Take Your CCA Career to the Next Level
Advance from Continuing Care Assistant to Practical Nurse* and unlock greater career opportunities in healthcare
*pending approval by the Department of Advanced Education
Why CCAs Are Advancing to Practical Nursing
As a Continuing Care Assistant, you already have valuable healthcare experience. Take the next step in your career with enhanced skills and expanded responsibilities.
Open doors to leadership roles, specialized units, and increased job security in the growing healthcare sector.
Perform more advanced nursing procedures, medication administration, and patient assessments.
Gain regulated professional status with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Nova Scotia.
From CCA to PN: A Natural Career Progression
Build on Your CCA Foundation
Your existing healthcare knowledge and patient care experience provide a strong foundation for advanced nursing skills.
Advance Your Clinical Skills
Learn medication administration, wound care, IV therapy, and other advanced nursing procedures.
Step into Leadership
Take on supervisory roles, mentor new staff, and become a key healthcare team member.
How the CCA-to-PN Upgrade Works
The CCA-to-PN pathway is designed specifically for working care aides who want to advance without starting from scratch. Your existing healthcare experience counts.
Your CCA Experience Counts
As a Continuing Care Assistant, you have already spent time at the bedside - observing nursing assessments, assisting with personal care, taking vital signs, and working within a multidisciplinary team. That direct patient-care background means you enter the Practical Nursing program with context that new students spend weeks acquiring.
Island Career Academy's Practical Nursing program builds on your CCA foundation. You will deepen your understanding of anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and medical conditions you have already encountered in clinical settings - making the material faster to grasp because it connects to real experience you already have.
The 550 clinical hours in the PN program are completed in Nova Scotia healthcare settings. Because you are already familiar with healthcare culture, workplace protocols, and patient interaction, you can focus on developing advanced clinical skills rather than adjusting to a new environment.
What the Pathway Looks Like
1Apply and confirm your CCA credentials
Your admissions advisor will review your CCA certificate, healthcare work experience, and academic background. Most practising CCAs meet the entry criteria or are close to meeting them.
2Complete Year 1 - foundational nursing theory and skills
The first year (35 weeks) covers nursing theory, pharmacology, health assessment, and clinical labs. Your CCA background accelerates this phase because the clinical concepts connect directly to your day-to-day work experience.
3Complete Year 2 - advanced clinical practicum
The second year (34 weeks) emphasises 550 hands-on clinical hours across acute care, long-term care, and community settings. You graduate eligible to write the NCLEX-PN licensure examination and register with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Nova Scotia.
4Register as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Nova Scotia*
LPNs in Nova Scotia are regulated by the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Nova Scotia (CLPNNS). Graduation from an approved program and successful NCLEX-PN results are required for registration.
*Program pending approval by the NS Department of Advanced Education.
Entry Requirements for CCA Applicants
Academic Requirements
- High school diploma (Grade 12) or equivalent
- Mathematics and English at an acceptable grade level
- Biology or science background (mature-student equivalency may apply)
Healthcare Requirements
- Current CCA certificate from a recognised program
- Recent healthcare work experience preferred
- Up-to-date immunisations and clear criminal record check for clinical placements
Not sure if you qualify? Talk to our admissions team - many CCA applicants are surprised by how close they already are to meeting the entry requirements.
Practical Nursing Program Highlights
Island Career Academy's Practical Nursing program offers 550 clinical hours with small class sizes in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Pending approval by the NS Department of Advanced Education.
*pending approval by the Department of Advanced Education
Program Duration
2 Years
35 weeks + 34 weeks
Clinical Hours
550
Hands-on experience
Class Size
Small
Personalized attention
Approval Status*
*pending approval by the Department of Advanced Education
Ready to Advance Your Healthcare Career?
Get detailed program information and speak with our admissions team about how your CCA experience can accelerate your journey to becoming a Practical Nurse.
Speak with an Advisor
Have questions about advancing from CCA to PN? Our admissions team is here to help.
Why Choose Island Career Academy?
- NS College of Nurses approved (DoAE approval pending)
- Experienced healthcare instructors
- Small class sizes for personalized learning
- Strong clinical placement partnerships
- Career support and job placement assistance
Complete the form and we'll send you detailed program information
Information Request Form
Loading CCA to PN Upgrade Program Information Request.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does my CCA experience help with the PN program?▼
Your CCA experience provides valuable healthcare knowledge and patient care skills that form a strong foundation for practical nursing. You'll build upon your existing knowledge of healthcare settings, patient interactions, and basic care procedures to learn advanced nursing skills and responsibilities.
What additional skills will I learn as a PN?▼
As a Practical Nurse, you'll learn medication administration, IV therapy, wound care, patient assessments, care planning, and other advanced clinical skills. You'll also develop leadership abilities and gain the authority to supervise healthcare assistants and students.
Can I continue working as a CCA while studying?▼
Many students successfully balance part-time CCA work with their studies. Our program is designed with working healthcare professionals in mind. We recommend discussing your work schedule with our admissions team to create a plan that works for your situation.
What are the admission requirements for CCAs?▼
Admission requirements include completion of Grade 12 (or equivalent), current CCA certification, and healthcare work experience. We also require completion of specific prerequisite courses in anatomy, physiology, and math. Our admissions team will review your background and help you understand any additional requirements.
What job opportunities are available after graduation?▼
Practical Nurses work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, community health centers, clinics, and home care services. You can advance to charge nurse positions, specialized units, or supervisory roles. The healthcare sector in Nova Scotia has strong demand for qualified PNs.