent).
- Students in the post-LPN BN program are not permitted to challenge required or optional nursing theory or clinical courses.
- Students seeking re-enrolment to the post-LPN BN program will not receive credit for nursing clinical courses that are more than 5 years old and nursing theory courses that are more than 7 years old. Credit will not be awarded for non-nursing required, support and option courses that are more than 10 years old at the time of the request.
- Students who have been awarded two failing grades in one or more clinical courses will be automatically withdrawn from the post-LPN BN program, with no opportunity for re-admission.
- Students will be permitted a maximum of seven years to complete all degree program requirements from date of enrolment.
- To be awarded a BN degree, a minimum grade-point average of 2.0 is required in all Athabasca University courses used toward the degree.
Updated February 06, 2020