Practical Nursing

Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The Practical Nursing (PN) program offered at PVCC prepares graduates to function as entry-level licensed practical nurses under the supervision of registered nurses or physicians. Graduates are eligible to apply for licensure after successfully completing the NCLEX-PN examination. 

The Practical Nursing Certificate Program is accredited by the Virginia Board of Nursing, Perimeter Center, 9960 Maryland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, Virginia 23233-1463, 804.367.4515.

Mission Statement

The mission of the PVCC Practical Nursing Program is to provide high quality nursing education to a diverse student population in preparation for entry-level, professional Nursing practice in a variety of settings. This mission is accomplished through innovative programs that reflect the current needs and trends of healthcare and our community. Our programs are developed and implemented by faculty who are committed to education of the highest standards and who promote clinical practice, scholarly activity, and life-long learning to advance the profession of Nursing. 

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Promoting optimal health for clients at various points on the wellness-illness continuum by applying principles from the physical, biological and social sciences when delivering nursing care; conceptualizing illness as an opportunity for client growth; facilitating the client’s assumption of primary responsibility for wellness recognizing that one or more of an individual’s basic needs are not being met.

2. Using the nursing process as a guide to maintain individual nursing care plans.

3. Effectively communicating with clients, colleagues, and others.

4. Participating in teaching clients who need information or support to maintain health.

5. Managing, with supervision in structured settings, the nursing care for clients who have common, well-defined health problems.

6. Functioning as a member within the profession of nursing. 

NCLEX Pass Rates

Practical Nursing Student Handbook 2025

All students admitted to the Practical Nursing program are required to be familiar with the contents of the student handbook.

All students in this program of study are required to meet clinical compliance requirements as directed by the clinical compliance coordinator.  These requirements may include a criminal background check, immunization documentation, drug use screenings, and other standards for on-site clinical training.

Background and drug screenings are not conducted prior to admission.  Consult the admission information book or contact the head of the program with inquiries regarding barrier crimes and drug usage regulations.

Students who have criminal convictions, but passed the background check for barrier to employment, should be aware that (1) any felony conviction, or (2) any misdemeanor conviction that involves moral turpitude (lying, cheating, stealing), may result in the applicant not being allowed to sit for the licensing exam. However, each applicant is considered on an individual basis. Further information is located in the Guidance Document 90-55 on the Virginia Board of Nursing website. Questions regarding eligibility for licensure should be directed to the Virginia Board of Nursing. The program's barrier crimes are subject to change at any time. Changes to barrier crimes which were made after the date of publication are not reflected in this document.

In accordance with VBON standards of expected 400 clinical hours for practical nursing students per regulation 18VAC90-27-100. Curriculum for direct client care: A nursing education program preparing a student for licensure as a practical nurse shall provide a minimum of 400 hours of direct client care supervised by qualified faculty. Direct client care hours shall include experiences and settings as set forth in 18VAC90-27-90 B 1. 

PVCC Practical Nursing Program students shall receive no less than 402 hours of direct client care.

Required Clinical Hours

Clinical Locations

Clinical locations are within 50 miles of PVCC campus, based on availability of clinical staff and facility availability.

Students are required to provide reliable transportation to the clinical site assigned and are responsible for parking charges.

Based on available clinicals, students may be required to attend clinicals at times outside of their assigned cohort study times. 

Course offerings are a hybrid, meaning they are a combination of web-based online learning and in-person classroom and clinical learning time. Classes and laboratory session are held between the Main Campus in Charlottesville, Virginia and at the Eugene Giuseppe Center, PVCC’s satellite campus located in Stanardsville, in Greene County, Virginia.