Practical Nursing Program In New Jersey and Pennsylvania
If you’re interested in launching a new career in healthcare or need a change of pace from your current position, you’re in the right place. Practical nurses help to provide care and support to patients across various healthcare settings. The profession empowers individuals to make a difference in the lives of others, making it a rewarding and fulfilling career choice for many.
Those interested in the role of practical nurse must first learn the required skills, which can be acquired in the Practical Nursing program offered at Prism Career Institute. Offered at our campuses in Philadelphia, PA, and Cherry Hill, NJ, this program enables students to train to become practical nurses in as little as 15 months*. Learn more about the program and how Prism Career Institute aims to help you excel in the growing field of healthcare.
About the Practical Nursing Program
The practical nurse career training program at Prism Career Institute consists of 1,560 learning hours. It explores key topics for aspiring practical nurses. The hands-on program exposes students to the expectations of the role, giving them experience with common practical nurse responsibilities, including:
- Clinical duties, include collecting medical histories, taking vital signs, monitoring catheters, dressing wounds, providing bedside care, administering medications, and more.
- Laboratory duties include assisting with diagnostic testing and phlebotomy, administering vaccinations and other injections, and delivering test results to patients via phone or electronically.
- Personal care duties include assisting patients with bathing, dressing, hygiene, feeding, mobility concerns, and memory loss conditions
- Administrative duties include admitting patients, data entry, billing, providing assistance to patients with insurance paperwork, updating health records, and more.
Students will be taught by a team of outstanding instructors in dedicated training laboratories. The program is offered both during the day and the evening/weekend to accommodate working adults. Students enrolled in daytime classes can expect to complete the program in approximately 63 weeks. The evening/weekend program concludes in 70 weeks and meets Tuesday-Thursday (5-10 p.m.) and every other weekend, both Saturday and Sunday (7 a.m.-4 p.m.).
After the program, graduates may be eligible to apply to the Pennsylvania or New Jersey State Board of Nursing to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN).
Practical Nursing Program Requirements
Aspiring practical nurses wishing to continue their education at Prism Career Institute must meet the Practical Nursing program requirements, which include:
- Applicants must be at least 18 or older to enroll.
- Applicants must hold a high school diploma or equivalency certificate from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Applicants must be able to provide a copy of their high school diploma or equivalent certificate, a high school transcript, or written certification by a cognizant authority for home-schooled students.
- Applicants must complete an interview with a Prism Career Institute Admissions Representative and be recommended to apply based on satisfactory completion.
In addition to general admission requirements, individuals interested in enrolling in the Practical Nursing program must take and pass an entrance exam. Prism Career Institute administers the Assessment Institute of Technologies Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS) for all potential applicants. Minimum scores vary by location:
- New Jersey campuses – Minimum score of 50
- Pennsylvania campus – Minimum score of 46
Test scores remain valid for one year from the date of the exam. Applicants are allowed three attempts to achieve a passing score.
Upon completion of Prism nursing school, graduates may be eligible to apply to the PA or NJ State Board of Nursing to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN).
Is a Career as a Practical Nurse Right for You? Take the Prism "Practical Nursing Career Readiness Quiz"
This fun, online quiz takes 3 minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for. Get your Practical Nursing Career Readiness Score Now! >>
Practical Nurse Job Outlook
After completing the program, students are qualified to pursue a variety of practical nurse career opportunities. Because of the significant contributions they make to medical teams and patient care, the job outlook for practical nurses in New Jersey and Pennsylvania is promising. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment of practical and licensed vocational nurses will grow 5% through 2032.
Practical nurses are needed in a variety of healthcare settings. Graduates can use their training from Prism Career Institute in the following environments:
- Hospitals
- Medical clinics
- Doctor’s offices
- Outpatient care centers
- Nursing homes
- Home healthcare agencies
- Government agencies
Our Career Services department works closely with graduates to help them jumpstart their careers and outline their available employment options. Once established as a practical nurse, individuals can further their careers and advance into supervisory and management positions.
Why Prism Career Institute for Practical Nurse Training?
Prism Career Institute is dedicated to preparing aspiring professionals for rewarding careers in the healthcare industry with our Practical Nursing and Medical Assistant programs. Our programs in New Jersey and Pennsylvania are accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET). Our Practical Nursing program has received Provisional status from the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and is certified by the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
At Prism Career Institute, we believe education is an investment worth making. To help ease the financial aspect of furthering your education, we offer financial aid services to qualifying students. Our financial aid advisors help students secure grants, loans, and other types of assistance.
Begin Your Pursuit to Becoming a Practical Nurse
Take the first steps toward pursuing the role of practical nurse by enrolling in the Practical Nursing program at Prism Career Institute. We offer advanced practical nurse training at our locations in Philadelphia, PA, and Cherry Hill, NJ.
To further explore whether this is the right career path for you, take our online Prism Healthcare Career Readiness Quiz to identify your strengths, social style, and the training and positions that best suit you. For more information, contact an Admissions Representative at 888-966-8146. Ready to get started? Apply online today.
*Program length when completed in normal time.