Interested in becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN)? Sandburg offers a one-year certificate to prepare you for entry-level as an LPN.
As a member of the healthcare team, the licensed practical nurse works under the direction of physicians and registered nurses in a variety of healthcare settings. The LPN provides basic bedside and personal care to clients, takes vital signs, prepares and administers injections, performs wound care, collects samples for testing and administers prescribed medications as directed.
Program goals
Upon entry into practice, you'll be able to demonstrate the following competencies:
Safety
You'll integrate a safe environment for patients, self and others. Collaborate in situations that require knowledge or action beyond the scope of practice for the practical nurse to provide safe, quality care.
Patient-centered care
You'll create a patient-centered environment with consideration for patient values, preferences and needs by being culturally competent while evaluating physiological, psychological and spiritual needs throughout the lifespan in a variety of healthcare settings.
Teamwork/collaboration
You'll collaborate within nursing and with the inter-professional team to promote continuity of patient care through mutual respect and shared decision making.
Critical thinking/clinical judgment
You'll use critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate clinical responses, using clinical judgment to competently make decisions on appropriate patient care within the legal and ethical scope of practice for the practical nurse.
Evidence-based practice
You'll validate the best current evidence from research and other credible sources as a basis for nursing practice and clinical decision making with considering patient and family preferences and values for delivery of optimal healthcare.
Informatics
You'll competently use information and technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error and support decision making.
Program outcomes
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Pathways to other programs
If you complete the practical nursing program, you should check out these programs:
Associate degree in nursing — RN
View a complete list of our cooperative agreements.
Application & admissions
Application dates
You must meet with a practical nursing academic advisor to determine application eligibility before applying to the program. You can apply online to the practical nursing program between Oct. 1-March 1 for the fall semester start.
Practical nursing requires candidates to submit a TEAS test score or valid SAT or ACT test score to be considered for admissions. If you're interested in free preparation materials for the TEAS test, check out the Sandburg PATH to TEAS Excellence program.
Learn how to apply to the program.
Admission info
The practical nursing program limits enrollment to students who meet the eligibility requirements and who are selected for admission through a point system. If you're interested in this program, must meet with a Sandburg academic advisor before applying to the program. Applicants are notified approximately two weeks after the application deadline date as to admission status. Applicants conditionally admitted into the practical nursing program must attend the mandatory program orientation session.
Your TEAS test score, SAT or ACT score is a factor that contributes to eligibility for enrollment in this program. If you're interested in practical nursing enrollment, you can join the Sandburg PATH to TEAS Excellence program. At no cost to applicants, the Sandburg PATH to TEAS Excellence program provides access to TEAS test preparation materials. Those that successfully complete the practice tests are eligible for reimbursement of one official TEAS test.
Careers as an LPN
Employment
Employment opportunities include hospitals, long-term care/rehabilitation facilities, clinics and physician offices, schools, home health agencies and dialysis centers. It's projected that LPN employment will grow 16% from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. As the baby-boom population ages, the overall need for healthcare services is expected to increase. There will be an increased need for LPNs in residential care facilities and in-home health environments to care for older patients.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.
Working conditions
Most healthcare facilities provide a safe and comfortable working environment. Working hours may include various shifts; including eight or 12 hours, weekends and holidays. Schools, offices and clinics may offer traditional hours. LPNs provide direct patient care and demonstrate knowledge (cognitive function), skills (psychomotor function) and professionalism (affective function). Refer to the Essential Skills & Abilities of LPN to determine if you're able to meet these functions with or without reasonable accommodations.
Accreditation & licensure
Accreditation
Sandburg's practical nursing program, located in Galesburg, IL, is accredited by:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
404.975.5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the practical nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program.
Illinois State Board of Nursing (ISBN) and the Department of Financial & Professional Regulations (IDFPR) have approved the practical nursing program.
