What Institutions Offer a PN Program?

Organizations and individuals expect a lot from nurses, especially in the care of their loved ones. Many countries overseas and even in the US will increase their demand for nurses in coming years. The high demand will come because of increasing focus on prevention care and innovation, which creates more treatment options for patients, leading to a higher demand for caregivers.

If you are thinking of a fulfilling career, which guarantees you a well-paying job with multiple career advancement opportunities, then look no further than nursing.

Due to the appeal that nursing has, many institutions now offer PN programs. The selection criteria of majority of these schools are highly competitive. Some of the institutions that offer a PN program include:

Community Colleges

They offer relatively affordable 2-year PN programs with flexible teaching schedules to help you balance your education with other responsibilities. They typically offer associate degrees or certificate programs, which will prepare you to advance to a 4-year college. Credit transfer is possible, with varied transfer requirements depending on the school you choose, and the program's host state.

Four-Year Colleges and Universities

Most nursing programs in universities and colleges offer 4-year PN programs, which cover a wider field and course content in depth. Most 4-year colleges offer Bachelor's and higher degree PN programs. Majority of these institutions provide on-campus accommodation and offer additional amenities.

Attending a 4-year college lays the foundation for an easier and faster transition from a PN to a RN. You cover more course content than in a 2-year program, and can easily take on a specialty or a supervisory role.

Vocational Public and Private Institutions

Vocational nursing programs offer 2-year programs but with low student populations, allowing you to enjoy an intimate setting and more access to your tutors and learning facilities. These institutions offer PN programs that award a certificate or associate, Bachelor's and higher degrees. Most of them charge higher fees than community colleges. Credits from vocational colleges are non-transferable, and may force you to re-take classes when looking for alternative or additional educational qualifications.

Most PN programs have open admission policies—they require only a high school diploma or GED. However, some institutions will require you to complete a number of prerequisites, which will affect the specific courses, amount of fees you will pay and length of your program. Prerequisites normally include biology, chemistry and English composition. Each school has its own time limits for prerequisites; some colleges will not consider these courses valid if you took them five or more years before.

To be eligible for a PN program, nursing schools may use different entrance exams. Some of the most popular ones are:

Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS):

TEAS evaluates your proficiency in English, numeracy, literacy and science, specifically testing algebraic formulas, scientific reasoning, life sciences and grammar.

National League for Nursing Pre-Admission Examination:

It tests general biology, geometry, reading comprehension, earth science, algebra, first aid and health in a multiple-choice format.

Always look for accredited programs, which guarantee you an effective education and give you better access to federal aid.

Two of the most common accreditations for nursing programs include:

ACEN - Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

CCNE - Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Both of these accreditations endorse certificate, undergraduate and graduate programs.

The institution you choose may influence your success and career progression later in life. Always ask questions about different educational and career advancement option before committing to a program. Additionally, look for an accredited nursing program, which enjoys good relations with professional bodies and employers. Get a head start on your nursing career today by sitting down with our admission counselors at Athena Career Academy.