Practical Nursing Program
Purpose & Philosophy

We believe that practical nursing is an integral part of the multidisciplinary health care team. We believe that learning occurs when motivated students are presented learning activities based on objectives established in a sound curriculum which meets the requirements of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Board of Nursing.  It is a process enhanced by opportunity for realistic practice with ongoing feedback, critique and evaluation.  We believe emphasis should be placed on self-evaluation and recognition by the student of the need for continuing education and self-improvement throughout their nursing career.  We believe it is important to stress the use of learning activities enabling the student to grow in the use of critical thinking and decision-making skills.

We at Chester Career College want to provide students with the opportunity to develop nursing skills, both motor and cognitive, necessary to carry out the functions of the practical nurse in an ever-changing health care environment.

Objectives of the Practical Nursing Program

The primary objective of the Practical Nursing Program is to prepare students who are clinically competent and capable of functioning as a productive member of the health care team in compliance with the educational preparation and the Commonwealth of Virginia, Statutes and Regulations. Students who successfully complete this program may petition to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). After passing the examination, graduates will carry the title Licensed Practical Nurse and will qualify to work as an entry-level practitioner.

A combination of coursework and clinical experiences are used to help nursing students work toward this objective.  Students will be taught to:

• Apply the nursing process as a systematic problem-solving method to provide effective care to culturally diverse individuals, families, and groups.
• Use nursing theory and theory from other disciplines as a basis for the nursing process to promote health and healing.
• Use therapeutic nursing to achieve optimal level of health.
• Demonstrate safety and effectiveness in performance of nursing skills.
• Employ critical thinking to provide the highest level of nursing care from patient assessment to evaluation.
• Utilize ethical principles to resolve ethical dilemmas in a health care environment.
• Accept responsibility and accountability for adhering to the high standards of nursing practice as mandated by the nurse practice act.
• Implement strategies to stimulate and support change needed to improve the quality of health care practice.
• Adapt care in consideration of the client’s values, customs, culture, religion and/or beliefs.
• Be prepared to take the NCLEX-PN licensing examination.
• Display responsible behaviors and a commitment to excellence in interactions with patients, families, colleagues, and employing organizations.
• Demonstrate understanding of boundaries and the legal scope of professional practice as a licensed practical nurse.
• Utilize professional values and standards as a basis for ethical nursing practice.
• Communicate effectively using interpersonal skills combined with information technology.

Practical Nursing

Chester Career College offers students the opportunity to train for a rewarding career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).  As a LPN you will be responsible for providing patients with basic nursing care such as patient/family teaching, collecting samples for testing, feeding patients who need help with eating and much more.  LPN’s work in many different health-care settings such as; but not limited to; rehabilitation and long term care facilities, hospitals, physician offices, private homes, correctional facilities, and clinics.

U.S. Department of Labor estimates employment of LPN’s is expected to increase by 22% from 2010-2020 faster than the average for all occupations.  LPN’s work under the direction of Registered Nurses and Physicians where they, measure and record patient’s vital signs, prepare and administer medications, and monitor patient’s food and fluid intake and output. LPN’s are also responsible for monitoring patients and reporting any adverse reactions to medications and/or treatment.

Chester Career College is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education. The Practical Nursing Program, however, is not accredited by a nursing education accrediting body. This program is not required to be accredited by a nursing education accrediting body. Students who successfully complete this program may petition to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). After passing this examination, graduates will carry the title Licensed Practical Nurse and will qualify to work as an entry-level practitioner.

Comprehensive Examination Policy: Practical Nursing students are required to take and pass a comprehensive examination in order to graduate from the program. This examination is administered in the PN530 Leadership course. If the student does not successfully meet the requirements during the first attempt, he/she may only repeat the course once. Failure to successfully pass the course after the second attempt will result in termination from the program.

Timeframe for taking NCLEX

The purpose of the Practical Nursing Program is to prepare a student who is clinically competent and capable of functioning as a member of the health care team in compliance with the educational preparation and the Commonwealth of Virginia, Statutes and Regulations. To function effectively in this capacity, program graduates must have current and relevant knowledge in the field of nursing, which is constantly changing and evolving. In order to ensure that educational training is current and relevant, program graduates must take the NCLEX within 6 months of graduation.

Any student who successfully completes the Practical Nursing Program but fails to take the NCLEX within the 6-month timeframe may schedule a meeting with the Program Director to discuss opportunities to refresh skills and knowledge prior to taking the exam if it has been less than one year since completion of the program. Students may be required to repeat part or all of the program. The student will not be charged for repeating any required courses, but must pass each phase of retraining in accordance with the academic requirements at the time of retraining.