EDUCATION
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ewly graduating LPNs in Alberta complete a two-year diploma in practical nursing offered at the college level. The program provides a minimum of 1650 instructional hours including 750 hours of theoretical instruction and 900 hours of clinical / lab experience. After program completion, LPNs must pass the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE).
There are numerous post-basic learning opportunities for LPNs. Further education is available for specialization in immunization, operating room, advanced orthopedics, and renal dialysis. Certificate programs include mental health, chronic disease management, leadership, gerontology, wound care, palliative care, and foot care.
The following colleges are approved to provide practical nurse education in Alberta:
REFRESHER BURSARY PROGRAM
Bow Valley College, Calgary Brokered sites • CDI College, Edmonton Off-site PN Programs: • Praire College of Applied Arts and Technology, Three Hills • Red Crow College, Standoff • Old Sun College, Siksika NorQuest College, Edmonton Brokered sites • Lakeland College, Lloydminister • Keyano College, Fort McMurray PN Hybrid Program: • Hinton, Wainwright, Drayton Valley, Whitecourt Off-site PN Programs: • Camrose, Wetaskiwin, Dickinsfield Northern Lakes College, Slave Lake Off-site PN Programs: • Grande Prairie, High Level, Fairview, Peace River, McLennan, High Prairie, Valleyview, Westlock, Barrhead Columbia College, Calgary Lethbridge College, Lethbridge Medicine Hat College, Medicine Hat Portage College, Lac La Biche/Cold Lake Red Deer College, Red Deer
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The Refresher Bursary Program established through a grant from Alberta Health and Wellness offsets tuition costs for individuals taking a refresher/re-entry program and wanting to re-enter the licensed practical nurse profession after eligibility for registration has lapsed. The Program was terminated on August 31, 2011 and will resume with expanded criteria on completion of a revised agreement with Alberta Health and Wellness. In 2011, reimbursement payments totaling $18,662.55 were disbursed to 11 individuals. Total reimbursement payments from the Program were $68,120.89, disbursed to 25 individuals. Overall, a total of 19 individuals completed the refresher program of which 15 returned to practice. EDUCATION STANDARDS ADVISORY COMMITTEE The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA) is responsible for approving all basic and specialty education programs for practical nurses offered in Alberta. The Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC) is a Standing Committee of the Council of the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta. ESAC is responsible for establishing the Standards for Program Approval and for reviewing and monitoring basic and specialty practice programs to ensure compliance with these Standards. ESAC has been privileged to support an exciting initiative involving four public post-secondary Colleges. The participants (Keyano College, Lakeland College, Northern Lakes College and NorQuest College) have been working together to enhance the practical nurse education available to students in northern Alberta. Through their collaboration, communities of practice developed a new curriculum to be delivered at each of the
CLPNA - 2011 Annual Report