Academics: School of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences: Practical Nursing

Mission

The mission of the Technical Diploma in Practical Nursing is to meet the goal of workforce development by providing specialized classroom instruction and supervised clinical experiences to prepare graduates for successful completion of the computerized licensing exam administered by the National Council of State Board Examiners to the end that employment as a licensed practical nurse may be obtained in the health care industry.

Program Description

The Technical Diploma in Practical Nursing is designed to prepare the student to meet the licensure requirements for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), as established by the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners (LSBPNE). The program progresses from simple to complex and consists of classroom instruction, lab practicum and supervised clinical activities in accredited hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care agencies. Students should note that some courses have prerequisites, which must be completed before enrolling into upper-level courses and continuing in the program. Students must demonstrate basic computer skills prior to advancement into the acute care clinical component of the program. Practical Nursing Program Coordinators or their designees may assess a student’s basic computer skills by administering a competency exam or having the student successfully complete CPTR 1000 or a comparable computer course. Articulated courses are determined at the discretion of the Practical Nurse Program Coordinator and based upon individual evaluation as described in the 2005 Louisiana Nursing Education Articulation Model. Each course in the PN program must be completed with a minimum score of 80%. Upon graduation, the student is awarded a diploma and is eligible to apply for the National Council of State Boards Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). This is a limited enrollment program. Students must be admitted to the program to enroll in any of the PN courses.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Louisiana Delta Community College Practical Nursing program will be able to:

Utilizes clinical judgement and clinical reasoning within the framework of the nursing process and evidence-based practice to provide safe, high quality, holistic and client centered care.
Contributes to safe and competent client-centered care through effective collaboration with interdisciplinary team members, clients and families.
Demonstrates an understanding and application of accountability, integrity, and an evolving professional identity, ensuring the delivery of care that meets the expected standards and dynamic needs of the healthcare environment.
Leverage technology and informatic tools to enhance clinical judgement, support evidence-based decision-making, and ensure safe, efficient nursing care while upholding ethical and legal standards.

Admissions Procedure

Students must be admitted to Louisiana Delta Community College and have the pre-requisite entry scores within the last 3 years to apply for admission to the Practical Nursing program.
Enrollment in the PN program is selection-based and seating is limited. Students must submit entry scores during the PN Application window to be considered for admission. Seats are filled based on the highest test scores.
Please speak to the faculty representative, PN Coordinator, or Student Affairs at any campus for details regarding details and specific dates.

Admission Score Prerequisite

	ACT	AccuPlacer -Next Generation
Math	18	243
English	18	241
Reading	20	250

PN Program Offerings - This is when new classes begin

West Monroe Fall 2026
Bastrop Spring 2027
Ruston Fall 2027
Winnsboro Fall 2027
Lake Providence Spring 2028
Tallulah (DATE TBA)

Practical Nursing

CIP Code - 513901