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Practical Nursing Certificate Program

If you are seeking a career in nursing, beginning as a practical nurse is a great way to start. The Practical Nursing Certificate at NECC includes classroom study, laboratory practice, and clinical experiences to prepare you for an entry level job as a practical nurse. NECC’s program is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. As a successful graduate of the program you will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). You can also apply credits earned to NECC’s associate degree in nursing, which also offers an advanced placement option for licensed practical nursing.

How to get started as a Nurse in the Merrimack Valley

Get more details about how to apply for this program.

Program Costs

Program Costs

View tuition and fee information for this program.
Program Info

Program Info

View the semester-by-semester pathway for this degree.
Additional Admission Criteria and Information
Accreditation

Accreditation

The Certificate in Practical Nursing program is Approved with Warning from the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Nursing.

The Nursing Program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc., 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400; Atlanta, Georgia 30326; (404) 975-5000; https://www.acenursing.org

The Associate Degree nursing program at NECC located in Lawrence, MA 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 Associate degree nursing program is continuing accreditation.

The Practical Certificate nursing program at NECC located in Lawrence, MA 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 Certificate nursing program is continuing accreditation.

BORN Approval Status

BORN Approval Status

NECC’s Certificate in Practical Nursing Program is approved with Warning by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (BORN).

What does Approved with Warning mean?

After reviewing the Certificate in Practical Nursing program, BORN has directed NECC to complete a review and update different areas of the program. The Health Professions Division has already started work to address the areas, including:

  • Formalizing student governance process to ensure students have opportunities to participate in decision making for the program
  • Updating faculty and administrator job descriptions with required duties included
  • Documenting specializations of clinical experiences including mental health and maternity and updating curriculum to adopt and integrate a clinical judgment model
  • Reviewing and updating 14 BORN policies
  • Evaluating and documenting time spent by students in direct patient care, laboratory hours, simulation hours, and clinical sites
  • Identifying and documenting evaluation methods to assess student achievement of learning outcomes
  • Developing and documenting course-specific student learning outcomes
  • Conducting a gap analysis of NECC curriculum and NCLEX test to ensure full coverage of required content areas and competencies
  • Revising of course assignments and evaluation rubrics
  • Revising of clinical agreements to including provision for annual review

How does the Warning status affect current and former students?

There is no immediate impact to current or former students. Current and former students who meet graduation requirements can complete their program and take the NCLEX exam in order to become a Licensed Practical Nurse.

When will the Certificate in Practical Nursing be eligible to return to fully approved status by BORN?

The Health Professions Division will submit regular reports to BORN updating the Board on our progress in the areas identified above. Updates to the program’s status will be posted on this web page as they are available.

Who should I contact with questions about the BORN approval status of the Certificate in Practical Nursing?

Contact Dean of Health Professions Kathy Hudson (khudson@necc.mass.edu)

Program Effectiveness Data

Program Effectiveness Data

Student Achievement Outcome Data

Graduates’ success on the licensure/certification examination

Class of 2025 – pending
- #24 Graduates
Class of 2024 – 85% – #25 Graduates
Class of 2023 – 95% – #16 Graduates
Class of 2022 – 78% – #23 Graduates

Students’ completion of the nursing program within 150% of the stated time for the program.


Graduates per Year 2023, 2024, 2025 is 100% completion rate

Students’ completion of the nursing program within 100% of the stated time for the program.


Class of 2025-83%
Class of 2024-68%
Class of 2023-60%

Graduates employed within one year

Class of 2022-2024 100%

Faculty & Contact

Hollie Andrews, MSN, RN, CLC, CCM

Interim Dean of Nursing

978-655-5931 (Please call to schedule an appointment)
handrews@necc.mass.edu

Additional Program Information

You will be well prepared to take the national certification exam and begin a career working in a variety of practical nursing roles. Upon completion of the program you can:

  • Take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN)
  • Work for long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, home health care, rehabilitation centers, and more
  • Apply credits toward NECC’s Associate Degree in Nursing, or the Nursing Advanced Placement LPN to RN
Required Documents
Accreditation

Accreditation

The Certificate in Practical Nursing program is Approved with Warning from the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Nursing.

