Licensed Practical Nursing

The application window has closed for the 2023 class. Applications for the 2024 class will be accepted after July 1, 2023. The 2024 class will begin August 19, 2024.

*The Licensed Practical Nursing Program at Delaware Skills Center is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850
Atlanta, GA 30326
404-975-5000
www.acenursing.org

Mission of DSC Practical Nursing Program:

The mission of the Delaware Skills Center is to prepare students to become professional practical nurses, and to practice ethically, competently, safely and in a manner consistent with all local, state, and federal laws. We believe our nursing graduates will positively impact the health and wellness of the citizens of Delaware by improving the human condition, alleviating illness, and promoting healthier communities.

End of Program Objectives of DSC Practical Nursing Program:

The Practical Nursing program at Delaware Skills Center is sanctioned by the New Castle County Vocational Technical School District and the Delaware Board of Nursing. DSC provides the highest quality nursing education by utilizing current evidence-based knowledge, recognized best practices and up-to-date technology in an environment that is conducive to adult learning.

Upon completion of the practical nursing program, the students will be able to:

1. Embrace the role of the practical nurse as a vital member of the healthcare team, while practicing under RN supervision, within the scope of the Delaware Nurse Practice Act.

2. Demonstrate critical thinking and the attainment of sufficient knowledge and the technical skills required to gain licensure to practice as an LPN under the Delaware Nurse Practice Act.

3. Demonstrate competency in providing safe, appropriate and individualized patient care across the lifespan to patients in a variety of clinical settings, within the scope of the LPN's practice.

4. Administer medications safely to patients across the lifespan, within the scope of an LPN in Delaware.

5. Demonstrate the effective and appropriate use of current information technology in the classroom and in the clinical setting, related to communication, privacy, and documentation of patient care.

Overview:

This rigorous 10-month (44 weeks/1,635 instructional hours) training course provides individuals with necessary theory, skills lab, and clinical experience to take the NCLEX-PN or Licensed Practical Nurses exam. State and Nationally accredited, our Practical Nursing program provides an opportunity for the students to successfully study and learn the course requirements in preparation for the Delaware State Board of Nursing Licensure Examination.

The curriculum provides an opportunity for students to successfully learn required nursing science and clinical skills. After passing the licensure examination, students will work full-time in the healthcare field as a Licensed Practical Nurse, providing bedside care to assigned patients. The program includes both classroom and clinical learning experiences in various nursing facilities in New Castle County.

Curriculum:

Nursing Science and Theory
Critical Thinking and Decision Making
Medical Technology
Pharmacology and Nursing Math
Clinical Practice Experience
Employability Skills

*DSC Practical Nursing Program Plan of Study*
Course	Class	Lab	Clinical	Total Hrs.
LEVEL I- Trimester 1
PN 100-Vocational and Professional Relationships	14			14
PN 101-Anatomy and Physiology	60			60
PN 102-Human Growth and Development	40		16	56
PN 103-Pharmacology I	40			40
PN 104- Microbiology	30			30
PN 105- Nursing Fundamentals and Procedures	100	96	32	228
Fall Skills Fair	16	16		32
	300	112	48	460
LEVEL II- Trimester 2
PN 203- Pharmacology II	32			32
PN 201- Medical-Surgical Nursing I	120	20	80	220
PN 202- Mental Health Nursing	50		40	90
PN 204- Med Surg Nursing II	120		80	200
	322	20	200	542
LEVEL III- Trimester 3
PN 206- Maternal-Child Nursing	112	32	44	188
PN 205- Medical-Surgical Nursing III	96	24	100	220
PN 207- Nursing Care of Children	104		50	154
PN 200- Vocational and Professional Relationships II	15			15
Pre-Graduation Skills Lab Evaluation		18		18
PN- 300 NCLEX Preparation	38			38
	365	74	194	633
*Total Hours* *Revised 3/10/23 SA*	987	206	442	1635

Enrollment Policy

Only enrolled students may attend classes. No one is permitted to accompany students to class, including children, spouses, or other family members. Animals other than service animals are not permitted on school property.

To maintain enrollment in the program: Practical nursing students are required to:

*Maintain a 77% average in classroom units of study, and a passing score in clinical settings.

*Provide adequate and reliable transportation to the DSC campus and any clinical sites utilized during the program

*Have access to high-speed internet and a personal laptop to complete homework assignments and in school assignments

*Maintain current American Heart Association CPRT certification throughout the program

*Meet Pre-Graduation Benchmark scores as required in ATI Technology Policy

*Maintain all grading policy requirements

The following medical equipment is required and will be supplied to the student by the Delaware Skills Center:

I.D. Badge, stethoscope, blood pressure cuff*, pen light, bandage scissors

*The school provides blood pressure cuffs and a medication book for students to use during the school year which must be returned.

The following equipment must be supplied by the student from the beginning of course until the completion of course:

Working Functional Laptop

Transportation to arrive to class and clinical.

CPR Requirement

All nursing students are required to have current Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) for Healthcare Provider certification prior to enrollment in the Nursing Program. Current CPR certification is validated each semester. The following CPR cards only will be accepted:

* American Heart Association – BLS Provider. If an online version of the above provider CPR course is available, it must include demonstration of skills at a facility offering basic cardiac life support. It is the responsibility of students admitted to the Nursing Program to maintain current CPR certification throughout the length of the Program. Nursing students will not be allowed in the clinical setting if their CPR certification has expired. Clinical absences place nursing students at risk for not meeting the clinical objectives of the course.

