Practical Nursing
Career Information
Students who complete this program could pursue a variety of careers. Here are some potential career paths:
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): Provide basic nursing care under supervision.
Home Health Nurse: Offer in-home care and support.
Medical Assistant: Perform administrative and clinical tasks.
Clinical Support Specialist: Manage patient records and clinical operations.
School Nurse: Provide healthcare services in schools.
Long-Term Care Nurse: Care for patients in long-term care facilities.
ER Nurse: Provide emergency care in hospital emergency rooms.
These careers leverage the diverse skills and knowledge gained through the program, providing a strong foundation for success in various fields.
Program Description
The Practical Nursing course is an 18 month program. It is designed to begin in the 12th grade year. This first phase of 36 weeks is a three-credit class offered to high school seniors only along side adults who apply and are accepted through Henrico Adult Education.
If you successfully complete the first phase, you will progress to the second phase at Henrico County–St. Mary’s Hospital School of Practical Nursing. This phase is a full-time nine-month program.
Phase I (ACE Center at Hermitage (Aug-May)
Practical Nursing I (2 credits): In the first semester of Practical Nursing, students will learn the fundamentals of nursing that include communication, human anatomy, body function, and nutrition, as related to patients/clients across the life cycle.
Practical Nursing II ( 2 credits): During the second semester, instruction will focus on basic nursing skills, medical asepsis, human development across the life cycle, and an introduction to pharmacology. Students will also apply basic nursing skills in interactive settings.
Phase II (Henrico County–St. Mary’s Hospital School of Practical Nursing)
Nursing Care of the Adult I - PNIII (June-Sept): Includes promoting comfort, applying the nursing process to treating and preventing infections, reducing the inflammatory response, and addressing disorders of the integumentary, hematologic, immune, respiratory, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and reproductive systems.
Nursing Care of the Adult II - PNIII (Sept-Nov): Includes applying the nursing process to addressing disorders of the cardiovascular, renal, endocrine, neurological, and coagulation systems, as well as care and management of cancer.
Nursing Care of Mother/Infant - PNIII (Nov-March): Provides the student with the theoretical foundation to apply the nursing process to maternity and newborn health. Focus includes stages of pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium, as well as the role of the practical nurse in caring for the mother and infant throughout with a focus on family-centered care, including normal growth and development, safety, prevention, communication, and utilizing community resources throughout this stage.
Nursing Care of Pediatrics - PNIII (Nov-March): Provides the student with the theoretical foundation to apply the nursing process to children’s health. Focus includes the role of the practical nurse in caring for children with a focus on family-centered care, including normal growth and development, communication, safety, prevention, and utilization of community resources.
Nursing Care of Mental Health - PNIII (Nov-March): Provides the student with the theoretical foundation to apply the nursing process to mental health nursing in a variety of health care settings. Focus on therapeutic communication, collaboration, caring, and clinical judgment are incorporated to ensure safe, patient-centered nursing care to diverse patients experiencing common mental health conditions/disorders.
Nursing Leadership - PNIII (Nov-March): Provides the student with foundational knowledge towards successfully making the transition from student to practical nurse. Theory focuses on the role of the LPN as a manager and leader and delegation of nursing activities to unlicensed personnel. The student will have the opportunity to provide comprehensive nursing care in diverse patient populations, including long-term care and community settings.
Program Structure and Benefits
Career Technical Student Organization - Future Health Professionals: This organization prepares students for careers in the health sciences.
Partnership: Henrico County-St. Mary’s Hospital School of Practical Nursing
Real-World Experience: Students in the Practical Nursing program will study and practice in our state-of-the-art hospital simulation lab. They must pass over 30 practical skills assessments prior to attending their clinical hours. Additionally, students will attend 48 clinical hours at local medical facilities under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs), providing them with invaluable hands-on experience in real-world healthcare settings.
Certifications: After successfully completing this 18-month program, you are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) to become a licensed practical nurse. Those who complete the program are also eligible to earn their CPR/AED/First Aid Heart-Saver and Workplace Readiness (WRS) certifications.
Is this a good fit for you? This program is ideal for students who are motivated and have a strong interest in health. Ideal candidates should be prepared to study both inside and outside of class hours, possess good time management skills, and be self-directed. Students should understand that there is a strict hours requirement at multiple levels of the course, and their academic progress cannot fall below 77% throughout the duration of the program, or they may be withdrawn. If you are dedicated, disciplined, and passionate about pursuing a career in practical nursing, this program could be a perfect fit for you.
Instructors