Practical Nursing

The practical nursing program at American National University provides students with the knowledge and skills required to become licensed practical nurses (LPNs). The program will take about 16 months to complete and includes classroom instruction, skills lab training, and clinical practice. For the convenience of its students, American National University operates its classes year-round. The five-term schedule enables students to complete their programs and enter the workforce as quickly as possible. Students may begin their programs on any of the five start dates throughout the year.

The philosophy of American National University's practical nursing is to prepare competent nurses ready to provide safe, quality nursing care to diverse populations across the life span in various health care settings. The PN curriculum is rooted in the National League for Nursing (NLN) Outcomes and Competencies (2010), and the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN). Students successfully completing this program are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) leading to licensure as a practical nurse. This program is currently only open to residents of the state of Virginia.

Program outcomes. Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Describe the different entities of the health care delivery system, health occupations, and the scope of practice for the practical nurse.
• Determine the leadership and management principles, legal and ethical responsibilities specific to the scope of practice of the licensed practical nurse.
• Apply evidence-based and patient-centered principles in the provision of safe, quality nursing care to patients of all ages and cultural background.
• Demonstrate critical thinking skills for delivery of efficient patient-centered care within the scope of practice of the licensed practical nurse.
• Utilize quality improvement indicators identified for system improvements and better health outcomes.
• Maintain consistent and accurate health data for the development of the patient plan of care by the professional nurse.
• Utilize interpersonal and intrapersonal communication skills for effective interactions with patients, families, and other disciplines.
• Demonstrate competence in information technology to document patient care as related to practical nursing functions.
• Implement the principles of infection prevention and control, utilizing established nursing procedures and guidelines for better patient outcomes.
• Examine appropriate strategies for health promotion, disease prevention and management to help patient achieve and maintain optimal health.
• Develop specific plans for educational, personal, and professional growth through continuing education and/or higher nursing degrees.

All-inclusive tuition. ANU tuition includes all fees (application, course, technology, graduation, etc.), textbooks, and lab equipment (where applicable).

Refresher privilege. As part of our commitment to keeping graduates' skills and training up to date, the University allows its graduates to return at any time to retake courses in their respective fields, subject to availability. No tuition fees will be charged for this benefit; graduates will be responsible for any additional costs associated with books, equipment, or third-party testing fees.

To be admitted to any undergraduate (i.e., associate or baccalaureate) program at the University, applicants must show a completed high school (or equivalent level) education, met through a completed high school education, a completed home school education program at the high school level, or an earned GED or other state-authorized high school equivalency examination. Applicants may also qualify with an official transcript showing any degree earned at the associate level or higher, or at least 60 semester credits (90 quarter credits) that count toward a baccalaureate degree. All undergraduate students must complete placement evaluations in English and mathematics before beginning classes (students entering a healthcare program also complete a science placement evaluation).

Practical Nursing applicants must submit all college and high school/GED transcripts for academic review and have an acceptable background check. Credits from other institutions will be evaluated for transfer on a case-by-case basis; due to the unique nature of nursing programs, it may not be appropriate to transfer nursing program core courses, and no additional transfer credit will be accepted after admission to the PN program. This program is currently only open to residents of the state of Virginia.

For the convenience of its students, the University operates on a quarter-based schedule with year-round classes. Students may begin their programs at any of the starting dates during the year.

Full-time undergraduate students enroll in at least 12 credit hours per 10-week term. This typically includes three different 4-credit courses offered across either 5-week or 10-week sessions.

The University courses use both synchronous (live) and asynchronous (on-demand) interactions. Courses are delivered online (delivered through Canvas with scheduled Global Learn™ sessions) and through hybrid instruction (combining online coursework with required in-person residencies).

Not every course requires a residency; however, when a student is scheduled in a class that includes residency, the student is required to attend all residency sessions on campus. For example, if a student is scheduled for a weekend residency session, the student must attend all three (3) days of the session.

Clinicals are based on availability and could occur on days, evenings, or weekends; the number of hours will vary based on facility. Students should be prepared to travel beyond their typical commuting distance to complete the required clinical hours.

