Athabasca University

Programme overview

Athabasca University’s Post-LPN Bachelor of Nursing is a 120-credit degree designed to let practising Alberta LPNs build on their practical‑nurse background to meet entry‑level competencies for registered nurses. Coursework is delivered primarily online with specific in‑person practice components. The curriculum is mapped to the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA, 2019) Entry‑Level Competencies and approved by CRNA; graduates are eligible to apply for CRNA licensure. Institutional outcome data (2024) reported an average learner age of 35, a 95% employment rate and an $95k median income for graduates, with 87% student satisfaction.

What you'll study

The program assumes learners already meet Canadian Council of Practical Nurse Regulators (CCPNR) Standards of Practice and CCPNR Code of Ethics through their LPN licensure, so fewer clinical/practice courses are required than in typical bridging programs. Course content and practice components are structured to ensure learners attain the CRNA Entry‑Level Competencies for the Practice of Registered Nurses. Students must also meet the Requisite Skills and Abilities for Becoming a Registered Nurse in Alberta (CRNA, 2022), including cognitive, behavioural, communication, interpersonal, physical, sensory perceptual, and environmental abilities.

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold a Practical Nurse Diploma (certificates or vocational studies are not accepted) and maintain active practicing registration with the College of LPNs and HCAs of Alberta (CLHA). Applicants must document 1,700 hours worked as an LPN in Alberta via a current employer letter on official letterhead that includes specific employment dates, total hours, position (or confirmation the position requires LPN registration), unit/patient focus, and issuer contact details; portability or previously submitted letters are not accepted. Transcripts from all post‑secondary institutions attended must be submitted. Minimum admission GPA is 3.2 (75%) calculated from the most recent 30 post‑secondary credits; the competitive admission average for Sept. 2026 exceeded a GPA of 3.7. Applications are competitive, have limited spaces, and incomplete or late documentation will not be considered.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared to pursue registration as RNs with CRNA and to sit the NCLEX‑RN. The program is positioned for LPNs seeking expanded clinical responsibility, eligibility for RN roles, and pathways to graduate study. AU reports high employment rates and median income among graduates in institutional data.

Scholarships & funding angle

Athabasca University provides information on financial aid and awards and publishes estimated program costs in the University Calendar. Tuition is charged per course (pay‑as‑you‑go) after application; students should consult AU’s financial aid pages and Calendar for program cost estimates and funding options.