Nursing: Practical Nursing
Would you like to work in the exciting field of healthcare providing direct patient care within a team of healthcare providers? The Practical Nursing diploma prepares you to assist with planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or other approved licensed healthcare professional.
You must pass a licensing exam (NCLEX-PN) to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Employment opportunities are found in a variety of healthcare settings such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, and physicians' offices. The Practical Nursing program at GTCC is approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
Admission Information
Credentialing Options
Frequently Asked Questions
The Practical Nursing program has a selective admissions process with a cap of 30 students with the annual fall enrollment.
Students interested in applying for this program must follow the guidelines in the Practical Nursing Admission Packet linked above under the section called "Admission Information."
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| David Tanner, MSN, RN, CPN | Director of Nursing Programs |
| Martha Barham, MSN, RN | Associate Professor, Nursing |
| Rhonda Owens, MSN-Ed, RN | Associate Professor, Nursing |
| Debra Coleman, MSN, RN | Nursing Instructor |
| Barbara Tornblom, MSN, RN, CNEn | Nursing Instructor |
| Christina Weaver, MSN, RN | Assistant Professor |
| Stefanie Wortham, DNP, RNC, WHNP-BC | Assistant Professor |
| Melissa Casey, MSN, RN | Nursing Instructor |
| Susan Mayes, MSN, RN | Nursing Instructor |
| Karen Harvell MSN, RN | Nursing Instructor |
| Tajauana Robinson, MSN, RN | Nursing Instructor |
| Emily Rothermel, MSN, RN | Nursing Instructor |
| Kristy Rowley DNP, RN | Nursing Instructor |
| Datra Delk-Patrick MSN, RN | Clinical Coordinator |
Students will receive a letter acknowledging their acceptance into the program with additional information on a mandatory orientation session before the start of classes. At the orientation, students will be provided information on health requirements, background/drug screening, clinical requirements, uniforms, etc.
Students who are not accepted may want to apply for the next admission of the same program if they are certain it is what they want. Students may be counseled about how to improve their ranking chances for the next admission. They may also receive information on other programs that they may be interested in attending.
Each PN course has a clinical component ranging from six to nine hours per week. Clinical experiences take place in area hospitals and long-term care facilities. Students will be assigned to various agencies to get a broad range of clinical experience. The times/days for clinical experiences are dictated by the clinical agencies. For these reasons, students cannot request a specific location, time, or day for their experiences. Every student needs to have transportation and be willing to travel to the assigned location.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition (in-state) | $76/hr |
| Fees (campus access, parking, security, activity, technology, insurance, malpractice insurance, etc.) | $100/semester |
| Textbooks/Resources/Standardized Assessments | $800 |
| Uniforms/Supplies | $150 |
| Health requirements | $250 |
| Criminal Background Check/Drug Screen | $97 |
| CPR Training | $50 |
| NCLEX Review Course | $250 |
| Nursing Assistant I Listing | $108 |
| Nursing Assistant II Listing | $24 |
| Graduation Fee | $35 |
| NCLEX-PN (Application Fee for licensure after graduation) | $315 |
| Estimated Total Cost for the program | $5,000 |
Before graduation, students will have a review course and receive information on the licensing exam for Licensed Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN). Upon graduation, students will be eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-PN. Students should be aware that the North Carolina Board of Nursing requires background screening before licensure and may deny licensure based on the results of the screening.