Eastern Shore Community College

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Practical Nursing Applications Due Now

Published: 2013-04-01
Category: General Announcements

Melfa, VA – Applications for Eastern Shore Community College’s Practical Nursing Program are due now. The college’s Practical Nursing Program was originally Northampton-Accomack Memorial Hospital Practical Nursing Program formed in 1956 as a joint effort of Northampton County Schools, Accomack County Schools and the Northampton-Accomack Memorial Hospital. The school became the Shore Memorial Hospital Practical Nursing Program when NAM Hospital was renamed. In 2007 Eastern Shore Community College began a certificate program in Practical Nursing. Shore Health Services and Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital remains a key partner in the Practical Nursing program as the primary clinical site for students clinical care experiences. The ESCC PN program received full approval from the Virginia Board of Nursing in February 2012. 

The three-semester certificate program is designed to prepare beginning practitioners for a career as a Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) with the knowledge and skills to care for clients of all age groups and function as contributing members of the health care team in a variety of health service facilities. The United States is in the midst of a nursing shortage that is expected to intensify as baby boomers age and the need for health care grows. Compounding the problem is the fact that a large number of experienced nurses are retiring from the profession. 

In addition to the College’s general admission requirements, minimum standards for entry into the PN program include: the completion of a PN preadmission exam with an acceptable score, have a current CPR certification at the Health Care Provider level, the completion of a criminal background check, and the completion of a physical examination. Additional admission requirements are available here.  
 
Students who successfully complete the certificate program are eligible to sit for the ational Council Licensing Exam for practical nurses (NCLEX-PN). The NCLEX pass rate for the 2012 calendar year was 100 percent.
 
An application is available here, or by contacting Linda Pruitt at 757-789-1772.
 
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Eastern Shore Community College is a comprehensive two-year institution in the Virginia Community College System serving Accomack and Northampton Counties. Founded in 1971, the College offers transfer education programs and career/technical/occupational degree and certificate training as well as professional education and workforce development. ESCC is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is an equal opportunity institution.