Licensed Practical Nursing Program

 

Accreditations

Assabet Valley's exciting Practical Nursing Program has the full approval of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the National League for Nursing Acrediting Commission.

This 40-week, full-time, day program (M-F 7:45am to 2:30pm) 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 Role and Responsibility of the LPN

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.

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.

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.

 

Go to top

 

LPN Program Admissions

Equal Opportunities

The school is in compliance with Federal Regulations, Title II, Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504 and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts regulations under Chapter 622 of the Acts of 1972, and makes available its advantages, privileges, and courses of study without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, handicap or disability.

Applications Deadlines

Applications accepted beginning September 1, 2008 until all test exam dates are filled.

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. complete and submit an application, including a personal statement and resume.
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 or have GED equivalency.
5. must successfully pass the Admission Exam, the Nurse Entrance Test (NET) with a 45% in Math Essentials and 50% in Reading Comprehension.
6. have an interview with a member of the Practical Nursing Faculty.
7. maintain health insurance coverage throughout the program.
8. maintain current certification in Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers throughout the program.
9. maintain Professional Liability Insurance Coverage throughout the program.
10. meet the "Good Moral Character Requirements".
11. be subject to a CORI and/or SORI check.
12. meet health requirements of the program.

Go to top

The Application Process

1. Complete an Application Form.
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 Coordinator of the PN Program is required. After all requirements are met, the application will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee.

To request an application call 508-485-9430 ext. 471 or
download the Admissions Application Form (PDF) located at the top of the page.

Pre-Entrance Testing Dates

Testing takes place at Assabet on the following dates.

Thursday, September 4, 2008	8:00am-12:30pm
Friday, October 17, 2008	8:00am-12:30pm
*Thursday, January 15, 2009	5:00pm-9:00pm
*Saturday, February 28, 2009	8:00am-12:30pm
*Snow Dates / same times as above
Thursday, January 15, 2009 snow date - Thursday, January 22, 2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009 snow date - Friday, March 7, 2009

Applicants must successfully pass the NET Entrance Exam to be considered as a candidate for the program.

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.

A NET Study Guide is available to prepare for the Entrance Exam. The study guide may be purchased by calling 1-800-292-2273 (cost: $32.50 plus $2.00 Shipping and Handling).

There is a $50.00 non-refundable fee for taking the exam. It is necessary to pre register for the entrance exam. The exam may not be repeated during a school year at Assabet. There is a $25.00 rescheduling fee for people who want to cancel and rebook a Nurse Entrance test.

Go to top

Tuition Expenses

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. 301. Office hours are Mondays 12:30pm - 2:30pm and Thursdays 8:30am - 11:30am. The office is located in room B234.

Tuition

In district              $2,300.00*

Out of district     $13,780.00*

 

*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.