LPN Programs Hazleton, PA

Practical nursing provides a fast track to one of the most rewarding careers. Licensed Practical Nurses work as a critical member of the nursing team, caring for patients under the direction of a registered nurse. Employment opportunities for graduates exist in hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, and home health. The majority of LPNs are employed in long-term care where they meet the ongoing needs of the aging population. Their duties include wound care, administration of medication, patient advocacy, creating and managing patient care plans, updating patient records, supervising nursing assistants, and assisting registered nurses with treatment plans.

Licensed practical nursing programs include theory and practical instruction to prepare students for the role and responsibility of the profession. Special topics such as leadership, ethics, and nursing fundamentals will prepare students to practice within the Scope of Practice for LPNs. Other topics, such as medical surgical nursing, maternal nursing, pediatrics, and geriatrics will prepare them to meet the needs of specialized clients and populations. NCLEX review classes and practical learning experiences will give students the confidence to pass the exam. The program typically runs from 12 to 15 months full time. Graduates will be eligible to apply to the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing to take the licensure exam and become Licensed Practical Nurses.

Penn State Hazleton

Penn State Hazleton hosts a Practical Nursing Program that delivers high-quality training to prepare adults for a career in healthcare. The non-credit program leads to a Practical Nursing Certificate. Graduates will have the knowledge and skills to function as a confident and competent member of the nursing team. They will be eligible to take the NCLEX to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. At the conclusion of the training, students must be able to plan and deliver safe and patient-centered care, assess client’s growth and development, communicate effectively in written and verbal forms, administer medications in various health care settings, perform within the state’s legal and ethical guidelines, use information technology in practice, and work collaboratively with members of the health care team. The training will include didactic and practical classes covering human body structure and function, fundamentals of nursing, nursing care of the adult, medical surgical nursing care, pediatric nursing, and maternal nursing. The curriculum covers four modules, each lasting 17 weeks with one week’s break. IT includes 1575 program hours – a total of 617 hours in the classroom and 958 clinical practice hours. Students must maintain a percentage of 75% or higher to graduate from the program. The program is offered on a part-time, evening, and weekend basis. The duration is 18 months.

Admission criteria:

  • Attend one of the scheduled information session – the schedule is available on the website
  • Purchase and review the ATI TEAS Study Manual in preparation for the exam.
  • Schedule and take the TEAS
  • Submit the completed Practical Nursing Non-degree Enrollment Form with a written essay (one page) and two signed and dated character references – these must be submitted at the time of the TEAS test
  • Pay the non-refundable application fee of $90
  • Request high school and any college transcripts to be mailed directly to the Continuing Education Department at Penn State Hazleton
  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if applying for financial aid
  • Complete a Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Background Check
  • Complete an FBI Criminal Background Check
  • Obtain Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
  • Complete a physical exam and required immunizations
  • Pass a 9-panel drug screen
  • Provide proof of Health Insurance coverage
  • Submit documentation of Liability Insurance coverage

Tuition for the program is $16,800 and includes textbooks, uniforms, and supplies. Financial aid is available for qualifying students.

Hazleton Area Career Center

The Practical Nursing at Hazleton Area Career Center covers three levels with 1540 hours of theory and practical instruction. Students will receive all the educational preparation to take the NCLEX for licensure as a Licensed Practical Nursing. The program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Middle States Commissions on Secondary Schools. Each level is designed to be completed in 17 weeks with a week’s break. Course topics include Personal Vocational Relationships, Community Health, Body Structure and Function, Nursing Fundamentals I, Care of Adult Patient I, Maternal Child Health, Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Growth and Development, Care of Adult Patient II, Nursing Fundamentals II. The final level with cover Care of Adult Patient III, Nursing Opportunities, Intravenous Therapy, and Geriatrics. Graduates should be able to use nursing and scientific concepts to provide safe nursing care, identify patients’ right to quality nursing care, use the nursing process to provide holistic nursing care, practice within the guidelines of the Nurse Practice Act, function as a member of the interdisciplinary health care team, embrace career mobility within the profession, and demonstrate readiness to take the licensure exam. The clinical experiences will run concurrently with classroom instruction. Classes meet Monday through Friday from 7:10 am to 2:40 in the classroom. The clinical hours are 7:00 am to 2:30 pm. Advanced placement is available for qualifying students.

