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Program Details
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Rappahannock Community College
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Program Details
Certificate in Practical Nursing
CertificateCertificate in Practical Nursing
Rappahannock Community College
The certificate in practical nursing is designed to prepare selected students to qualify as practical nurse members of the health team in a variety of healthcare facilities. On successful completion of the program students are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Exam-Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) which is the currently approved licensing exam for practical nursing in Virginia.
Program Overview & Guidance

Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Considerations for Selecting Degree | The Practical Nursing certificate program prepares students to provide safe and effective nursing care for clients with common health problems as defined by the role of the practical nurse, as well as to collaborate effectively with all members of the healthcare team. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Students must select a course for each course requirement from the applicable required course list.
|
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | All courses must be completed with a grade of C or better. |
Doing More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights | The Practical Nursing Program is a competive program with it's own application process. The program is designed to prepare students to take the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) licensure exam. The certificate in Practical Nursing is approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing. |
Related Programs & Certifications

Credential That Prepares You For This Program
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Credential That Prepares You For This Program
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Program Credit Requirements

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program. 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 should consult an advisor or counselor to find courses you can take at your current institution that will transfer to this degree.
Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.
Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.
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.
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
44
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
All courses used to satisfy course requirements in the Practical Nursing Program require a grade of "C" or better.
Certificate in Practical Nursing
44
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
All courses used to satisfy course requirements in the Practical Nursing Program require a grade of "C" or better.
Residency requirement
44
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 33 credits may be applied to this program.
Course requirements for 157-01
44
BIO 145
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ENG 111
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PNE 161 (or PNE 193 & PNE 195)
7
Earn 7 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
SDV 101
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
HLT 105
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PNE 162
10
Earn 10 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PSY 230
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
HLT 230
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PNE 163
8
Earn 8 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PNE 145
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PHI 220
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Courses are evaluated and transferred as applicable to your degree. To discuss how your previous degree will work in your new goals, please meet with an advisor or college navigator. Courses are evaluated and transferred as applicable to your program of study. To discuss how your previous degree will work in your new goals, please meet with an advisor or college navigator. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Courses are evaluated and transferred as applicable to your program of study. To discuss how your previous degree will work in your new goals, please meet with an advisor or college navigator. |
Credit for Prior Learning | Y |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

Number of Transfer Students
156
College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Is This College Right For Me? | https://www.schev.edu/students/making-decisions-about-college |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by the first semester of attendance |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by the first semester of attendance. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

This section displays VCCS degrees most closely related to this
program and to which you may be able to most efficiently transfer your
current course work. So, you can use this list to find a degree you can
complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program
page.
If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.
If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.
Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mountain Gateway Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) to Registered Nursing (RN) - Advanced Placement Option (APO) | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing - Hybrid Distance Education | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Hybrid |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing: Advanced Placement Option for Licensed Practical Nurses | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
New River Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Nursing, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Lpn To Rn - Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science with a major in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
---|---|---|---|
29-2061.00 | Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | Care 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 |
31-1131.00 | Nursing Assistants | Provide or assist with basic care or support under the direction of onsite licensed nursing staff. Perform duties such as monitoring of health status, feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, or ambulation of patients in a health or nursing facility. May include medication administration and other health-related tasks. Includes nursing care attendants, nursing aides, and nursing attendants. | Healthcare Support Occupations |
Cost To Complete

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