Practical Nurse

Jumpstart your career in healthcare in just three semesters: get your practical nurse (PN) diploma and learn to provide safe, competent care as a practical nurse.

What You Will Learn

The PN coursework includes and builds upon the domains of individual, healthcare systems, and nursing practice. Content emphasizes the nurse as a member of the interdisciplinary team, providing safe, individualized care while using evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and informatics.

Graduates of this program are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN).

Program Learning Outcomes

You will be able to:

  • plan, organize, and provide client-centered care
  • practice professional nursing behaviors incorporating personal responsibility and accountability for continued competence
  • use critical thinking and evidence-based practice to make sound nursing judgments to provide safe and effective care
  • reinforce and/or implement the teaching plan developed and delegated by the registered nurse for diverse patients and families and/or the healthcare team, incorporating teaching and learning principles
  • integrate knowledge of the holistic needs of the individual to provide an individual centered assessment
  • implement culturally competent care to diverse clients across the lifespan
  • collaborate with the interdisciplinary healthcare team to advocate for positive individual and organizational outcomes
  • use informatics to access, manage, and communicate client information and best practices
  • communicate professionally and effectively with individuals, significant support person(s), and members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team

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Why Choose Central Piedmont

Our program is committed to the college’s mission — to provide a quality, affordable, and accessible education to all. As a Central Piedmont PN student, you will:

  • enjoy a flexible learning environment: we offer general education courses online and at our multiple campuses
  • learn from quality faculty who bring decades of experience into the classroom
  • benefit from our affordability: our one-year PN diploma program is a fraction of the cost of other nursing programs in Mecklenburg county
  • learn in classrooms featuring state-of-the-art technology
  • participate in clinical and lab experiences at a variety of sites around Charlotte and the Carolinas, providing excellent opportunities to network with potential employers

Practical Nurse Careers and Average Salary

Visit Central Piedmont’s Career Coach or the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for detailed PN career requirements and opportunities, salary information, and job openings.

Career Coach

The Details

How to Apply

Apply now