Nurse Aid
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Practical Nursing

Licensed Practical Nurses are essential members of the healthcare team and work in diverse settings such as hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and physicians’ offices.

Program Director
Licensed Practical Nursing
Lawrenceville Campus
NursingDivisionSupport@gwinnetttech.edu
Nursing Sciences Division

Study disciplines related to delivering healthcare including, the optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury and the diagnosis and treatment of individuals and communities.

 
  • About Practical Nursing
  • Program Information
  • Career Options
  • Advisory Board
  • FAQs

Practical Nursing Certificate

  • PN Application Deadline
    • July 25, 2026
  • Regulation Status:
    • The PN program is regulated by the Georgia Board of Nursing (BON)
      The program currently has Provisional Approval from the BON
  • Program Start:
    • Every Spring Semester. The next class starts Spring 2027.
  • Length of Program:
    • 3 semesters (1 year) [Spring, Summer, and Fall]
  • Program Format:
    • On-campus, daytime program only
      No evening or online course options
  • Annual Enrollment:
    • 25 students are accepted per year

Required Courses (10 Total)

There is a total of 10 courses that will need to be completed

  • PNSG 1600 Introduction to Pharmacology and Clinical Calculations
  • PNSG 1605 Fundamentals
  • PNSG 1610 Adult Health Nursing I
  • PNSG 1615 Adult Health Nursing II
  • PNSG 1620 Adult Health Nursing III
  • PNSG 1625 Adult Health Nursing IV
  • PNSG 1630 Mental Health Nursing
  • PNSG 1635 Maternal Nursing
  • PNSG 1640 Pediatric Nursing
  • PNSG 1645 Practical Nursing Capstone

Gwinnett Technical College’s Practical Nursing program prepares students to provide compassionate, hands-on nursing care in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient physician office settings, and clinics. With comprehensive clinical, classroom, and simulation lab-based instruction, students will learn skills in patient care, medication administration, and basic nursing skills which will be applied in their professional practice under the supervision of registered nurses, advanced practice providers, and physicians.

About

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for Licensed Practical Nurses continues to grow due to an aging population and increased need for healthcare services. Practical nurses play a vital role in patient care, working on the front lines to support patients, families, and healthcare teams. Many Practical Nursing program graduates choose to continue their education by pursuing advanced nursing credentials, including Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees. Graduates from Gwinnett Technical College develop strong clinical and critical-thinking skills that give them a competitive advantage in today’s healthcare environment.

This program is offered at the Gwinnett Tech. Lawrenceville Campus.

Gain Real-World Clinical Experience

With the hands-on training you will receive in both campus nursing simulation labs and clinical settings, you’ll build the confidence and skills needed to succeed as a practical nurse. Students gain experience in areas such as patient assessment, vital signs monitoring, medication administration, wound care, and effective communication with patients and effective collaboration with healthcare teams.

Interested in learning more about this program? Attend one of our monthly information sessions to talk with our Nursing Sciences Program Support Specialist and learn more about the program.

Program Contact: Cayla Austin Nursing Sciences Program Support Specialist NursingdivisionSupport@gwinnetttech.edu 678-226-6729

For more information on the process and prerequisite courses, please attend one of our Monthly Information Sessions to learn more.

How much will it cost?

Gwinnett Tech offers affordability at $107 per credit hour + feesGreat opportunities for scholarships and financial aid with HOPE Grant, HOPE scholarship, HOPE Career Grants and more!

As a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), you will have a variety of career opportunities in diverse healthcare settings. LPNs provide essential hands-on patient care under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians.

Common employment settings include:

  • Hospitals and outpatient clinics
  • Long-term care and skilled nursing facilities
  • Assisted living and rehabilitation centers
  • Physicians’ offices and urgent care centers
  • Home health and hospice care
  • Correctional facilities and community health agencies

LPNs may also choose to specialize in areas such as geriatrics, pediatrics, wound care, medication administration, or IV therapy (where permitted by state regulations).

Many LPNs use this role as a career pathway, gaining experience and continuing their education to become a Registered Nurse (RN) or advance into leadership and specialty roles within healthcare.

