MISSION STATEMENT 

Assabet Valley Regional Technical School (AVRTS) Practical Nurse program (PNP) supports and adheres to the mission of the AVRTS district. Further, the PNP is committed to providing the practical nursing student the education, experience and technology to become a safe, professional provider of nursing care to diverse, multicultural populations across the life span, with well defined health care needs. The PNP provides and supports professional behavior, critical thinking, therapeutic communication and safe skill development. The PNP values individuals who practice competently, with care while maintaining ethical standards.

Program Description 

This 40-week, full-time, day program (M-F 7:50am to 2:30pm), beginning late August and running thru mid-June,  prepares men and women for the NCLEX-PN licensure examination. Graduates are prepared for opportunities in nursing homes, office nursing, clinics, hospitals, and community health nursing. Upon completion of the program, graduates receive a certificate of proficiency in Practical Nursing.

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is a valued member of the health care team. Physicians, registered nurses, LPN's and unlicensed personnel share the responsibility for assisting persons needing health care services. The LPN provides basic therapeutic, restorative and preventative nursing care for individual clients with well defined health care problems in structured health care settings, such as long term care, acute care, home health, office and clinics.

2010 Practical Nursing Graduating Class

The Role and Responsibility of the LPN

The LPN practices according to the Nurse Practice Act of each state, but generally performs direct care, including the administration of medications, treatments and assists in teaching patients and families. In many long-term care settings, the LPN manages and delegates the nursing care provided by unlicensed personnel.
 
The LPN must successfully complete an educational program that provides the knowledge and skills for practice and pass the national licensing examination.

Sim Man AED from Zoll Corp.

Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School is the first high school in New England to have a Clinical Resource Center using the latest interactive patient simulators, SimMan and Vital SimAnn, distributed by Laerdal, a worldwide leader in innovative health care. This center was designed and built by the Assabet Valley students and faculty, featuring two ‘hospital’ rooms with a center control room for the nursing instructors to put the simulators through their paces. Two-way glass gives instructors full visibility of the student reactions to the scenario taking place with the simulators, and cameras have been installed to pipe the feed directly to a classroom across the hallway for further interaction with the rest of the class. Primarily for the use of the Licensed Practical Nursing adult program, the center will also be a resource for the high school students in the Health Technologies program at Assabet.

The faculty and administration at Assabet are pleased that you are considering becoming an LPN and offer the following information to guide you in the application process for this PN Program.


LPN Program Admissions

Exam Registration

Information about the registration for the TEAS V  (Test of Essential Academic Skills) is available under Popular Downloads.

Once you've passed the exam and completed the interview process, applications are reviewed by the Practical Nursing Admissions Committee at meetings scheduled throughout the year. Qualified candidates may be offered early acceptance. Applicants completing the process late in the year are considered on a space availability basis.

Admissions Requirements

Admission to the Program requires that applicants: 

1. Must successfully pass the Admission Exam, (TEAS V), taken at Assabet Valley. Acceptable passing scores in each category are; Reading 65%, Math 55%, and English 65%.
2. Provide three professional references. At least one must be from a current or past employer. None may be from family members. Suggested references include: employers, co-workers, teachers or counselors. References from friends are discouraged.
3. Be at least 17 1/2 years of age and provide a birth certificate.
4. Be a high school graduate from a High School accredited by that state's Board of Education or have a US GED
5. Have an interview with a member of the Practical Nursing Faculty
6. Maintain health insurance coverage throughout the program.
7. Maintain current certification in Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers throughout the program.
8. Maintain Professional Liability Insurance Coverage throughout the program.
9. Meet the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing "Good Moral Character Compliance" and "Good Moral Character Guidelines".
10. Be subject to a CORI and/or SORI check.
11. Meet health requirements of the program. 
     The Application Process

Sim Man Demo

1. Download and complete an Application Form when you are notified that you have successfully passed the TEAS exam in all three catagories.
2. Applicants who are successful on the Nurse Entrance Examination will complete a required CORI (Criminal Offense Records Information) check. Applicants must understand that conviction in a Court of Law may prohibit them from being eligible to take the state licensing examination.
3. After the application is received, and requirements are completed, a personal interview with the PN Coordinator or PN faculty member  is required. After all requirements are met, the application will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee.   

Pre-Entrance Testing Dates

Testing takes place at Assabet on the following dates.

ARRIVE 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO EXAM START FOR CHECK IN

No one will be admitted once exam has started.

• Thursday, October 21, 2010  -   8 am-12 Noon
• Saturday, November 20, 2010  -  8 am - 12 Noon
• Thursday, December 9, 2010  -  5 pm - 9 pm  (snow date December 16th)
• Thursday, January 13, 2010  -  8 am - 12 Noon  (snow date January 20th)
• Thursday, February 3, 2011 -  5 pm - 9 pm   (snow date February 10th)

 
The examination tests your basic mathematical ability (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers, decimals and fractions; the use of proportions and ratios). Verbal ability, reading rate, and comprehension will also be included.

There is a $50.00 non-refundable fee for taking the exam. It is necessary to pre register for the entrance exam at least one week in advance of the test date. The exam may not be repeated during a school year at Assabet.
Tuition Expenses

Sim Man - Open House

Students may be eligible to apply for financial assistance through Pell Grant, Massachusetts Grant Scholarship Program or Massachusetts No Interest and Low Interest Loan Programs. Students who are eligible may receive tuition reimbursement through Metro South/West Training in Norwood. For further information and applications, please contact Melissa Couture at (508) 485-9430 ext. 1301. Office hours are Mondays 12:30pm - 2:30pm and Thursdays 8:30am - 11:30am. The office is located in room B234.

Tuition

            
 *Tuition numbers are subject to School Committee approval, State Revisions, and data provided by the Department of Education.

In order to qualify for in-district tuition, an applicant must be a resident of the district prior to January 1st, 2009 and must provide proof of residency by submitting a notarized form from the city/town clerk. In district includes residents of: Berlin, Hudson, Marlborough, Maynard, Northborough, Southborough and Westborough.