Casey Conaway, Program Coordinator
200 Jerry Burton Drive, Suite One, Sutton, WV 26601 -or-
105 Advanced Technology Center (ATC), Fairmont
(304) 368-7235
Casey.Conaway@pierpont.edu
Program Purpose
The mission of the Practical Nursing Program at Pierpont Community & Technical College is to provide opportunities for learning, training, and application of knowledge as it relates to the nursing care of individuals, families, and communities in health and illness. Our mission is responsive to the emerging technologies in the field of healthcare and the changing health care needs of individuals, families, and communities. Our goal is to prepare our graduates for successful completion of the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses.
The licensed practical nursing program has been designed as a part-time five-semester certificate program. The curriculum is divided into courses of study proceeding from the simple to the complex, including theory, college laboratory and clinical practice. Hours and course design closely follow the West Virginia LPN Board’s suggested curriculum design. The program is accredited by the West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses (October 2017).
Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of Pierpont Community & Technical College’s Practical Nursing Program shall be prepared to:
- Utilize the nursing process as a guide to assess, plan, implement and evaluate basic patient care across the life span within the practical nurse’s scope of practice
- Implement the role of nursing in the continuum of care, which includes that of patient advocate, leader/manager of care, communicator, teacher and member of the health care team
- Incorporate therapeutic communication to assist patients of all ages in promoting health and supporting wellness
- Utilize learned nursing skills and current technology as an entry-level practical nurse to provide and promote compassionate nursing care
- Integrate ethical, professional, legal responsibility, and accountability into actions and decisions
- Assume responsibility for personal and professional growth
- Successfully pass the National Council License Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN)
Opportunities
Career opportunities for a licensed practical nurse can be found in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, nursing care facilities, physician offices, and in home care. According to the US Department of Labor, employment of LPN’s is expected to grow by 16 percent through 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations, in response to the long-term care needs of an increasing elderly population and the general increase in demand for healthcare services. The US Department of Labor reports that as of 2016 the median annual wage for LPN’s is $44,090.00. Graduates may continue in higher education toward an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ASN).
Program Admission
All applicants seeking admission to the licensed practical nursing program are required to:
- Apply to Pierpont Community & Technical College as an LPN major. Be a high school completer and have a GPA of 2.0 or better (most recent high school or college cumulative).
- Submit completed practical nursing application and all associated documents, which can be found on the website at http://www.pierpont.edu/schoolofhealthcareers/academics/lpn. Applicants who are not admitted must reapply if they wish to be considered for the next academic year.
- Applicants must take a pre-nursing entrance test, TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills). A minimum score of 50 percent, adjusted individual total score, is required for consideration. Information on TEAS testing can be found on the website at http://www.pierpont.edu/ce/teasfaq.
An impartial scoring system is used to rank applicants applying to the practical nursing program. The evaluation process considers Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS test) scores; high school or college grade point average or High School Equivalency Exam scores; and experience in the health care field. The highest scoring applicants will be offered admission into the program.
To progress in the practical nursing program a student must receive a grade of “C” or higher in each nursing and required support course. Failure to meet this requirement will result in a student being dismissed from the program. A student may request readmission to the program according to the readmission policy, which can be found in the licensed practical nursing handbook which can be found on the website at: http://www.pierpont.edu/schoolofhealthcareers/academics/lpn-program-admission. To graduate from the practical nursing program a student must have a grade of “C” or above in every nursing course and a cumulative 2.0 grade point average.
Students must meet English ACT score 13 or higher, English COMPASS greater than 28 competency, and complete prerequisite coursework to enter the program.
Return to: