Practical Nursing
Practical Nursing Program in Pennsylvania
Manor's Practical Nursing Program leads to an Associate of Science degree and eligibility to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN).
Many people are interested in working in a healthcare career, but some don’t want to spend years in medical school. Completing a practical nursing program is a great way for aspiring healthcare professionals to prepare for a medical career in two years or less. Manor College offers many programs that equip students with the knowledge needed to enter the workforce, including our Practical Nursing program in Pennsylvania. Our courses help students prepare for work as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or to get a registered nurse (RN) degree. Learn more about the Practical Nursing program at Manor College.
What Is Practical Nursing?
Practical nursing is a healthcare profession that consists of licensed practical nurses, or LPNs. LPNs are one of the most common kinds of nurses besides registered nurses (or RNs). LPNs work underneath RNs and doctors to provide basic patient care. Some typical job duties of an LPN include:
- Monitoring the status of patients
- Keeping medical records updated
- Taking and recording vital signs
- Administering medications
- Dressing wounds
- Relaying patient concerns to doctors
An LPN is typically the first person a patient sees, setting the tone for the visit. That means providing patient comfort is another part of the job.
LPNs can find work in many different healthcare settings, including hospitals, doctors’ offices, nursing homes, residential care facilities, mental health centers, and more. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of licensed practical nurses is projected to grow 5% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
Manor College Enters Partnership with Saint Hubert’s, Jefferson Health
‘Health Careers in 1-2-3’ will see students from Saint Hubert’s attending healthcare classes at Manor College with guaranteed job placement after graduation with Jefferson Health.
“This program is special because it is career focused and meets a societal demand for well-prepared healthcare providers,” Dr. Joseph Gillespie, Provost, said.
Practical Nursing at Manor College
The Practical Nursing program at Manor College, established in Fall 2023, is a 70-credit program that can be completed in 15 months. Completing this program acts as a stepping stone toward a successful LPN career, resulting in an Associate of Science in Practical Nursing (ASPN) degree. After finishing the program, students are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN), given by the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing. Once students complete an LPN program and become licensed, they can start working or choose to continue their education to become an RN.
Our program combines hands-on lab and clinical experiences, as well as general education classes, to provide students with the information they need to succeed in their careers. Some of the Practical Nursing program courses include:
General Education Core
- Effective Communication: EN101 Fundamentals of Composition and AH302 Managing Social Determinants of Health
- Conceptualization and Analysis: PS101 Intro to Psychology and PN104 Safety in the Healthcare Facility
III. Personal, Social, and Ethical Responsibility: Any Religion Course
- Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning: BI106 Science of Nutrition and BI105 Basic Human Structure and Function
- Appreciation of Culture and Diversity: PN101 Overview of Nursing and PN116 Medical/Surgical Nursing I
Program Requirements
- PN102 Basic Nursing Skills (first seven weeks)
- PN103 PN Clinical I: Long-Term Care (2nd seven weeks)
- PN105 Development Throughout the Life Cycle
- PN106 The Nursing Process
- PN107 Personal and Environmental Health
- PN110 Mental Health Nursing
- PN111 PN Clinical II: Mental Health Nursing
- PN112 Gerontologic Nursing
- PN113 PN Clinical III: Gerontologic Nursing (2nd seven weeks) SUII
- PN114 Pharmacology and Admin. of Meds/Injectables
- PN115 Transition to Practice
- PN120 Medical/Surgical Nursing II
- PN121 PN Clinical IV: Medical/Surgical Nursing (2nd seven weeks)
- PN122 Pregnancy and Childbirth
- PN123 PN Clinical V: Pregnancy and Childbirth (1st three weeks)
- PN124 Pediatric Nursing
- PN125 PN Clinical VI: Pediatric Nursing (2nd three weeks)
Students must receive a minimum grade of C+/2.33 in ALL courses, except Pharmacology, in which a minimum grade of B-/2.67 is required. If a student wishes to transfer academic courses from a previous institution, the courses must have been completed within seven years of admission to be accepted.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission into Manor College’s Practical Nursing program, students must have a high school diploma with a GPA of 2.33 (C+). Students may also be accepted with their GED if other factors, like work history, references, and life experience, are considered. Students must also complete a basic math course.
To apply, students must submit an application through the Manor Admissions Office and will interview with nursing faculty before an admission decision is made. Potential students also must:
- Take a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance that indicates “no record” to participate in off-site clinical experiences
- Pass the Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check with the results within the guidelines of the law
- Complete an FBI Background Check Transmittal Form
Some clinical sites may have additional requirements.
Career Opportunities
Students who complete the program successfully and become licensed practical nurses are able to support a health care team in completing nursing duties allowed under their license. These tasks include, but are not limited to, administering medications, wound care and patient education. A licensed practical nurse is a professional who provides basic care for patients. They are crucial in minimizing pain, increasing mobility, improving comfort, and generally improving overall care for patients in a variety of medical settings.
LPN’s make up the vast majority of nursing staff in the United States, and work in a variety of health care settings.
Examples of these settings are:
- Long Term Care Facilities
- Physician Offices
- Home-Health Care
- Employees Health
- Residential Care
- Community Mental Health Centers
- Detox Agencies
- Outpatient Care Facilities
- Hospitals
- Schools
- State and Local Government Agencies
Request More Information about Practical Nursing Today
Aspiring LPNs can take one step closer to their career by enrolling in the Practical Nursing program at Manor College in PA. Whether you’re a first-generation college student, a high school student, or a commuting adult student, Manor College can accommodate you and help you on your way to your healthcare career. Request more information about the Practical Nursing program at Manor College or apply today.
Practical Nursing News From Manor