Practical Nursing Certificate Program
The 12-month Practical Nursing Certificate program at Blue Cliff College prepares students for an entry-level nursing career. Practical nurses are essential to the operations of healthcare facilities, supporting doctors, nurses, and patients to ensure each day goes smoothly.
We are currently not enrolling new students in the Practical Nursing Certificate Program. In the meantime, please explore our full list of programs to find another you may be interested in.
Practical nurses can provide basic patient services under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) or physicians. Though the specific clinical tasks they can perform vary by state, in general, practical nurses may: take vitals and medical histories, draw blood, insert catheters, perform basic wound treatment like changing bandages, and provide comfort care such as helping with eating, dressing, and bathing.
Not all work done by a practical nurse is clinical, however. They often ensure records are accurate and readable so physicians and nurses can tell at a glance what a patient is dealing with. Practical nurses also help ensure that information is passed between patients, families, nurses, and doctors to ensure everyone is on the same page. Depending on the workplace, practical nurses might also perform some administrative tasks.
How Long Is the Practical Nurse Program?
The three-semester practical nursing program typically takes 12 months to complete.
Practical Nursing (PN) Certificate Program Curriculum
Over the course of 980 credit hours (44 clock hours), you’ll learn all the topics covered in the National Council Licensure Examination for Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses® (NCLEX-PN) exam. Courses include:
- Body structure and function, including each body system
- Nursing fundamentals, including basics of caring for well and ill patients at every life stage, with clinical (supervised practice)
- Specialty areas in nursing, including maternity care, pediatrics, and mental health challenges
- Adult health nursing concepts in acute and chronic care, with clinical, including caring for adults with physical health challenges in all body systems
- IV therapy and pharmacology, including administering both IV and non-IV medications
The final semester also includes a nursing transition course, which aims to help graduates transition from being students to being practical nurses while directly preparing them for the NCLEX-PN test.
Explore Related Programs
Blue Cliff College Practical Nursing Certificate Program Locations
The Practical Nursing Certificate program is available at the following Blue Cliff College campus:
The Licensed Practical Nursing Diploma program is available at the following Blue Cliff College campus:
After Graduation: Getting Your Practical Nursing License
After graduating from our program, Mississippi allows practical nursing graduates to get a temporary practical nursing permit. However, the permit only lasts 90 days, and you must pass the NCLEX-PN exam during that time.
The NCLEX-PN test covers:
- Safe and effective care environment: coordinated care; safety and infection control
- Health promotion and maintenance
- Psychosocial integrity
- Physiological integrity: basic care and comfort, pharmacological therapies, reduction of risk potential, physiological adaptation
Once you’ve passed your test, you submit a licensure application and fee to the state.
Practical Nursing Certificate Program Enrollment Requirements
All students applying to Blue Cliff College must meet specific requirements, and the PN program has additional expectations. Among other requirements, every student needs to be at least 17, hold a high school diploma (or the equivalent), and talk to an admissions representative.
In addition to the requirements all students must meet, practical nursing enrollees need to:
- Provide a certified copy of your birth certificate, valid US passport, permanent resident card, or naturalized certificate
- Be transparent with your criminal justice or professional licensing history, such as any felony convictions, including successfully passing a designated criminal background check, be fingerprinted, and have a negative drug screen
- Provide proof of individual health insurance and submit all current immunizations
- Show current CPR certification
- Provide documentation of physical ability to function as a nursing student via a physical exam completed before starting class
In your admissions process into the program, you’ll also need a passing placement exam score from one of the accepted placement exams and interview with an appointed nursing program faculty member.
If you have any questions about our enrollment requirements, please get in touch with our admissions team.
Practical Nursing Certificate Program Costs
The practical nursing program at Blue Cliff College costs $27,961, including tuition, fees, graduation expenses, and a few other costs as of the 2024-2025 school year.
In addition to tuition and fees, PN students can expect to pay for:
- MSBON Background Check (Enrollment): $75
- Physical Exam: TBD
- Immunizations: TBD
- MSBON Licensure Application: $60
- Graduation Fee: $50
The school covers your first HESI A2 admission exam (math and English) attempt and NCLEX-PN Exam.
Financial Aid at Blue Cliff College
Students at Blue Cliff College may be eligible for federal financial aid like loans and the Pell Grant. Veterans could also qualify for assistance from the US Department of Veterans Affairs.
Why Choose Blue Cliff College for Practical Nursing?
Blue Cliff College strives to ensure that every practical nursing student is ready for their career upon graduation, both in and out of the classroom. Your coursework covers what you need to know for the exam and delves into how to transition from being a student to a professional practical nurse.
In addition to your classes and instructors, you can seek help from our career services team. This team can help you perfect your resume, learn to job search, and improve your interview skills.
The school also partners with WellConnect, a student resource service that helps students access mental health and legal assistance, local resources to help with daily needs, and more. And the campus is set up to support learners by providing WiFi, computer access, break rooms, and more.
Licensing 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)‡
- Approved by the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners and Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners (LSBPNE) for the Metairie location
‡The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) is a recognized accrediting agency by the US Department of Education.
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