Registration for NSCC’s Practical Nursing Certificate is CLOSED for Fall 2025. All information sessions for Fall 2025 admissions have concluded.
Program Overview
The Practical Nursing Certificate prepares students for a career as a Licensed Practical Nurse. This rigorous ten-month program focuses on developing technical nursing skills, critical thinking, and communication abilities. The program is accredited by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing, and upon completion, graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam to obtain licensure. This program provides a pathway to a rewarding healthcare career in diverse settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and long-term care facilities.
Take the first step toward a fulfilling nursing career by enrolling in the Practical Nursing Certificate program at NSCC today.
Program Highlights
- Approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
- A select admissions program with a comprehensive curriculum that combines theory and clinical practice.
- Focus on developing safe, ethical, and competent nursing practice.
- Eligibility to take the NCLEX-PN Licensure Examination after graduation.
- Small class sizes and personalized support from dedicated faculty.
- Clinical experiences in diverse healthcare settings.
Program Details
Expand AllCollapse AllView and print the required courses for the Practical Nursing Certificate.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
Students in this program gain hands-on experience in clinical settings, classroom
learning, and virtual environments.
Course Content Includes:
- Fundamentals of Nursing Practice
- Behavioral Health Nursing
- Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Maternal and Pediatric Nursing
- Pharmacology for Nurses
- Nursing Leadership and Management
- Gerontology
- Trends and Issues with Practical Nursing
For a full list of courses visit our Academic Catalog.
Graduates are prepared to pursue careers as Licensed Practical Nurses in various healthcare settings, including:
- Hospitals and Acute Care Facilities
- Long-Term Care and Rehabilitation Centers
- Home Health Care
- Clinics and Physician's Offices
- Community Health Organizations
- Hospice and Palliative Care
- Substance Use Treatment Organizations
- Public and Private School Nurse Offices
NSCC maintains transfer agreements with various four-year institutions, expanding opportunities for students to pursue bachelor's degrees in their chosen fields. Students are encouraged to consult with academic advisors to explore transfer agreements and plan their academic pathways accordingly.
The Community College Nursing Scholarship program aims to inspire a diverse population of students to explore nursing and health care as a fulfilling career path. Learn more >
Download the Practical Nursing Certificate Student Handbook >
Review the Practical Nursing Certificate Program Policies >
Charlotte Badler
Staff Educator
Lynn Community Health Center
Carol Blanchard
Practical Nursing Faculty
NSCC
Vanessa Bueno
Nurse Manager
Pediatric Health Care Associates
Cheryl Cowen
Staff Educator
Ledgewood Rehab and Skilled Nursing Center
Leanna DeMarco
Staff Nurse
Addison Gilbert Hospital
Christian Bednar
Interim CAO-Assistant Provost
NSCC
Katelyn Greene
Associate Chief Nursing Officer
Beverly Hospital
Shirley Kearns
Practical Nursing Faculty
NSCC
Alexander Lawson
Practical Nursing Department Chair
NSCC
Carole Lestienne
Nurse Manager
Beverly Hospital
Susan Maciewicz
Director of Nursing
NSCC
Olivia Matthews
Simulation Coordinator
NSCC
Amy Middleton
Practical Nursing Faculty
NSCC
Donna Newhall
Practical Nursing Faculty
NSCC
Rebecca Rein
School Nurse
North Shore Education Consortium
Tammy Starion
Administrator
Chelsea Jewish Foundation, Jeffrey and Susan Brudnick Center for Living
Laura Tanguay
Staff Nurse
Ledgewood Rehab and Skilled Nursing Center
Lori Vinci
Dean of Health Professions
NSCC
Please note the data above reflects a degree in the listed program
Student Achievement Data
Most recent (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) performance of NSCC Practical Nursing Program graduates on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX- RN).
| Graduation Year | First Time NCLEX-RN Pass Rate | On-time Completion Rate (100% of Time) | Completion Rate (150% of Time) | Job Placement Rate | Number of Graduates |
| 2024 | 95% | 88.8% | pending | pending | 36 |
| 2023 | 100% | 67% | 79% | 91% | 24 |
| 2022 | 83% | 81% | 84% | 94% | 32 |
| 2021 | 77% | 81% | 84% | 79% | 29 |
Program Questions
alawson02@northshore.edu
978-762-4206
Contact Admissions
General Assistance
Visit CentroHub, NSCC’s virtual concierge.
Accreditation
North Shore Community College is an accredited public institute of higher education where all are welcome and each is challenged. NSCC is accredited by NECHE, the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
The Practical Nursing Certificate at North Shore Community College’s Ferncroft Road campus in Danvers, MA, is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The ACEN Board of Commissioners recently granted the program Continuing Accreditation status. Additionally, the program is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
ACEN Contact Information:
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000