Practical Nurse

  1. Overview
  2. Practical Nurse Certificate

Provide vital care to patients in need.

The Practical Nurse program provides students with the knowledge and clinical skills necessary to enter the healthcare field as a Practical Nurse. It is expected that graduates of the Practical Nurse program will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN licensure examination. Passing this exam is required to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

Practical Nurses provide basic medical care, including:

  • Monitoring a patient’s health by checking vital signs
  • Administering wound care and inserting catheters
  • Providing for the basic comfort of patients, such as helping them bathe or dress
  • Reporting a patient’s medical status to the registered nurse and/or physician
  • Maintaining patient health records
  • Collecting specimens

Practical Nurse graduates provide care to their patients in a variety of healthcare environments, including hospitals, physicians’ offices, clinics, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, and home healthcare settings.

Benefit from:

  • A strong foundation in both the theory and techniques of clinical nursing
  • Hands-on learning in on-site nursing laboratories that simulate various clinical environments
  • Opportunities to practice communication and interpersonal skills needed for developing a rapport with colleagues and patients
  • Valuable, practical experience gained through the completion of clinical rotations at off-campus healthcare facilities, under the supervision of Registered Nurse instructors and professional practitioners
  • Eligibility to sit for the NCLEX-PN licensure examination to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Practical Nurse
Certificate Program

Beginning Fall 2013: This program is expected to begin with the Fall 2013 quarter, subject to regulatory approvals and other circumstances, and will be offered at the Clifton and Dover locations*.

*The opening of locations in Clifton and Dover is planned for 2013, subject to regulatory approval.

The following are Practical Nurse Certificate program statistics for New Jersey. This program is expected to begin in 2013, subject to regulatory approvals and other circumstances. Berkeley reserves the right to modify programs and plans as it deems appropriate.

Click on the links for more information on jobs related to this program:

Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training 29-2061 Licensed Practical Nurse

 

Q: How much will this program cost me to complete?
A: If you begin this program in 2013, your estimated total costs for the entire program are:

Tuition and fees:

$28,300


Books and supplies:

$1,650


On-campus room & board:

Not required


Q: What's included?
A:
Program costs include tuition, administrative and technology fees, background check where appropriate, and the cost of the first certification/licensure examination. Living expenses, such as room, board, and transportation, can vary considerably and are not included in the figures above. Berkeley College does not require students to live on campus.

Q: What are my financing options to pay for the program?
A:
In addition to any grant and scholarship aid for which they are eligible, students may be eligible to borrow federal loans and private educational loans, and participate in institutional financing plans.

Because this is a new program, there are no relevant statistics concerning student loan debt.

Q: How long will it take me to complete this program?
A:

This 72-credit program is designed to be completed in five academic quarters over 15 months.

Because this is a new program, there are no relevant statistics concerning program completion.


 

Governing regulations may disqualify individuals from obtaining professional certification in this field based upon health or criminal records. Therefore, in addition to meeting the immunization requirements of Berkeley College and the State of New Jersey, students applying to the Practical Nurse program must submit a physical assessment by a licensed physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant and provide authorization for a criminal background check prior to registration.

To qualify for graduation, students must pass all Nursing (NUR) courses, Life Sciences, and Psychology with a minimum grade of C+. Students are required to purchase their own malpractice insurance. There are strict attendance requirements for completion of this program.