As a certified nursing assistant, you can use your basic patient care experience and knowledge to obtain advanced placement in a licensed practical nursing program. Working as a nurse aide may be rewarding but there are some disadvantages if you want to take a more active role in patient care. CNA-to-LPN bridge programs can help you to make a career change in as seamless a way as possible. Some programs offer a hybrid option, which is convenient if you want to keep working while you study. Another option is to enroll in a part-time program and complete the educational requirements in just 12 months. With your certificate in hand, you can apply to the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing to take the National Council Licensure Exam to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Prism Career Institute
Prism Career Institute’s Practical Nursing program prepares nursing assistants for the next step is their career as a health care professional. Theory and hands-on instruction cover 1560 contact hours in the classroom, lab, and at clinical facilities. Course topics include fundamental of nursing, medical surgical nursing, maternal newborn nursing, geriatric nursing, obstetric nursing, transition to practice, nutrition, medication administration, and professional development. Students will also complete NCLEX review classes at the end of the program. Graduates are eligible to apply to the PA State Board of Nursing to take the NCLEX for Practical Nurses. The duration of the program is 63 weeks for day students and 70 weeks for evening/weekend students.
Admission criteria:
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must have a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate
- Attend an interview with an Admission Representative
- Take and pass the entrance exam with a minimum score of 45 and a minimum score of Reading: 46, Math: 43, Science: 30, and English: 37
Tuition for the program is $28,283 for students who complete the program in the normal time.
- Website: https://www.prismcareerinstitute.edu/
- Address: 8040 Roosevelt Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19152
- Phone: 215-331-4600
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 73.15%
1199C Training Fund
The practical nursing program offered by District 1199C is available to union members and community students of all ages. The program is offered in partnership with the Health and Technology Training Institute. Theory and practical instruction covers fundamentals of nursing, mental health nursing, safety procedures, nutrition, medical surgical nursing, maternal child nursing, anatomy and physiology, transition to nursing, medication administration, and obstetrical nursing. The clinical rotations will be scheduled in the day, evening, or weekend and students must arrange transport to and from the clinical sites. Graduates will be eligible to apply to take the NCLEX for Practical Nurses. Classes meet on a part-time, weekend schedule for 22 months.
Admission criteria:
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Attend an Information Session
- Submit an initial application and non-refundable fee of $50
- Take and pass the TEAS exam with a satisfactory score
- Submit character references
- Provide official high school transcripts
- Must have current CPR certification – BLS for Health Care Providers from the American Heart Association
- Complete background check including a PA criminal background check, FBI background check, and PA Child Abuse Clearance
- Obtain a clear drug screen
- Attend an interview with a program representative
- Provide evidence of good health – including up-to-date immunizations
- Must sign the Enrollment Agreement and attend a 10-week Bridge program
The total program cost is approximately $18,803.60. District 1199C union members may be eligible for tuition reimbursement, which will cover two-thirds of the tuition.
- Website: https://www.1199ctraining.org/
- Address: 100 S. Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19110
- Phone: 215-568-2220
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: N/A
The Health & Technology Training Institute
The practical nursing program at The Health & Technology Training Institute is offered in conjunction with the District 1199C Training. CNAs may apply for advanced placement in the program to continue their career as a practical nurse. The practical nursing curriculum includes theory and clinical experiences at local health care facilities. The coursework is delivered in sequence and requires completion of all courses with a grade of 80% or higher to graduate. Administration of medication during clinical experience is based on successful completion of a dosage calculation test in Level II and Level II and a medication proficiency skills test. Students must arrange their own transportation to and from the clinical facilities. The duration of the program is 22 months.
Admission criteria:
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Attend an Information Session
- Submit an initial application and non-refundable fee of $50
- Take and pass the TEAS exam with a minimum score of 55
- Submit character references
- Provide official high school transcripts
- Must have current CPR certification – BLS for Health Care Providers from the American Heart Association
- Complete background check including a PA criminal background check, FBI background check, and PA Child Abuse Clearance
- Obtain a clear drug screen
- Attend an interview with a program representative
- Provide evidence of good health – including up-to-date immunizations
- Must sign the Enrollment Agreement and attend a 10-week Bridge program
The program cost of $18,803.60 includes tuition, criminal background check, drug screening, CPR certification, application fee, medical exams, textbooks, NCLEX prep, and licensing exam.
