Centra Health School of Practical Nursing Program Review

The Centra Health School of Practical Nursing has a 12-month practical nursing program, which readies individuals to apply to write the National Licensure examination to become a licensed practical nurse (NCLEX-PN). The Practical Nursing Program is composed of in-class lectures and clinical practicum. Centra only offers a Practical Nursing (PN) program.

In order to be admitted into the Centra Health School of Practical Nursing (CHS PN, CHSPN, CSPN), commonly referred to just as Centra School of Practical Nursing, individuals must hold a GPA of 2.0 or above on the 4.0 scale, or have a GED score of 45 or above. Individuals must have completed Algebra with a minimum of a “C” grade. Individuals must have completed the SAT test with a minimum score of 800 in Critical Reading and Math. If an individual has completed some college level courses, those will be used for admission rather than an SAT score. Applicants must also provide health records, a drug screening and a criminal background check, as well as reference letters as requested. The deadline for application is mid-June for semester commencement in January of the following year.

The Centra School of Practical Nursing is made up of three semesters over a 12-month period. In the first semester, students cover Basic Human Biology, Developmental Psychology, Principles of Nutrition and Human Development, Fundamentals of Nursing, Introduction to Pharmacology and Medical-Surgical Nursing Level I. In the second term of the Practical Nursing Program, students cover Medical-Surgical Nursing Level II, Psychosocial Nursing and Family-Centered Nursing. In the third and final semester, students cover Medical-Surgical Nursing Level III, and Issues and Trends in Nursing. The nursing program at Centra is approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

Practical Nurses work in a variety of healthcare organizations including; hospitals, long-term care facilities, hospices, schools, physicians’ offices, nursing homes, and many more healthcare environments.

Centra School of Practical Nursing also offers a 46-week accelerated program, which consists of four levels of study. Level one is 11 weeks, level two is 12 weeks, level three is 11 weeks and level four is 12 weeks in duration. Students must hold a minimum “C” grade in order to advance in the program.

The Practical Nursing program offers IV therapy, which is an integral part of all four program levels. Once the individual has completed the program, and is licensed by the state, he or she will be able to perform IV therapy as a result of this program.

Admissions into Centra School of Practical Nursing

Individuals applying to the Centra School of Practical Nursing must have a high school diploma or a GED of 500 or higher and must be 18 years old and must pass the entrance examination. Individuals applying to the school must also provide transcripts, references, CPR certification and will receive a pre-admission information session invitation, which they must attend once they have completed the entrance examination successfully.

There are no prerequisites required for the Centra School of Practical Nursing Program (PN), and the program can be completed in one year. A graduate can go on to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) once they take and pass the NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nurse) licensing examination.

Contact:
Centra Health School of Practical Nursing
1920 Atherholt Road,
Lynchburg, VA 24501
United States