The Practical Nursing Program is a comprehensive educational program that prepares graduates for employment as Licensed Practical Nurses in a wide variety of healthcare settings.
View the application process for the Practical Nursing Program here.
Enrolling now for our full-time cohort that begins in August 2025, and our part-time cohort that begins in September 2026!
GET THE SKILLS YOU NEED TO SHINE
The Practical Nursing program encompasses classroom and clinical instruction in all phases of direct patient care, including dispensing medication and IV Therapy. The GACTC Practical Nursing has served the community since 1970 through the GACTC. The GACTC offers both a full- and part-time Practical Nursing program.
Licensed practical nurses are in demand in our region, and are vitally important in providing quality patient care.
Courses in the Practical Nursing program include the following:
- Level I:
- Personal & Vocational Relationship
- Fundamentals of Nursing
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Clinical
- Level II:
- Medical Nursing I
- Surgical Nursing I
- Maternity Nursing
- Pediatric Nursing
- Clinical
- Level III
- Pharmacology I
- Medical Nursing II
- Surgical Nursing II
- Clinical
- Level IV
- Medical Nursing III
- Surgical Nursing III
- Pharmacology II
- Clinical
More than 800 hours of clinical instruction in all phases of direct patient care!
Upon graduation from the program, students are Graduate Practical Nurses and are prepared to take the National Exam for Licensure (NCLEX) to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. Read about our 100% NCLEX pass rate here.
When you enroll in the Practical Nursing program, you receive a high-quality, comprehensive education that prepares you for employment in a wide range of settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Physician offices
- Home healthcare
- Armed forces
- Health agencies and clinics
- Nursing homes
- Mental health facilities
- Correctional institutions
Clinical Experiences
Practical nursing students obtain clinical experience at various healthcare facilities in our region, including, but not limited to, UPMC Altoona, Conemaugh Nason Hospital, Presbyterian Village at Hollidaysburg, Allegheny Lutheran Home in Hollidaysburg, Garvey Manor in Hollidaysburg, James E. Van Zandt Medical Center, and Encompass Health. Additional practicums may include emergency services, daycares, outpatient agencies, school nurse offices, and rehabilitation services.
Program Accreditation
The Practical Nursing program is an approved program through the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The GACTC has institutional accreditation through the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools. For the period of October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024, our Practical Nursing Program achieved an NCLEX pass rate of 100%!
Applicant Information
The GACTC welcomes all interested individuals to apply for admission into our career training programs. Review the admissions requirements and apply now at https://www.gactc.edu/adult-education/how-to-enroll/pnadmission/.
The GACTC is a hidden gem in our community, and the Practical Nursing program has a great reputation…it measures clinical competency and validates knowledge and skill by giving you the preparation and training for a state certified license.
Student Testimonial:
Practical Nursing
Instructor Testimonial:
Practical Nursing
POSSIBLE CERTIFICATIONS
- CPR
- OSHA 10-hour Healthcare certification
- IV Therapy certification
- Licensure as a Practical Nurse in Pennsylvania
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Estimated Tuition & Fees:
- For the Full-time program: $22,720*
- For the Part-time program: $22,950*
*Includes an optional laptop. If laptop is not needed through the GACTC, the cost of the laptop is deducted from the fees. Please see the program flyer to view detailed tuition and fees.
For the 2024-2025 academic year, this program is approved through the Eligible Training Providers List. Students enrolled in this program may be eligible for financial assistance through their local CareerLink office. Please contact your local CareerLink office for assistance.
Program Hours:
- 2024-2025 Full-time program: 1,500
- 2024-2026: Part-time program: 1,500
Schedule:
- Full-time program: August 2025 through August 2026
- Proposed schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (hours may vary due to clinical experiences)
- Part-time program: September 2026- August 2028
- Proposed schedule: Tuesday – Thursday, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Clinical hours also vary pending clinical site, but can be weekdays 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. and weekends from 6:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP
Please contact us to schedule a tour and to meet with a career counselor to discuss your career goals and this program. Complete this short form to request more information and to schedule a tour, or call us at 814.941.TECH.
We welcome your application to the Practical Nursing program.
Lisa Urban
