Practical Nursing Program Overview
Earn your Practical Nursing diploma in as little as 12 months
Our Practical Nursing program can prepare you for a successful career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). You will gain the medical knowledge, hands-on training, and industry support to enter this rewarding profession.
Your LPN training curriculum will consist of both in-class instruction and clinical simulations. Our mission is to help you pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) to gain entry-level employment as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Let us help you embark on the career journey of a lifetime. To get started, submit a contact-request form today.
Click here to read our PN licensure disclosure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What you need to know
Does Unitek College offer a Practical Nursing program near me?
We welcome students from all around the world to enroll at Unitek College. Since our Practical Nursing program is based out of our Nevada campus, the majority of our Practical Nursing students are either from Reno or commute from one of the following nearby cities.
We serve Practical Nursing students across all of northwest Nevada:
| Reno, NV | Carson City, NV | Fallon, NV |
| Fernley, NV | Sun Valley, NV | Sparks, NV |
| Auburn, CA | Cameron Park, CA | Grass Valley, CA |
| Lincoln, CA | North Auburn, CA | Placerville, CA |
| Rocklin, CA | South Lake Tahoe, CA | Susanville, CA |
| Truckee, CA |
What is a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)?
Licensed Practical Nurses provide basic medical care under the direction of registered nurses (RNs) and doctors. Their job duties often vary and depend on their employer as well as the state in which they work.
How much do Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) make?
As of May 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the average salary for Licensed Practical Nurses was $50,090. The highest 10 percent earned up to $65,520 per year, or more.
Please note that wage data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) or other third-party sources may not be an accurate reflection of all areas of the country, may not account for the employees’ years of experience, and may not reflect the wages or outlook of entry-level employees, such as graduates of our program. (accessed on 11/15/2021)
Are LPNs and LVNs the same thing?
Yes, LPNs and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) represent the same job. One of the two titles will be used depending on your current location in the United States.
What is the fastest way to become an LPN?
The first step is to pursue an approved educational program as well as the licensure exam (NCLEX-PN). If you choose a diploma program, you can typically complete your studies in one to two years. However, our PN program can be completed in as little as 12 months.
Click here to read our PN licensure disclosure.
What is a Practical Nursing Program?
A Practical Nursing program seeks to prepare aspiring nurses for the challenges they will undertake as a licensed nurse. Some programs will also assist students with passing the national licensure exam.
Click here to read our PN licensure disclosure.
How long is the Practical Nursing Program?
Our Practical Nursing program at Unitek College can be completed in as little as 12 months. If you’d like to pursue a healthcare career without spending years in school, this might be an ideal choice for you.
What is the cost of the Practical Nursing Program?
Like most healthcare programs, the fees paid by each student can vary depending on their individual situation. A variety of financial aid options are available to our students at Unitek. For more information, reach out to our friendly admissions representatives.
How can an LPN from Nevada gain licensure in California?
If you are a Licensed Vocational Nurse from Nevada, you must contact the Board of Vocational Nursing & Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) and apply for licensure. The likelihood of California licensure is high if you have a current active unrestricted license and you graduated from an accredited Practical Nursing program.
Practical Nursing Curriculum
In as little as 12 months, our Practical Nursing program will prepare you for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam so that you can pursue entry-level employment as a Licensed Practical Nurse. You will learn to perform essential clinical and administrative tasks in physicians’ offices, hospitals, or other healthcare settings.
Throughout our program, you will receive advanced training across multiple nursing competencies. Some of these tasks include patient monitoring, administering drugs, and other special duties, such as patient support and education.
Upon graduation, you will complete 1,620 instructional hours (660 hours of didactic instruction and 960 hours of labs/clinical). Class topics include nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, pediatrics, maternal and newborn care, medical-surgical, and professional development.
Practical Nursing graduates will be able to:
- Deliver basic nursing care to patients.
- Collaborate with patients, families, health care teams, and community resources to provide holistic medical care.
- Coordinate patient care as a member of the health care team within a structured healthcare setting.
- Assume responsibility as a member of the nursing profession by demonstrating accountability for practice, promoting the practice of Practical Nursing, and participating in health promotion.
Practical Nursing Admissions Requirements
How do I apply?
If you’re not ready to apply or would like to speak with someone, our representatives will guide you through every step of the admissions process so that you feel confident and secure in your decision to enroll.
To apply for the Practical Nursing program, you must meet the following requirements:
- Submit proof of high school education or equivalent
- Must be 18 years of age on or before the start date of clinical rotations
- Complete our Practical Nursing prerequisite course within 12 months before the scheduled start date of your Practical Nursing training
- Complete a background check during the prerequisite course
- Complete an interview with the program director
- Complete a physical examination, including immunizations and TB testing
- Pay all fees and tuition costs for the PN prerequisite course (if applicable)
Practical Nursing Campus Locations
Contact our Reno campus to learn more about how to become a Practical Nurse or to enroll in the program. Your future starts at Unitek College.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Our experienced financial aid representatives can help you understand all tuition expenses for the Practical Nursing program. For instance, some of our fees may include drug screening, vaccination tracking, LiveScan fingerprinting, state licensing, and more.
As a potential Unitek College student, you may be eligible for student financial aid. Our financial aid representatives can help you determine eligibility and apply. We participate in several financial aid programs, including federal and state grants, scholarships, federal work-study, and student loans. We are also an eligible institution for Veteran Benefits and the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).
Scholarships, student loans, and grants can help you cover the costs of your Practical Nursing education, including some of the following expenses:
- Tuition
- Books & Supplies
- Computer Equipment
- Room and Board
- Living Expenses
Reach out to a financial aid representative for more information.
Practical Nursing Career
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) primarily work with an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals to develop and execute a care plan for their patients. They must provide basic medical care to their patients in various healthcare settings, such as nursing homes, extended care facilities, hospitals, doctors’ offices, and private homes.
LPNs have numerous responsibilities. They monitor their patients; report adverse reactions to medication; and gather information, such as their patient’s medical history. In addition to coaching their patients, LPNs also advise families on how to care for their loved ones. LPNs can supervise nursing assistants and aides, and, depending on their location, they can also administer medication, start intravenous fluids, and provide care to ventilator-dependent patients.
Finally, LPNs must use patient data to file various forms of paperwork and other administrative duties, such as insurance forms, pre-authorizations, and referrals.
Over time, many LPNs may advance their careers by pursuing more senior administrative or management positions. Others, however, may choose to leverage their experience to earn a more advanced nursing degree and qualify to become a licensed Registered Nurse (RN). They can also seek specialty certification in fields like gerontology or intravenous (IV) therapy.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of LPNs is projected to grow 9% by 2030. Following the path of a Licensed Practical Nurse can also lead to a reliable source of income. The BLS reports that the average salary* of an LPN is about $49,000. Moreover, Licensed Practical Nurses who earn wages in the top 10th percentile can earn as much as $65,000 or more.
Please note that wage data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) or other third-party sources may not be an accurate reflection of all areas of the country, may not account for the employees’ years of experience, and may not reflect the wages or outlook of entry-level employees, such as graduates of our program. (accessed on 11/15/2021)
Practical Nursing Program Accreditation
Unitek College is institutionally accredited by the ACCSC, and our Practical Nursing program is approved by the Nevada Board of Nursing.
