NBCC Practical Nurse diploma in New Brunswick: campuses, entry and licensing

Canada · Fredericton and five other campuses, New Brunswick · Last checked October 2026

New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) is an English-language public community college, with campuses in Fredericton, Miramichi, Moncton, Saint John, St. Andrews and Woodstock. For nursing, the program to know is its Practical Nurse diploma.

Fiabita is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by this institution. Current admissions, courses, placements and professional requirements must be verified with the official institution and applicable regulator.

What the school offers (nursing)

NBCC's Practical Nurse program is a diploma that can be completed within two academic years of full-time study. It is listed at all six campuses, is delivered as blended learning in English, and starts in January or September depending on the campus. NBCC lists a PSW pathway into Practical Nurse as well.

Entry requires a high school diploma or equivalent plus one science (Biology, Chemistry or Physics at the 112 or 122 level). NBCC states that international applicants are not currently eligible. The College of Nursing of New Brunswick's list of approved nursing programs also names an NBCC bridging program for Canadian re-entry and internationally educated nurses (CRIB), though not entry-level practical nursing, which that registry does not cover.

Becoming licensed after graduating

A New Brunswick government career profile for licensed practical nurses names the Association of New Brunswick Licensed Practical Nurses (ANBLPN) as the regulatory authority, a two-year college diploma approved by that body, and the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE). Nursing regulation in New Brunswick has been changing (the RN regulator is now the College of Nursing of New Brunswick), so confirm the current regulator and exam for practical nurses before relying on this. Registered nurses, by contrast, write the NCLEX-RN, which is not what practical nurses write.

How to apply

NBCC says applicants go through its standard admissions process, and the college uses a "first qualified, first accepted" approach. It publishes a seat availability page that changes continuously, and its recruitment advisors can confirm open seats. Check the page for the campus and start date you want.

How Fiabita's Study Lab can help students here

Fiabita is an independent study tool and is not affiliated with NBCC. In a two-year diploma, content comes quickly: Study Lab lets you upload your own notes or slides and turn them into quizzes and flashcards, for example for pharmacology and assessment. AI-generated content can contain errors, so validate it against your course material.

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Sources

Last checked October 2026. Programs, dates and requirements change: always confirm on the official pages.