Practical Nursing (PN)

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs / LVNs) are essential direct-care providers who deliver compassionate nursing care to patients across all stages of life. Working under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians, practical nurses assess patient health, administer medications, perform wound care, monitor medical equipment and advocate for patient wellness.

Through rigorous clinical lectures, hands-on simulation labs and clinical rotations in acute and long-term healthcare settings, Pima Medical Institute’s Practical Nursing program prepares you to pass the NCLEX-PN® licensure examination and step confidently into professional nursing practice.

Program objective. To develop in students the intrapersonal and professional skills needed to perform as competent entry-level practical nurses through didactic instruction, hands-on laboratory practice, and clinical experiences. Among the topics covered in the curriculum are anatomy and physiology, growth and development, pharmacology, nursing theory, skills for patient care across the lifespan, and other topics necessary for students to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to perform as effective members of the practical nursing team. Graduates of this program are granted a certificate and are eligible to apply to take the National Council on Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN®). Those who pass the NCLEX-PN® are qualified for state licensure or registration as a practical nurse.

Why Choose Practical Nursing?

Practical nursing offers a fast-track pathway into direct clinical patient care, providing career stability, competitive compensation, and fulfilling work.

Licensed Practical Nurses perform responsibilities such as:

• Administering prescribed oral, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and IV medications (per state scope)
• Performing physical patient assessments, tracking vital signs, and monitoring clinical status
• Providing complex wound care, dressing changes, and ostomy care
• Inserting and managing urinary catheters, nasogastric tubes, and intravenous lines
• Collecting lab specimens and performing bedside diagnostic testing
• Documenting patient care plans, progress notes, and reporting status changes to RNs/physicians
• Educating patients and family members on health management, disease prevention, and discharge care

Core skills you’ll develop.

• Clinical: Human anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and pathophysiology; nursing fundamentals, physical assessment, and evidence-based nursing care; pharmacology, safe medication administration, and dosage calculations; medical-surgical nursing across adult and geriatric health conditions; maternal-child nursing spanning obstetrics, newborn care and pediatrics; mental health nursing principles and psychiatric patient care
• Foundational: The Nursing Process (Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation); NCLEX-PN® exam preparation, clinical judgment and critical thinking; nursing ethics, legal standards of practice, patient advocacy and delegation
• Anatomy: Human anatomy, physiology, microbiology and pathophysiology
• Pharmacology: Safe medication administration, dosage calculations and core pharmacology principles

Continuing your education. Continue with Health Care Administration , an online Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration and an online Master of Science in Organizational Leadership .

About Pima Medical Institute. Pima Medical Institute started changing lives in 1972, when Richard L. Luebke, Sr., and his wife, JoAnn, opened the first campus in Tucson, Arizona. Over 175,000 graduates have since advanced their education, and many are serving their communities through meaningful health care careers. The school’s mission is to improve the quality of people’s lives by providing the best value in medical career education.

Eligibility requirements.

• Possess a high school diploma or recognized equivalency
• Additional requirements may apply by campus

Program-specific requirements. In addition to the Admissions requirements in the Prospective Students section of this catalog, applicants must achieve a minimum score on the Pre-Entrance HESI Exam-PN®. An interview with the program director and/or faculty and other criteria may be required. Refer to the program specifi c Prospective Student Handout for more information.

High school verification. Proof of valid high school completion or equivalent must be submitted (high school diploma or transcript, GED report and certificate, or an official associate or bachelor’s degree transcript). Pima Medical Institute does not enroll ability-to-benefit students, and applicants under the legal age must have written approval of a parent or legal guardian.

Entrance exams. Applicants for the Practical Nursing program are required to take the Wonderlic SLE and receive a minimum score of 20, take a math admission test with a minimum of 80% (24 out of 30 correct), and take a pre-entrance exam (HESI) with an overall score of 70% or greater. The exam may be waived for applicants who submit official transcripts that document completion of an associate degree or higher.

Background check, drug testing and vaccinations. Depending on the program, a background check and/or drug screening may be required prior to enrollment, during the program, and/or prior to externship/clinical training; the cost of the background check/drug screen is an out-of-pocket expense. The cost of required vaccinations and titers is also an out-of-pocket expense, and students are required to follow all clinical experience vaccination requests and policies.

At a glance. Course length: 12 Months (approximate); Lab hours: 168; Class hours: 488; Externship hours: 405.

Albuquerque campus. The 2026 tuition price list shows 44 semester credits and 1,061 clock hours over 48 weeks, including 8.5 externship credits (405 hours).

Aurora campus. The 2026 tuition price list shows 44 semester credits and 1,061 clock hours over 48 weeks, including 9 externship credits (405 hours).

• Certification: Pima Medical Institute's Practical Nursing certificate program prepares graduates to apply to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam and pursue state licensure.*
• Find out more: Entry-level roles
• Career advancement: Charge nurse, nursing supervisor, clinical coordinator and patient care manager

Certification and state registration requirements vary.

Careers. The Practical Nursing certificate program prepares students to apply for roles and other related career opportunities including:

• Licensed practical nurse (LPN)
• Licensed vocational nurse (LVN)

These careers exist in a variety of healthcare settings, including skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation centers, hospitals and medical centers, physician offices and outpatient specialty clinics, home health care agencies, assisted living facilities and hospice organizations and urgent care clinics and school health settings.

Job outlook. 3% Growth — The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects this occupation to grow as fast as average over the next 10 years with a median pay of $62,340 per year. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/licensed-practical-and-licensed-vocational-nurses.htm (visited July 06, 2026).

Career Services. When you’re a Pima Medical Institute student, you get access to our Career Services team—here for you when you need extra help with finding the right job opportunities, building a resume, strengthening your interview skills or just looking for general guidance.

Clinical externships. At Pima Medical Institute, most programs allow students to work in their field through clinical externships—a chance to be mentored by full-time professionals and interface with real patients.

In addition to real-world experience, clinical externships offer students resume-worthy opportunities, letters of recommendation from supervisors and sometimes job placement directly after graduation.

Student Services. Our team of student service professionals are on hand to see students through the challenges they might face during their academic career. We offer guidance and resources to ultimately help build employable medical professionals.

Application process.

• Submit the form below. A few quick details so we can get to know you before we connect.
• Chat with our team. They'll ask about your goals, your background, and what's drawing you to healthcare. From there, they'll help you find the right program and campus for where you are in life right now.
• Attend your campus tour. Experience Pima Medical in person and picture yourself in a career that matters. We'll walk you through programs and what to expect.
• We help you complete your application. Our team guides you through every step, including enrollment and financial services, so nothing stands between you and getting started.