- Website: https://www.httiphila.org/
- Address: 100 South Broad Street, 9th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19110
- Phone: 215-568-2220
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 78.57%
Pennsylvania Institute of Technology
The Practical Nursing Certificate program at P.I.T. is open for Certified Nursing Assistants who want to broaden their scope of practice in patient care. The curriculum includes classroom theory and supervised patient care activities at local health care facilities. It requires completion of 50 credit hours which may be transferable to the associate degree program at PIT. Course modules include Introduction to Nursing Practice, Role Development of the Practical Nurse, Intravenous Therapy, Nursing Practice, and Pharmacology for Practical Nurses. The program is offered in a hybrid format, so some of the coursework may be delivered online. Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to the take the NCLEX-PN for a license to begin practicing as a licensed practical nurse. The program is designed to be completed in three semesters (12 months). New students are admitted in January and July of each year.
Admission criteria:
- Must have an official high school transcript or GED diploma with scores
- Must be 17 years or older
- Must be a US citizen, permanent resident, or eligible non-citizen
- Complete an application for admission
- Complete the prerequisite courses – 5 credits of Anatomy and Physiology with a grade C or higher
- Complete AHT180 TEAS Smartprep course with a grade C or higher
- Complete a satisfactory background check including a criminal record check and child abuse clearance.
- Complete a FBI background check
- Submit report of a satisfactory physical exam including immunzations, titers, and TB screening
- Must have current CPR – Adult, Infant, Child from the American Heart Association
- Complete seasonal flu vaccination
- Must have a current COVID-19 vaccine
- Submit official college transcript if applicable
- CNA applicants must submit documentation of active certification
Tuition for the program is $25,000 excluding books, supplies, and fees.
- Website: https://www.pit.edu/
- Address: 800 Manchester Avenue, Media, PA 19063
- Phone: 610.892.1500
- Email: info@pit.edu
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 81.48%
Lincoln Tech
The practical nursing program at Lincoln Tech helps nursing assistants take the next step on their career ladder. Students will benefit from extensive hands-on learning in simulated medical and nursing labs, instructors who are experienced and Certified Nursing Educators, participation in health fairs and blood drives in the community, and preparation for success on the licensure exam. The curriculum covers 1500 instructional hours. Course topics include human anatomy and physiology, nursing fundamentals, professional awareness, nursing clinical, pharmacology, life span, medical surgical nursing, mental health nursing, maternal pediatric nursing, and professional awareness. Graduates will be eligible to take the licensure exam to become a licensed practical nurse. They will have the skills to obtain an entry-level position in hospitals, nursing homes, physician’s offices, and rehab centers. Day, afternoon, and evening schedules are offered.
Admission criteria:
- Must be at least 18 years old on or before graduating from the program
- Must be a high school graduate or have a state-approved high school equivalency assessment
- Take and pass the nursing entrance assessment exam with acceptable scores
- Complete and sign the Enrollment Agreement
- Pay a deposit toward the registration fee
- Complete a criminal history background check with acceptable results
- Sign an acknowledgment that an additional criminal history background check is a prerequisite for State Licensure as a Practical Nurse
- Submit a resume or confirmation of verifiable work history
- Submit a short essay as directed by the admissions staff
- Submit complete and current immunization records including documentation of flu vaccine
- Complete a satisfactory physical exam report indicating good health
The total program cost of $31,903 includes tuition, books, uniforms, student fee, tools, tax, and registration fee.
- Website: https://www.lincolntech.edu/
- Address: 5151 Tilghman Street, Allentown, PA 18104
- Phone: (610) 398-5300
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 81.00%
Eastern Center for Arts and Technology
The practical nursing program at Eastern Center for Arts and Technology has an advanced placement option for certified nursing assistants and any other health professional or student who can submit documented credentials and experience. Courses for transfer must have been completed with a grade of C or better. Students will learn how to make clinical decisions based on critical thinking/clinical judgment, contribute to the interdisciplinary team by prioritizing, delegating or supervising patient care, minimize the risk of adverse events in practice, provide information that patients need to promote health and wellness, and accept responsibility and accountability for personal and professional development. At the conclusion of the program, students will be required to attend an ATI Live Review to prepare for the NCLEX-PN exam.
Admission criteria:
- Take and pass the pre-entrance test – TEAS with a score of 44% or greater
- Submit a completed application for admission and the non-refundable fee of $75
- Submit official high school transcript or GED diploma
- Attend an interview with the Admissions Coordinator
- Complete Criminal Record Check, FBI Criminal History Report, Child Abuse Clearance
- Complete a satisfactory physical exam
- Submit a current immunization record including seasonal flu shot
- Pass a urine drug screen
- Pay the non-refundable tuition deposit of $500 at the time of acceptance
Tuition for the program is $15,850. Textbooks cost an additional $800.The non-refundable application fee is $75. Other costs include uniforms, background check, CPR certification, drug screen, and equipment.
- Website: https://eastech.org/
- Address: 3075 Terwood Road Willow Grove, PA 19090
- Phone: 215-784-4800
- Fax: 215-784-4801
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 88.71%