Overview
Career outlook
Employers hire licensed practical nurses to provide basic patient care such as monitoring vital signs, administering medications, and assisting with daily needs under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians.
Getting in
What GateWay Community College asks for, taken from its own admissions page.
What you'll need
- Background check
- Drug screen
- Prerequisite courses
Fast Track Practical Nursing CCL, 24 to 28.5 credits over about 3 terms, 2026-2027 catalog. Requires a passing nursing admission test score (HESI A2, 75% English composite and 75% math cited for placement), HS diploma or GED, Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card and MCCCD background check, negative drug screen, signed health declaration, and one year full-time or two years part-time direct patient care in the past five years (or allied health coursework; veterans may be waived). No deadlines, fee, tuition or pass rate stated.
Checked Oct 2026 on the school's site. Requirements change each cycle, so confirm before you apply.
Prerequisites
The prerequisites you'll need to meet to apply to this program at GateWay Community College. Open a category to see each one.