NSCC’s Practical Nursing Certificate is CLOSED for Fall 2025.
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
- Community College Nursing Scholarship available to inspire a diverse population of students to explore nursing and health care as a rewarding and meaningful career path.
- Approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
- Comprehensive curriculum that combines theory and clinical practice with a focus on developing safe, ethical, and competent nursing practice.
- Eligibility to take the NCLEX-PN Licensure Examination after graduation.
- Clinical experiences in diverse healthcare settings.
Program Details
Expand AllCollapse AllReview the Practical Nursing Certificate Program Policies.
Download the Practical Nursing Certificate Student Handbook >
View and print the required courses for the Practical Nursing Certificate.
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
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
For complete details on program learning outcomes, semester course breakdowns, and practicum requirements, please refer to the Academic Catalog.
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.
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 |
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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