Health & Community Studies

Indigenous Practical Nursing

NOC-3233

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Program Description

Do you enjoy helping people? Are you interested in nursing? Would you like to provide culturally responsive care? SIIT’s unique Indigenous Practical Nursing Program might be the first step in a rewarding career journey!

The Indigenous Practical Nursing (IPN) program is a full time two year diploma program. It will prepare you to become a culturally responsive and professional care provider- with an understanding of western and Indigenous approaches to health and wellness. Classroom, technologically enhanced lab, and practicum activities will help you to develop the skills needed to make a positive difference in the health and well-being of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations. This program is delivered at SIIT’s Saskatoon Campus location.

Upon successful completion of SIIT’s Indigenous Practical Nursing diploma program and the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE), graduates will be eligible for licensure with the Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses (SALPN). As a Licensed Practical Nurse (NOC 3233), the IPN graduate will provide care to individuals, families and communities at multiple life stages and in a variety of practice settings. Most employers require criminal record and vulnerable sector checks.

Admission Requirements

Z
  • Regular Grade 12/ Adult 12
  • Minimum grade for individual course is 60% while the overall average is 65% in the following 5 classes:
    • ELA A 30
    • ELA B 30
    • One Of:
      • Foundations of Mathematics 30
      • Pre-Calculus 30
      • Calculus 30
    • One Of:
      • Biology 30
      • Chemistry 30
      • Physics 30
    • One Of:
      • Social Studies 30: Canadian Studies
      • Native Studies 30: Canadian Studies
Z

Non-Academic Requirements

  • Immunization records
  • Criminal Record Check
  • Vulnerable Sector Check
  • Class 5 Drivers License
  • Applicants should be physically and personally suited to perform required duties.

Acceptance Policy

Strong preference is given to applicants who are Status First Nations, but SIIT programs are open to anyone.

English Language Benchmark

SIIT is not currently legislated to accept International Students. You must be a Canadian/ Permanent Resident to apply.

To be admitted into this program you must be able to understand and communicate in English (Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment of seven – CLB7).

Adult Basic Education, Trades and Industrial, and Post-Secondary Programs

More than 30 Academic and Quick Skills programs

SIIT is a First Nation Governed, credit granting post-secondary institution

More than 1000 employers work with SIIT JobConnections every year

Established in 1976

90% Indigenous student body

Over $350,000 in Awards are available to SIIT students every year

9 JobConnections Centres province wide connect job seekers to employment opportunities

SIIT offers a wide range of Student Services and Cultural Supports

Programs are offered at 3 campuses and over 35 community learning sites per year

Students from more than 70 First Nations, Metis, Inuit, and Non Indigenous communities attend SIIT

JobSeries provides foundational, in-community pre-employment training

More than 65% of SIIT Staff and Faculty are Indigenous

JobConnections mobile career services are available for rural communities

More than 60,000 Alumni

Courses

Year 1 | Semester 1 (19 Weeks)
Code Course Title Hours Credits
IPNDV 110 Indigenous Personal Development 30 2
IPNHS 111 Introduction to Health & Wellness 30 2
IPNPH 112 Pharmacology I 45 3
IPNAP 113 Anatomy & Physiology I 45 3
IPNNC 115 Nursing Communications I 30 2
IPNNP 116 Introduction to Professional Nursing Practice 30 2
IPNHC 117 Health Challenges of Elders 45 3
IPNIP 118 Health Assessment Integrated Practice 135 9
IPNPR 119 Practicum 1 80 5
Year 1 | Semester 2 (21 Weeks)
Code Course Title Hours Credits
IPNIC 120 Introduction to Indigenous Communications 30 2
IPNPH 122 Pharmacology II 45 3
IPNAP 123 Anatomy & Physiology II 45 3
IPNNC 124 Nursing Communications II 30 2
IPNMH 125 Mental Health & Addictions 60 4
IPNNP 126 Professional Nursing Practice II  60  4
IPNHC 127 Health Challenges II (Medical Nursing) 56 4
IPNIP 128 Health Assessment Integrated Practice II 180 12
IPNPR 129 Practicum II (Medical Nursing) 120 8
Year 2 | Semester 3 (20 Weeks)
Code Course Title Hours Credits
IPNDV 210 Indigenous Personal Development II 30 2
IPNIS 214 Indigenous Sociology 45 3
IPNNP 216 Professional Practice III 30 2
IPNHC 217 Health Challenges III 45 3
IPNIP 218 Health Assessment Integrated Practice III 250 17
IPNPR 219 Practicum III 120 8
Year 2 | Semester 4 (20 Weeks)
Code Course Title Hours Credits
IPNHP 221 Introduction to Indigenous Models of Healing 30 2
IPNNP 226 Professional Nursing Practice IV 45 3
IPNGN 227 Transition to Graduate Nurse 100 7
IPNIP 228 Health Assessment Integrated Practice IV 30 2
IPNPR 229 Practicum IV 65 4
IPNPR 230 Consolidated Practicum 230 15

