About Our Program
In This Section
The Delaware County Technical Schools LPN Program, nationally ranked Pennsylvania's single-best higher education by Georgetown University, fosters excellence and leads students to their desired career in the nursing profession.
Our hands-on, one-year program provides windows of opportunities for our graduates after passing state licensure exams. We strive to provide our students with a high-quality education in an intimate, collaborative setting.
In just one year, students apply skills learned both inside and outside of the classroom to their clinical experience. In the ever-evolving healthcare industry, our graduates meet and exceed expectations, elevating patient care to the next level.
Why Become an LPN?
What is an LPN?
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) works under the supervision of doctors and RNs, performing typical nursing duties: Taking vital signs, collecting samples, administering medication, bathing, and providing genuine comfort to their patients.
Typically, LPN programs are completed in 12 to 18 months and do not require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree prior to admission. LPNs are licensed by the state and are marketable across many healthcare settings.
Licensed Practical Nursing Career Pathways
Becoming an LPN allows students to gain work experience in the healthcare industry before deciding to enroll in additional training, including becoming an RN or earning Bachelor’s or Master’s in Nursing degrees. Experience in settings outside of a hospital or a physician’s office is just one of the many benefits of becoming an LPN—The career opportunities are endless.
LPNs are employed in a variety of facilities, not just hospitals and doctor’s offices— you can find them in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, ambulatory care, community health centers, pediatrics, mental health facilities, and outpatient clinics.
Licensed Practical Nursing is Always in Demand
Licensed Practical Nursing is a rapidly growing industry and a highly valued part of the healthcare system. LPNs have the opportunity to learn nursing skills, find their true strengths and interests within the field, and have a rewarding career while achieving a work-life balance. The Licensed Practical Nursing profession offers many benefits:
- Great wages
- Flexible hours
- Diverse work environments
- Advancement opportunities
Who Can Become and LPN?
Anyone who wants to help others in a rewarding healthcare setting. Whether you have experience in healthcare or are looking for a change in pace, our LPN program offers a place for anyone. Many of our students are:
- Entry-level healthcare workers, NA’s or EMT’s, looking to further work experience eventually pursuing Bachelors or Masters in Nursing degrees.
- Recent high school graduates looking for experience in healthcare
- Re-entering the workforce
Testimonial
“I have the goals of every other American,” said LPN Program participant Nicole Obiese. “The nice house, the good family, the good paying job — without stressing about what’s going to come.”
Curriculum
Each year, DCTS admits 80 students to our rigorous program, receiving hands-on experience in patient care, preparing them to pursue a rewarding career as a Practical Nurse. The Practical Nursing Program consists of four levels of study:
- Level I: Students are taught basic nursing skills necessary to care for a patient. They also learn Math (for medication administration) as well as Anatomy & Physiology.
- Level II: Students learn basic nutrition, the skill of administering medication, and begin to learn content in Medical-Surgical Nursing. Students are introduced to the Concepts of Mental Health.
- Level III: Students focus on Obstetrical Nursing, Pediatric Nursing, and Medical-Surgical Nursing.
- Level IV: Students focus on Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing, Psychiatric and Cognitive Impairment Nursing and Gerontological Nursing.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
- Perform the nursing skills necessary to provide safe and competent patient care to a wide variety of patients.
- Using scientific principles of evidence-based research, identify major health problems and use appropriate nursing interventions to give holistic patient care.
- Make pertinent observations of the patient’s physical and mental condition, record necessary information, and communicate findings effectively to the proper members of the healthcare team.
- Participate in health education to be better able to promote health and prevent disease by educating patients and their families.
- Conduct oneself professionally and in an ethical, moral and legal manner.
“Our experience in the classroom and in clinicals give students the tools and skills they need in order to be successful.”
-Jennifer Treherne, LPN Program Graduate
Admission Information
Pre-Admission Information
To learn more about taking the first steps to becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse, read our step-by-step admission letter and view the pre-admission information below:
- Pre-Admission/TEAS Test
- PN Admission Step by Step Process
- Advanced Placement/Transfer Credit Policy
- Out of State GED/Foreign Education Instructions
DCTS Class Cancellation Policy
DCTS reserves the right to cancel any program. Minimum and Maximum class size will be determined by the administration. DCTS reserves the right to limit enrollment and change instructors. We also reserve the right to cancel a class due to low enrollment or due to the unavailability of instructors or facilities. A 100% refund will be issued if we change the date or time of a class, making it impossible for the student to attend. Refunds will be automatically applied to outstanding balances.
Tuition and Expenses
In a growing industry, Licensed Practical Nurses are in demand across the country. The Delaware County Technical Schools PN program is the single-best higher education program in Pennsylvania based on value. Year after year, we offer a quality education at an affordable cost.
The program is currently eligible for Federal Title IV funding and Veteran Administration benefits. The program is also an educational provider for CareerLink Workforce. Several health care agencies offer scholarships and tuition reimbursement.
The Delaware County Technical Schools Practical Nursing Program receives support through the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 (Perkins IV). This Act is designed to help all students develop their academic, career and technical skills to prepare for high skill, high wage, and high demand occupations in current or emerging professions.
Tuition
Tuition is established each July 1 for the coming school year. Additional costs for the student are fees, books, equipment, uniforms, criminal background clearances, CPR certification, drug testing, and physical, which includes immunizations.
Note: All prices are subject to change. A $1,000 non-refundable tuition deposit is due one month prior to the start date.
Books
- Level 1
- Human Body in Health & Illness (7th Edition, Herlihy, ISBN 9780323711265)
- Math for Meds (11th Edition, Curran, ISBN 9781111540913)
- Optional
- Mosby's Comp Review for the NCLEX-PN
- Levels 2, 3 and 4
- Williams' Basic Nutrition (16th Edition, Nix, ISBN 9780323653763)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (8th Edition, Videbeck, ISBN 9781975116378)
- Understanding Medical Surgical Nursing (7th Edition, Hopper-Williams, ISBN 9780803668980)
Ordering Uniforms
Students will be wearing hunter green scrubs every day but must wear the clinical uniform purchased by Flynn and O’Hara on Clinical Days. The link to Flynn and O’Hara for the purchase of uniforms is https://flynnohara.com/
Accreditation
Contact
Have Any Additional Questions About Our Practical Nursing Program?
We’re eager to hear from you! Email us at lpn@dciu.org to schedule an appointment or for more information.
Delaware County Technical High School-Marple Campus
Practical Nursing Program
85 N. Malin Road, Broomall, PA 19008
Phone: 484-423-7003
Email: lpn@dciu.org
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