NPC’s high quality, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Certificate of Applied Science option prepares you to take the Arizona LPN examination and excel in the exciting field of vocational nursing. Through hands-on experiences working in the classroom, clinicals and the community, you will receive the education you need to achieve your career goals in the healing profession.
Our holistically oriented faculty members are careful to provide you with planned experiences and individualized, up-to-date evidence-based instruction. Best of all, your nursing education costs a fraction of what you would pay for comparable nursing programs available elsewhere in Arizona.
At NPC you will:
- Be a part of nursing classes small enough that you can take advantage of personal tutoring and help from our highly experienced instructors.
- Pursue a nursing option that provides both hands-on labs and clinical experience every semester so you gain the practical real-world skills you need to succeed as a nurse.
- Pay the lowest tuition rate in the state, making our nursing program options the smart choice!
- Have the option to choose to continue your studies in NPC's nursing program for a second year to become a Registered Nurse by earning an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.
Students wanting to earn a LPN certificate must apply to be admitted into NPC's Registered Nurse AAS degree program. BEFORE being accepted, you must complete certain prerequisite courses (see entry requirements below). Admission to NPC does NOT guarantee admission to the nursing program.
- For more information, please contact an NPC Academic Advisor. Also see the current NPC College Catalog and class schedule.
Labs and Classrooms
Required general education courses are offered at all NPC locations. Nursing classes are only offered at the Show Low and Winslow campuses.
Entry Requirements
1. Applicants must hold a current Arizona Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) license in good standing.
2. The following prerequisite courses are required BEFORE admission to NPC's RN nursing degree program and must be completed with a “C” grade or better before July 1 of the admission application year. A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 is recommended.
- BIO 181 - General Biology I
- BIO 201 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- BIO 202 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II
- BIO 205 - Microbiology
- CHM 130 - Fundamental Chemistry
- ENL 101 - College Composition I
- MATH: Next Gen. ACCUPLACER QAS score of 250+; Classic ACCUPLACER Elem. Algebra score of 57+; ASSET Elem. Algebra score 41+; COMPASS Algebra score 46+; or ACT Math score of 21; OR completion of MAT 142 or higher with a “C” or better within one year prior to application to the nursing program.
College credits more than eight years old may be accepted with appropriate documentation and approval. See an NPC academic adviser for details.
3. NPC strongly recommends that you also complete the following general education requirements BEFORE applying to the RN nursing degree program:
- ENL 102 - College Composition II
- PSY 240 - Developmental Psychology
- PLUS, one of the following: ANT 102 - Cultural Anthropology –OR– SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology
4. Applications and Information: (PDFs)
- Admission Packet (PDF)
- Nursing Student Handbook (PDF)
5. Program Costs: (PDFs)
- LNA to RN in State (PDF)
- LNA to RN Navajo County (PDF)
Work Environment
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) work hands-on with people each day in hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities. They are often on their feet for much of the day and may have to lift patients who have trouble moving in bed, standing or walking. These duties can be stressful, as can dealing with ill and injured people.
Job Outlook
Employment of Licensed Practical Nurses is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations at 12 percent through 2026. As the baby-boom population ages, the overall need for healthcare services is expected to increase. LPNs will be needed in residential care facilities and in home health environments to care for older patients. Job prospects should be favorable for those who are willing to work in rural and medically under-served areas.
Potential Job Titles
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
(California and Texas: Licensed Vocational Nurse)
Accreditation/Affiliations
The Associate Degree nursing program at Northland Pioneer College is accredited by the Arizona State Board of Nursing and by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
Phone: (404) 975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree nursing program is continuing accreditation.
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at https://www.acenursing.org/search-programs
Articulations
Once you have complete the first year of NPC's Registered Nurse AAS degree program you will have earned a Certificate of Applied Science (CAS) in Practical Nursing. You may choose to exit the program and work as a LPN, or you can continue in the program for a second year and work toward your Associate of Applied Science degree in Registered Nursing.
Student Outcomes
NCLEX Test - Practical Nursing Pass Rate
- January 2024 - July 2024: 100%
- January 2023 – December 2023: 100%
- January 2022 – December 2022: 100%
- January 2021 – December 2021: 100%
Contact Information
1001 W. Deuce of Clubs
Ponderosa Center, Nursing Offices
Show Low,
AZ 85901
Northland Pioneer College
Northland Pioneer College
CONTACT AN NPC ADVISOR!
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