Diploma In Practical Nursing in Manitoba
HERE YOU CAN.
Licensed Practical Nurses work in a growing range of health-care settings and play an increasingly important role within interprofessional clinical teams. UCN’s DPN program equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to practice confidently as professional members of the health-care team and to effectively contribute as Licensed Practical Nurses.
Program Overview
The UCN Diploma in Practical Nursing (DPN) program is a two-year diploma offered in Swan River, Flin Flon and Thompson. This program gives precedence to Manitoba and Saskatchewan residents. The DPN program provides students with the knowledge and skills base to work as a professional member of the health care team and to successfully assume leadership roles.
Flin Flon & Swan River students, please note: students are required to relocate in the 2nd year of the program for clinical courses only (4 weeks in Fall term for Surgery and 6 weeks in Winter term for Obstetrics and a portion of their Mental Health Clinical).
Why Study Diploma In Practical Nursing in Manitoba at UCN?
Graduates of the DPN program will be able to meet or exceed the following outcomes:
- Examine the change in role from student to graduate/professional practical nurse.
- Examine professional self-regulation, the professional association, union structure and function, and implications for practice.
- Assess the role of the practical nurse as a member of a professional association.
- Evaluate current legislation, including restricted activities and supervision of restricted activities, and reflect on implications for professional practice.
- Prepare for employment as a practical nurse.
- Examine the structure and function of organizations.
- Determine the major concepts of leadership and management.
- Evaluate the components of a quality, supportive work environment and implications for a leader/manager.
- Design strategies that could be utilized to facilitate communication and encourage the development of a quality supportive work environment for an interdisciplinary health-care team.
- Determine issues in human resource management, fiscal resource management, and implications for practice.
- Critique current media and research findings regarding nursing and health-care trends and issues.
- Analyze professional practice utilizing knowledge and practicum experiences from the previous courses.
- Develop a plan for ongoing learning to promote personal and professional growth and continued competence.
- Measure the value of clinical quality improvement, risk management, nursing research, and best practice guidelines.
Career Outcomes and Community
Career Pathways
A graduate may use the title Licensed Practical Nurse after passing the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination.
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) combine nursing knowledge, skill and judgment when treating health conditions, promoting health, preventing illness and assisting clients to achieve an optimal state of health. LPNs assess, plan, implement and evaluate care for clients throughout the life cycle as disease progresses and through palliative stages. LPNs find employment in tertiary, acute and community hospitals, long-term care facilities, personal care homes, medical clinics, home care, doctors’ offices and in the community in various capacities.
Licensed Practical Nurses are nursing professionals who form the second-largest regulated nursing group in Canada. LPNs are regulated health care professionals who work in partnership with other members of the health care team to provide nursing services to individuals, families and groups of all ages. As a regulated nursing profession, LPNs practice within the provincially established scope of practice, standards and code of ethics. Like all regulated health care professionals, LPNs are accountable to practice within their scope of practice and their employers’ policies and procedures. The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba (CLPNM) is the professional regulatory organization that governs the practice of student practical nurses, graduate practical nurses, and Licensed Practical Nurses in Manitoba. In accordance with the Licensed Practical Nurses Act and Regulation, if you wish to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Manitoba you must be registered with the CLPNM.
Alumni & Student Spotlights and Related Stories
Sarah Moore-George
Sarah George-Moore’s experience at UCN has been both personally and professionally transformative. Initially hesitant about public speaking, she has now embraced her role as an educator. “I feel like in this role, it just came naturally for me to go up in front of a group of basically strangers because I love being a nurse….
Program Schedule
| Course | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ABS1001 | Waskawimakanwa Mecimwaci Isihtwawina | 1 |
| BIO1415.L | Human Anatomy | 3 |
| NUR1025 | Introduction to Essential Skills for Nursing | 3 |
| NUR1028 | Communications for Nursing | 3 |
| NUR1033 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| NUR1035 | Nursing Foundations I: Introduction to Nursing | 4 |
| BIO1420.L | Human Physiology | 3 |
| NUR1031 | Health Assessment | 4 |
| NUR1032 | Basic Pharmacotherapeutics | 3 |
| NUR1036 | Nursing Foundations II: Basic Nursing | 4 |
| NUR1037 | Nursing Practice I: Continuing Care Practice | 3 |
| ANS1000 | Introduction to Aboriginal Studies 1 | 3 |
| NUR2001 | Nursing Foundations III: Medical/Surgical Nursing | 9 |
Admissions
Requirements
Before applying to be a student in the UCN DPN program, please read this document “Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse in Canada: Requisite Skills and Abilities”. The information in this document, Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse in Canada: Requisite Skills and Abilities, may be used by individuals to determine their ability to provide safe, competent and ethical nursing care, and meet the demands for a career as a licensed practical nurse in Canada.
