Practical Nursing

PN Mission

Our mission is to prepare individuals who are competent, ethical and compassionate caregivers; prepared to pass a licensure examination and enter the workforce.

Program Description

The program spans twelve months and is divided into semesters identified as PNR 101, PN 102, and PN 103. Approximately 30 students are selected annually for the new class. Theory and clinical experiences are correlated to enable the student to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to meet program goals. Applications will be taken September through June for the upcoming class. Entrance exams will be given on select dates starting in November. Click here for schedule of test dates. The class is Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 3:00pm.

Clinical Rotations

Clinical rotations occur at a variety of local agencies. These agencies include: CAMC, Thomas Memorial, Oak Ridge Center, and Valley Nursing Center.

Board Certification

The  Ben Franklin Career Center School of Practical Nursing is accredited by the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses. This program is also approved by the West Virginia Department of Education and the Kanawha County Board of Education.

Uniforms

Students will wear uniforms in the classroom and on clinical rotations.

School Hours

Classes are arranged on a daily basis, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Clinical hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Financial Assistance

Financial Aid information is available to students enrolled or enrolling in the program. For information, please call 304-766-0108 and ask for the financial aid advisor. The Practical Nursing Program is approved for the following: Veteran's Benefits, Division of Rehabilitation, Worker's Compensation, Federal Pell Grant, WV HEAPS, and Workforce Investment Fund. (See the Financial Aid tab at the top of the screen.)

Faculty

All faculty members are Registered Professional Nurses licensed to practice, without practice restrictions, in the state of West Virginia. Faculty members have diverse backgrounds and experiences which lends richness to the practical nursing curriculum.

Program Entrance Requirements:

Ben Franklin General Application 
PN Application
Entrance test (see below)
OFFICIAL high school transcripts or GED/TASC equivalency
Driver’s License or Photo ID
Proof of health insurance or waiver
Non-refundable $100.00 Application Fee
Non-refundable $70.00 TEAS test fee- For class that begins in August 2024
Agreement to submit to a drug screen and criminal background

For Program Specific Questions, Please Contact The Adult Program Offices At: 304-766-0108

Program Textbooks

ENTRANCE TEST

Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) will be administered on select dates in 2023- 24 for students wishing to enroll in the 2024-25 Practical Nursing class. This test measures the content areas of reading, math, science, English, and language usage. Students must meet the program cut score on the TEAS test and the testing requirements of Ben Franklin to be accepted and admitted into the program. To register for this test you must pre-enroll at Ben Franklin, create an account at the atitesting.com website, and pay the $70.00 fee. 

This fee must be paid to Ben Franklin Career Center no later than one week before the exam, along with a completed Ben Franklin Application, completed Practical nursing application, and a deposit of 1/2 the application fee ( $50 ) applied toward the $100 application fee . Payment can be made in person, by mail or online. Further instructions on this process can be found on the “Practical Nursing Entrance Test” tab. Remember your user name and password as you will use this to login to take the TEAS exam.

Applicants may choose to register for the free study/review sessions prior to sitting for the TEAS test. Click here for the 2023-24 test dates.  

Final TEAS test dates before end of 23-24 school year:

2/28/2024 10:00 - 3:00

3/13/2024 10:00 - 3:00

4/10/2024 10:00 - 3:00

4/24/2024 10:00 - 3:00

5/8/2024 10:00 - 3:00

5/22/2024 10:00 - 3:00

All testing conducted at:

Ben Franklin 500 28th St Dunbar, WV 25064

304-766-0108; 304-766-0109

TEAS test fee $70 + ½ application fee $50 ($120 total)

Applications may be mailed, hand delivered, emailed to: [email protected] or faxed to 304-766-0110.

Upon completion of the PN program the student is eligible to sit for the WV State Licensing Board Exam for PN.

Program Outline

** All 2024-25 start dates, orientation dates, and virtual learning dates are pending approval of KCS 2024-25 calendar in Spring of '24.

Program start date: August 2024

Mandatory Informational Meetings/Orientation:

July 2024 9:00AM- Date TBD (mandatory attendance)- Financial Aid review; Information Seminar; 

August  2024 9:00 AM – Date TBD- Mandatory Attendance-Orientation. Uniform orders; Drug Testing; Physicals due. This day will include additional program information and an assignment of two prerequisite self-directed studies.  These studies will be completed independently and are due August 22.

August 22, 2024 ( 8:00AM) – Tentative First day of in-person PN instruction.  The two pre-requisite assignments provided at August Orientation must be submitted at the beginning of this day. 

What time: Daily from 8:00 – 3:00
Applications accepted:                              Sept. 9, 2023-June 30, 2024

Deadline to apply:  June 30, 2024

Graduation: August, 2025

The dates listed above are subject to approval by

KCS Board of Education

Employment Opportunities

Program Courses

Practical Nursing - Principles & Fundamentals 9123

Practical Nursing - Social Sciences Integrated  9124

Practical Nursing - Anatomy & Physiology  9125

Practical Nursing - Nutrition & Diet Therapy 9126

Practical Nursing - Pharmacology 9127

Practical Nursing - Medical Surgical 9128

Practical Nursing - Geriatrics 9129

Practical Nursing - Psychiatric Nursing  9130

Practical Nursing - Obstetrics 9131

Practical Nursing - Pediatrics 9132

Program Cost *

$7936.00 

* subject to change