NameOrganization
Krystal TomlinGwinnett County Public Schools/Shiloh High School
Dahlia ProphetGwinnett Technical College
Yvonne DurrantGwinnett Technical College
Angela DeportageGwinnett Technical College
Calvin MauldinGwinnett Technical College
Georgette ShermanGwinnett Technical College
Leonard GoodelmanBurn and Reconstructive Centers of America 
Christine LaurentAtlanta VA Healthcare System
Alicia HarrisGwinnett Technical College
Saadia Jackson-CollinsGwinnett Technical College
Lyndon JonesEmory at Johns Creek
Rhonda MunroNorthside Hospital 
Everett MossEmory
Nishi SotkovskyNorthside Hospital
Felcy TauroEmory  Hospital 
Jennifer HullNorthside Hospital
Laura AvilaNorthside Hospital
Grace EdmondDelmar Gardens
Karen WatkinsEmory Brain Health Center
Barbara HoagMaxwell High School of Technology
Kevin DalrymplePeidmont Eastside
Shannon VorlickWolters Kluwer
Catherine NortonGwinnett Technical College
Jameelah JacksonGwinnett Technical College
Kimberly SmithGwinnett Technical College
Rebekah ConleyGwinnett Technical College
Rosa VitalGwinnett Technical College
Mindy HamptonGwinnett Technical College
Sadaf KhanGwinnett Technical College
Hubert ThompsonWellstar
Randy McClainWellstar
Pamela Russman-ChambersNorthside
Stephen JonesGwinnett Technical College
Charity EsparzaGwinnett Technical College
Jomi PraveenGwinnett Technical College
Deandrea Miles-SullivanOmni Therapy
Hailey HazardEmory University School of Medicine
Kallio Hunnicutt-FergusonPsychiatry Women’s Faculty Development
Deborah BloomerLife Care Center of Gwinnett
Jenni BoroskyPiedmont

How Do I Become a Licensed Practical Nurse?

To become a Licensed Practical Nurse, you must:

  • Have a high school diploma or GED
  • Complete a state-approved practical nursing program, ex at GTC
  • Pass the NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses). We prepare you for this exam.

What is the difference between a Practical Nurse and a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)?

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) = Graduate who has passed the NCLEX-PN and holds a valid nursing license

Practical Nurse = Student currently enrolled in a Practical Nursing program

Will I receive a certificate upon completion?

Yes. Upon successful completion of the program (3 semesters), students are awarded a Practical Nursing Certificate.

What exam is required to obtain my LPN License?

Graduates are then eligible to apply for and take the NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses). This exam is developed and administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
It is a computer-based exam that varies in length. We prepare you to take this exam

What is the deadline date to apply to the PN program?

Program Application Deadline for Spring 2027 Semester: [July 25, 2026]

What is the age requirement?

Student will be 18 years old at start of program.

Are a background check, drug screen, health summary, test, and vaccines/immunizations required?

Yes. Per clinical site requirements (not GTC), all students accepted into the Practical Nursing (PN) program must complete a background check, drug screen, and provide proof of required vaccines/immunizations prior to clinical placement. Clinical sites reserve the right to accept or deny a student’s participation at their facility based on the results or lack thereof.

Do I need to be a CNA, have an associate degree, or complete any prerequisites to apply?

No. You do not need to be a CNA, hold an associate degree, or complete any specific prerequisites. However, to apply to the Practical Nursing (PN) program, you must:

  • Meet diploma-level placement scores through Accuplacer, SAT, ACT, or high school GPA at GTC, prior to program entry. Placement into developmental-level classes will disqualify me from starting the program.
  • Be admitted to and accepted by Gwinnett Technical College (GTC)
  • Take the Kaplan Nursing School Entrance Exam. Earn a minimum score of 60% on the Kaplan exam
  • Submit application to the program by the deadline July 25, 2026

Are there any prerequisites to enter the program?

No prerequisites are required to enter the Practical Nursing (PN) program.

Is an entrance exam required to apply?

Yes. Applicants must take the Kaplan Nursing School Entrance Exam and achieve a minimum score of 60% to be eligible for program admission consideration.

Can I choose my clinical site or lab days?

No. Clinical sites and lab days are assigned by the program and cannot be selected by students.

How many clinical hours will need to be completed?

A total of 485 clinical hours will need to be completed. We partner with clinical sites to assist with your clinical training.

Is the PN program offered on both the Lawrenceville and Alpharetta campuses?

The PN program is only offered on the Lawrenceville campus.

Who can I contact for more information about the program?

After acceptance into the college- For advisement and additional PN program details, please contact:
HealthTeam@GwinnettTech.edu

For more information on the process and prerequisite courses, please attend one of our Monthly Information Sessions to learn more.