Practical Nurse
Train for a meaningful career in healthcare through hands-on learning, experienced instructors, and a supportive academic environment.
About the Program
The Practical Nurse program at Compass Career College provides comprehensive vocational nursing education designed to prepare students for the responsibilities of practical nursing. Students develop essential knowledge in patient care, health assessment, nursing fundamentals, and medical terminology while gaining valuable clinical experience in healthcare settings.
The program blends classroom instruction, skills laboratory practice, and supervised clinical training to help students understand both the science and compassion behind patient care.
Program Objectives
The Practical Nurse program is designed to prepare students for entry-level practical nursing practice and eligibility to seek licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in accordance with Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners (LSBPNE) requirements.
Students develop the knowledge, clinical judgment, technical skills, and professional behaviors necessary to provide safe, effective, and compassionate nursing care to individuals across the lifespan in a variety of healthcare settings. Instruction includes classroom, laboratory, simulation, and supervised clinical experiences in accordance with program and regulatory requirements.
As part of the Practical Nurse curriculum, students complete the Nurse Aide Training coursework, providing a foundation in direct patient care and creating the opportunity to earn an embedded Nurse Aide Training credential upon successful completion of applicable coursework and regulatory requirements.
Graduates of the Practical Nurse program are prepared for entry-level employment in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, physician offices, clinics, home health agencies, schools, and other healthcare environments. Employment opportunities may include Licensed Practical Nurse positions in general medical-surgical care, long-term care, home health, clinic and physician office practice, rehabilitation services, and other healthcare specialties, subject to employer requirements and licensure.
Program Goals
The program aims to:
- Provide a strong foundation in practical nursing knowledge and patient care skills
- Support the development of clinical judgment, professionalism, and communication
- Prepare students for participation in healthcare teams across a variety of medical environments
- Encourage ethical practice and respect for diverse patient populations
Students in the program work closely with experienced instructors who bring real-world healthcare knowledge into the classroom, helping bridge the gap between theory and practice.
What You'll Learn
Our Practical Nurse curriculum spans 1,692 clock hours of classroom instruction, skills lab practice, and supervised clinical rotations. Coursework builds in sequence, moving from foundational sciences to nursing fundamentals to increasingly complex patient care, so students enter each rotation prepared for it. Roughly half the program is spent delivering supervised care in real healthcare settings. Our students all learn:
Anatomy & Physiology
Body structure, systems, and function across a two-course sequence (Anatomy & Physiology I and II).
Nursing Fundamentals
Core patient care, assessment, and nursing process skills, paired with supervised clinical practice (Foundation of Nursing I and II).
Pharmacology & IV Therapy
Drug classifications, dosage calculation, medication administration, and IV therapy technique (Pharmacology I and II).
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Adult medical-surgical nursing across three progressive course levels, the largest classroom and clinical component of the program.
Maternal-Infant & Pediatric Nursing
Care of expectant mothers, newborns, infants, and children, with a supervised clinical rotation in each specialty.
Mental Health Nursing
Psychiatric and behavioral health nursing, including a supervised clinical rotation in a mental health setting.
Nutrition & Diet Therapy
Therapeutic diets, nutritional needs across the lifespan, and the role of nutrition in patient recovery.
Clinical Rotations
856 hours of supervised patient care, roughly half the program's total hours, across medical-surgical, maternal-infant, pediatric, and mental health settings.
What You Need to Apply
The Practical Nurse program at Compass Career College has limited enrollment, and applicants must complete the admissions process before being considered for acceptance. Acceptance is determined by entrance test scores together with the state board evaluation admission form. Our admissions team can walk you through the full list of documents and testing requirements.
Admission Requirements May Include
- High school transcript or high school equivalency
- A qualifying score on an approved entrance placement test
- Health certification and current immunization records
- State-required background check
- Completed application, state board application, and orientation
Conditional acceptance
Applicants who meet the initial requirements may be considered for conditional acceptance, which may include additional steps such as documentation, health requirements, or other program criteria.
Because enrollment capacity is limited, applicants are encouraged to begin the process early.
Compass Career College complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students with documented disabilities. Students should contact appropriate college personnel to request accommodations. Students must be able to meet program technical standards with or without reasonable accommodation.
Our admissions team is available to help guide prospective students through each step of the application process and provide information about program expectations.
Program Certification
Licensure and Certification Information
The Practical Nurse program at Compass Career College is designed to prepare students with the academic knowledge and clinical training commonly associated with practical nursing education.
The Practical Nurse program is approved by the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners. Graduates may be eligible to apply for licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) by taking the NCLEX-PN examination administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Licensure is regulated by the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners, and applicants must meet the requirements established by the Board at the time of application.
Compass Career College’s Practical Nurse program is structured to align with applicable educational standards and to help prepare graduates for the licensure process. However, completion of the program does not guarantee eligibility for licensure, passing examination scores, or employment outcomes.
Prospective students are encouraged to review current licensing requirements with the appropriate regulatory agencies.
Invest in Your Future with Compass
Interested in learning more about a career as a Practical Nurse in Louisiana? Complete the form below to request information about admissions, program details, and upcoming start dates.
Our admissions team can help you explore:
- Program curriculum and training structure
- Application and enrollment requirements
- Financial aid options for those who qualify
- Campus tours and information sessions
Our campus
See where you'll learn and train.
What Our Students Are Saying
Hear from real people who invested in their future through Compass Career College's state-approved technical training programs, practical skill-building, expert instruction, focus on career preparedness, and supportive atmosphere.
Financial Aid
Addressing Barriers to Entry for Job Seekers in the Healthcare and Beauty Industries
Compass Career College offers a variety of financial aid options to help make Cosmetology, Medical Billing & Coding, Medical Assistant, and Practical Nurse programs more accessible.
Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Eligibility for federal financial aid is determined in accordance with applicable federal regulations.
Our financial aid team is available to guide students through available resources and the application process.
Financial Support Options May Include:
- Federal financial aid (for those who qualify)
- Payment plan options
- Workforce development funding opportunities
Tops Tech Award
Louisiana residents may also explore the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) Tech Award, which provides tuition assistance for eligible students pursuing technical and career education programs. Learn more on LOSFA.
Louisiana residents enrolled in our Practical Nurse program may also qualify for the M.J. Foster Promise Program, which provides financial support for students earning credentials aligned with high-demand jobs in fields like healthcare. Learn more on LOSFA.