Admission criteria:

  • Have a high school diploma or GED
  • Complete the PSB pre-entrance evaluation
  • Submit a completed application to the program
  • Submit TOEFL scores – for students who speak English as an additional language or second language
  • Provide a completed health exam report completed by a licensed physician. The report must include laboratory tests, immunizations (2-step Mantoux test, Hepatitis B vaccines, MMR, and varicella), and 10-panel drug screen
  • Complete a vision examination
  • Obtain child abuse clearance
  • Complete a satisfactory Pennsylvania State Police and FBI clearance
  • Provide proof of CPR certification
  • Maintain health insurance and liability insurance for the duration of the program

Tuition for the program is $17,500. Other costs include computer fee, pre-entrance exam, books, uniforms, supplies, miscellaneous fees, and State Board exam. Financial aid is available for eligible students.

  • Website: https://www.hasdk12.org/Page/5897
  • Address: 1451 West 23rd. Street, Hazle Township, PA 18202
  • Phone: (570) 459-3221 ext. 82407
  • Fax: (570) 459-3231
  • NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 75%

Wilkes-Barre Area Career & Technical Center

Wilkes-Barre Area Career & Technical Center prepares students for an exciting and rewarding career a practical nurse. Graduates will meet the educational requirements to take the NCLEX for Practical Nurses and work as entry-level nurses in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and home health. The curriculum includes four levels – each completed in 13 weeks. Areas of study include Nursing I, Anatomy and Physiology, Nursing Process and Critical Thinking I, Calculation of Drug Dosage, Personal and Vocational Relationships, Pharmacology, Nursing Process and Critical Thinking II, Nursing II, Normal Nutrition and Diet Therapy, Pharmacology II, and Medical Surgical Nursing. Levels III and IV will cover Medical Surgical Nursing 301, Maternal Child Nursing I, Obstetrics, IV Therapy, Gerontology, Pharmacology III, Mental Health, Medical Surgical Nursing 401, Personal and Vocational Relationships II, Maternal Child Nursing II, Pediatrics, and Pharmacology. Students must complete the 1601 curriculum hours – 772 in the classroom and 829 clinical hours, to graduate from the program. The content is arranged to be completed in 52 weeks spread across 15 months. Classes meet Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. The clinical hours are 6:45 am to 2:30 pm. Regular attendance is critical to students’ success in the program.

Admission criteria:

  • Must have a high school diploma or equivalency
  • Submit completed application and a non-refundable fee of $50
  • Request official transcripts with school seal to be sent to the admission department
  • High school applied mathematics, algebra, and biology courses are recommended but not required
  • Successfully complete the Diagnostic Entrance Exam with the minimum required percentile score
  • ESL applicants must pass the TOEFL
  • Attend a pre-entrance interview with the program Director
  • Provide two written references – must be familiar with the applicant for at least 5 years
  • Obtain FBI, State Police, and Child Abuse Clearances – applicants must not have felony convictions on file
  • Demonstrate good physical health by successful completion of the pre-entrance physical exam and immunizations
  • Must have health insurance and liability insurance throughout the program
  • Maintain active CPR certification for the duration of the program

The total cost of the program is $20,600. It includes tuition, simulation and lab fees, technology fees, and supplies. Books and uniforms will be the responsibility of the student. Financial aid is available for eligible students. Job placement assistance is available for all graduates.

