Fulfill your dreams of nursing!
High school seniors can have a professional career only nine months after graduation from high school! Adults can upskill and begin a rewarding career within 18 months.
Practical nursing is a technical career in which the individual practices the art of nursing under the direction of a qualified health professional. The practical nurse is a valuable member of the health care team who is active in the promotion of health, prevention of disease, and care of the sick.
Students who satisfactorily complete both the preclinical and clinical phases of this program are eligible to apply to the State Board of Nursing examination to become a licensed practical nurse. The role of the licensed practical nurse is based on past experiences in nursing situations. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) participate in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care in all health care settings.
The program is for high school seniors and adults. It is designed to qualify graduates to sit and pass the NCLEX-PN, preparing them for entry-level positions that assure safe and quality care for clients, in a variety of health care settings.
It is 18 months in length. The pre-clinical and clinical instruction each run nine months and predominantly follow the Prince William County Public Schools student calendar.
The pre-clinical phase is offered at Osbourn Park High School. Classes are held two hours each school day with approximately 2.5 hours of asynchronous online study per week. Seniors receive three credits toward graduation from high school.
A 74.5% average must be maintained throughout the nursing program. Clinical experience is provided at Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center, Birmingham Green, Sentara NVMC, Westminster at Lakeridge, through the use of simulations, and on-site at doctors’ offices throughout the county.
After successful completion of the pre-clinical year, students advance to Practical Nursing 3 for an additional nine months of study in the clinical phase of the program. Students are involved in classroom activities for a dedicated 7-8 hours per day. Clinical hours are dependent upon location, and hours can range from 6-12 hours per shift (day) during the clinical phase of study. A cumulative file is maintained for each student in order to document 400-hours of direct patient care.
The practical nursing program includes asynchronous, online learning as a supplemental teaching and learning tool. Access to a computer and the internet is required to successfully complete the nursing program.
After obtaining a nursing license, the graduate is expected to be able to meet diverse needs of clients, to function as role model and leader, and to contribute to the advancement of the nursing profession and the quality of health care delivery.
Specialty program applications will be accepted November 3, 2025-February 1, 2026.
Visit the Practical Nursing Application Process webpage to view program application information and apply.
High school seniors’ tuition, books, and uniforms are covered by PWCS in the first year of the program. However, all students are assessed tuition, book and uniform fees for the second year of the program.
Adult students are required to pay tuition fees each year. The first year of tuition for pre-clinical coursework is $3,500 and the second year of tuition is $4,500 for clinical coursework. Books and uniforms are an additional fee. Second year students are also responsible for completing a computer remediation program and payment of additional fees (e.g., testing fee, laboratory fee). View a breakdown of program fees and projected expenses.
Tuition fees are subject to change and are established annually in alignment with Prince William County Public Schools' budget and finance regulations. All tuition payments are non-refundable. This program is not FAFSA eligible or tax deductible, but scholarship and grant funds may be accepted.
Students take Practical Nursing 1 and 2 as seniors and complete the program with Practical Nursing 3 after graduation. Tuition is charged for Practical Nursing 3. All Health and Medical Science courses will count toward meeting the one credit practical arts requirement for graduation, except Practical Nursing 3.
Practical Nursing 1 and 2 are the first-year courses completed within the first nine months of the program.
During the first year, students complete six sub-courses:
Practical Nursing 3 is the second-year course completed during the second nine months of the program.
Practical Nursing 3 students complete six sub-courses:
Community Health and Mental Health instruction takes place throughout clinical experiences in the second year. Lab and clinical experiences are utilized to enhance classroom learning. The HESI testing and remediation system is used to enhance comprehension.
The program is approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing and accredited by the Virginia Department of Education.