Practical Nursing

The Practical Nursing program has a selective admissions process with a cap of 30 students with the annual fall enrollment. 

Students interested in applying to this program must follow guidelines on our Limited Entry Programs page.

Students will receive a letter acknowledging their acceptance into the program with additional information on a mandatory orientation session prior to the start of classes.  At the orientation, students will be provided information on health requirements, background/drug screening, clinical requirements, uniforms, etc. 

Students who are not accepted may want to apply for the next admission of the same program if they are certain it is what they want. Students may be counseled as to how to improve their ranking chances for the next admission. They may also be provided with information on other programs that they may be interested in attending. 

Each PN course has a clinical component ranging from six to nine hours per week. Clinical experiences occur in area hospitals and long term care facilities. Students will be assigned to the various agencies in order to get a broad range of clinical experience. The days/times for clinical experiences are dictated by the clinical agencies. For these reasons, students cannot request a specific location or day or time for their experiences. Every student needs to have transportation and be willing to travel to the assigned location.

Prior to graduation, students will have a review course and receive information on the licensing exam for Licensed Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN).  Upon graduation, the student will be eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-PN.  Students should be aware that the North Carolina Board of Nursing requires background screening prior to licensure and may deny licensure based on the results of the screening.