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Program Information

• Program Overview
• Tuition and Fees
• Admission
• PLAR
• Courses

Program Overview

Location(s):	Distance Learning
Length: You must complete all courses within 2 years

Overview

Across Canada, demand for licensed practical nurses is on the rise. If you're considering returning to active practice, there's never been a better time or broader range of opportunities.

Practical Nurse Re-entry is an applied certificate program that will bring you up to speed on new techniques, technologies and procedures, so you can re-enter the field as a competent practitioner with the knowledge, judgment, skills and attitudes to bring a uniquely holistic, humanistic approach to patient care. It is a distance education program offered over the internet and through home study, which means you can take it wherever you live.

Who qualifies?

The Practical Nurse Re-entry program is specifically designed for individuals who:

• have previously been registered in Canada as licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and are eligible for re-registration in Saskatchewan, or
• are currently registered and want to update and evaluate their knowledge and skills

Individuals who have not been registered in Canada as an LPN and do not meet the competency profile of the Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses may be required to take the Practical Nurse Re-entry program.

On graduation, if you previously were registered in Canada you'll be licensed as an LPN. If you previously were not licensed in Canada, you'll be eligible to write the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration exam.

Come back to Nursing with SIAST

Whether you want to re-enter the profession or simply to update your skills, SIAST offers one of the most respected practical nurse re-entry programs in Canada. Our small class sizes mean more one-on-one interaction with faculty. High-tech simulation learning centres use near-life scenarios to give you hands-on practice. Clinical practice education lets you transfer your skills into the real world.

The program is designed to enable completion on a part-time basis within a two-year time frame. This lets you build your professional credentials while maintaining job and/or family responsibilities.

Refer to Frequently Asked Questions for additional information.

Career Opportunities

Licensed practical nurses today enjoy a growing number of career opportunities. Most LPNs work in acute care hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, medical centres and extended care facilities. Choose an area that interests you: gerontology, maternal-child, medical, mental health, palliative, pediatric, rehabilitation or surgical nursing.

You also can pursue a career in a community setting: a nursing clinic, home care agency, private nursing agency, community health centre or physician's office.

For more information about career opportunities related to this program, contact Student Employment Services at the SIAST campus nearest you.

Program Details

Start Date(s): Ongoing:
For more information, contact pnre-entry@siast.sk.ca.

Tuition and Fees

For tuition information, contact pnre-entry@siast.sk.ca.

Admission Information

Admission Requirements

• Evidence of English language proficiency as determined by the Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses (SALPN)
• A letter from the SALPN recommending the candidate for the Practical Nurse Re-entry program and indicating the English language proficiency test and score

 

Note

• Prior to participating in CLIN 227 (Practical Nurse Re-entry Clinical Experience), you must have medical fitness, current immunization and current CPR Health Care Provider " C" AED or equivalent.

Admission Method

First Qualified/First Admitted

The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of SIAST programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake. 

Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year. 

Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

SIAST recognizes that adults learn in many different ways and through many different means. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training. Frequently asked questions regarding PLAR for this program are answered in the Factsheet. A detailed Candidate Guide, which includes a self-audit for all PLAR-ready courses, has been developed for this program. This information guides a candidate through all steps in the PLAR process.

• Factsheet
• Candidate Guide
• More about PLAR

Transfer Credit

Many SIAST students benefit from transferring credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit from or to another college or university. To learn more, visit our transfer credit web page.

 

