Practical Nursing Certificate

The health care industry needs informed, skilled and dependable workers to complete the care team. The licensed practical nurse assists registered nurses and physicians in caring for physically or mentally ill clients. In the long-term care setting and home health, the LPN may supervise other nursing care personnel.

Practical nursing offers employment in many health care settings. Long-term care, physicians' offices, home care, hospitals and clinics provide opportunity for the practical nurse to administer care to a variety of clients.

Job outlook for the Kansas City area is good, with an average starting salary of $36,000-$38,000.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply to take the Practical Nursing Licensing exam. After completing the practical nursing program, LPNs may continue their education to become a registered nurse.

Full-time option

The full-time program, which can be completed in 10 months, provides 880 clock hours of instruction. This includes classroom and clinical laboratory experiences in many areas of nursing. As sample course of study is below.

For application deadlines and other details, see admission requirements.

Evening-weekend option

The evening-weekend program, which can be completed in 14 months, provides approximately 880 clock hours of instruction. This includes classroom and clinical laboratory experiences in many areas of nursing.

See sample course of study for the evening-weekend option.

For application deadlines and other details, see admission requirements.

Prerequisites BEFORE Beginning Professional Courses

Students must “pass” all clinical courses and maintain a grade of “C” or higher in all non-clinical courses to remain in the program.

Admission to the Practical Nursing Program; Current Certification in Kansas as a Nursing Assistant and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Healthcare Providers.

(Major Code 366A/368A; State CIP Code 51.3901)

Practical Nurse Program web page

Prerequisite Courses

BIOL 144	Human Anatomy and Physiology*	5-8
or BIOL 140 & BIOL 225	Human Anatomy and Human Physiology
PSYC 130	Introduction to Psychology	3
PSYC 218	Human Development*	3
HC 130	Medical Terminology for Healthcare Professions	3
Total Hours		14-17

First Semester

PN 125	KSPN Foundations of Nursing*	4
PN 126	KSPN Foundations of Nursing Clinical*	2
PN 136	KSPN Fundamentals of Pharmacology and Safe Medication Administration*	2
PN 140	KSPN Maternal Child Nursing*	2
PN 141	KSPN Maternal Child Nursing Clinical*	1
PN 145	KSPN Mental Health Nursing*	2
Total Hours		13

Second Semester

PN 130	KSPN Nursing Care of Adults I*	4
PN 132	KSPN Nursing Care of Adult I Clinical*	2
PN 150	KSPN Nursing Care of Adults II*	4
PN 152	KSPN Nursing Care of Adults II Clinical*	2
PN 155	KSPN Care of Aging Adults*	2
PN 175	KSPN Leadership, Roles and Issues*	1
Total Hours		15

Total Program Hours: 42-45