If you are a Certified Nursing Assistant seeking career growth and greater responsibility as part of the nursing team, transitioning to a licensed practical nurse is a fast and simple pathway to success. Licensed practical nurses supervise CNAs and have a broader scope of practice due to the additional education gained in a practical nursing program. LPNs administer medications, state IVs, monitor patients, provide wound care, and assist registered nurses with the development and implementation of patient care plans. They work directly under the supervision of a registered nurse. CNA-to-LPN bridge programs are available for nurse aides to transition to the LPN role. Some practical nursing program in North Carolina are open only to nurse aides as the curriculum’s content is designed specifically for those with a foundational knowledge of patient care.
ECPI University
Certified nursing assistants who enroll in the practical nursing program at ECPI University will receive an introduction to nursing. The program will emphasize critical thinking, clinical reasoning, effective communication and collaboration, and nursing theory. Students will receive a foundation for lifelong personal and professional learning built upon liberal arts, science, and nursing theory courses. The curriculum covers 1,696 contact hours of theory and practical instruction. Course content includes freshman orientation, anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, study skills, concepts of nursing, dosage calculations, foundations of nursing, pharmacology, medical surgical nursing, introduction to psychology, acute care nursing, role transition, and normal life span. Instructors will cover the role of the practical nurse, client communication, critical thinking in nursing, legal responsibility and accountability, and responsibility for personal and professional growth. Graduates must complete 48.5 credit hour to earn the practical nursing diploma. They will be eligible to apply for the NCLEX-PN to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. The duration of the program is 15 months.
Admission criteria:
- Complete a personal admissions interview
- Complete and submit an application for enrollment
- Submit official high school transcripts or GED test scores
- Achieve passing scores on the admissions assessment
- Submit documentation of current certification as a nurse aide I
- Complete the health requirements
- Must have and maintain CPR certification throughout the program
- Must secure a satisfactory background check and drug screen before final admission to the program
Tuition for full-time students is $9,720 per semester (12 to 18 credits).
- Website: https://www.ecpi.edu/
- Address: 4101 Doie Cope Rd., Raleigh, NC 27613
- Phone: 919-283-5748
- Toll-Free: 844-611-0718
- Fax: 919-571-0780
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 91%
Durham Technical Community College
The Practical Nursing at Durham Technical Community College is open to certified nurse aides seeking to prepare for a career as a licensed practical nurse. CNAs will acquire knowledge and skills to integrate safety and quality into nursing care to meet the needs of the holistic individual which impact health, quality of life, and achievement of potential. The curriculum builds upon the domains of health care, nursing practice, and the holistic individual. Instructors will emphasize safe, individualized nursing care and participation in the interdisciplinary team while employing evidence-based practice, quality improvement and informatics. prepares students to deliver high-quality nursing care to meet the needs of patients. Experienced instructors emphasize safe and personalized nursing care and effective collaboration with the interdisciplinary team. The program is approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Course topics are clinical decision-making, professional behaviors, ethical principles, legal issues, informatics and evidence-based practice, caring interventions, collaboration, health policy, quality improvement, and trends in nursing. The clinical experiences run concurrently with the theory and gives students an opportunity to apply the skills learned in the classroom under the direction of the instructor. The practical nursing diploma requires completion of 41 to 44 credit hours. Graduates will be eligible to take the NCLEX-PN to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. The duration of the program is three semesters for full-time students.
Admission criteria:
- Apply for admission to the college
- Attend a ConnectSession (Student Orientation) for new students
- Attend a mandatory nursing information session
- Submit official high school and college transcripts
- Take the required placement tests
- Complete the development courses – determined by the scores on the placement test
- Must demonstrate college-level reading and math – there are several ways including a high school GPA of 2.8 or higher, transfer college credit for English and math, proof fo completing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, or satisfactory ACT, SAT, GED, COMPASS or ACCUPLACER scores
- Complete the English Language Requirement Form
- Submit to a criminal background check and drug screen
- Complete the general prerequisite with a grade C or better – Eng Writing and Inquiry, General Psychology, Basic Anatomy and Physiology, and Math Measurement and Literacy
- Nurse aide applicants must provide proof of current certification
Tuition costs $993 per semester for in-state students complete a maximum of 12 credit hours.
