Practical Nursing Certificate Program

ONLY OFFERED AT OUR GULFPORT CAMPUS

Blue Cliff College’s Practical Nursing (PN) certificate program prepares students for entry-level nursing positions hospitals, nursing homes, community health clinics, and other healthcare settings. Learn more about how Blue Cliff College can prepare you for this exciting career path.

What Does A Practical Nurse Do?

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Practical Nurses perform various tasks in the offices of physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. Practical Nurses may perform some or all of the following duties¹:

Monitor patients’ health—for example, by checking their blood pressure
Administer basic patient care, including changing bandages and inserting catheters
Provide for the basic comfort of patients, such as helping them bathe or dress
Discuss the care they are providing with patients and listen to their concerns
Report patients’ status and concerns to registered nurses and doctors
Keep records on patients’ health

The Practical Nurse works under the direction of the Physician or Registered Nurse to provide patient care to assist with patient education, manage team nursing patient care delivery, and supervise unlicensed assistive personnel.

How Long Is the Practical Nurse Program?

At our Gulfport, MS, campus, the normal completion time for the 44 credit hour Practical Nurse Certificate program is 12 months.

What Will You Learn In the Practical Nurse Program?

Training in our Practical Nurse (PN) program in Mississippi includes:

Body structure and function
Nursing fundamentals
Adult health nursing concepts
IV therapy
Pharmacology
Specialty areas in nursing
Clinical hours

Upon successful completion of the program and all other graduation requirements, a certificate in Practical Nursing will be awarded and graduates will be prepared to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam.

Where Do Practical Nurses Work?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Practical Nurses typically work full time². The top five employers of Practical Nurses are:

38% – Nursing and Residential Care Facilities
14% – Local, Private, or State Hospitals
13% – Physician’s Offices
12% – Home Healthcare Services
7% – Government

What Is The Job Outlook For Practical Nurses?

We all know that nursing has a shortage of qualified staff in the profession, and entry-level Practical Nurses (PNs) are no exception. This means that the job outlook for PNs is positive.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that new roles for PNs will grow nationally by 5% between 2022 and 2032, which is faster than average across all occupations in the country³.

Campuses with the Practical Nursing Certificate Program

The Practical Nursing certificate program is available at the following Blue Cliff College campus locations:

More About Careers In Practical Nursing

For more information about a career in Practical Nursing, please visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s O*NET website.

Standard Occupational Code (SOC): 29-2061.00 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP): 51.3901 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training

Program Specific Application Requirements

In order to be admitted to the PN program at Blue Cliff College, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

Provide a High School Diploma or GED Certificate. Transcripts are required.
Provide a certified copy of their birth certificate, valid U.S. passport, permanent resident card, or naturalized certificate.
Complete a personal interview with an Admissions Representative and appointed PN program faculty
Be in good health and physically able to perform the duties and techniques required for employment in the student’s field of interest
Have the financial resources necessary to complete the program of study
Disclose any and all felony convictions and/or professional license revocations or suspensions to the college during the application process; additional information may be required
Not currently serving under any court-imposed order of supervised probation, work-release, school release or parole in conjunction with any felony conviction(s), or plea agreement
Acceptable placement exam score from one of the listed placement exams.
Be fingerprinted
Provide proof of health insurance

Licensing Information and Accreditation

Blue Cliff College maintains current certification and accreditation so you know you’re learning skills that are valued in your field. We are:

Licensed by the Mississippi Commission on Proprietary School and College Registration. Certificate No. C-736
Accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)^‡
The Practical Nursing program in Gulfport, MS, has received initial accreditation approval by the Mississippi Board of Nursing (MSBON) with full accreditation eligibility after the first year.

^‡The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, (ACCSC) is a recognized accrediting agency by the US Department of Education.

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