Licensure
Once you graduate, you can apply to write for the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX-PN). Upon successful completion of this exam, you're eligible to apply for practical nurse licensure in any state. You'll need to complete a criminal background check at the time of licensure application and will be evaluated by ISBN before licensure is granted or denied. The Illinois State Board of Nursing (ISBN) can deny nursing licensure and discipline those who are licensed. You can access all licensing and nursing scope of practice regulations at IDPFR.
Postsecondary institutions participating in federal student aid programs are required to make certain disclosures to enrolled and prospective students, parents, employees and the public. The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (34 §C.F.R. 668.43) requires disclosures by institutions regarding educational requirements for programs leading to professional licensure or certification regardless of modality. The institution must make readily available to enrolled and prospective students information about whether programs leading to professional licensure or certification meet educational requirements.
View licensure information for nursing programs.
If Sandburg hasn't determined whether a program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification outside the state of Illinois, contact the licensing entity to determine whether it meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the state you live or work.
COURSE INFO
Class formats
Sandburg offers courses in a variety of formats to best fit your needs. Regardless of the format, make sure you have access to a reliable computer with high-speed internet. All courses use online resources and require you to access course information through mySandburg. The Galesburg and Carthage campuses have open computer labs for your use as a student.
Sample course schedule
View the sample course schedule.
Estimated costs
The cost for the certified nursing assistant eight credit-hour course is approximately $14,890.75 for in-district students.
Financial aid, grants & scholarships
Learn how you can take advantage of financial aid, grants and scholarships available to Sandburg students.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) helps job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. Learn more, and complete this form to determine your eligibility.
Career and technical programs/courses follow our equal opportunity & non-discrimination statement. For more information, email the Title IX coordinator, or call 309.341.5258 or the ADA/504 coordinator at 309.341.5262.
Frequently asked questions
If I'm not admitted to the program or placed on an alternative list and no spaces are available, do I have to apply again?
Yes, we don't carry over application files to the next year. Each applicant needs to complete the application/admission process again for the next admission year.
How do you evaluate applications?
Only those applicants who submit the online program application by the deadline date and have met all admission requirements are considered for selection. All qualified applicants are evaluated according to a point system that allows an objective means for selection ranking. Applicants with the highest point totals are selected first. Refer to the admission selection points worksheet for ranking criteria.
When will I know if I'm accepted to the program?
Applicant acceptance statuses include:
- Conditionally admitted
- Placed on the alternate list
- Denied
How do I hold my seat if I'm accepted?
Applicants conditionally admitted have 14 calendar days from the date of your conditional admission email to pay the $50 seat fee (intent to enter) to the Business Office to hold your seat in the nursing program.
Will I receive credit for the $50 to hold my seat?
For the student fully or conditionally admitted to the program, the $50 seat fee is applied to your tuition. If no tuition or fees balance remains, the seat fee is refunded to the student after financial aid refund after the 100% drop date for 16-week courses. If an entity other than the student paid the seat fee, the student won't receive a refund. If you accept your seat and withdraw for any reason, you'll forfeit the seat fee. Alternates who aren't admitted receive a refund.
I've been conditionally admitted; do I need to attend orientation?
Conditionally admitted applicants and those on the alternate list must attend the mandatory admission orientation session. Information regarding registration for the mandatory admission orientation session is included in the admission status email. At the orientation, you'll receive program information and appropriate documents to complete all the necessary nursing program requirements for full admission status.
Those conditionally admitted who don't register for and attend the mandatory admission orientation session forfeit their conditional admission, and their seat will be given to an alternate. Alternates who don't register for or attend the mandatory admission orientation session will forfeit their alternate position.
I've been conditionally admitted; when will I know my full admission status?
Full admission status is provided after the conditionally admitted applicant attends the mandatory admission orientation session, appropriately completes all program requirements and submits all required admission documents by the designated deadline.
Are there student clubs?
The Associate Degree Nursing Club-1st Year is for first-year RN students. We will meet to keep us all informed and together on our classes’ activities, study groups and any professional medical seminars or exhibits that would benefit us as nursing students. Email the advisor, Christina Stone, for more information, or call 309.341.5292.