To successfully become a practical nurse, you must complete a training program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN). The NCLEX-PN is a national exam that determines whether you can become licensed. After completion of the program and the exam, you’ll be able to apply for nursing positions. Prism Career Institute provides nurse training at campuses in Cherry Hill and West Atlantic City, NJ, as well as in Philadelphia, PA. Here, we discuss how long it takes to prepare for the PN exam.
Prism Career Institute’s Practical Nursing Program
At Prism Career Institute, we offer an in-depth practical nursing program to prepare future healthcare professionals for their careers. It can be completed in just 15 months when taken full-time. Students enrolled in day classes can complete the program in about 60 instructional weeks, whereas students taking evening and weekend classes can finish within about 70 weeks.
During the program, a student’s time will be divided into intervals, focusing on different areas of study, such as clinical, laboratory, personal care, and administrative duties. Once the student has passed their practical nursing program, they can then move on to the next step in the process of becoming a nurse – taking the licensure examination.
Taking the NCLEX-PN
Following completion of a nursing diploma program, future practical nurses will next need to apply to take their state’s NCLEX-PN. This is a mandatory national exam that’s necessary to apply for nursing positions. While an educational training program from an accredited school will help prepare you for the NCLEX-PN, it is always a good idea to study beforehand on your own. Additionally, test preparation should be accounted for when calculating the total amount of time it takes to officially become employed as a PN.
Traditionally, students need to wait one for to three months before taking the exam. Prism Career Institute helps with test preparation, allowing students to bypass this extended waiting period.
Applying for Practical Nursing Positions
After you’ve received your program diploma and passed the NCLEX-PN exam, you’ll be on the final step toward becoming a nurse. The process of applying for PN positions can be made simpler by preparing your resume and cover letters ahead of time. With the number of PN career opportunities available in different healthcare settings, the hiring process can be quite short. Additionally, this profession is in demand throughout a wide variety of healthcare settings, which is also beneficial for recent graduates.
However, the length of time that it takes for you to apply, interview, and receive a job offer will also depend on your preferences for things like relocation, work environment, and career flexibility. For example, if you have your heart set on working in a private clinic and apply only for PN positions in that setting, rather than those available in nursing homes, government agencies, hospitals, and other areas, you may be waiting for a job offer a bit longer.
Apply to Prism Career Institute’s Practical Nursing Program Today
If you’re ready to start your journey toward becoming a PN and are near one of our campuses in Cherry Hill and West Atlantic City, NJ, or Philadelphia, PA, Prism Career Institute might just be the place for you. Not only will you have the opportunity to gain hands-on nursing experience, but our programs are all designed to be completed within a timely manner.
Throughout enrollment, nursing students will prepare to take the licensing exam. After completing the program and passing the NCLEX exam, they’ll also have access to our Career Services department, which offers resume assistance, interview training, networking opportunities, and other benefits that help make finding a future job in the field easier. To learn more about Prism Career Institute or to begin working toward becoming a PN in less than two years, contact us today.