Fortis Institute of Scranton

Students enrolled in the practical nursing program at Fortis Institute of Scranton will receive theory, practical and clinical instruction to prepare for a career in nursing. The training will emphasize the care of patients of diverse ages, ethnicities, cultural groups, and stages of wellness. Graduates will have the educational preparation to sit for the NCLEX for Practical Nurses. The program is delivered in a hybrid format. Students will complete less than 50 percent of the courses online. The theoretical courses will run concurrently with clinical experiences. During the clinical rotations, scheduled at local health care facilities, students will receive hands-on practice as they care for patients of all ages. They will have the opportunity to observe first-hand the workings of an interdisciplinary health care team. The curriculum will cover 1640 clock hours in 72 instructional weeks and deliver 104-quarter credits. Course topics include general psychology, English composition, college mathematics, introduction to informatics, human growth and development, fundamentals of human nutrition, anatomy and physiology, basic skills, quality and safety in nursing practice, pharmacology, foundations of nursing, gerontology, mental health nursing, medical surgical nursing, and maternal newborn nursing. Other topics are pediatric nursing, mental health nursing, transition to practical nursing practice, concepts of leadership, and concepts of community-based nursing. Graduates will earn an Associate of Specialized Technology and will be able to provide safe and patient-centered care, practice with the LPN scope of practice, contribute to the plan of nursing care, apply critical thinking and problem solving in practice, use effective verbal and written communication, use knowledge of nursing to manage care for individuals of culturally diverse backgrounds, and community to personal and professional growth.

Admission criteria:

  • Must be a high school graduate or have a recognized equivalent
  • Must be 17 years or older the at start of the program
  • Complete the applicant information form
  • Attend an interview with an admission representative
  • Take the Wonderlic SLE exam and obtain a passing score – 16
  • Pay the enrollment fee and complete the tuition payment requirements
  • Agree to and sign the Enrollment Agreement
  • Take and pass the HESI A2
  • Submit to and pass a drug screening test
  • Submit to and pass a criminal background check prior to starting the program
  • Provide a valid photo ID
  • Have current Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers and must remain valid throughout the program
  • Submit a signed Allied Health and Nursing Program waiver
  • Complete the Hepatitis B series immunization, MMR, Varicella and TB skin test

Contact the school for a current schedule of classes and tuition.

Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County

The Practical Nursing Program at the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County prepares students to perform the duties of a licensed practical nurse, including caring for the sick, promoting health, and preventing diseases. The educational preparation, which includes classroom theory and practical training, will provide students with eligibility to take the licensing exam for Practical Nurses. The program features four levels. Each level will be completed in 13 weeks. Course topics include Life Sciences, Nursing Skills I, Personal and Vocational Relationships I, Personal and Community Health, Nutrition, Nursing Skills II, Medical Surgical Nursing I, Nursing in the Family Life Cycle I, Medical Surgical Nursing II, Nursing Skills III, and Disorders of Psychosocial Adaptation. Courses in the final level include Nursing in the Family Life Cycle II, Medical Surgical Nursing III, Personal and Vocational Relationships II. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. The 52-week course is spread over 15 months. Classes meet Monday through Friday.

Admission criteria:

  • Must be a resident of Pennsylvania
  • Must be a high school graduate from an accredited school or have a recognized equivalency
  • Take and pass a pre-entrance aptitude test
  • Submit two letters of reference
  • Submit a completed application and non-refundable fee
  • Attend a pre-entrance interview with the program director
  • Obtain FBI, State Police, and Child Abuse Clearances – applicants must not have felony convictions on file
  • Demonstrate good physical health by successful completion of the pre-entrance physical exam and immunizations
  • Must have health insurance and liability insurance throughout the program
  • Maintain active CPR certification for the duration of the program

Tuition costs $13,200. Books and supplies will cost an additional $1,188.

Crystal is a certified Registered Nurse (RN) with a passion for writing about nursing education. Through her articles, Crystal shares insights and tips to help fellow nurses enhance their skills and stay updated with the latest developments in the field. With a focus on practical advice and relevant topics, Crystal's writing is a valuable resource for nursing professionals seeking to advance their careers.