- Practical Nursing Program
- About Us
-
The Chester County Intermediate Unit Practical Nursing Program (PNP) is a post-secondary program that prepares you to pass the NCLEX-PN: National Council Licensure Examination for Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses, allowing you a faster entry into the nursing profession and opportunities for future growth and education in the field.
Program Outcomes
- The Chester County Intermediate Unit Practical Nursing Program NCLEX-PN first-time test takers pass rate for 3rd Quarter 2022 was 100%.
- 77 students graduated from January 2022 to December 2022.
Completion Rate for CCIU Practical Nursing Program
- 100% Curriculum (4 Levels-(Original cohort) start to finish program):
- 2020-21 Aggregated: 4 cohorts - 59%
End-of-Program Student Learning Outcomes
-
Upon completion of the PNP, the graduate will:
- Practice as a novice healthcare team member within the framework established by the Nurse Practice Act of the State of PA.
- Develop a spirit of inquiry to promote personal and professional growth.
- Utilize the nursing process to provide safe, holistic care to diverse populations in a variety of settings.
- Integrate clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice to promote high quality, safe and effective care.
- Demonstrate collaborative communication to advocate for the clients, families and groups.
- Apply leadership and management principles to achieve quality and safety outcomes.
*Revised December 2018
The Chester County Intermediate Unit Practical Nursing Program in Downingtown, PA in accordance with ACEN standards is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 975-5000, www.acenursing.org. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the CCIU Practical nursing program in Feb 2018 is: Continuing Accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
-
Mission
To provide a quality, innovative, cost-effective and student-focused curriculum to a diverse population, preparing graduates to practice as competent licensed practical nurses.
-
Locations
-
Beliefs
Customer Service - We are committed to exceeding customers’ expectations.
Partnership - We collaborate with partners to assure a seamless career pathway of life-long learning and a robust, diverse nursing workforce.
Innovation - We promote change to meet evolving needs and foster innovation. Leadership - We embrace a leadership role in assuring quality holistic nursing education and in cultivating interaction with community partners Advocacy We serve as an advocate for our students, nursing education and practical nursing at large.
Professional Commitment - We maintain the highest standards of conduct.
Organizational Culture - We provide an environment that encourages flexibility, teamwork, mutual respect, creativity, professional growth, high morale, opportunity and pride in all we do.
-
Goals
Grow PNP to help meet the practical nursing workforce demand in Chester and neighboring counties.
Ensure that the PNP remains competitive, cost-effective and high quality.
Maintain NCLEX-PN first-time test-taker pass rates that exceed the state average.
Maintain graduate and employer high approval of outcomes.
Continually review curriculum to support seamless career pathways (LPN to RN, including BSN) and position the graduate LPN to excel in evolving health care market.
Maintain tuition increase not to exceed 4% while increasing enrollment and maintaining a high quality program.
Cultivate leadership/advocacy role for PN education and LPNs and emerge as a leader in nursing education at large.
Partner to obtain highly competitive grants targeting larger institutions
Advantages of the Practical Nursing Program
-
Smooth transition to RN degree
With the experience and salary now earned as an LPN, the path for those who choose to become a Registered Nurse (RN) is made even easier as PNP credit toward completion of an RN program is available at a number of local colleges and nursing programs.
-
High job placement
Virtually all PNP graduates seeking employment find job placements in Chester County and the surrounding area within a few months of passing their licensing exam. Your job search is assisted by your clinical rotations, as well as the opportunity to attend two on-site job fairs each year.
-
Hands-on experience
While classroom instruction remains part of the program, you’ll begin clinical rotations very early in the program (Level 1). By the end of the program, you will have earned over 700 hours of clinical and lab experience in areas such as maternity, mental health, medical-surgical nursing, pediatrics, gerontology and rehabilitation. All of which is done in collaboration with health care partners, such as Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital, Brandywine Hospital, Pocopson Home, Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital, Kendal Crosslands Retirement Community and multiple community care organizations.
-
Focused on the individual
You won’t be just a number here at PNP! Class sizes are small with lots of one-on-one instruction provided, plus the option to request tutoring.
-
Experienced staff
All of PNP’s teachers have nursing degrees and years of experience in the field enabling them to share what they’ve learned and relate classroom subjects to real clinical issues.
-
Accredited program
The Chester County Intermediate Unit Practical Nursing Program in Downingtown, PA in accordance with ACEN standards is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 975-5000, www.acenursing.org. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the CCIU Practical nursing program in Feb 2018 is: Continuing Accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at: http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
-
Flexible scheduling options
Full-time and part-time scheduling is available allowing you the ability to select the program that best meets your current needs.