Graduation Requirements

*Student must maintain a 77% average or above on overall course classroom exams content

*Student must maintain acceptable attendance requirements

*Student must meet benchmark scores of a Level II for proctored content exams and a 90% likely to pass NCLEX on Comprehensive Predictor Exam administered via ATI

*Student must maintain academic integrity throughout the program

*Student must maintain professional conduct as dictated by LPN student handbook

*Student must complete safely and effectively all skills on required LPN Skills Inventory Log & Competency Evaluation Tool

*Student must maintain a rating of 3 or higher on clinical evaluation tools indicating expectations for practice are safe and acceptable

LPN Program Highlights

Our LPN program is 10 1/2 months and we start one class per year always in the month of August. The program concludes in the month of June.
Approved by the Delaware Board of Nursing
8:1 Student / Faculty
Dedicated Skills Simulation Lab
85% Overall post-graduation job placement since 1963
Free parking
Daytime Classes 7:30 am - 3:00 pm, no evening classes.
Approved by Delaware Department of Labor
Equal Opportunity Employer/Program
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities; and
Funded by Delaware Workforce Development Board and Department of Labor
ACEN Certified*

DSC is extremely proud of our students’ consistently high success rates on the national LPN licensing exam, NCLEX-PN. There are many changes occurring in today’s healthcare systems and we strive to keep pace by educating competent nurses for the future. The table below reflects the NCLEX pass rates for DSC graduates.

School Year	Number of Graduates who took NCLEX-PN Exam	Number of Graduates Who Passed the NCLEX PN Exam on the First Attempt	Percentage who Passed the NCLEX-PN Exam on the First Attempt	Number and Percentage of Students that Completed the Program	Job Placement Rate
2020	33	26	78.79%	36/37, 97%	100%
2021	46	42	91.3%	46,48 95.8%	100%
2022	36	35	97.2%	35/36, 97%	100%

Upon graduation and licensure, LPN"s are employed throughout a variety of options within the healthcare industry. Our graduates work in long term care facilities, outpatient clinics, home healthcare, hospice, mental health centers, physician office's and hospitals. DSC's LPN program maintains a very high job placement rate.

The LPN course is held August through June.

Classes are Monday - Friday from 7:30am to 3:00pm. Students must meet the required number of hours as determined by the Board of Nursing. Attendance is mandatory.

Application Process:

Due to the large applicant pool and popularity of this program, it is imperative that you follow the process below and meet ALL time sensitive deadlines in order to be considered for admission. Failure to do so, may result in forfeiture from the applicant pool. Please review the following information and follow these steps for consideration by the Admission Committee.

Please complete the online application by clicking “Apply Now” button below.
Upon receipt of your application, you will receive an auto generated email from Sylvia Nawrot, LPN Training Specialist, with information on what to do next. PLEASE READ THIS EMAIL THOROUGHLY AND FOLLOW THE STEPS OUTLINED FOR YOU.
A non-refundable TEAS test fee, in the amount of $180.00, must be submitted prior to scheduling your TEAS Test. The Delaware Skills Center accepts Cashier's Checks and Money Orders for TEAS payments. You may also pay online. Please see the "Payments" tab on the home page. You will not be scheduled for the TEAS test until your test fee has been paid.
After remitting your TEAS payment, please email Sylvia Nawrot, Training Specialist, to schedule your test at [email protected].
TEAS testing appointments are scheduled October - February. As stated above, you must email Sylvia Nawrot to secure your testing spot.
To prepare for your TEAS test, you will need to create an account with ATI at www.atitesting.com. You will be prompted to create a username and password which will be needed on the day you test. Please save and bring this information on the day you test or you will not be able to take the test. You will receive your test score immediately upon completion of the test.
The Admission Committee will offer interviews to applicants based on the evaluation of individual TEAS test scores.

Tuition and Fees:

The Delaware Skills Center does not offer payment plans or accept financial aid. Tuition MUST be paid in full prior to the start of class.

$180.00 non-refundable TEAS test fee payable with a cashier’s check, money order, or online payment. Please see the "Payments" tab on the home page.
Upon full acceptance, $320.00 will be due before new student orientation at the end of June. This fee includes background checks, drug screening, and supplies.
Tuition for the LPN program is $13,599.00 for students who are not funded. Tuition options will be discussed during the interview process.

Requirements for Enrollment:

18 Years of Age or Older
Achieving satisfactory scores on the ATI-TEAS exam.
Provide complete documentation of favorable drug screening & criminal background investigation.
Undergo State of Delaware Adult & Child Abuse Registry checks
Submit a report of a physical examination, providing documentation of his/her ability to meet the physical requirements of a student nurse.
Submit documentation of required immunizations.
Submit a completed application form.
Official high school transcript or proof of GED and college transcripts (if applicable).
Two letters of professional reference
Interview with the Practical Nursing Team
Applicants are responsible for admission fees and fees associated with admission testing.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Students are admitted, trained, and referred for employment without regard to race, color, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. Delaware Skills Center values diversity encourages men and women to participate in courses considered non-traditional.

Click below to apply!