The 67-credit Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program prepares individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to become entry-level Practical Nurses. Current trends in healthcare are affording the Practical Nurse the ability to work in various settings, including physician’s offices, clinics, dialysis centers, hospitals, schools, and long-term care settings. Upon successful completion of our Practical Nursing program and passing the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN), the Practical Nurse will be able to care for clients of all ages with various health conditions under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).
We offer convenient day and evening classes to meet the individual’s lifestyle needs, while students pursue their education to reach their career goals. Students will practice their nursing skills through virtual simulation and an abundance of clinical facilities in the community that allows students to practice their nursing skills to become competent and practice ready to assume their roles as a Practical Nurse.
The Goodwin University LPN program is a cohort-based model. Once a student is enrolled in either the full-time or part-time program, they cannot switch to the other program. The curriculum sequencing and pace of study is different for each program.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, graduates will be able to:
- Perform the duties and responsibilities of the LPN within the framework of the Nurse Practice Act, Chapter 378 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
- Apply nursing principles and theories when implementing a care plan for clients under the direction of and in collaboration with the RN.
- Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of nursing interventions, using observations and data collection to recommend changes in the care plan.
- Perform appropriate data collection to monitor client status in response to alterations in health, treatment of health problems, and therapeutic nursing interventions.
- Recognize and report deviations from expected responses to alterations in health status or in the treatment of health problems.
- Intervene appropriately in emergency situations.
- Interact effectively with clients, families, and health team members through appropriate verbal, nonverbal, and written communication.
- Implement the care of groups of clients, using appropriate principles of priority setting, time management, and delegation.
- Utilize resources and the environment of care effectively to meet client needs and attain expected outcomes.
- Demonstrate individual accountability by acting as an advocate for healthcare consumers and by maintaining accepted standards of care for a practical nurse.
Admission Requirements
All students interested in the LPN program must submit the following:
- An application for admission to Goodwin University and an LPN program application
- Proof of high school diploma, or GED
- An ATI TEAS Exam with a minimum score of 48%
Accepted Students
Once accepted to the LPN program, students are required to:
- Submit a physical exam from a healthcare provider
- Submit proof of immunizations:
- MMR (Measles, mumps & rubella)
- Varicella (Chicken pox)
- Hepatitis B: the Hepatitis B vaccine series which may be in progress. If a student elects not to have the Hepatitis B vaccine series, a signed declination form must be in his/her file.
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (TDaP)
- Submit proof of the influenza vaccination and COVID-19 vaccination including boosters
- Submit proof of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification
- Submit to a background check/drug screen
- Goodwin University covers the cost of both tests through the Navigators Scholarship for LPN certificate. However, if the drug screen result is “negative dilute,’ the student must assume the cost of a second drug screen. A positive drug screen, not substantiated by a healthcare provider, will prevent the student from entering the program. Students will be notified if the background check reveals any criminal record that might interfere with future licensure. If a clinical facility prohibits the student from participating in a clinical experience based on this result, the department will make two additional attempts to place the student in an alternative facility. If neither of the two further attempts yields a placement for the student, (s)he will not be permitted to progress with the program.
LPN Department Policies
Policies specific to the LPN program may be found in the Licensed Practical Nurse Student Handbook.
Graduation Requirements
The following requirements must be met to graduate from the LPN program:
- Complete all graduation requirements as stated in the catalog.
- Complete all LPN courses with a (C) or higher within the maximum period (6-8 semesters).
- Pass all clinical courses (Clinical courses are pass or fail only)
- Complete a minimum of 1,500 hours in the program (750 hours of clinical time and 750 hours of classroom time).
- Fulfill all financial obligations to the University
Graduation from the program does not guarantee passing the NCLEX-PN® licensing exam. If a student in the program has a felony record, the Department of Public Health will determine their eligibility to take the NCLEX-PN® when the student applies to take the exam. The University has no responsibility for making this decision.
