Licensed Practical Nurses work under the supervision of Registered Nurses as members of health care team. They perform a various of functions that include supervising certified nursing assistants. If you’re ready to take the next step on the career ladder and hold current certification as a nurse aide after completing an approved nurse aide program, you can apply for admission to a practical nursing program and qualify for advanced placement based on your prior education and experience.
Baltimore City Community College
Certified nursing assistants may apply to the Practical Nursing Certificate at BCCC at receive extra points in the selective admissions process. The state-approved curriculum includes classroom theory, skills lab, and clinical rotations conducted at local health care facilities. Nursing, science, and general education course will prepare students to provide safe, effective nursing care to diverse client population within the scope of practice for practical nurses, identify deviations from normal health in clients of various age groups, meet clients’ needs and establish priority of care, perform basic therapeutic and preventative nursing measures, and collaborate with the health team members in instructing clients for health maintenance. The curriculum requires completion of 45 credit hours. Course topics include preparation for academic achievement, anatomy and physiology, calculations of medications in nursing, introduction to nursing practice, introductory psychology, adult health nursing, nursing ins child-bearing and child-rearing families, and seminar in practical nursing issues. Graduates will be eligible to apply to take the NCLEX for Practical Nurses.
Admission criteria:
- Complete all required developmental coursework – math, reading, and writing sequence
- Complete Pre 100 (Preparation for Academic Achievement), BIO 202, and BIO 212 with a grade C or better and a minimum GPA of 2.5 or greater. Must be completed within 5
- Must have a minimum of 6 credits of resident BCCC courses
- Must take the current TEAS – within one year of starting the nursing program
- Take and pass the Biology 101 placement exam
- Must meet the college’s computer literacy requirement
- Submit a completed PN application by the last Friday in May for fall or advanced placement in the summer semester
- Attend a new student orientation upon acceptance
In-state tuition costs $110 per credit hour. Other non-refundable fees include registration fee, commencement participation fee, parking fees, and testing center fees. Students must also cover the cost for books, supplies, and uniforms.
- Website: https://www.bccc.edu/
- Address: 2901 Liberty Heights Avenue, Baltimore, MD
- Phone: (888) 203-1261
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 73.33%
Community College of Baltimore County – Catonsville
Nursing assistants who have completed an approved nursing assistant program and hold a current license may apply for admission to the practical nursing program at CCBC. They will build on their previous education and training to prepare for practice as a licensed practical nurse. The comprehensive curriculum covers 38 to 46 credit hours of coursework in the classroom, lab, and local health care facilities. Course modules include Biology, Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II, College Composition, Introduction to Psychology, Foundations of Practical Nursing Concepts, Introduction to Pharmacology, Practical Nursing Concepts, Mental Health Practical Nursing Concepts, Maternity and Pediatric Nursing Concepts, and Trends in Practical Nursing. Graduates will receive a certificate of completion and be eligible to apply to sit for the NCLEX-PN. The duration of the program is 12 months. Enrollment is competitive and limited to 40 students each year.
Admission criteria:
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a C or better
- Must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 or better on all CCBC courses
- Submit an application to the nursing program through CAS – applicants will need a CCBC student ID number and CCBC student account password
- Demonstrate competency in math, reading, and English
- Complete the TEAS with passing scores
- Submit a completed application for admission
- Must provide proof of health insurance
- Provide documentation of required immunizations and TB test
- Submit to a criminal background c heck and drug testing
- Must be able to communicate effectively in English
Tuition costs $122 per billable hour for Baltimore County residents and $241 for Maryland residents. Books and supplies are not included in the cost.
- Website: https://www.ccbcmd.edu/
- Address: 800 South Rolling Road, Baltimore, MD 21228
- Phone: 443.840.CCBC (2222)
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 91.03%
Howard Community College
The practical nursing program at Howard Community College is open for admission to nursing assistants who want to prepare for practice in a role as a licensed practical nurse. The state-approved program includes classroom lectures, practice in nursing skills lab, individualized study, and clinical rotations at various health care facilities. The clinical rotations will be conducted under the guidance and supervision of experienced nursing instructors and will afford students the opportunity to develop skills in a real-world setting. Graduates who successfully complete the course are eligible to be considered by the Maryland Board of Nursing to write the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical Nurse licensure.