- Website: https://www.durhamtech.edu/
- Address: 1637 East Lawson Street, Durham, NC 27703
- Phone: 919-536-7200
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 83%
Central Carolina Community College
The practical nursing program at Central Carolina Community College is open only to persons lists on the NC Nursing Aide I Registry. Nurse aide students will acquire knowledge and skills to integrate safety and quality into nursing care to meet the needs of the holistic individual which impact health, quality of life and achievement potential. The state approved program includes instruction in the classroom as well as clinical experiences at local health care facilities. Course topics include college transfer success, anatomy and physiology, practical nurse, general psychology, expository writing, and writing and inquiry, Students will learn concept of clinical decision-making, professional behaviors, caring interventions, accountability, informatics, evidence-based practice, health policy, and quality improvement. The program requires completion of 45 credit hours. Some of the coursework may be delivered online. Graduates will receive a Diploma in Practical Nursing and will be eligible to apply for the NCLEX-PN to become a practical nurse. The duration of the program is 3 semesters.
Admission criteria:
- Must apply for general admission to the College
- Complete an admission exam or present acceptable SAT, ACT, Compass, or Accuplacer scores
- Submit documentation of current active listing on the NC DHHS –required for consideration at designated entry points
- Must complete a satisfactory criminal background check and drug screen
- Submit completed medical forms and immunizations
- Must have current BLS Provider CPR
- Attend a mandatory acceptance session
- Must have and maintain malpractice insurance
The program cost of $5,941 for in-state students and $13,813 for out-of-state residents includes tuition, books, malpractice insurance, student fee, technology fee, lab fee, uniform package, and electronic resource.
- Website: https://www.cccc.edu/
- Address: 51 Red Mulberry Way, Lillington, NC 27546
- Phone: (910) 814-8999
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 94%
Fayetteville Community College
Nurse aides enrolled in the practical nursing program will gain the knowledge and skills to practice nurse at the level of a practical nurse. The curriculum will include classroom theory and hands on training in the skills lab. Students will apply the skills learned during a clinical experience at local health care facilities. The curriculum builds on the domains of healthcare, nursing practical and the holistic individual and emphasizes safe nursing care and collaboration with the interdisciplinary team in the best interest of the patient. Course topics include clinical decision making, communication, ethical principles, informatics, safety, informatics, accountability, collaboration, caring interventions, evidence-based practice, professional behaviors, health care systems, health policy, quality improvement, therapeutic agents, and routes of administration. Graduates will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX for Practical Nurses. The duration of the program is three semesters. Day and evening schedules are available.
Admission criteria:
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade B or higher – 1 unit of Biology, 1 unit of Algebra, and 1 unit of chemistry
- Must have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA on prerequisite courses
- Attend a program information session
- Apply for admission to FCC
- Submit a completed application to the nursing program by the published deadline
- Complete a criminal background check and drug screen
- Must have current CPR certification – BLS for Healthcare Providers
- Submit documentation of immunization
- Must maintain health insurance throughout the program
- Provide documentation of nurse aide certification
The estimate program cost of $6,200 includes tuition, liability insurance, books, CPR certification, shoes, uniforms, graduation fees, immunization, background check, and drug screen.
- Website: https://www.faytechcc.edu/
- Address: 2201 Hull Rd., Fayetteville, NC 28303
- Phone: (910) 678-8473
- Fax: (910) 678-0085
- Email: admissions@faytechcc.edu
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 87%
Sampson Community College
The practical nursing program at Sampson Community College is open only to nurse aides in active status on the NC Nurse Aide I Registry. The curriculum will build on their existing nursing skills to prepare them for practice as a licensed practical nurse. Course topics include practical nursing, anatomy and physiology, general psychology, pharmacology and others. Instructors will emphasize team work, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, informatics, safety in practice, and communication. The practical nursing diploma program requires completion of 45 credit hours. Graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) which is required for practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse. They may continue their education to the associate’s degree in nursing through an LPN to RN bridge program. The duration of the program is 12 months.