Courses

Code	Course Name/Description	Credits
CLIN 227	Practical Nurse Re-entry Clinical Experience Note: Prior to participating in CLIN 227 (Practical Nursing Re-entry Clinical Experience), you must have medical fitness, current immunization and current CPR Level 'C' (BLS Level 'C'). You will participate in a 30-day clinical experience that includes a faculty taught/supervised experience in a rehabilitation unit and a preceptor-supervised experience in acute care in the community. You will be required to demonstrate satisfactory performance of the competencies for beginning practitioners. Credit Units: 16 Lab Hours: 240 Prerequisites(s): NRSG 217 Learning Method(s): Work Experience -Individual	16
COMP 170	Basic Computer Operation You will be introduced to the basics of computer concepts. Topics you will study include computer components, hardware and software, working in a graphical user interface, file management, word processing and the Internet. The general skills you learn in this course will prepare you for further courses such as word processing, spreadsheets and presentation graphics. Credit Units: 1 Other Hours: 15 Equivalent Course(s): COAP 342, COMP 182 Learning Method(s): Prior Learning, Print Distance Individual, Web CT/Blackboard Individual, Lecture/Lab, Print Distance Group, Web CT/Blackboard, Work Based Delivery	1
NRSG 213	Issues and Trends for Practical Nurse Re-entry You will explore current trends and issues, including holistic health, primary health care, health promotion and determinants, teaching strategies, legal/ethical issues and evidence-based practice. You will identify key concepts in a systems approach to client safety. You will explore the changing role of the LPN in relation to other professional groups and analyze influences that affect group behaviour. Credit Units: 4 Other Hours: 60 Prerequisites(s): COMP 170 Learning Method(s): Prior Learning, Print Distance Individual, Web CT/Blackboard Individual, Web CT/Blackboard	4
NRSG 214	Interpersonal Relationships for Practical Nurse Re-entry You will explore the concept of self in relation to others. You will review basic therapeutic communication skills. Through reflection and understanding your nature, you will experience awareness, personal growth and development of critical thinking skills. You will focus on therapeutic relationships with an emphasis on caring, advocacy and diversity. Credit Units: 4 Other Hours: 60 Learning Method(s): Prior Learning, Print Distance Individual	4
NRSG 215	Health Challenges of the Adult Your studies will focus on the concepts of growth and development. You will also focus on the concepts of holistic nursing care related to specific health challenges of adults. You will explore the area of infection control, and discuss the concepts of microbiology and selected specific micro-organisms. You will learn about emerging infections and communicable diseases in Canadian communities. Credit Units: 4 Other Hours: 60 Prerequisites(s): NRSG 213, NRSG 214, NURS 227, PHAR 201 Learning Method(s): Prior Learning, Print Distance Individual	4
NRSG 216	Healthy Aging and Health Challenges related to the Older Adult You will discuss the growth and development of the older adult and the concept of healthy aging. Your studies will focus on the concepts of holistic nursing care related to specific health challenges of older adults. Using the primary health care approach, you will explore chronic health challenges specific to various body systems and approaches to their management. Credit Units: 4 Other Hours: 60 Prerequisites(s): NRSG 215 Learning Method(s): Prior Learning, Print Distance Individual	4
NRSG 217	Nursing Arts for Practical Nurse Re-entry Your studies will focus on the nursing competencies that support health promotion and illness prevention. You will review the skills required to maintain a safe environment, use health care, nursing and medical terminology, and assist the adult client with mobility, nutritional needs, elimination needs, respiratory needs and personal care. You will also review the five vital signs (TPR, B/P and pain) and learn how to administer medications via the enteral, percutaneous, parenteral and intravenous routes. You will study intravenous therapy (including the administration of blood and blood products). The course includes a lab component where you will practice and perform your skills (including medication administration, peripheral intravenous initiation and physical assessment skills). Credit Units: 4 Other Hours: 60 Prerequisites(s): NRSG 218 Learning Method(s): Print Distance Individual	4
NRSG 218	Nursing Specialties for Practical Nurse Re-entry Your studies will focus on the concepts of holistic nursing care related to specialized areas of nursing. You will study rehabilitation nursing, palliative care, mental health nursing, family centered perinatal nursing, pediatric nursing, community nursing and perioperative nursing. Credit Units: 4 Other Hours: 60 Prerequisites(s): NRSG 216 Learning Method(s): Prior Learning, Print Distance Individual	4
NURS 227	Health Assessment for LPNs The health assessment course for licensed practical nurses (LPN) will prepare the LPN to perform a health history and physical examination of clients in various stages across the lifespan. You will examine a healthy adult and identify deviations from health that must be referred to a registered nurse or physician. Challenges related to aging are also explored. The course includes a family assessment focusing on structural aspects. Documentation of the findings is a component of the course. Credit Units: 4 Other Hours: 60 Prerequisites(s): Learning Method(s): Prior Learning, Print Distance Individual, Print Distance Group	4
PHAR 201	Pharmacology for Practical Nurse Re-entry You will study the basic concepts of pharmacology and related nursing responsibilities in the context of patient safety. Your studies will focus on drug classifications, drug preparations, drug actions and interactions and the channels of drug administration. You will study selected drug classifications in depth. You will learn how to research drugs and perform drug dosage calculations. You will also learn about nursing responsibilities related to drug administration. You will receive information about Canadian drug laws, use and availability. Credit Units: 4 Other Hours: 60 Learning Method(s): Prior Learning, Print Distance Individual	4

• You will have two years to complete the program.
• Because there is no faculty support available during July and August (ongoing theory courses), these months are not counted when determining your course end date.
• For student loan purposes, the program is considered to be equivalent to 27 weeks of full-time study.

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