Practical Nursing Applications for 2025-2026 and any supporting documentation listed on the Practical Nursing Checklist must be received in the Admissions Office by March 6, 2025.
Southwest Virginia Community College’s Certificate in Practical Nursing offers the training and support you need to earn a license as a practical nurse.
You can complete this nursing certificate in just four semesters, developing the knowledge and skills to pass the LPN licensure exam and enter the workforce as a health care professional.
At the successful completion of the program, and application approval of the state board of nursing, students will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX exam, leading to licensure as a practical nurse.
Designed for students who are new to nursing, our nursing certificate program provides a supportive learning environment that combines classroom instruction with hands-on training. You’ll work with experienced nursing instructors who will take a personal interest in your education and help you meet the challenges that new nurses often face.
In addition to the college application, a separate Practical Nursing program application with supporting documentation is required.
Southwest Virginia Community College has options to help you pay for a degree or certificate. A high percentage of students receive assistance through financial aid.
Learn about paying for college and current tuition-free programs here.
Southwest Virginia Community College’s licensed practical nursing program meets the highest professional standards. Our program is sanctioned by the Virginia State Board of Nursing. The Practical Nursing Program is approved by the Virginia State Board of Nursing, however is not accredited by a nursing education accrediting body.
Once you’ve earned your practical nursing certificate and passed the NCLEX-PN, you’ll have a wide range of job opportunities. LPNs work in many types of settings, and demand is increasing. For 2015 graduates the self-reported job placement rate was 100%. You’ll find opportunities with employers such as:
*The board of nursing assesses NCLEX-PN pass rates on an annual basis from January through December of each calendar year. The calculations are only a reflection of the 1st testing attempt of students who test for boards. All students who test within the given calendar year are combined in the overall percentage whether the graduate testing was from the assigned year of testing or another cohort (with the exception of 2006 & 2007 cohorts).
All students are strongly advised by the director of the program to test for the NCLEX-PN immediately following graduation for the best passage results of boards upon the first attempt of testing. As of July 2011, all students, prior to graduation from the program, must pass the HESI Exit Exam with a score of 850 or greater, pass the HESI online review course with 80%, pass the competency simulation, make an application to the board of nursing, and pay testing fees.
Pursuant to United States Department of Education (US DOE) regulation 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v), the Southwest Virginia Community College Certificate in Practical Nursing (LPN) program provides the following information for all prospective and current students:
The Southwest Virginia Community College LPN program is approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing.
The Southwest Virginia Community College LPN program meets all Virginia Board of Nursing requirements for pre-licensure nursing education programs in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The Commonwealth of Virginia participates with multiple other states in the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) National Licensing Compact (NLC) to allow nurses licensed in one state (primary state of residence) to provide nursing care across state lines in other compact states. Applicants are encouraged to visit https://www.ncsbn.org/nurse-licensure-compact.htm to learn more about the Nurse Licensure Compact.
Southwest Virginia Community College is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Licensure Reciprocity (https://sw.edu/health-technology/wp-content/uploads/Licensure-Reciprocity.pdf)
All Southwest locations are closed on Friday, November 22, due to inclement weather.