Walter R. Garrison College of Nursing
Allied Health – Practical Nursing Associate Degree
No matter the healthcare setting, chances are, you’ve been cared for by a licensed practical nurse. Practical nurses work with doctors and registered nurses to provide individualized nursing care.
If this is a career you are interested in, the nursing associate degree at P.I.T. is the perfect opportunity for you to fulfill your goals. Our program is called Allied Health – Practical Nursing and will help you begin your nursing career, as you study in highly personalized classes, led by experienced nursing professionals.
About Our Practical Nursing Degree Program
The degree combines our career certificate program in Practical Nursing with our Allied Health associate degree program, which includes general education courses in science, mathematics, English, humanities, and social sciences, as well as the development of critical thinking and communications skills.
As the population ages, the need for skilled LPNs increases, with a 16% job growth projected in the next several years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Our program will prepare you to successfully pass the NCLEX to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in less than two years, paving the way for a successful future in nursing. Whether you want to stop at your nursing associate degree or move on to your bachelor’s, we are here to help you every step of the way.
Benefits of Pursuing Your Practical Nursing Associate Degree at P.I.T.
- Location – Our school serves students within a wide radius, which even includes those in Delaware, such as within Wilmington. Additionally, students in our practical nursing associate degree program benefit from the proximity to Philadelphia and the surrounding cities, making us the perfect destination for any commuters or students who love the scene downtown.
- All-encompassing – We offer 12 two-year degrees, which gives our students the ability to find their calling and thrive in a career after their years with us. Additionally, these programs are catered to fit the needs of our students.
- Support – With a 15-1 student-to-faculty ratio, we encourage a hands-on learning approach. Additionally, we have extensive support services including free tutoring, job placement, and college transfer advisement.
Apply to Our Program and Start Earning Your Practical Nursing Associate Degree
We’d love to see you in our classrooms! Take the first step toward earning your practical nursing associate degree and apply to our program today.
Contact us with any questions you may have!
Accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
Effective June 6, 2024, this nursing program is a candidate for initial accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. This candidacy status expires on June 6, 2026.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000
http://www.acenursing.com/candidates/candidacy.asp
Note: Upon granting of initial accreditation by the ACEN Board of Commissioners, the effective date of initial accreditation is the date on which the nursing program was approved by the ACEN as a candidate program that concluded in the Board of Commissioners granting initial accreditation.
| Course Code | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NUR175 | Practical Nursing Capstone | 3.00 |
| NUR170 | Acute and Complex Care of Adults | 11.00 |
| NUR167 | Clinical Concepts of Pharmacology | 2.00 |
| NUR162 | Intravenous Therapy | 1.50 |
| NUR155 | Principles of Pharmacology | 2.00 |
| NUR152 | Nursing Care of Adults | 10.00 |
| NUR145 | Role Development of the Practical Nurse | 1.00 |
| NUR140 | Nursing Fundamentals | 11.00 |
| BIO106 | General Biology Lab | 1.00 |
| CHM106 | General Chemistry Lab | 1.00 |
| NUR165 | Nursing Practice Specialties | 8.50 |
| BIO140 | Anatomy & Physiology for Practical Nursing | 5.00 |
| HUM140 | Critical Thinking in the Modern Age | 3.00 |
| ENG215 | Analytical Writing | 3.00 |
| COM108 | Communications and Social Interaction | 3.00 |
| ENG108 | English Composition | 3.00 |
| MTH207 | Statistics | 3.00 |
| BIO105 | General Biology | 3.00 |
| CHM105 | General Chemistry | 3.00 |
| MTH130 | Mathematics for Health Care Professionals | 3.00 |
The pre-screening process establishes eligibility for admission into the Practical Nursing Program. To be considered as an applicant for our nursing associate degree, you must:
- Have an official high school transcript or GED diploma with scores
- Obtain a Certificate of Preliminary Education (CPE) from the Pennsylvania Department of Education if you are a high school graduate from a foreign country or have an out-of-state GED
- Be at least 17 years old
- Be a U. S. citizen, permanent resident, or eligible noncitizen
Applicants who meet the following requirements are considered for admission (meeting the requirements is not a guarantee of admission into our licensed practical nursing degree program):
- Meet the pre-screening requirements listed above
- Fill out an application
- Complete the AHT180 TEAS Smartprep course with a grade of C or higher
- Submit official college or post-secondary education transcripts, if applicable
- Complete a satisfactory background check including a criminal record check and child abuse clearance for every state lived in within the past 10 years. An FBI background check is required
- Complete a satisfactory drug screening
- Complete a satisfactory physical examination including immunizations, titers, and tuberculosis screening
- If tuberculosis screening is positive, a Chest X-ray within the last 5 years is required
- Prove the ability to perform CPR on adults, infants, and children
- Proof of the flu vaccine
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Lastly, to qualify for admission into the Practical Nursing program, students must complete (5) credits of Anatomy and Physiology (or the equivalent of Anatomy & Physiology I and Anatomy & Physiology II) and achieve a grade of C or higher, which can be completed at P.I.T. or transferred from a Middle States Accredited institution.
The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing requires the program to inform applicants that a person involved in a legal issue involving alcohol or substance abuse, or one convicted of a misdemeanor or a felonious act, may be denied licensure or the privilege of sitting for the licensure exam.
Board of Nursing Professional Licensure Requirements
The major objectives of an A.S. Degree in Allied Health Studies are as follows:
- Allow students the opportunity to explore the allied health field before committing to a specific clinical discipline
- Offer graduates of P.I.T. Certificate programs in Clinical Medical Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Technician, and Practical Nursing the opportunity to gain the added expertise needed to expand their professional roles in the health care system
- Broaden the knowledge base in the health care professional’s discipline
- Enable students to build a curriculum in concert with their personal, educational, and employment goals
- Provide students with a seamless transition to continue their education at the bachelor’s degree level after they earn their nursing associate degree
Corey Dennis
Director of Practical Nursing
Programs