Nurses promote optimal health through their support of individuals, families, and communities and by providing counsel on the prevention of diseases. They promote wellness, restore health, and support rehabilitation. As a contributing member of the health care team, licensed practical nurses care for patients under the supervision of a registered nurse. Due to stricter requirements for nurses in acute care environments, the majority of practical nurses today provide care a long-term and home health care settings. Duties may include providing bedside care, charting vital signs, dressing wounds, preparing and administering medications, and the planning and implementing of a plan of care. LPN programs provide students with the knowledge and skills to assume an entry-level position in hospitals, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, and physicians’ offices.
Harrisburg Area Community College
Students enrolled in the practical nursing program at HACC will receive a Certificate of Completion upon graduation and will be eligible to sit the licensure exam for LPNs. The program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
The 43-credit program may be completed in 12 months, but actual time varies according to the semester. The curriculum includes instruction in the classroom plus clinical time, which may be scheduled as early as 7 am or as late as 10 pm. Students must also arrange time for laboratory practice and return demonstrations. Both the classroom and clinical session require extensive reading and preparation. Course modules include English comp, general psychology, introduction to sociology, basic microbiology, introduction to human biology, fundamentals of practical nursing I, II, and III and clinical experiences. Admission to the selective and competitive admission program requires a completed application submitted before the deadline, TEAS scores, a background check, and a high school diploma. Before commencing the clinical portion of the program, students must complete a physical exam and obtain the required immunizations, undergo an annual Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, FBI Check and State Police Criminal Record Check, undergo a drug and alcohol screen, and have current certification in CPR from the American Heart Association. Graduates who plan to pursue an career as a registered nurse will receive advanced standing in the associate degree program. The total tuition amount is $11,158 for in-state students. Other applicable fees include textbooks, lab fees, liability insurance, and clinical fees.
- Website: https://www.hacc.edu/ProgramsandCourses/Programs/HealthCareers/Nurse-LPN.cfm
- Address: One HACC Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17110
- Phone: 800-ABC-HACC
- NCLEX-RN: 92.65%
Lebanon County Career and Technology Center
The practical nursing program at LCCTC combines theory with supervised clinical experiences to prepare students to provide basic bedside care, pass the licensure exam for practical nurses, and pursue advanced opportunities. LCCTC offers be simulation labs, computer lab, supervised clinical experiences, advanced placement in the RN program. Course topics include anatomy and physiology, nursing fundamentals, personal and vocational relationships, medical-surgical nursing, maternal-child nursing, and diet and drug therapy. The curriculum covers 1540 hours. Full-time classes meet Monday through Friday from 8:00 am 3:30 pm for 12 months. Part-time classes meet Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 2:00 pm to 9:30 pm for 18 months. The program is open to PA residents with a high school diploma or GED. Applicants must complete pre-admission testing, drug screening, pre-admission physical exam, CPR certification, PA criminal record check, PA child abuse history clearance, and FBI fingerprint. The tuition costs $12,300 for full-time students and $12,575 for part-time students. Additional fees include but are not limited to uniforms, temporary permit practice, CPR AED, and State Board application to test.
- Website: http://www.lcctc.edu/curriculums/practical-nursing/
- Address: 833 Metro Drive, Lebanon, PA 17042
- Phone: (717) 273-8551
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 80.23%
Lancaster County Career & Technology Center
The Practical Nursing program at Lancaster County Career and Technology Center prepares adults to perform nursing care safety and competently under the direction a registered nurse. The program is offered as a day or evening program and may be completed in 12 months to 18 months. The curriculum integrates academics with practical hands-on experiences and progresses from the basic to complex nursing concepts. Students will learn how to utilize the nursing process to meet the individual needs of patients, adhere to the legal and ethical guidelines for practice, communicate and collaborate with all members of the patient care team, and recognize the importance of continued development in the profession. Applicants must submit the $90 application and testing fee with a completed application, provide high school transcript of GED certificate, submit any applicable college transcripts, pass the TEAS V test, perform a criminal record check, FBI criminal history, and Child Abuse History Clearance, complete a physical exam, 2-step PPD, drug screen, and immunization, and have current CPR. In state tuition costs $12,744 for day students and $13,542 for evening students. Financial aid is available for qualifying students.
