A male student wearing medical scrubs practices using a stethoscope on a female student while she lays on a gurney.

Contact

Sheryl McCloud
Director/Instructor

Admissions

Dorothy Yates
Limited Enrollment Specialist
Information Request

* This program is financial aid eligible.

Practical Nursing Diploma

Short Term

The Practical Nursing curriculum provides knowledge and skills to integrate safety and quality into nursing care to meet the needs of the holistic individual which impact health, quality of life, and achievement of potential.

Course work includes and builds upon the domains of healthcare, nursing practice, and the holistic individual. Content emphasizes safe, individualized nursing care and participation in the interdisciplinary team while employing evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and informatics.

Graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) which is required for practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Employment opportunities include hospitals, rehabilitation/long term care/home health facilities, clinics, and physicians' offices.

The Practical Nursing program at Durham Technical Community College, located in Durham, North Carolina that is in accordance with ACEN records is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
www.acenursing.org

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Practical Nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.

View more information about the program, student achievement outcomes.

How to Apply

Program applications for the Fall semester are accepted November 1 – February 1.

Before you Apply

Students are required to attend an information session before applying (see Upcoming Events below).

View the Admissions Checklist and Essential Skills form.

Apply to the College

New students who are not currently enrolled at Durham Tech should use the green button below to apply to the College and choose Health Tech Students then Steps to Apply.

Apply to the Practical Nursing Program

Prerequisites must be completed before applying to the program. Review the Admissions Checklist. Apply to the Practical Nursing program during the application period using the online Health and Wellness Admissions Application.

Apply Now
2025 Application Deadline is Feb 01

Upcoming Program Events

Estimated Tuition & Fees

$3,997

Degree Type

Diploma

Location

Main Campus

Minimum Credit Hours

44

First-Semester Courses

Course Number Title Credit Hours
BIO-163 Basic Anatomy & Physiology 5
ENG-111 Writing and Inquiry 3
MAT-110 Mathematical Measurement and Literacy 3
NUR-101 Practical Nursing I 11

Suggested Paths

headshot of Harold Simmons

“I love the hands-on work in the Practical Nursing program. We have the opportunity to apply everything we’ve learned from our textbooks when we’re at clinicals and in the classroom. Completing this program will allow me to get into the nursing field, become more marketable in the workforce and allow me to do more for my family.”

—Harold Simmons