The Nursing Program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc., 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400; Atlanta, Georgia 30326; (404) 975-5000; https://www.acenursing.org

The Associate Degree nursing program at NECC located in Lawrence, MA 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 Associate degree nursing program is continuing accreditation.

The Practical Certificate nursing program at NECC located in Lawrence, MA 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 Certificate nursing program is continuing accreditation.

BORN Approval Status

BORN Approval Status

NECC’s Certificate in Practical Nursing Program is approved with Warning by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (BORN).

What does Approved with Warning mean?

After reviewing the Certificate in Practical Nursing program, BORN has directed NECC to complete a review and update different areas of the program. The Health Professions Division has already started work to address the areas, including:

  • Formalizing student governance process to ensure students have opportunities to participate in decision making for the program
  • Updating faculty and administrator job descriptions with required duties included
  • Documenting specializations of clinical experiences including mental health and maternity and updating curriculum to adopt and integrate a clinical judgment model
  • Reviewing and updating 14 BORN policies
  • Evaluating and documenting time spent by students in direct patient care, laboratory hours, simulation hours, and clinical sites
  • Identifying and documenting evaluation methods to assess student achievement of learning outcomes
  • Developing and documenting course-specific student learning outcomes
  • Conducting a gap analysis of NECC curriculum and NCLEX test to ensure full coverage of required content areas and competencies
  • Revising of course assignments and evaluation rubrics
  • Revising of clinical agreements to including provision for annual review

How does the Warning status affect current and former students?

There is no immediate impact to current or former students. Current and former students who meet graduation requirements can complete their program and take the NCLEX exam in order to become a Licensed Practical Nurse.

When will the Certificate in Practical Nursing be eligible to return to fully approved status by BORN?

The Health Professions Division will submit regular reports to BORN updating the Board on our progress in the areas identified above. Updates to the program’s status will be posted on this web page as they are available.

Who should I contact with questions about the BORN approval status of the Certificate in Practical Nursing?

Contact Dean of Health Professions Kathy Hudson (khudson@necc.mass.edu)

Program Effectiveness Data

Program Effectiveness Data

Student Achievement Outcome Data

Graduates’ success on the licensure/certification examination

Class of 2025 – pending
- #24 Graduates
Class of 2024 – 85% – #25 Graduates
Class of 2023 – 95% – #16 Graduates
Class of 2022 – 78% – #23 Graduates

Students’ completion of the nursing program within 150% of the stated time for the program.


Graduates per Year 2023, 2024, 2025 is 100% completion rate

Students’ completion of the nursing program within 100% of the stated time for the program.


Class of 2025-83%
Class of 2024-68%
Class of 2023-60%

Graduates employed within one year

Class of 2022-2024 100%

Credit for Prior Learning or Work Experience

With NECC’s Credit for Prior Learning, you can move through the program at a faster pace and graduate sooner! These credits are covered free-of-charge for eligible Massachusetts learners.

Support for Every Student

NECC offers a variety of student support services, including tutoring, counseling, and academic advising, to help students thrive academically. Want to transfer to NECC? Our advisors are happy to assist you.

Accommodations at NECC

As an ADA-compliant institution, NECC is committed to serving the needs of students, faculty, staff, and visitors with disabilities, including those who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. We partner with multiple entities are dedicated to ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all members of the NECC community.

Do you have a documented disability? Are you Deaf or Hard of Hearing? If so, the Center for Accessibility Resources & Services (CARS) can connect you to the services you need to thrive at NECC.

Free Community College

MassEducate & MassReconnect

No tuition. No fees. And both programs include an allowance for books and supplies for eligible students.

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