Program Details
Program Details
Back to top

Program Details

Certificate in Practical Nursing

Certificate
Brightpoint Community College

The purpose of the practical nursing curriculum is to prepare students to provide safe and effective nursing care and become a practical nurse capable of providing care for groups of clients with multiple health needs as defined by the role of the practical nurse. Upon completion of the curriculum, the graduate will be eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-PN examination leading to licensure as a practical nurse. Additionally, Brightpoint offers an associate degree registered nurse program and has articulation agreements with nine area universities that offer the baccalaureate in nursing.

Outcomes

By the completion of this program, students will be expected to demonstrate an intermediate level of competency in the following skills:

  1. Implement plans of care for clients through provision of safe and effective nursing care within the scope of the LPN role and education.
  2. Communicate therapeutically with clients/families and effectively with members of the healthcare team in all forms of communication.
  3. Provide culturally congruent care across the lifespan and across all healthcare environments.
  4. Deliver safe and effective nursing care that conforms to the highest legal and ethical standards as prescribed by the Virginia Board of Nursing.
  5. Identify and report suspected abuse with clients across the life span.
  6. Collaboratively apply critical thinking skills to the holistic care of clients.
  7. Demonstrate preparation and eligibility for evaluation through the NCLEX-PN licensure examination.


Program Overview & Guidance
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Program Web Page
External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
Check Course Schedules
Delivery Mode
Online
Check Course Schedules
Delivery Mode
Hybrid
Check Course Schedules
Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree
Program Requirement Notes
Program Requirement Notes

Please visit Brightpoint's Nursing Information page and review the Practical Nursing Program requirements and eligibility here: https://www.brightpoint.edu/academics/career-clusters/health-sciences/nursing-additional-information/

Considerations When Selecting Courses

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Brightpoint Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree
Program Successes & Highlights
Program Credit Requirements
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. lf you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.

The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio and the requirements for the selected program.

A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Certificate in Practical Nursing
40
Certificate in Practical Nursing
40
Course Grad for 157-01
40
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
Required Courses 157-01
40
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 30 credits may be applied to this program.
SDV 100 or SDV 101
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
BIO 141 or BIO 101
4
Complete courses from the following Course list:
AND
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
ENG 111
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
HLT 143 or ITE 152
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
PSY230
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PNE 162
11
Earn 11 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PNE 174
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PNE 145
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PNE 158
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PNE 164
11
Earn 11 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion

Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School
Credit for Prior Learning Brightpoint accepts multiple forms of credit for prior learning, including scores on standardized tests such as AP/IB/CLEP/DANTES as well as courses and training completed in the military, criminal justice academies, technology certification programs, and health services certification programs. See https://www.brightpoint.edu/paying-for-brightpoint/pay-tuition/military-veterans-educational-benefits/credit-for-prior-experience/
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Brightpoint Community College
College Level Information
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Transfer Center
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
3835
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? At Brightpoint, our vision is "A success story for every student." With our small classes, our large number of courses and in-demand programs (including many online!), partnerships with area employers, and our award-winning faculty, Brightpoint Community College can help you begin your journey to a Bachelor's degree, a job, or both!
Transfer Student Catalog Year A student's catalog year determined by their first semester of attendance.
First Year Student Catalog Year A student's catalog year determined by their first semester of attendance.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions Not required.
Where Can This Degree Transfer
Expand or Shrink Accordion
This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Mountain Gateway Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in NursingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in NursingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) to Registered Nursing (RN) - Advanced Placement Option (APO)AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in NursingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing: Advanced Placement Option for Licensed Practical NursesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
New River Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in NursingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community CollegeNursing, A.A.S.AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Paul D. Camp Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Nursing AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
Rappahannock Community CollegeAAS Degree in NursingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Rappahannock Community CollegeAA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences - Pre-BSN SpecializationAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science - NursingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
Virginia Highlands Community CollegeAssociate in Applied Science Degree in NursingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in NursingAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Careers Where This Degree Applies
Expand or Shrink Accordion
O*Net Code Name Description Parent
29-2061.00Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational NursesCare for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required.Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
Cost To Complete
Expand or Shrink Accordion

This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 40 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Certificate in Practical Nursing at Brightpoint Community College
These costs are based on an estimated 3 semesters or 1.5 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $0 Per Credit $0 $0 $0
Fees
Mandatory Fees $0 Per Credit $0 0 $0 Mandatory fees are Auxiliary fee ($4 per credit hour) and Student Activities ($1 per credit hour)
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.