COURSE CURRICULUM

The Practical Nursing Diploma at Thompson Rivers University is a two-year, campus-based program designed to prepare students for entry-level nursing practice in a variety of healthcare settings. The curriculum is structured across four progressive levels of study, combining classroom learning, laboratory practice, and extensive clinical experiences. Students begin with foundational courses such as Professional Practice, Professional Communications, Variations in Health, Health Promotion, and Pharmacology, which are delivered across multiple levels to build knowledge gradually. Integrated Nursing Practice courses allow students to apply theoretical learning in simulated and real clinical environments. Each stage of the program includes Consolidated Practice Experiences, where students gain supervised hands-on training in healthcare facilities. As students advance, they move into more complex areas of study, including advanced pharmacology, health variations, communication skills, and professional nursing practice. The final stage of the program includes Transition to Preceptorship and a Preceptorship placement, where students work closely with experienced nurses in real healthcare settings to refine their skills and prepare for independent practice. The program emphasizes patient safety, professional ethics, communication, cultural sensitivity, and evidence-based care. Upon completion, graduates are fully prepared to meet provincial licensing requirements and are eligible to write the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam, enabling them to become Licensed Practical Nurses in Canada.