- Website: https://lancasterctc.edu/
- Address: 1730 Hans Herr Drive, Willow Street, PA 17584
- Phone: 717-464-7050
- Fax: 717-464-9518
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 92.02%
Lincoln Tech
Lincoln’s Practical Nursing program equips students with the knowledge and technical skills to perform the functions of a Licensed Practical Nurse. Graduates are prepared to sit the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) and pursue continued study to become a registered nurse. The curriculum covers a total of 1500 clock hours and requires approximately 52 weeks to complete for the day schedule or 68 weeks for the evening schedule. Course topics include human anatomy and physiology, nursing fundamentals, professional awareness, pharmacology, mental health nursing, lifespan growth and development, maternal pediatric nursing, medical surgical nursing, and professional development. In addition to time in the classroom, students will participate in a total of 575 clinical hours where they will provide patient care under the direction of a registered nurse. Applicants must be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate or possess a state-approved high school equivalency, sign the enrollment agreement, achieve a passing score on the entrance exam, complete a criminal history check, have up-to-date immunization. Complete a physical exam, complete the TEAS with a minimum score of 44 percent, and attend an admissions interview. Tuition for the program is $29,828.
- Website: https://www.lincolntech.edu/careers/health-sciences/nursing-practical
- Address: 5151 Tilghman Street, Allentown, PA 18104
- Phone: (610) 398-5300
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 87.50%
Penn State Lehigh Valley
Penn State Lehigh Valley provides practical nursing students with the training need to pass the NCLEX-PN and function as a capable LPN under the direction of a registered nurse. The program is delivered on a part-time only basis and requires 18 months to complete. Qualified nursing instructors cover the structure and function of the human body, fundamentals of practical nursing, nursing care of the adult, nursing care of children, concepts of basic medical-surgical nursing, and mental health concepts. Graduates will be prepared to use their knowledge and clinical skills to provide safe and comprehensive patient-centered care, use the nursing process to meet patients’ needs, practice in a legal and ethical manner, collaborate with other members of the health care team, use information technology in the provision of care, and administer medications. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, pass the TEAS pre-entrance exam, attend a personal interview, present current immunization records, present a clear background check, FBI clearance, and PA child abuse clearance, obtain CPR certification, and clear a 9-panel drug screen. Tuition for the program costs $16,800 and includes books, uniforms, and nursing supplies. Students must budget additional funds for CPR certification, background clearances, drug screen, insurance, and graduation fees.
- Website: http://lehighvalley.psu.edu/practical-nursing-program
- Address: 2809 Saucon Valley Road, Center Valley, PA 18034-8447
- Phone: 610-285-5000
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 87.32%
York County School of Technology
YCST operates a Practical Nursing Program with the approval of the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Students complete the 1540-hour curriculum in 11 months and are prepared for success on the NCLEX exam. At the conclusion of the training graduates will be prepared to participate as an effective member of the healthcare team, demonstrate the knowledge and competencies of a practical nurse, use the nursing process to meet patients’ needs in various settings, practice within the legal and ethical guidelines, understand the need for continuous learning and development. In addition to academics students will also participate in supervised clinical experiences at Memorial Hospital, Rest Haven, Pleasant Acres, SpiriTrust Lutheran, and other health care facilities. New students are accepted twice yearly in January and July. Applicants must provide evidence of completing high school or its equivalent, attend a personal interview, obtain a passing score on the pre=entrance exam, have no criminal convictions, be in good physical and mental health, and complete a physical exam and immunizations. Tuition and fees cost $15,930 for in-state students.
- Website: http://www.ytech.edu/nursing/practical_nursing_program
- Address: 2179 S. Queen St, York, PA 17402
- Phone: 717-741-0820
- Fax: 717-741-0694
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 78%
Central Susquehanna LPN Career Center
The Central Susquehanna LPN Career Center prepares qualified adults for a career as a practical nurse. Graduates of the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing approved program are prepared for success on the state licensure exam and to make a difference in the complex health care delivery system. New full-time classes begin in August each year and part-time classes begin in March. The full-time program lasts one year. Classes meet weekdays from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The part-time program spans two years. During the clinical experiences, students will provide patient care under the supervision of a licensed nurse at affiliated hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care facilities. The curriculum covers 1547 hours of theory and practical experiences in mental health nursing, medical surgical nursing, maternal child nursing, geriatrics, pharmacology, general psychology, and nursing fundamentals. Persons interested in enrolling in the program must register for the pre-admission assessment (TABE), complete the application and submit it with the application fee, submit official high school or college transcripts, complete a urine drug screen, and provide references attesting to positive character. Upon acceptance to the program, students must obtain CPR certification, a health assessment and health insurance, complete a criminal background check, and obtain a negative drug screen. Tuition, registration and supplies cost $17,142.
- Website: http://lpn.csiu.org/
- Address: 1339 Saint Mary Street Suite 2, Lewisburg, PA 17837
- Phone: (570) 768-4960
- Fax: (570) 768-4961
- Email: cfeaster@csiu.org
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 94%