Greenfield Community College

Licensed Practical Nurses at the Beginning of the 21st Century

Thank you for your interest in the Practical Nursing Certificate Program at Greenfield Community College. In ten-month’s time, our program can prepare you for a respected career as a practical nurse, who provides direct and competent bedside care for adults and children in nursing homes, doctor’s offices and the community.

In today’s healthcare system, the licensed practical nurse (LPN) enjoys a rewarding, meaningful career with excellent employment prospects. LPNs have full responsibility for the quality of the health care they provide to patients. The LPN is a graduate of an approved certificate program and is licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Practical nurses participate in nursing care of clients with common health problems including health teaching and counseling, routine patient care, giving medications, administering treatments of all types, assisting with diagnostic procedures and observing and reporting patient symptoms. They are also responsible for participating in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating the care of their patients.

Generally, a LPN can expect to find employment in structured settings caring for patients in such areas as long-term care facilities and ambulatory settings such as doctor’s offices. However, there are a variety of options available to the graduate practical nurse especially if you have previous experience in related fields. The LPN is usually characterized as the “bedside nurse” who delivers “hands-on” patient care.

Employment opportunities, in general, are excellent at this time with graduates of the GCC program experiencing 100 percent employment. Pay scales are steadily increasing in this area of Massachusetts. Benefits are quite good and usually include health insurance, paid vacation, sick leave, hiring bonuses, etc. Extra pay is earned for working evenings, nights and/or weekends. There are also a wide variety of work schedules available giving the LPN great flexibility when attempting to juggle career and family responsibilities.

Acceptance into any one of the Health Occupations Programs at Greenfield Community College is very competitive. All programs accept students on a rolling admission basis annually based on completion of specified admission criteria. Acceptance is contingent upon space availability in each program.