Apply By March 1 for Practical Nursing Program

The Practical Nursing Program at Ashland Community and Technical College is now accepting applications for the Fall Semester 2014 class, and March 1 is the application deadline.

"Practical Nursing is a good program for people from ages 18 to 50 plus who want a healthcare career that requires just three semesters of college," said Elizabeth McGinnis, ACTC assistant professor and program coordinator.

Accredited by the Kentucky Board of Nursing, the diploma program combines classroom, laboratory and clinical experiences. The program provides the knowledge and skills needed for a career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). An LPN monitors, evaluates and responds to patient needs under the direction of a Registered Nurse or physician.

For Grayson resident Mark A. Hall, Practical Nursing is the chance to have a more secure future. The 1996 East Carter High School graduate went to work right out of high school and had several dead end jobs before starting college.

Now in his second semester in Practical Nursing, Hall looks forward to graduation next December and starting a job. After getting experience in a health care setting, he would like to take a bridge program into registered nursing.

Why did he select this program? "It may sound like a cliche but I worked for a while with the Grayson Fire Department and liked helping people," Hall said. "While it's important to be able to get a good paying job, money isn't everything. Having a career that's going to be there in the future and that helps others as well is a good choice for me."

Under the guidance of faculty, students gain experience in the care of clients of all ages in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, health care facilities, long-term care facilities, child care centers and physician's offices.

Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Council of Licensing Practical Nursing examination, and ACTC graduates have high pass rates on the exam. Once licensed, they can find employment as LPNs in hospitals, nursing homes or convalescent care centers, physicians' and dentists offices and in various other health care agencies.

Graduates may also choose to continue their education. "For many students, practical nursing is a stepping stone to other health careers," McGinnis said. "With a practical nursing diploma, they have a good foundation for future education in the nursing field."

Practical Nursing is a selective admission program, and prospective students need to complete an application for the program. Applicants must submit an ACTC application, program application, scores from the ACT or COMPASS test, and transcripts from other colleges attended.

I think this is a good program for men as well as women who want to work in health care, and I should have started this right out of high school, Hall said. Its stressful trying to learn everything you need for this program and working part-time as well, but in the end it will be worth it.

Applications are available online at ashland.kctcs.edu under Academics, Programs of Study, Licensed Practical Nursing. Applications can be turned in at the Admissions Office at the College Drive Campus and the Student Services Offices at the Technology Drive Campus.

For more information, contact McGinnis, 606.326.2150 or email: elizabeth.mcginnis@kctcs.edu.