A clinical externship of 405 hours is required to gain real-world work experience to include caring for patients one-on-one, performing medical procedures, gathering patient information, and helping healthcare facilities stay organized. Skills Checks in the Practical Nursing Certificate program are conducted at an approved clinical site.

Upcoming start dates: January 3, 2027; March 21, 2027; June 6, 2027; August 22, 2027; November 7, 2027.

Tuition. Tuition is $321 per quarter credit hour; for the 84 credit hours this program requires, total program tuition is $26,964. Tuition is charged on a per-credit-hour basis and billed each academic term. All textbooks are included in the student's tuition.

All-inclusive pricing. ANU tuition includes all fees (application, course, technology, graduation, etc.), textbooks, and lab equipment (where applicable). The University's all-inclusive pricing provides the equipment needed to complete all coursework; some items are loaned and must be returned within 15 days after graduation or withdrawal.

Nursing costs. When enrolling in PN101, the student will be charged a Nursing Equipment Deposit of $1,000. This deposit is fully refundable upon the return of the equipment in good condition at the program's conclusion. Nursing students are required to obtain items such as a physical exam, white nursing shoes and AHA CPR for Healthcare Providers certification, which have a total cost of approximately $500.

Fees applicable to all students. Transcript fee $10 (first copy free); returned check/declined credit card fee $25; transaction chargeback 10% + $15; diploma reprint $50; duplicate ID $10; experiential learning evaluation $50 per course; challenge exams $50 per exam. Fees are non-refundable after 5 calendar days from enrollment.

Estimated annual cost of attendance (three terms). Tuition: review program cost. Food and Housing $9,344 (living with parent/guardian) or $9,312 (not living with parent/guardian); Transportation $2,864; Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment $936; Personal Expenses $2,752 or $4,816.

Payment. All students must pay tuition in full before the term begins, unless they are enrolled in a program with limited seats. Students using federal aid or loans must have all forms completed and payment schedules finalized before the term starts; students using employer, Veterans Education Benefits, or other third-party tuition assistance must have an approved contract on file for delayed payment.

Federal aid. Students seeking to participate in federal and/or most state financial aid programs must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); ANU's school code is 003726. Federally funded aid available to eligible students includes the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), William D. Ford Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, and Federal Work-Study.

Military and veterans. American National University is approved by the State Approving Agency for the education and training of eligible veterans and their dependents. Military education benefits include the Montgomery GI Bill®, the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, the Yellow Ribbon Program and Military Tuition Assistance; ANU's Blue Ribbon Grant provides up to 35% of the total amount paid toward direct educational costs (up to $18,000) after military education benefits are exhausted.

Institutional grants. ANU institutional aid includes the Business Partnership Grant, President's Grant, Private Loan Supplemental Grant, Refer a Friend Grant ($750), Workforce Development Grant, University Transfer Grant and ANU Legacy Merit Scholarship, each subject to its eligibility terms and available funding.

Net price calculator. Estimate your yearly cost with ANU's net price calculator: https://an.edu/admissions/financial-assistance/net-price-va/

Where could your degree take you?

• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Certifications and licensure.

• NCLEX-PN eligibility (licensure as a practical nurse)

Simulation. Simulation sessions are conducted using the UbiSim virtual reality (VR) platform. Students will engage in VR experiences as participants and observers during synchronous, remote class sessions, with pre and post conferences and scenario debriefing. A virtual reality headset will be made available for your use; students unable to use a headset can complete the clinical simulation in a non-immersive, PC-based format.

Clinicals. Clinical courses include clinical rotations in health care facilities and clinical sessions in simulation settings, supervised by properly credentialed instructors at sites such as a hospital, a skilled nursing facility, or a community health care facility. Clinicals are based on availability and could occur on days, evenings, or weekends; students should be prepared to travel beyond their typical commuting distance.

Labs. Students in fully online courses will receive lab kits to be used in each course with a lab component, and perform lab requirements and demonstrate competency during online, synchronous courses.