Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner

The Faculty of Nursing offers a Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner (NP) Diploma program that prepares students to be eligible for licensing as a Nurse Practitioner by the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA).  Experienced nurses prepare to practice as adult health nurse practitioners, primarily in acute care settings.  Nurse Practitioners engage in the full scope of nursing practice including medical diagnosis, ordering of diagnostic tests, and prescription of drugs.

The NP Diploma program is designed for full-time studies over a one-year period with a focus on adult health nurse practitioner preparation.

The NP Diploma can be pursued as a stand-alone program at the post-master’s level, or in conjunction with the Master of Nursing course-based degree program.  In this integrated program route (commonly referred to as the MN/NP), students earn a Master’s degree and the NP Diploma concurrently. 

The future offerings of the PMNP are contingent on the availability of funding and faculty resources. Also, please note that the PMNP program is capped. We receive a significant number of applications from qualified students for whom we do not have space.  As part of our competitive process, applicants will be rated according to overall GPA, grades in courses relevant to the program, references, the quality of the application essay, and the number of (adult-focused) clinical hours.  Applicants are expected to enter the program with a significant level of expertise in their intended area of focus.

Please note that our deadline for Fall 2013 registration has passed.

Admission Requirements:

In addition to the requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, the applicant must:

1. Hold a master’s degree, normally in nursing.
2. Have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in the master’s degree, or 3.0 on the last 20 half-course equivalents in the baccalaureate degree if applying to the MN/NP program.
3. Have a minimum of 3 years full-time clinical practice (4,500 hours) in the area appropriate to the proposed Nurse Practitioner (NP) focus.
4. Have successfully completed one graduate level half-course equivalent to University of Calgary Nursing 661; one equivalent to Nursing 663; and one equivalent to Nursing 665.
5. Provide confirmation of eligibility for active nursing registration in Alberta.
6. Applicants to the PMNP program must provide documentation from their employer(s) confirming they have met the three years’ experience (4500 hours) in the area of focus, which must align with our program of adult acute care.
7. Provide confirmation of current CPR Certification at the Basic Rescuer or Basic Cardiac Life Support or “C” level.
8. Submit two references. For specific instructions, click on link to PMNP Application Process below. To access reference forms, click on link below.
9. Please request that official transcripts be sent to the attention of:
   Nycole Wetmore, Graduate Programs Advisor, PF 2279, Faculty of Nursing, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary AB T2N 1N4
10. Essay: A 1-2 page essay outlining your interest in the program and  how your work experience supports your application to the PMNP program.
11. Security Clearance Letter: Alberta Health Services requires current security clearances check for all nursing students including graduate students who will be doing a practicum or research in the region. Do not apply for the police security clearance until you have received an offer of admission from the program.
12. Applicants will be interviewed by the Associate Dean, followed by an interview by a member of the NP faculty.
13. English Proficiency requirements: minimum TOEFL score of 600 (written test) or 100 (internet test); IETLS score of 7.0; MELAB score of 83; or level 3 on the EAP program.

NOTE: Once an applicant has received an offer of admission to the program, the applicant will be expected to provide the following:

• All graduate students will be required to meet the U of C immunization standards (Click here for Nursing Graduate Immunization Form).  Out of province/country students who may require the N95 fit testing should wait until their arrival in Alberta to obtain this (Click here for the N95 Fit Testing).
• Security Clearance Letter: Alberta Health Services requires security clearance checks for all nursing students including graduate students who will be doing a practicum or research in the region. Applicants should wait request the Police Security Clearance check no longer than 3 months prior to entering their program. The Graduate Programs Office will need to receive the original document; photocopies are not acceptable.
• A copy of your current CPR Certification at the Basic Rescuer or Basic Cardiac Life Support or “C” level.

PLEASE do not submit these documents until you have received an offer of admission to the program.

Application Deadlines:      

To be announced.

Program Requirements:

Program Prerequisite Courses

Program Required Courses

The NP Diploma program requires a final comprehensive examination that consists of a practical and an oral examination to be completed within one day.  Both the practical and oral examinations will be based on the knowledge and skills learned throughout the NP Program.

POST-MASTER’S NURSE PRACTITIONER DIPLOMA (1 year for completion)