Harper College will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.
Program facts 
Build your career by earning the Practical Nursing Certificate qualifying you to take the NCLEX-PN exam and apply for Illinois practical nurse licensure (LPN). Gain the skills needed to work in a wide variety of settings such as long-term care, schools, medical offices and hospitals. Harper's faculty are highly trained experts in their field and use cutting-edge teaching methods to ensure your success.
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This is a limited-enrollment program. Please review this program's admission criteria and process.
This 38 credit-hour certificate program is designed to educate the student to become a practical nurse.
The Practical Nursing certificate qualifies the graduate to sit for the NCLEX-PN and application for Illinois licensure as a practical nurse. Legal limitations could prohibit an individual from taking this licensing examination. Questions regarding these restrictions should be directed to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations at 217.782.8556. Positions in practical nursing are available in a variety of health care settings.
Because of the nature of clinical experiences and individual instruction required in this program and specialized technology and equipment necessary to offer this program, a higher tuition rate is assessed for career specific courses. These include courses with the NUR prefix. Students pay 1.5 the regular rate of tuition.
Applicants must have completed a CNA program and be active on the Illinois Department of Public Health, Health Care Worker Registry. For admission requirements, please contact the Admission Outreach Office at 847.925.6700 or visit harpercollege.edu.
Applicants must have completed a CNA program and be active on the Illinois Department of Public Health, Health Care Worker Registry. For admission requirements, please contact the Admission Outreach Office at 847.925.6700 or visit harpercollege.edu.
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
First Semester | ||
| BIO 260 | Human Anatomy | 4 |
| ENG 101 | Composition I | 3 |
| PSY 228 | Psychology of Human Development | 3 |
| SPE 215 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| Hours | 13 | |
Second Semester | ||
| BIO 261 | Human Physiology | 4 |
| NUR 101 | PN Fundamentals | 4 |
| NUR 131 | PN Fundamentals Clinical | 3 |
| NUR 213 | Advanced Pharmacology | 2 |
| Hours | 13 | |
Third Semester | ||
| NUR 102 | PN Medical Surgical Nursing | 2 |
| NUR 108 | PN Mental Health Nursing | 1 |
| NUR 109 | PN Maternity and Pediatrics | 2 |
| NUR 132 | PN Medical Surgical Clinical | 2 |
| NUR 139 | PN Maternity and Pediatrics Clinical | 2 |
| Hours | 9 | |
Fourth Semester | ||
| NUR 104 | PN Field Experience | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 38 | |
Students who successfully complete this program are able to:
PRACTICAL NURSING CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
| Year | Harper LPN Pass Rate | State Pass Rate | National Pass Rate | Completion Rate | Job Placement |
| 2016 | 100% (16/16) | 91% | 84% | 61.7% | 100% |
| 2017 | 100% (40/40) | 86% | 84% | 72.7% | 100% |
| 2018 | 100% (34/34) | 89% | 86% | 71.7% | 100% |
| 2019 | 100% (33/33) | 89% | 86% | 65% | 94% |
| 2020 | 97% (36/37) | 87% | 83% | 82% | 83% |
| 2021 | 79% (30/38) | 83% | 80% | 61% | 100% |
| 2022 | 96% (24/25) | 83% | 80% | 81% | 100% |
| 2023 | 96% (23/24) | 88% | 87% | 57% | 67% |
| 2024 | 100% (29/29) | 91% | 88% | 50% | 71% |
| 2025 | 100% (26/26) | 88% | 87% | 45% | Pending |
PN NCLEX Pass Rate State Board .PDF
The Practical Nurse Certificate (PNC) program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE
Suite 1400
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
Phone: 404.975.5000
Fax: 404.975.5020
Nursing Program approved by:
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
320 West Washington
Springfield, IL 62786
Students interested in nursing may also be interested in:
For more information about LPN courses at Harper College, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.