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Take a look inside one of the largest programs on campus. Check out the specialized learning labs, the family of high-fidelity manikins, and everything this program has to offer.
Practical Nursing
Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
About this program
You set your sights on a career in nursing. You’re motivated to give back. And driven to care for others. At Penn College, you’ll meet your passion head-on with our comprehensive practical nursing program. Delivered by dedicated masters-prepared faculty, coursework includes 900+ hours of hands-on training in labs, classrooms, and clinical experiences. When you’re done, you’ll be well-prepared to take the Practical Nursing licensing exam (NCLEX-PN).
Special Admissions Requirements
A limited number of seats are available in this program. That’s why we rely on selective admission criteria to select applicants with the highest potential for success. Entry into the program is competitive. There are a number of pathways to earn your seat including, but not limited to, TEAS, SAT, or ACT scores. Read more about the selection criteria →
Cohort size may vary based on clinical site availability and alignment with accreditation requirements. Students who are not selected into their desired program may be eligible for selection into another Nursing & Health Sciences program depending on seat availability. For additional information, please contact the appropriate program director.
Next steps...
You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.
COVID-19 Vaccination Information
On November 4, 2021, an emergency regulation was issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requiring the COVID-19 vaccination for healthcare workers. Individuals considering applying to this program should be aware that the COVID-19 vaccination will be required to participate in clinical experiences for Spring 2022 and beyond. For the most up-to-date information about our clinical partners’ vaccination requirements, please contact the program office.
Careers
- Extended-care facilities
- Home health agencies
- Private duty nursing
- Physician/dentist offices
- Hospital acute care settings
Courses
At Penn College, we believe your educational experience should go beyond specialized skills. Real-world ready means taking a broader approach that builds communication skills, inspires collaboration, and encourages exploration of arts, history, and science.
Specialization requires in-depth knowledge and high-level proficiency. Students learn and apply major-specific concepts, skills, and methods.
Perspectives are points of view, offering a variety of ways of understanding, interacting, and influencing the world. Students identify, explain, and utilize the approaches used by academics and professionals to study, analyze, or understand problems, and offer solutions.
Maker Profiles
Student
Jesse Laird V
Nursing
This ROTC cadet and nursing student is grateful for the skills and discipline he learned along the way and can’t wait to dive into a lifetime of opportunities post-graduation.
Faculty
Tina Marie Kline
Nursing
She's always looking for inventive and interactive ways to engage students in hands-on learning.
Alumni
Stephanie Suzadail
Nursing
This nursing graduate overcame all odds and now works aboard Geisinger Life Flight.
Tour Schedule
Seeing is believing.
Think Penn College might be a good fit for you? Make plans to visit and discover what hands-on learning is all about. Academic Tours allow you to explore labs and get to the core of your future program. If you’re looking for a deeper dive into your academic area of interest, opt for a Self-Scheduled Personal Tour. Comprehensive COVID-19 safety protocols are in place.
Sep 10
Open House
Saturday, September 108:30 AM - 2:30 PM Eastern Time (U.S.)
Sep 23
Open House
Friday, September 238:30 AM - 2:30 PM Eastern Time (U.S.)
Oct 9
Open House
Sunday, October 98:30 AM - 2:30 PM Eastern Time (U.S.)
Oct 28
Open House
Friday, October 288:30 AM - 2:30 PM Eastern Time (U.S.)
Nov 5
Open House
Saturday, November 58:30 AM - 2:30 PM Eastern Time (U.S.)
Nov 18
Open House
Friday, November 188:30 AM - 2:30 PM Eastern Time (U.S.)
More tour dates are on the way.
But let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.
Need a different date?
Let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.
If you can't attend any of these dates Contact Admissions at 570.320.2400
Industry Partners
Work with experts to become an expert
Penn College's strong partnerships impact every step of your journey – from your first day in the classroom and labs, to career placement (oftentimes before graduation) and beyond.
Related Programs
Follow your passion
Student Life
Lead and put your skills to the test
Student Nurses’ Association (SNA)
The SNA’s mission is to explore professional growth, promote mutual respect in collaboration between the different levels of nursing, and serve as a channel for the exchange of ideas to promote holistic health and provide for both patient and student education.