Direct Entry
- Grade 12 graduate with a 63% average, and
- English 40S, and
- Pre-Calculus Mathematics 40S, Applied Mathematics 40S or Essential Mathematics 40S, and
- Chemistry 40S, Physics 40S or Biology 40S
A minimum of 60% required in each of the three 40S courses (Math, English and Science), however a higher grade is recommended as admission may be competitive.
English Proficiency Requirements
An applicant whose first/primary language is not English must provide evidence of language proficiency by submitting the required language test scores from the following College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba (CLPNM) Board-approved language proficiency test:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)—Academic version
- Writing 6.5
- Speaking 7.0
- Listening 7.0
- Reading 6.5
- Overall 7.0
Transfer from other Programs
Transfer requests from other institutions/programs will be assessed upon an individual basis.
Non-Academic Requirements upon Admission (i.e. not required to be submitted with application)
All students must meet the Non-Academic Requirements within the first month of commencement of the program. Any costs associated with the Non-Academic Requirements are the responsibility of the student.
Child Abuse Registry Check
- As it can take up to 120 days to obtain this document, it is recommended that students apply for the Child Abuse Registry check upon acceptance in to the program.
- Any student on the Child Abuse Registry will be dismissed from the program.
Adult Abuse Registry Check
- As it can take up to 120 days to obtain this document, it is recommended that students apply for the Adult Abuse Registry check upon acceptance in to the program.
- Any student on the Adult Abuse Registry will be dismissed from the program.
Criminal Record Check
- Students must provide a Criminal Record Search Certificate, including Vulnerable Persons Search. As it can take up to 120 days to obtain these documents, it is recommended that students apply for the Criminal Record Search certificate and Vulnerable Persons Search upon acceptance in to the program.
- A criminal conviction will not necessarily result in dismissal from the program; however, criminal offences will be reviewed by the Regional Health Authority and a determination will be made as to the availability of clinical placements for the student in question.
Immunization
- As it may take a number of months to complete the immunization requirements, it is recommended that all students start their immunizations upon acceptance in to the program.
- Any student with an incomplete immunization will be barred from attending clinical.
CPR Certification
- Heart and Stroke CPR (BLS) certification must be completed and submitted at least two months prior to the commencement of the first clinical in Year One of the program. The certification must be recertified and remain valid until the end of August in Year Two of the program (i.e. must be valid for the entire duration of the senior practicum).
- Any student without a current CPR (BLS) certification will be barred from attending clinical.
College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba (CLPNM) Student Registration
- DPN students are responsible to attain and maintain a Student CLPNM Registration as outlined by the CLPNM. Students must be registered with the CLPNM within four weeks of the program start date. More information will be provided during the program orientation once classes begin.
- Any associated fees are the responsibility of the student. The student is accountable to submit all documentation, as required or requested, directly to the CLPNM.
- Any student without a current Student CLPNM Registration will be barred from attending clinical.
Practice Direction on Fitness to Practice
The CLPNM Board of Directors has approved a new practice direction on fitness to practice (September 2017). Fitness to practice means having the physical, mental, and psychological capacity to consistently meet the demands of the nursing position, and to care for clients safely, competently, and ethically. The new practice direction provides guidance to practical nurses on their responsibility to engage in reflective self-assessment and to ensure that they are fit to practice before they do so. Please review the practice direction here: http://www.clpnm.ca/standards-guidelines/practice-directions/
Important Dates and Deadlines
-
Semester Start DateSeptember 8, 2026
Forms and Documents
Occurrence/Incident Report Form (Students are to complete this form as soon as possible following an incident or occurrence that has taken place during a clinical rotation, whether it is a near miss or an actual error.)
Information Related to Non-Academic Requirements Upon Admission to the DPN Program
- Child Abuse Registry Check: information regarding the check and access to the form is available at the Government of Manitoba website.
- Adult Abuse Registry Check: information regarding the check and access to the form is available at the Government of Manitoba website.
- Criminal Record Check: information regarding the check and access to the form is available at the RCMP website.
- Immunization
- College of Licensed Practical Nurse of Manitoba (CLPNM) Student Registration: information regarding the required Student Registration can be found at the CLPNM website.