Frequently Asked Questions - Practical Nursing

Acceptance to the Practical Nursing Program is based on a first-qualified basis given that the applicant meets all the requirements.

To be considered “qualified,” you’ll need to submit the following items:

1. Selkirk College Application Form
2. PNP application form
3. Requisite Skills and Abilities declaration form
4. English language declaration form
5. Official transcripts of high school or upgrading program grades (an interim statement of grades is acceptable if applicant is still attending school)
6. Official transcripts for all post-secondary education studies in which the applicant has enrolled
7. BC Ministry of Justice criminal record check
8. College Readiness Tool (CRT) assessment (applicants demonstrating post-secondary education within five years will not be required to complete the CRT)

Applications and supporting documents for the January 2025 class will be accepted starting February 2024. 

1. The Admissions Office will acknowledge receipt of application forms. Program seats will be offered on a first-qualified, first-served basis.
2. Fully qualified applicants will be admitted based on the application date. A non-refundable seat deposit is required by the offer-acceptance deadline, otherwise the offer will be considered declined. 
3. Once the seats have been filled, a waitlist will be created for the current intake. Applicants on the waitlist will be offered seats that remain or become vacant after the offer-acceptance deadline.
4. Applicants who are not admitted or do not take a seat are required to reapply to be considered in a subsequent year. Waitlists are not carried over.

We welcome 24 students into the program every two years.

The criminal record check is required to facilitate practicum placements. Different agencies have different tolerances for past criminal behaviours. Therefore, a past criminal record is not necessarily a deterrent to practicum placement. However, records that include child abuse and/or violence will likely prevent placement in the health care field and thus a student would not be able to earn diploma.

It is a good idea to discuss a criminal record with an academic counsellor prior to entering the program so that the applicant has a good understanding of issues if there are any.

The PN Program is a provincial curriculum. Other post-secondary institutions could support a transfer if it aligns with the receiving institution’s policies.

High school students are eligible to apply and need to submit interim grades of prerequisite courses. 

Yes, we hold two seats for students who identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit.

See the required immunizations here. The PNP application package includes a form outlining these. You will need to schedule an appointment with a public health nurses to have this form completed

We recommend inquiring with your local public health office. Some areas are able to offer this service and others are not. If your area is not offering TB testing at this time, you are required to obtain a letter stating that you are on a waiting list.

Applications will be accepted with either the waitlist letter or TB test results.

You will need to travel to a variety of hospitals and agencies in the West Kootenay region for nursing practice experiences between during the program’s duration. The final practice course may offer more opportunity for students to work outside of the region and relocation may be required. Note: this includes early mornings and evening shifts. Reliable transportation is important.

Work on completing the College Readiness Tool, obtaining official transcripts, gathering immunization records, schedule a TB skin test (or get on a waitlist) and take Basic Life Saving with Oxygen Therapy and English Language Proficiency (see policy for benchmarks if English is your second language).