Practical Nursing Certificate

To qualify for admission into our nursing certificate 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. These requirements can be completed at P.I.T. or transferred from a Middle States accredited institution.

Additionally, to be admitted to the practical nursing certificate program, an applicant must:

• Be at least 17 years of age.
• Have an official high school transcript or GED diploma with scores; or, if a high school graduate from a foreign country, or someone with an out-of-state GED, must obtain a Certificate of Preliminary Education (CPE) from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. A CPE is not required with evidence (an official transcript) of satisfactory completion of post-secondary work in an approved educational institution.
• 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.
• Complete AHT180 TEAS Smartprep course with a grade of C or higher.
• Submit official college or post-secondary education transcripts, if applicable.
• Provide a satisfactory background check for criminal and child abuse history. An FBI background check is also required.
• Undergo a satisfactory physical examination, showing evidence of good mental and physical health and documenting immunization and tuberculosis screening.
• Present results from a satisfactory drug screening (i.e., one indicating no evidence of drug use).

*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

Upon successful completion of our nursing certificate program, graduates should be able to:

• Utilize knowledge, skill, and abilities to provide nursing care for individuals and families under the supervision of an experienced RN, physician, or dentist
• Use the nursing process as the framework to assist in identifying and meeting the basic needs of individuals and families with diverse needs across the lifespan
• Function within the ethical, legal, and professional standards of practice for the practical nurse as developed by national nursing organizations and the state
• Use effective therapeutic communication, interpersonal, and technological skills with individuals, families, and members of the healthcare team
• Utilize basic critical thinking skills to provide safe, therapeutic nursing care to clients
• Collaborate with other members of the health care team to meet the basic needs of clients
• Assist in the utilization of the teaching/learning process to promote, maintain, and restore health to individuals and families
• Demonstrate leadership abilities in the long-term care setting by organizing and delegating client care under the supervision of an RN
• Function as a patient advocate
• Establish a pattern of personal responsibility, self-development, and life-long learning
• Sit for the NCLEX-PN®
• Prepare for success