Admission criteria:
- Sign up and attend a nursing information session
- Submit an application for admission to HCC
- Take and pass a placement test – exemption is available applicants who have completed college-level English and math or submit qualifying high school GPA or SAT/ACT test scores
- Take and pass the Nursing Admission Assessment – must earn a minimum score of 70% on the HESI
- Complete the prerequisite coursework with a minimum grade C
- Submit official college transcripts from all colleges attend – applicants must submit the completed Official Transcript Evaluation Form to the Office of Admissions
- Submit documentation of CNA license
- Apply for admission to the Licensed Practical Nursing Program and pay the application fee of $25
- Complete a satisfactory drug screen and criminal background check before enrollment
Tuition costs $142 per credit hour for Howard County residents and $257 per credit hour for other Maryland residents. The cost for books, supplies, and fees are additional.
- Website: https://www.howardcc.edu/
- Address: 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044
- Phone: (443) 518-1000
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 76.47%
Anne Arundel Community College
Certified nursing assistants and those who are new the healthcare field will receive knowledge and skills to perform a variety of tasks under the supervision of a registered nurse when they enroll in the practical nursing program Anne Arundel Community College. The school provides students with the opportunity to work with state-of-the-art equipment on campus and gain hands-on clinical experience in hospitals and acute medical-surgical, obstetrical, and pediatrics units, in extended care and rehabilitation facilities, in home health and community health agencies, and outpatient psychiatric experiences. The curriculum requires completion of 41 credit hours. Course topics include human biology, anatomy and physiology, introduction to psychology, fundamentals of practical nursing, adult and child health concepts in practical nursing, women, newborns, mental health, and integration of concepts in practical nursing. Graduates will receive a Certificate of Completion and be eligible to sit for the NCLEX for Practical Nurses.
Admission criteria:
- Attend a program information session
- Residents of Anne Arundel County will be given first consideration in the selection process
- Apply for admission to the practical nursing program before the December 15 deadline
- Must have a minimum adjusted GPA of 2.0 at AACC to be considered
- Must demonstrate eligibility for ENG 101/ENG 101A and general education mathematics
- Must submit proof of graduating high school or equivalency – official transcript required
- Must have completed high school general chemistry or college-level chemistry with a grade C or better
- Take the Arithmetic Placement Test and obtain a score of 27 or higher
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C – human biology or anatomy and physiology, introduction to psychology, and math
- Complete a satisfactory criminal background check and drug screening
- Complete a health examination record completed by a physician
- Submit documentation of current American Heart Association Basic Life Support CPR certification card
- CNA applicants must have a current, unencumbered license in the state
Tuition costs $122 per credit hour for residents of Anne Arundel County and $264 for residents of other Maryland counties. Students must also budget for books, supplies, and fees.
- Website: https://www.aacc.edu/
- Address: 101 College Pkwy, Arnold, MD 21012
- Phone: (410) 777-2222
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 94.12%
Hagerstown Community College
The Practical Nursing Certificate program at HCC prepares students for employment in various health care settings such as hospitals, home health care agencies, and long-term care facilities. Nursing aides may apply for admission and gain a competitive advantage in the selective admissions process. The program is approved by the Maryland State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). It requires completion of 42 credit hours of general nursing studies, nursing skills, and lab and clinical activities. Course topics include human anatomy and physiology, English composition, introduction to practical nursing, practical nursing through lifespan, care of human needs, and general psychology. Graduates will receive a Certificate of Completion and be eligible to take the NCLEX for Practical Nurses. The duration of the program is 16 months.
Admission criteria:
- Schedule and attend a Nursing program preview before the Supplemental Application deadline
- Submit an unofficial copy of high school transcript or GED score
- Must submit a completed application to the practical nursing program
- Must complete the TEAS in the areas of reading, math, reading, English, and science and achieve the required scores – minimum 69%
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges attended
- Complete BIO 203 and BIO 204, all science courses, ENG 101, PSY 101, MAT 090 before the application deadline. Courses must be completed with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
- Must have a grade C or higher for all general education requirements
- Must be eligible to work in the State of Maryland at the application deadline and while enrolled in the program
- Must have current American Heart Association BLS CPR certification
- Complete a satisfactory health examination record and all required tests and immunizations
- Must pass a drug screen and criminal background check
- Must pass a dosage calculation exam with a score of 90% or above
Tuition for the program is $5,166 for in-county residents. General college and course fees cost $3,343. Other expenses for books, uniforms, vaccines, physicals, background check, CPR certification, TEAS test, fingerprinting, NCLEX fee, and Maryland license cost an additional $1,699.25.
- Website: https://www.hagerstowncc.edu/
- Address: 11400 Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown, MD 21742
- Phone: 240-500-2000
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%