Practical Nursing Certificate

The Practical Nursing certificate program prepares men and women to become practical nurses. Licensing occurs after passing the NCLEX-PN examination.

Lecture, lab, and clinical classes are limited in size to increase student/faculty interaction and student learning. Patient simulation, mastery of technical skills, and caring interventions occur in the nursing lab. This provides the student an opportunity to develop, practice, and implement the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for hospital and healthcare agency experiences. Clinical learning experiences are provided at local healthcare facilities.

The benefits of the Practical Nursing certificate at Belmont College are many:

• Become prepared to take the NCLEX-PN licensing examination
• Join a program that has been approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing and the Ohio Board of Regents
• Engage in clinical learning experiences at a variety of clinical locations

Admission Criteria/Prerequisites for Licensed Practical Nursing Students

Practical Nursing Program Application (pdf)

Career Possibilities

The practical nurse serves as a member of the healthcare team, working under the supervision of a licensed physician or a registered nurse to meet the physical and psychosocial needs of people.

The Practical Nurse:

• Serves as a member of the health care team
• Works at the direction of a licensed physician or registered nurse
• Cares for the ill in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, or long-term care facilities
• Is active in health promotion and illness prevention

Belmont College offers Transitional Nursing curriculum in which a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) has the opportunity to enter the second level of the Associate Degree in Nursing program. Following the Transitional Nursing term, the Licensed Practical Nurse can pursue an Associate Degree in Nursing and become eligible to take NCLEX for Registered Nurse licensure and practice.

Program Outcomes

1. Contribute to the identification of holistic needs in the plan of care as a member of a healthcare team.
2. Practice evidence based decision making to establish priorities according to human needs of people.
3. Utilize effective verbal, nonverbal, written, and computer skills while providing care for people with holistic needs and while communicating with other healthcare providers.
4. Employ safety and health promotion practices in the ever changing environment to maintain people’s state of wellbeing.
5. Understand and demonstrate holistic nursing care within the limits relative to their scope of nursing practice and ethical standards.
6. Illustrate advocacy by speaking, writing, or acting in support of the clients’ needs.
7. Employ delegation techniques within the scope of practice in providing holistic care.

Gainful Employment Information 

The Practical Nursing Certificate program has been approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing and by the Ohio Board of Regents.