Post-LPN Bachelor
of Nursing Degree Program (120 credits) |
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Regulations effective September 1, 2008
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The Centre
for Nursing and Health Studies offers the post-LPN BN program.
Before you enrol, please email the program advisor.
The 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 Alberta Association of Registered Nurses.
Students complete the program regulations in effect at the time
of their enrolment.
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. For additional program information, please email the program
advisor.
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Admission Requirements
After official transcripts have been accepted, the following admission
requirements apply:
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1. |
Regulated (Practicing) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta.
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2. |
Equivalent of one year full-time work experience
(1,700 hours) as a Licensed Practical Nurse (submit letter(s) from
employers to substantiate). |
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3. |
An overall average of C- (60 percent)
and no grade below a D (50 percent) in the following secondary school
courses:
• English 30
• two science courses at the 30 level
Applicants lacking the above high school course requirements
may substitute comparable college or university-level courses.
Students admitted to the program must annually provide proof of
current licensure with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of
Alberta and certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
or Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS)
Agencies participating in practicum courses may request that students
provide proof of up-to-date immunizations status and a criminal
record check at the students' expense. |
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Second Undergraduate Degree
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. |
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Program Structure |
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Bachelor of Nursing (BN) degree credit requirements |
120 |
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Credits awarded for Licensed Practical Nurse
Certification
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30* |
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Total credits required to complete
the post-LPN BN degree
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90 |
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Residency requirement. A minimum of 24 credits must be obtained through Athabasca University
| 24 |
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Maximum Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) credits
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The 90 credits required to complete a post-LPN
BN
degree shall be distributed as follows: |
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• required nursing credits |
63 |
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• required non-nursing credits |
12 |
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• support and option courses |
15 |
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* |
Additional credit may be awarded for university-level
courses completed before admission to the post-LPN BN program or on
the basis of Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition |
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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 B and C. It is recommended that support and option
courses be taken throughout the program. Students are responsible
for ensuring that prerequisites 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. |
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Required Nursing and Non-Nursing
Courses (75 credits) |
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Cluster A Courses
(18 credits) |
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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 |
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MATH 216 |
Computer-Oriented
Approach to Statistics |
(3) |
NURS 250 |
Exploration of Professional Nursing Practice |
(3) |
PHIL 152 |
Basic
Critical Thinking
or any 200-level or higher philosophy course |
(3) |
PSYC 290 |
General
Psychology |
(3) |
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*English Writing Skills Requirement
Students who choose ENGL 255 are strongly encouraged to take it early in their program. (The Alberta Universities Writing Competence Test may be used to demonstrate mastery of English writing skills; however, this option may not be available after Sept. 1, 2009. Please contact an AU advisor to confirm.). Upon successful completion of the test, the University will exempt students from completing the English requirement. This course must then be replaced with another course in the Humanities.
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Cluster B Courses
(29 credits) |
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NURS 322 |
Introduction
to Nursing Informatics |
(3) |
NURS 324 |
Concepts
and Theories in Nursing Practice |
(3) |
NURS 328 |
Understanding
Research |
(3) |
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) |
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Cluster C Courses
(28 credits) |
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NURS 400 |
Adult Health and Health Alterations
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(3) |
NURS 401 |
Professional Practice with Adults Experiencing Health Alterations
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(6) |
NURS 432 |
Management
and Leadership in Nursing Practice |
(4) |
NURS 438 |
Trends
and Issues in Nursing and Health Systems |
(3) |
NURS 440 |
Independent Study |
(3) |
NURS 441 |
Consolidated Professional Practice |
(9) |
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Support Courses (6 credits)
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1. |
Humanities (300 or 400 level)
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(3) |
2. |
Science or Social
Science (300 or 400 level) |
(3) |
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Options Courses (9
credits)
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May be selected from Applied
Studies, Humanities,
Science,
or Social
Science. A maximum of three credits may be at the 100 level; at least
three credits must be at the 300 or 400 level. |
(9) |
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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
the
post-LPN BN program, some of the general policies governing academic
studies at Athabasca University are superseded by the following regulations.
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1. |
In order to register in a nursing course
with a practicum component, students must present proof of the following:
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Current licensure with the College
of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta. |
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Current certification in cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR) or Basic
Cardiac Life Support (BCLS). |
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Agencies participating in practicum courses
may
request that students provide proof of up-to-date
immunization status and a criminal record check at
the student's expense.
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2. |
The pass mark for all nursing courses is
C- (60 percent). |
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Students in the post-LPN BN program are not permitted to challenge required nursing theory or clinical courses. |
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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. |
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Students will be permitted a maximum of seven years to complete all degree program requirements from date of enrolment. |
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6. |
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. |
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