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 Virginia Western Community College asks for, taken from its own admissions page.
48-credit certificate, 2 years. HESI Admission Assessment is part of the selection process. Application deadline February 15 for the Fall 2027 cohort; no Spring 2027 or Spring 2028 cohort will be admitted. NCLEX-PN pass rates: 2025 100%, 2024 88%, 2023 100%. Application page: /academics/health-professions/practical-nursing/apply/; cost page: /practical-nursing/cost/.
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 Virginia Western Community College. Open a category to see each one.