Northern Tier Career Center

Nursing Programs Offered

LPN Program Details

Practical Nursing is a rapidly expanding field of technical nursing within the nursing profession. There are many employment opportunities for practical nurses in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, and throughout the country. Licensed Practical Nurses may be employed in physicians’ and dentists’ offices, hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, home health, and as private duty nurses.

The Practical Nursing Program is a post-secondary education extension of the Northern Tier Career Center. The program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. Graduates meet the educational requirements to sit for the Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing.

The program is given in one calendar year. It is no more than 225 days long, divided into three semesters of instruction totaling 1575 hours. Clinical experience is given concurrently with classroom work and will give the student an opportunity to work at several area hospitals, extended care facilities, and other local health care agencies.

Licensed Practical Nurses, LPNs, are a vital part of the health care system. They perform duties that may include giving injections, taking vital signs, performing basic diagnostic tests, observing patients, dressing wounds, and administering medication. They also assist patients in daily living activities such as eating, dressing, exercising, and bathing. LPNs usually work under the supervision of registered nurses, physicians, and/or dentists. Additional training is available to allow LPNs to care for patients in specialized areas such as pediatrics, surgery/recovery, obstetrics, and psychiatry. Licensed practical nurses are often responsible for observing patients, recording their reactions to medications and treatments, and reporting the results to the registered nurse or physician in charge. Individuals interested in becoming a licensed practical nurse should be intelligent, tactful, and caring, and possess sound judgment. These skills, along with good health and physical stamina, are very important in this line of work. LPNs should also have a sincere interest in people and be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with them.