Practical Nursing Diploma

The Practical Nursing curriculum provides knowledge and skills to integrate safety and quality into nursing care to meet the needs of the holistic individual that impact health, quality of life and achievement of potential.

Course work includes and builds upon the domains of health care, nursing practice and the holistic individual. Content emphasizes safe, individualized nursing care and participation in the interdisciplinary team while employing evidence-based practice, quality improvement and informatics.

Graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN), which is required for practice as a licensed practical nurse. Employment opportunities include hospitals, rehabilitation/long term care/home health facilities, clinics and physicians' offices.

All applicants must complete the following requirements:

• Apply to Wake Tech
• Submit official transcript(s) to [email protected]
• Complete the online information session for Nursing
• Apply for financial aid and veterans benefits (if applicable)
• Once admitted, follow the steps to enroll on the New Student Checklist

The Practical Nursing program is a limited enrollment program, meaning they receive more applications than there is available space, and uses a competitive admissions procedure with a point system, not a waiting list, to determine who can register for the Nursing classes. Applicants are ranked based on points that are determined by grades earned in the general education classes required for the program, such as ENG 111 and BIO 163. Grades of "C" or better are required in all program-related curriculum classes.

NOTE: BIO classes must have been completed within five years of the first Nursing class, and math proficiency must have been completed within 10 years of the first class.

The following items are requirements for the Practical Nursing program selection process:

• Submit a Practical Nursing program application to [email protected]. Applications for the Spring 2024 class are due by September 1.
• Submit official ATI TEAS scores (directly from ATI) to [email protected] by the program application deadline. Applicants must meet the minimum composite score of 59% to be eligible to submit the program application. (NOTE: Only two TEAS tests are allowed per calendar year, with a minimum of 30 days between tests.)
  • Review TEAS policies
• Submit a copy of a current, unexpired North Carolina Nurse Aide Registry listing to verify Nurse Aide 1 (NA1) certification.
• Meet English language requirement. If students need to complete the TOEFL, scores must be submitted by the program application deadline. An online high school, GED or high school equivalency does not meet exemption requirements.

Once accepted into the Practical Nursing program, students are required to attend a mandatory departmental orientation and complete all clinical site requirements. Information obtained from required criminal background checks and drug screenings could jeopardize a student's ability to participate in clinical experiences, to complete the program and to be licensed and employed as a practical nurse. Any student who has not met all requirements will not be allowed to attend clinical courses and cannot advance in the program.