New Practical Nurse Program Expands Training Opportunities

Beginning in the Fall 2022 semester, Kalamazoo Valley Community College will offer a new health career program with the launch of the Practical Nurse Certificate program. Upon successful completion of all coursework, the graduate will receive a Certificate in Practical Nursing and will be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Exam for the Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN).

"The creation of the Practical Nurse Certificate program was in close collaboration with our nursing faculty, community stakeholder and advisory committee members. This new program promotes affordable, accessible and quality nursing education," said Kalamazoo Valley's Director of Nursing Patrick Joswick, DNP, AGNP-C, RN.

The Practical Nurse Certificate program uses hybrid learning methods. The courses are offered in the evenings to accommodate the nontraditional student. Prerequisites for the program include 12 credits of science, math and liberal arts courses. In addition to the prerequisites, the Practical Nurse program is organized in three semesters that include theory, lab, clinical and simulation learning experiences.

In partnership with healthcare institution leaders including both Bronson Methodist Hospital and Ascension Borgess Hospital, the Practical Nurse students will have the opportunity to apply for employment as a LPN intern/extern while enrolled in the certificate program.

Kalamazoo Valley's Practical Nursing and Registered Nursing programs are also utilizing a holistic admissions review model. The admission criteria directly align with Kalamazoo Valley's mission and values.

"The holistic admissions will ensure that the college admits and graduates top-tier nurses. Students now have the opportunity to genuinely promote themselves as a person. Although GPA metrics are important, we also want to learn about the life experiences and attributes of our applicants," Joswick said.

The Practical Nurse and Registered Nurse Program applications for the Winter 2023 semester will be accepted online Oct. 15-31. For more information about Kalamazoo Valley's nursing programs, information workshops and to access the health careers application, go to kvcc.edu/infonursing.