Skip to main content
Penn State Berks
Report a Concern Give Apply Visit
  • Admission
  • Academics
    • Baccalaureate Degrees
    • Associate Degrees
  • Campus Calendar
  • Information For
    • Future Students
    • Parents & Families
    • Current Students
    • Adult Students
    • Alumni
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Campus Contacts & Mailing Addresses
Full site navigation menu

This dialog contains the full navigation menu for this site.

Penn State Berks
Enter the terms you wish to search for.
Search type:
Report a Concern Give Apply Visit
  • This is Penn State
    • Campus Leadership
    • Chancellor's Welcome
    • Penn State Berks at a Glance
    • Our History
  • Academics
    • Baccalaureate Degrees
    • Registrar
    • Course Schedule
    • Academic Advising Center
    • Thun Library
  • Admission
    • First-Year Students
    • Visit Us
    • En Español
    • Adult Learners
    • International Students
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Scholarship Eligibility
    • Tuition & Cost Calculator
    • Paying Your Bill
  • Continuing Education
    • Adult Students
    • Services for Organizations
    • Summer Camps
    • Workforce and Professional Development
  • Student Life
    • On-Campus Housing
    • Residence Life
    • Moving In
    • Clubs and Organizations
    • Family and Homecoming Weekend
    • Student Events Calendar
  • Athletics

Find Information For:

  • Future Students
  • Parents & Families
  • Current Students
  • Adult Students
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Campus Contacts & Mailing Addresses

Helpful Links

  • Canvas
  • First Year Seminar
  • LionPATH
  • Driving Directions
  • Educational Equity and Diversity Programs
  • Faculty Directory
  • Staff Directory
  • University Police and Public Safety

Connect With Us

  • facebook
  • x (formally twitter)
  • youtube
  • instagram
  • tiktok
  1. Home
  2. Continuing Education

Practical Nursing Program

Your Nursing Career Starts at Penn State Berks!

Nurses are in demand! Are you looking for a new, rewarding career making a difference in the lives of people in your community?  Are you seeking a new challenge?  Do you desire a sustainable wage with job confidence? Then you should consider training to fill this critical professional role as a skilled practical nurse in your community. In just 18-months, we can train you to earn your Practical Nursing certificate from globally respected Penn State University, while preparing to test for licensure.

The mission of the Penn State Berks Practical Nursing Program is to provide a high-quality non-credit certificate program, delivered through an 18-month part-time, evening, and weekend curriculum, to prepare individuals with the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes essential for practical nursing practice and the knowledge necessary to pass the NCLEX-PN.

Upon completion of the Practical Nursing program, a graduate will:

  • Have met the educational requirements to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).
  • Utilize, under supervision, scientific knowledge and skills necessary to plan and provide safe and comprehensive client-centered nursing care in all settings where nursing takes place
  • Perform nursing care that reflects accurate assessments of the client's growth and development
  • Apply the nursing processes in meeting the client's needs
  • Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills
  • Perform in a legal and ethical manner
  • Administer medications in the healthcare setting with accuracy
  • Participate with members of the healthcare team in providing instruction for identified client healthcare needs

The non-credit Practical Nursing certificate program is conveniently located in the Reading area with clinical experiences offered at locations throughout the greater Berks County area.

Tell Me More About the Program

Practical Nursing Program

  • About the Practical Nursing Program
  • Practical Nursing Program Information Sessions
  • Practical Nursing Curriculum
  • Practical Nursing TEAS Exam Information
  • Applying to the Practical Nursing Program
  • Request Information About Practical Nursing
  • Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures

Program Contacts:

Cathleen Phillips
Education Program Specialist
610-396-6225
cxp57@psu.edu

Louise Frantz
Program Coordinator
610-396-6493
lxs209@psu.edu

See Also

  • FAQs
  • Functions of an LPN
  • Pathways in Nursing
  • Practical Nursing Statistics in PA
  • Advantages of Practical Nursing
Locations of Penn State's campuses throughout Pennsylvania with Penn State Berks highlighted

Penn State Berks

Nestled on 258 beautifully landscaped acres in Berks County and easily accessible from anywhere in eastern Pennsylvania and neighboring states.
  • facebook
  • x (formally twitter)
  • youtube
  • instagram
  • tiktok
Give Apply Visit
  • +This is Penn State
    • Chancellor's Welcome
    • Penn State Berks at a Glance
    • Campus Leadership
    • Advisory Board
    • Our History
    • Freyberger Gallery
  • +Academics
    • Baccalaureate Degrees
    • Registrar
    • Course Schedule
    • Academic Advising Center
    • Thun Library
  • +Admissions
    • First-Year Students
    • Visit Us
    • En Español
    • Dual Enrollment
    • Adult Students
  • +Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Tuition & Cost Calculator
    • Paying Your Bill
  • +Research
    • Undergraduate Research
    • Research in Engineering, Business & Computing
    • Research in Science
  • +Continuing Education
    • Adult Learner Admissions
    • Practical Nursing Program
  • +Resources
    • Canvas
    • COVID Information
    • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    • Driving Directions
    • LionPATH
    • First-Year Seminar
    • Faculty Directory
    • Staff Directory
    • University Police and Public Safety
Penn State University
2100 Stoudt Road, Wyomissing, Pennsylvania 19610 610-396-6000

Footer Legal Menu

  • Privacy
  • Non-discrimination
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
  • The Pennsylvania State University © 2025
  • We Are Penn State