Tuition and Fees

Year One
Tuition Textbook Compulsory
Fees
Total*
$8,731.00 $3,000.00 $1,512.00 $14,421.00
Please note: All tuition and fees are subject to change.
*Compulsory fees may include: student fees, field trip and/or practicum fees, laboratory fees, apprenticeship fees, PPE & other equipment, exam fees, online fees, consumables, safety and first aid training, and tools.
*Total amount does not include the required UPass Transit Bus Pass for Saskatoon & Regina students.
Year Two
Tuition Textbook Compulsory
Fees
Total*
$7,790.51 $612.00 $2,512.00 $11,192.51
Please note: All tuition and fees are subject to change.
*Compulsory fees may include: student fees, field trip and/or practicum fees, laboratory fees, apprenticeship fees, PPE & other equipment, exam fees, online fees, consumables, safety and first aid training, and tools.
*Total amount does not include the required UPass Transit Bus Pass for Saskatoon & Regina students.
Additional Fees- U-Pass - Saskatoon and Regina Transit Bus Passes
UPass
$278.00 per year The U-Pass is a City Transit bus pass for students that allow you to save on transportation costs. The U-Pass fee is provided at a reduced cost compared to a standard monthly City Transit pass and is mandatory for most SIIT students in Saskatoon and Regina. You may use the U-Pass as many times as you would like during the academic term. Students who meet certain requirements can opt-out of the U-Pass. Please contact the Admissions department for more information.
Please note: U-Pass fees are subject to change.
Funding

Depending on your status, different forms of financial assistance are available to you. Please click here to explore options for funding. If you require assistance finding funding, please contact supportservices@siit.ca.

What to Expect

Day to Day

Delivery Method
  • Time in the classroom- along with extensive lab work- will provide the opportunity for learners to demonstrate skills in a practical setting.
  • Students will have the opportunity to complete four practicums (one in each semester) and clinical experience. You must provide a current criminal record and vulnerable sector check and have up to date immunization records to participate.
  • 5-10 hours per week of independent and group learning (homework learning).
  • Clinical experience is also included.
  • Additional Safety and Wellness Training is provided (see below).
Work Integrated Learning

Students in the Indigenous Practical Nursing Program have the opportunity to complete several practicums and clinical experience.

Clinical Practicums

Instructor supervised clinical practice courses Practicum I (Continuing Care), practicum II (Acute Care, Medicine), practicum III (Acute Care – Surgery) and practicum IV (Pediatrics/Labor & Delivery) will be held in long term care facilities and hospitals in Saskatoon and surrounding areas. Students are required to travel to various locations in order to complete their clinical practice experiences. Access to a vehicle may be required as some clinical placements in year 2 may be located outside of Saskatoon campus.

Note- In order to participate in clinical practicums, with Saskatchewan Health Authority, students must:

  • Be physically and personally suited to perform required duties.
  • Complete or update the following certifications as per Saskatchewan Health Authority Clinical Placement Safety Requirements, prior to entering practicum I (January):
    • Immunization records (September)
    • PART – (November)
    • WHMIS for healthcare providers (online) – (September)
    • FIT testing – (December)
    • TLR – (Prior to January)
    • CPR C with AED – (Prior to January)

For applicants who have the required certifications, a copy of valid certification(s) must be submitted within the first 2 weeks of the program for review by the program coordinator.

For applicants who do not have the required certifications, these will be offered during the first semester. Failure to successfully complete the certificate training will result in mandatory withdraw from the program. Note: Certification dates are preset and will not be re-booked for students who are absent.

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance is essential for academic success. Each program has specific attendance requirements that must be adhered to in order to graduate.

If you have been approved for funding, you must maintain the attendance required by your sponsoring agency to remain eligible to receive payment.

Graduation Requirements and Credential

You must maintain a GPA of 60% average and successfully pass all clinical placements to graduate. Graduates will receive an Indigenous Practical Nursing Diploma and an SIIT Transcript.

Additional Licensing Required for Employment

Some required safety certificates are completed during the course, including:

  • PART
  • WHMIS for healthcare providers
  • FIT testing
  • TLR
  • CPR C with AED

Following successful completion of the diploma program, graduates must obtain licensure with the Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses (SALPN) in order to practice. Graduates must first pass the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE) and apply for licensure with (SALPN).

*Please be advised that some employment opportunities may require additional training and/or certification. In some cases, an appropriate class of driver’s license may be required.

Career Path

Career Opportunities & Salaries

Successful graduates who have also completed and passed the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE), and have been licensed with the Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses (SALPN) can expect to find employment with competitive wages and/or salaries in a variety of health care environments as Licensed Practical Nurses (NOC 3233).

Licensed practical nurses provide nursing care usually under the direction of medical practitioners, registered nurses or other health team members. Licensed practical nurses are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centres, doctors’ offices, clinics, companies, private homes and community health centres.

In Saskatchewan, Licensed Practical Nurses are in high demand. The average annual salary for LPN’s is $77,700. (https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/hire-train-and-manage-employees/labour-market-information)

For assistance finding employment, please contact your local SIIT Career Centre.

Additional Post-Secondary Opportunities & Credit Transfer

To explore further education at SIIT, click here. You can also explore diploma or degree options at other colleges or universities.

If you have a specific program or career path in mind, it is a good idea to check the prerequisites required. Our Academic Advisors can help you plan for further education.

Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies

Head Office
Suite 100-103A Packham Avenue
Asimakaniseekan Askiy Reserve
Saskatoon, SK S7N 4K4
306-244-4444