Assiniboine nursing grads impress with national exam results

Recent nursing graduates at Assiniboine Community College are starting the New Year on a positive note: Every single one of them passed the Canadian Practical Nursing Registration Exam.

In total, 81 September graduates from the college’s campuses in Brandon and Winnipeg as well as the Pine Falls rural site wrote the test.

“We continue to be incredibly proud of our graduates for their hard work, determination and accomplishments,” said Karen Hargreaves, Dean of Health & Human Services at Assiniboine.

The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba (CLPNM) provincially accredits Assiniboine’s two-year Practical Nursing diploma program. Once graduates have passed the national licensure exam, they are eligible to work as licensed practical nurses (LPNs) under membership with the CLPNM.

The demand for Assiniboine nursing graduates is high; 98 per cent of graduates from the 2014-15 academic year said they were employed, making on average $54,286 a year.

“Our Practical Nursing program has strong clinical, theory and lab components taught by experienced and talented instructors. Graduates are career-ready with demonstrated critical thinking and teamwork skills,” said Hargreaves.

Graduate LPNs secure careers in hospitals, personal care homes, medical clinics, private agencies and the community. With some advanced preparation, some entrepreneurial LPNs are even choosing to start their own businesses.

In addition to the permanent nursing programs at the Victoria Avenue East and Winnipeg campuses, the college has a rural rotating site starting in Melita this coming January and another one in Dauphin commencing next September.

Applications for the Practical Nursing program in Dauphin will be accepted March 6 – 17, 2017. Those interested may visit assiniboine.net/nursing for more information.