Student Organizations at Penn College
Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 65+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.
News
07.27.2022
Hall of Fame to induct three during Wildcat Weekend
The Pennsylvania College of Technology Athletics Department has announced its 2022 Hall of Fame Class: Jordan A. Courter ...
07.19.2022
My Tomorrow previews a not-so-distant future
A second week of Penn College’s My Tomorrow day camp (July 12-15) led middle-school students down more time-tested roads to ...
06.09.2022
Bidlespacher named to nursing leadership role at Penn College
Kelly T. Bidlespacher has been named director of nursing, bachelor’s and graduate degrees, at Pennsylvania College of Technology ...
Study Abroad
Gain global experience
Explore the field of nursing beyond the classroom with international learning experiences to Guatemala and Belarus.
Clinical Experience
Your knowledge in practice
Get career defining exposure to diverse specialties through clinical experiences at all types of healthcare facilities within a one-hour radius of campus. As a Practical Nursing student, you’ll further define your specialization with a preceptorship experience at a facility of your choice.
Dual Degree
Take two
Dual Degree
Students have the option of enrolling in a dual degree in the Pre-Nursing, LPN to RN (A.A.S.) program once they are accepted into the Practical Nursing (A.A.S.) major.
Student Experience
The community as their classroom
Nursing students host cancer fundraiser
The Student Nurses’ Association teamed up with six other campus organizations and Student Activities to raise about $1,800 at Tuesday’s “Penn College for a Cure” cancer benefit walk.
Accreditation
The practical nursing program at Pennsylvania College of Technology located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the practical nursing program is continuing accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm.
More Information
The practical nursing program at Pennsylvania College of Technology located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania is fully approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
(404) 975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the practical nursing program is continuing accreditation.
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
Anyone desiring entrance into this major must first gain admission to Penn College. Acceptance into this selective admission major is based upon additional requirements beyond College admission. Details are available on the Selective Admission Criteria and Process webpage.
All students offered a seat in this major are required to maintain a math/science grade calculation of 2.0 or greater and a cumulative graduation GPA of 2.25 or greater prior to entering the first nursing course. If a student does not maintain the required grade calculations, the student will relinquish his/her seat and be placed into the pre-nursing major. Re-selection into the major will be required during the next selection period and will follow the current selective admission criteria. In addition, all students must earn a “C” (2.0) or greater in all NUR and BIO courses; if a lower grade is earned in any of these courses, the course must be repeated.
The following grading system is applied to all nursing courses in this major. There is no rounding of grades:
Child abuse clearances and criminal background checks are required for this major as established by clinical affiliation agreements. Agencies can prohibit students from participating in clinical experiences at their sites if a criminal record exists or a positive drug test is noted. By virtue of contract for Pennsylvania College of Technology students to be at clinical sites, agencies have the right to ask for random drug testing. Inability to complete clinical, fieldwork, or intern educational experiences will result in the inability to meet program and course outcomes. For additional clarification, students can speak with their program director.
The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing advises that a drug-related conviction and/or conviction of a felonious act or two misdemeanors might result in denial and/or revocation of a license to practice nursing. In accordance with the Professional Nurse Law, Act of 1951, P.L. 317, No. 69, as amended, the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing shall not issue a license to an applicant who has been convicted of a felonious act prohibited by the Act known as "The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act" or convicted of a felony relating to a controlled substance in a court of law of the United States or any other state, territory or country unless at least 10 years have elapsed from the date of the conviction.
Penn College complies with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989. Pursuant to this Act, all forms of marijuana, including medical marijuana, are classified as prohibited controlled substances. Additionally, alcohol, illegal drugs, and legal drugs obtained without a prescription, or which may impair a student’s ability to perform his/her educational responsibilities are strictly prohibited. Students are subject to drug screening at various phases of the program. Please note that a positive drug screening for marijuana will be deemed a positive test and will result in a student being dismissed from the program, even if the student has been lawfully certified to use medical marijuana and/or possesses a valid medical marijuana identification card issued in accordance with applicable state law.
