Practical Nursing Program

Welcome to the Western Area CTC Practical Nursing Program!

The Western Area CTC Practical Nursing Program presently offers two Practical Nursing programs of study:

  • Full-time 12-month program
  • Part-time 24-month program

The Practical Nursing Program is on provisional status by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA/CESS)

The Practical Nursing Program was started in 1984. The first class graduated and achieved a 95% NCLEX-PN pass rate.

Since then, the program has educated and graduated hundreds and hundreds of caring, compassionate, and competent practical nurses.

For the first quarterly period (10/01/2022-12/31/2022) Western Area CTC Practical Nursing Program is 5 for 5 which is a 100% pass rate for first time test takers!

81.82% of program graduates taking the NCLEX-PN administered by the State of PA between October 1, 2021 and September 30, 2022 passed the examination on the first attempt.

78.26% of program graduates taking the NCLEX-PN administered by the State of PA between October 1, 2020 and September 30, 2021 passed the examination on the first attempt.

78.13% of program graduates taking the NCLEX-PN administered by the State of PA between October 1, 2019 and September 30, 2020 passed the examination on the first attempt.

Upcoming Events

2nd Year Med-Surge Out Rotation

Wednesday, April 5, 2023 Davita Dialysis 7:30 AM – 12:45 PM 764 Locust Avenue Washington, PA 15301 Gateway Rehabilitation 7:30 AM – 12:45 PM 100 Moffett Run Road Aliquippa, PA

Read More »

2nd Year Med-Surge Out Rotation

Wednesday, March 29, 2023 Davita Dialysis 7:30 AM – 12:45 PM 764 Locust Avenue Washington, PA 15301 Gateway Rehabilitation 7:30 AM – 12:45 PM 100 Moffett Run Road Aliquippa, PA

Read More »

2nd Year Med-Surge Out Rotation

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 Davita Dialysis 7:30 AM – 12:45 PM 764 Locust Avenue Washington, PA 15301 Gateway Rehabilitation 7:30 AM – 12:45 PM 100 Moffett Run Road Aliquippa, PA

Read More »

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Western Area Career & Technology Center Practical Nursing Program is to provide an educational experience that will prepare students to become competent, safe, effective Practical Nurses who strive to provide quality care to individuals at all levels of the heath care continuum.

Why Choose Practical Nursing?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of Licensed Practical nurses is projected to grow 9% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. Why not become a part of tomorrow’s future in healthcare? Our population is aging quickly, and you will be in demand as a nurse. Feel good about making a difference in someone’s life. Be successful in a profession that is always growing. Become part of nursing excellence.

As you can see, nursing is an in-demand profession. Practical Nurses work in a variety of locations, such as:

  • Hospitals
  • Nursing Facilities
  • Physician’s offices
  • Clinics
  • Home Health Care
  • Hospice
  • Schools

Our graduates are employed by a number of facilities:

  • Bridgeville Rehab and Care Center
  • Excela Health
  • Hawthorne Woods Assisted Living
  • Paramount Nursing and Rehab
  • Premier Washington Health Center
  • Presbyterian Senior Care
  • Ruby Memorial Hospital
  • St. Clair Hospital
  • Strabane Woods
  • Townview Health and Rehab Center
  • Trinity Health System
  • Uniontown Hospital

Our clinical sites:

  • Davita
  • Friendship Village
  • Greenery
  • McMurray Hills Manor
  • Penn Highlands
  • Presbyterian Senior Care
  • Southwood
  • Trinity Schools
  • Washington Hospital
  • Your Child’s Place

To help students find a job after graduation a variety of services are offered such as: job fairs, career counseling, job listings, and resume assistance are provided.

We are delighted to welcome WACTC students back to Friendship Village to help
develop their clinical skills in the Nursing program. The students bring such positive
energy and a desire to learn and perfect their skills—it is wonderful watching them
transition from tentative students to competent student nurses who make a real
contribution to providing exceptional care to our residents. We are proud to be a small
part of the training of this dynamic group of LPN students.

—-Dina Stover, FVSH Health Center Administrator

What You Can Learn at WACTC

This 12- or 24- month diploma program has been crafted to prepare students to serve as a true health professional for patients and their families. Students will be taught how to administer medication, observe, report and document symptoms, and perform therapeutic procedures. Other areas of focus include:

  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Nutrition
  • Medical-surgical Nursing
  • Maternity and Infant Health
  • Pediatrics
  • Mental Health
  • Nursing Leadership

One of the program’s main goals is to position graduates to earn their licensure through the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX-PN).

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