Admission criteria:
- Must apply for admission to the Sampson Community College
- Must have current NC Nurse Aide Certification and listed on the NC Nurse Aide Registry
- Must have current CPR (American Heart Association – Basic Life Support Provider) Certification
- Complete the ATI TEAS – proficient, exemplary or advanced level
- Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or higher – Chemistry, Biology, Algebra, English
- Applicants who have completed courses within the program must have a grade C or higher
- Must complete a satisfactory background check and drug screen
Tuition costs $912 per semester for in-state students completing 12 credit hours. Additional costs for books, supplies, and uniforms must be covered by the student.
- Website: https://www.sampsoncc.edu/
- Address: PO Box 318, Clinton, NC 28329
- Phone: 910-592-8081
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 92%
Wayne Community College
Nurse Aides I who are listed on the NC Nurse Aide I Registry may prepare for a career as a practical nurse by enrolling in the practical nursing program at Wayne Community College. Students will acquire knowledge and skills to work as essential members of the patient care team under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician. The state-approved program will include theory and practical instruction in the basic concepts of nursing and patient care. Course topics include clinical decision-making, communication, ethical principles, informatics, safety, informatics, accountability, collaboration, caring interventions, evidence-based practice, professional behaviors, health care systems, health policy, quality improvement, therapeutic agents, and routes of administration. The practical nursing diploma requires completion of 42 credit hours. Graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) that is required for practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse. They may enroll in the advanced standing associate degree in nursing program to become a registered nurse.
Admission criteria:
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Complete high school or college chemistry with a grade C or better
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must present evidence of good physical and mental health including required immunization and health screening
- Must pass a criminal background check
- Submit to a drug screening
- Provide documentation of current nurse aide I certification
- Provide evidence of current certification in an American Health Association Basic Life Support CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for Healthcare Professionals
Tuition and fees for in-state students cost $1,283 per semester and $4,355 for those out-of-state. The costs for books, supplies, uniforms, insurance, and NCLEX exam fee are additional.
- Website: https://www.waynecc.edu/
- Address: 3000 Wayne Memorial Dr., Goldsboro, NC 27534
- Phone: 919-735-5151
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 89%
Wilson Community College
Only nurse aides listed in active status on the NC Nurse Aide I Registry are eligible for admission to the practical nursing diploma program at Wilson Community College. Throughout the program there will be an emphasis on safety and quality in care. Students will develop skills such as clinical decision-making, evidence-based practice, the use of informatics in care, clinical judgment, leadership, and communication. Course topics include college student success, practical nursing, basic anatomy and physiology, general psychology, computer basics, writing and inquiry, pharmacology, and role transition. The diploma requires completion of 45 credit hours of general education and core nursing courses. The clinical experiences will be conducted under the supervision of a nurse instructor. Clinical times vary with each semester. Graduates will be eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-PN for licensure as a Practical Nurse. The duration of the program is three semesters.
Admission criteria:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must have a high school diploma, high school equivalency, or transcript
- Present a valid picture ID – driver’s license or state ID and social security card
- Take and pass the TEAS with a minimum 54% on the overall adjusted score
- Submit the results of Two TB skin tests – taken within nine months of the program start date
- Provide proof of immunization – MMR, three Hepatitis B, Varicella, Tdap
- Must be listed in active status on the North Carolina Nurse Aide I registry
Tuition costs $973.16 per semester for in-state students. Additional costs include books, supplies, uniforms, technology fee, and malpractice insurance.
- Website: https://www.wilsoncc.edu/
- Address: 902 Herring Avenue E, P.O. Box 4305, Wilson, NC 27893
- Phone: (252) 291-1195
- Fax: (252) 243-7148
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 91%