Practical Nursing
One-Year Certificate
Overview
Complete this certificate to register for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) and become a licensed practical nurse (LPN).
LPNs provide basic medical care. They work under the direction of registered nurses (RNs) and doctors. LPNs are responsible for administering basic nursing care and monitoring a patient’s health. Becoming an LPN can be a crucial step to a career in healthcare. With thousands of job openings for nurses available, now is the time to start your educational journey.
By completing this course, you:
- Build a strong foundation for academic progression in nursing
- Gain hands-on clinical laboratory experience caring for people at various ages and with numerous nursing care needs
- Are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN to become and LPN
Licensure
Graduates are awarded a Practical Nursing One-Year Certificate and are eligible to take the licensing exam, National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN), to become licensed practical nurses (LPNs).
Nursing Information Meeting/Course
Interested students may either attend a nursing information meeting on campus or complete the online nursing information course to learn about the nursing program at COTC and satisfy this requirement on the nursing program application.
Attend a nursing information meeting on campus
access the nursing information course online
An online nursing information course is available to anyone interested in nursing programs at COTC. This course will provide information and hopefully answer many of your questions on the nursing profession, program requirements and application process. The information course will take less than one hour to complete and can be accessed multiple times. Upon completion of the information course, your information will be submitted to the Gateway Enrollment Center to document your completion.
Future Start Dates
The practical nursing program accepts new students every semester at various campus locations: summer semester at Knox, autumn semester at Newark and Pataskala, and spring semester at Newark and Coshocton.
Application deadlines:
- Summer semester start — Knox: Feb. 15
- Autumn semester start — Newark and Pataskala: June 1
- Spring semester start — Newark and Coshocton: Oct. 1
Admission Requirements
This is a competitive, selective enrollment program. To be admitted, you must submit a free application for admission and a practical nursing program application and supporting material by the application deadline to be considered for the admission to the practical nursing program.
Nursing Application Requirements
Practical Nursing Application Requirements
All application documents are anonymized to ensure fairness.
Application deadlines
Summer semester start — Knox: Feb. 15
Autumn semester start — Newark and Pataskala: June 1
Spring semester start — Newark and Coshocton: Oct. 1
Admission to the college
Submit a free application for admission to COTC.
Official transcripts
Submit official high school transcript with graduation date or official GED transcript. High school seniors must send a current transcript during their senior year and a final transcript after graduation.
If applicable, submit official transcripts from all career centers, colleges and universities attended past and current with GPA. All foreign transcripts (high school and colleges) must be evaluated by a NACES Member.
Nursing information meeting
Attend a nursing information meeting on campus or complete the online nursing information course (valid for 12 months).
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Verification of CNA status will be completed during the pre-selection review process.
If you are not a CNA, complete COTC’s NURS-002 Basic Healthcare Skills course to earn your certification.
Co-requisite and pre-requisite courses
Complete any required remedial coursework with a grade of “C” or higher based upon the multiple measures placement policy. Courses may include co-requisite English and co-requisite statistics.
Provide proof of completion with grade of “C” or higher of the following course:
- A full unit of high school biology or Intro to Biology (BIO-010) or higher-level college equivalents
Health selection exam
The HESI A2 exam can be taken at any COTC campus. The exam is only available in person.
Scores can be sent from any testing location* as long as they meet the following criteria:
- It must be administered in-person. No remote exams will be accepted. HESI scores are valid for 12 months.
- The test must have exactly the same subjects our HESI A2 covers — no more, no less. That is:
- Reading comprehension
- Vocabulary and general knowledge
- Basic math skills
- Biology
- Chemistry
- The score transcript must be ordered from HESI and sent directly to cotcrecords@mail.cotc.edu to be verified.
*Additional fees will apply.
Practical nursing program application
Submit the practical nursing program application. Application is available one month prior to each deadline by request from your assigned advisor or email cotcadvising@mail.cotc.edu.
Additional Items Required After Initial Acceptance
Do not complete the following items prior to your acceptance notification. A deadline will be provided at orientation.
Orientation
Attend mandatory orientation where additional requirements will be reviewed.
Background check
FBI & BCI background checks are required upon notification of admission into the program. Final admission is contingent upon a cleared background check.
