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Practical Nursing Certificate

Area: Practical Nursing Certificate (Page 109)

Length: Three semesters (one-year) program.

Purpose: The Practical Nursing curriculum is designed to prepare beginning practitioners with the knowledge and skill to care for patients of all age groups and to qualify as contributing members of the health care team. Students who successfully complete the curriculum are awarded a certification in practical nursing and are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) leading to a license as a practical nurse.

Practical Nursing is an academically rigorous program. The Practical Nursing Program is open to men and women who provide evidence of interest, motivation, and aptitude in the area of health care. Students shall be selected on the basis of established criteria and without regard to age, race, creed, sex, or national origin. Students with disabilities who meet the admission requirements, including a medical history and physical examination signed by a physician stating that the student is able to perform as a student nurse in a clinical setting are eligible for admission.

Occupational Objectives: Opportunities for the Licensed Practical Nurse L.P.N. include employment in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, day-care centers, Civil Service, primary care offices, rehabilitation facilities, industry, the military, home health, and private duty nursing.

Admission Requirements: In addition to the general admission requirements established for the College, entry into the Practical Nursing program requires:

  1. Application to Lord Fairfax Community College (LFCC)
  2. Completion of specific Practical Nursing Program admission requirements.
  3. High School diploma or GED- official transcripts must be forwarded to the Office of Admissions.
  4. Completion of appropriate placement tests in reading, writing, and mathematics (if needed) offered by the College, and any recommended developmental course work.
  5. Completion of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).
  6. Evidence of computer competency (see page 48).

All admission requirements must be completed prior to the selection process. In all cases, the recommendation of the admissions committee is the final determinant for admission to the Practical Nursing Program. It is the responsibility of the student to meet the requirements for state licensure.

The nursing law of Virginia addresses criteria for application for licensure. The Virginia Board of Nursing has the power to deny opportunity to procure license through testing if the applicant has willfully committed a felony/misdemeanor under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia or of the United States. Any student entering the nursing program who has committed any illegal offenses other than minor traffic violations is encouraged to discuss these matters with the Virginia Board of Nursing for clarification prior to admission. Some heath care facilities may not employ individuals who have committed certain criminal acts and may conduct criminal background checks before hiring potential employees.

Program Requirements:

  1. Completion of a physical examination and all required immunizations. Applicants must be free of any physical and/or mental condition which might adversely affect their performance as nurses.
  2. Current certification in CPR (American Heart Association CPR for Health Care Provider (adult, infant and child).
  3. Purchase student professional liability insurance.
  4. Completion of criminal background search, fingerprinting, drug screen and psychological screening as required and to the satisfaction of affiliating clinical agencies.
  5. Complete a minimum of 49 credits with a C average or better in all courses.
  6. Demonstrate satisfactory attendance and performance in the nursing clinical areas.
  7. Be responsible for transportation to classes and to agencies used for clinical experience.
  8. All fees charged for required testing, liability insurance, uniforms, books, criminal background search, drug screen and psychological screening.
  9. Sign an agreement which releases all clinical agencies and their employees, Lord Fairfax Community College, the Virginia Community College System and the Commonwealth of Virginia from any liability for any injury or death to the student or damage to her/his property arising out of agreement or use of facilities associated with the Practical Nursing Program.

Program of Study

The Practical Nursing program is approved by the VCCS and the Virginia Board of Nursing.

Course # Title Credits
Program Total 48
First Semester (fall)
BIO 100 Basic Human Biology 3
ENG 111 College Composition I** 3
PNE 161 Nursing in Health Changes I 6*
PNE 174 Applied Pharmacology for Nurses 2*
PSY 230 Developmental Psychology 3
SDV 101 Orientation to Health Professions 1
Total 18
  • * Formal Acceptance into the Practical Nursing Program is required before registering for these classes
  • **ENG 111, BIO 100 or BIO 141 & BIO 142 & PSY 230 MUST BE completed with a "C" or better before enrolling in the Spring Semester PNE Courses
Second Semester (spring)
HLT 130 Nutrition and Diet Therapy 2
PNE 195 Care of Maternal Newborn and Pediatric Patients 4
PNE 162 Nursing in Health Changes II*** 11
Total 17
  • ***PNE 162 is a Prerequisite for PNE 145, 158, 164, & 175
Third Semester (summer)
PNE 145 Trends in Practical Nursing 1
PNE 158 Mental Health/Psychiatric Nursing 1
PNE 164 Nursing in Health Changes IV 10
PNE 175 Introduction to Supervision & Management for Practical Nurses 1
Total 13

*The following courses may be completed prior to acceptance into the Practical Nursing Program: SDV 101, ENG 111, BIO 100, PSY 230, HLT 130, and a PED elective.

Transfer Students Students who wish to transfer into the LFCC Practical Nursing Program are considered on a space-available basis. The following requirements must be satisfied in order for a student to be eligible for transfer into the program:

  • Student must be in good standing with the current nursing program, eligible to continue during the next academic semester without any open issues of clinical competency, academic performance or student conduct.
  • LFCC Practical Nursing Program entrance requirements must be satisfied.
  • LFCC Practical Nursing general education requirements must be satisfied to the point of the curriculum at which the student requests transfers (e.g., second semester, third semester, etc.).
  • Transfer and substitutions of nursing courses are subject to faculty evaluation of course syllabi and approval by the program leader; a minimum of 80% content overlap is required. The student must then validate knowledge retention with a grade of 80% or better on a faculty constructed comprehensive exam, and clinical competencies via laboratory and/or clinical experiences.