Transfer standards established by the College require a minimum of a “C” in transfer courses. Official transcripts must be sent to the Penn College Admissions office. The College may also request official high school transcripts or an official GED score report. For fall acceptance, transcripts need to be received by June 1. Students transferring from other Colleges will have their nursing credits evaluated by Penn College nursing officials after acceptance into the major.
Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.
Visit the Alternative Credit Options page for requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.
Students in this major are expected to purchase a dual head stethoscope, a custom nursing kit (must be purchased at the College Store), uniforms, malpractice insurance, medical insurance, clearances, certifications, and various smaller items. Refer to equipment and estimated cost list.
Technical Requirements
Laptop Computer Required (Windows 7 or higher, MAC OSX 10.4 or higher recommended)
- Intel Core i5 or i7 (generation 5 or higher) processor (recommended)
- 4+ GB RAM (recommended)
- 250+ GB Solid State Disk (SSD) drive (recommended)
- Webcam and microphone
- Internet Connection (cable or DSL highly recommended)
- Additional plug-ins may be required (Information Technology Services - Student Help Desk available for assistance)
*Chromebooks and other devices running ChromeOS are prohibited
Operating Systems:
P.L.A.T.O. (Platform for Learning and Teaching Online) is Penn College's implementation of Desire2Learn/Brightspace LMS. It is a Web-based course management system that allows instructors to post course materials online, facilitate course communication, gauge student progress, and extend learning beyond the classroom.
Browsers:
The fully supported browsers for PLATO are: Firefox, Google Chrome and Safari
Some items are available for purchase through The College Store.
- Program Review Executive Summary
- Students must meet Essential Functions for Nursing established by the Nursing Program, as well as health and safety requirements including, but not limited to, immunizations (MMR, hepatitis B, varicella, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, annual influenza vaccination, PPD), medical examination, 10 panel drug screen, CPR certification, and background clearances as established by clinical affiliation agreements.
The health arts: practical nursing emphasis program at Pennsylvania College of Technology meets the state education requirements for a practical nursing license in the state of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania College of Technology has not determined if the health arts: practical nursing emphasis program at Pennsylvania College of Technology meets the state education requirements in any other state, any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia.
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) has resources that may be helpful.
- Link to every Nursing Practice Act. https://www.ncsbn.org/14730.htm
- Link to FAQs regarding the impact of 34 CFR 668.43 on nursing programs. https://www.ncsbn.org/ProfessionalLicensureReq-FAQs.pdf
- Link to the webpage for every State Regulatory Agency for Nursing. https://www.ncsbn.org/14730.htm
- Ms. Sharon Adams, RN, BSN, Manager, Patient Care ED & M/S Unit, UPMC Susquehanna
- Ms. Lori A Berger, RN, BSN, '89, Director of Nursing Education, Evangelical Community Hospital
- Ms. Cinde L Bower-Stout, RN, '94, Level 1 Heart Attack Nurse Coordinator, Geisinger Medical Center
- Ms. Jennifer K Flick, MSN, RN, PCCN, '09, Adjunct Clinical Instructor, Pennsylvania College of Technology
- Ms. Kathy Harris, RN, BSN, MHA, '00, '13, Manager of Compliance/Quality Outcomes, UPMC Susquehanna
- Ms. Susan Kemmerer, BSN, RN, '92, '00, Infection Control Nurse, Embassy of Loyalsock
- Mr. Gerald A Kriner, '80, Executive Assistant, Senate of Pennsylvania
- Ms. Kerri S Kubalak, Career Coordinator, Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, WATCH Project
- Ms. Tammy E Lucas-Coleman, RN, CNDLTC, '04, Clinical Reimbursement Coordinator, Affinity Health Services
- Mr. Jonah Milliken, Associate Director, Bayada Pediatrics
- Ms. Tamara F Persing, MS, BSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC, VP Patient Care Services/Chief Nursing Officer, Evangelical Community Hospital
- Ms. Heather Stafford, MHA, BSN, CIC, Clinical Director of Nursing Education & Infection Prev. & Control, UPMC Susquehanna
- Ms. Jane Thompson, Health, Nutrition, Fitness Coordinator, Step Office of Aging