Practical Nursing CAS
The Practical Nursing Program is an intensive 11-month certificate program designed to prepare students to practice as Licensed Practical Nurses in a variety of healthcare settings. The curriculum provides students with classroom and clinical experiences in the areas of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Maternal-Child Nursing, Geriatrics and Mental Health Nursing in a variety of acute care, extended care, and outpatient facilities and includes courses in pharmacology and nutrition. The program also is designed for career laddering, awarding appropriate transfer credit allowing for seamless transfer into more advanced nursing programs of study. Upon completion of the Practical Nursing Program, graduates are eligible to take the National Council License Examination – Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN). Successful completion of this examination is required for practical nursing licensure.
- Certificate of Applied Science, Nursing and Health Professions, Online Program
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Program Learning Outcomes
- Apply the nursing process based on physiological and psycho-social concepts, evidence-based practice, and clinical reasoning to deliver safe, effective nursing care in diverse settings to patients across the lifespan.
- Demonstrate nursing care that is inclusive of differing values, cultures, beliefs, nationalities, and lifestyles.
- Integrate information technology in clinical decision making to support safe processes in the delivery of nursing care.
- Use therapeutic communication skills to collaborate with patients, families, and interdisciplinary team members.
- Exhibit professional behaviors and practice consistent with the role and identity of the practical nurse in diverse settings.
- Participate in professional self-evaluation processes and reflection to ensure progressive and optimum clinical performance.
The Practical Nursing Program accepts new students each August. To be eligible for admission into this program, students must meet the general requirements for admission to New River Community and Technical College. You must also submit your final high school transcript, TASC or GED scores and apply for the Practical Nursing Program.
For program questions, contact Staci Jordan at sjordan@newriver.edu or 304-793-6110 or Tina Bryant at tbryant@newriver.edu or 304-883-2444.
Apply to New River CTC!
Acceptance into the program is based on these eligibility requirements:
• Admission to New River CTC
• Completion of English 101* with a grade of “C” or above
• Completion of Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology/Lab with a grade of “C” or above
• Completion of Medical Terminology with a grade of “C” or above
• Completion of TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) with a score of 60 or above
• Have a 2.0 cumulative G.P.A.
*Minimum grade of “C” required. Applicants exceeding academic standards and course requirements will be given first priority for selection.
Application Process
Applications for admission to the Practical Nursing program must be submitted to the Director of Practical Nursing by Nov. 21 for the spring semester. Potential Practical Nursing students must meet with the practical nursing faculty for academic advising while taking the prerequisite courses.
Following admission to the Practical Nursing program, all students must complete the following:
- Criminal background check obtained by nursing faculty during orientation (students responsible for all fees associated with background check).
- Physical examination with laboratory testing before the first day of class; required forms are sent to students upon admission. Students are responsible for completion of physical exam by healthcare provider of choice and for all associated costs.
- Drug/alcohol screening conducted during orientation; students responsible for all fees associated with this screening.
- Basic Cardiac Life Support for healthcare providers (BCLS) completed prior to clinical experiences; students responsible for arranging to complete BCLS and for any fees associated with this requirement.
- Applicants exceeding academic standards will be given first priority for selection.
- Students are responsible for all fees associated with background and drug screening tests, BCLS courses, and physical examinations. All medical forms and instructions for registering for testing will be provided in the acceptance letter.
- Admittance into the Practical Nursing Program at New River Community and Technical College does not guarantee that the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses will grant the student licensure. The Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses may deny testing to any applicant proven guilty of certain infractions, such as, but not limited to, fraud, felony, or moral misconduct.
Graduates are qualified to accept positions in home healthcare agencies, physician’s offices, residential care facilities, and more.
Accreditation
New River CTC’s PN program is fully accredited by the WV State Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses.
The Practical Nursing Program at New River Community and Technical College at the Nicholas County, Raleigh County, Greenbrier County, and Summers County campuses located in Summersville, Beaver, Lewisburg, and Hinton, West Virginia is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the practical nursing program is Initial Accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website.
West Virginia Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses
The Practical Nursing (CAS) program is fully accredited by the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses. The next scheduled review will be October 2025. You may view the WV LPN Board list of accredited schools here.
OUTCOMES
| 2022 NCLEX pass rate | 2022 Program completion rate | |
| Greenbrier Valley Campus | 100% | 78.6% |
| Nicholas County Campus | 83.3% | 50% |
| Raleigh County Campus | 91.7% | 66.7% |
| All New River CTC | 93.1% | 65.2% |
| 2023 NCLEX Pass Rate | 2023 Program Completion Rate | |
| Greenbrier Valley Campus | 90.9% | 91.7% |
| Nicholas County Campus | 100% | 75% |
| Raleigh County Campus | 100% | 66.7% |
| All New River CTC | 95.2% | 80.8% |
| 2024 NCLEX Pass Rate | 2024 Program Completion Rate | |
| Greenbrier Valley Campus | 85.7% | 88.9% |
| Nicholas County Campus | 100% | 69.2% |
| Raleigh County Campus | 100% | 62.5% |
| Summers County Campus | 100% | 40% |
| All New River CTC | 94.3% | 71.2% |
2024 Job placement rate: 96.4% of graduates are working as a Licensed Practical Nurse.