Post-LPN Bachelor of Nursing Degree Program (120 credits)

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. All AU nursing courses are mapped to the most current entry to practice competencies, as determined by the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA).

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

1. Graduation from an approved practical nurse (LPN; RPN) certificate/diploma program.
2. 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.
3. 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.

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.

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)

* Students are strongly encouraged to register in their English course early in their program.

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.

1. 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.
2. The pass mark for all nursing courses is C- (60 per cent).
3. Students in the post-LPN BN program are not permitted to challenge required or optional nursing theory or clinical courses.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Students will be permitted a maximum of seven years to complete all degree program requirements from date of enrolment.
7. 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.