CPR certification
American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) for healthcare providers certification is required. To receive certification, complete COTC’s EMS-100 Basic Life Support course.
Plan of Study
One-Year Certificate
Practical Nursing Certificate
All courses require a “C” (2.00) grade or better to progress and graduate from this program.
All nursing (NURS) courses must be followed in sequence according to this plan of study.
Total hours required: 37.5
| Semester 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Human Biology* |
4 |
|
|
Introduction to Statistics* |
3 |
|
|
Introduction to Pharmacology* |
2 |
|
|
Fundamentals of Practical Nursing* |
5 |
|
|
Total |
14 |
|
| Semester 2 | ||
|
Composition I* |
3 |
|
|
Health Alterations I for the Practical Nurse* |
6 |
|
|
Introduction to Psychology |
3 |
|
|
Total |
12 |
|
| Semester 3 | ||
|
Health Alterations II for the Practical Nurse* |
6.5 |
|
|
Maternal/Child Nursing for the Practical Nurse* |
4 |
|
|
Transition to Practice for the Practical Nurse Student* |
1 |
|
|
Total |
11.5 |
|
*Course may have prerequisites. Please check the course description to view all prerequisites and requirements.
The college reserves the right to change curricula without notice.
Published: February 2025
Program Outcomes
Statement of Purpose
The purpose of the nursing technology one-year certificate program in practical nursing is to provide health education programs for emerging and practicing healthcare providers, accomplished through the values of integrity, quality, leadership, affordability and innovation.
Program Outcomes
- Functions efficiently as a member of the health care team to provide safe, competent, quality care that meets the diverse needs of patients in a variety of health care settings.
- Communicates effectively with individuals, families, communities, and members of the health care team.
- Utilizes technology and a spirit of inquiry to consider resources to question and guide nursing actions.
- Provides patient-centered nursing care across the lifespan and promotes the health of patients within the family context.
- Demonstrates accountability and responsibility for one’s own nursing practice consistent established, legal, and ethical standards.
Program Accreditation
Member of: National League for Nursing
Dedicated to excellence in nursing education, the National League for Nursing is the preferred membership organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education.
Approved by: Ohio Board of Nursing
17 South High Street Suite 400
Columbus, Ohio 43215-7410
614.466.3947
Fax: 614.466.0388
nursing.ohio.gov
The Central Ohio Technical College Nursing Program is fully compliant with the Ohio Board of Nursing regulations and Ohio Revised Code requirements for nursing educational programs content. Students completing a nursing education program at Central Ohio Technical College are eligible to sit for the NCLEX exam for Ohio licensure.
The Central Ohio Technical College nursing program has not determined if their curriculum meets the educational requirements for any other states in the U.S. If you plan to complete your nursing education at Central Ohio Technical College and obtain your licensure in another state, review the NCBSN Board of Nursing licensure requirements by state.
COTC Student Achievement Data
NCLEX-PN Pass Rates
| Academic Year | COTC Pass Rate | National Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 96.00% | 88.38% |
| 2023 | 71.43% | 86.68% |
| 2022 |
86.11% |
79.93% |
| 2021 |
82.14% |
79.60% |
| 2020 |
84.21% |
83.09% |
| 2019 |
89.66% |
85.63% |
Continue Your Education
Students interested in pursuing an associate degree to become registered nurses after completing the practical nursing certificate have the option to apply to our LPN to associate degree nursing transition program.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can I complete the practical nursing certificate?
Students accepted into the practical nursing certificate program complete the program in three semesters.
Can I take classes online or face-to-face?
You are required to take classes on campus for the nursing program. Some general education courses may be available online, but you should plan to be on campus to use equipment and engage in hands-on learning.
What financial assistance is available to help me pay for college?
COTC awards more than $1 million in scholarships to students each year.
Every student is encouraged to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for grants, scholarships and loans. Students who complete the FAFSA are automatically considered for some scholarships. Other scholarships require an application.
See Paying for College for more information, or connect with the Office of Student Financial Services at 740.366.9435 or email NWK-studentfinancialservices@mail.cotc.edu.
Current Students
Student Resources
Practical Nursing Handbook
Nursing Clinical Schedule
*Source: Ohio Labor Market Information (2024)