Franklin County CTC Practical Nursing Program

The Practical Nursing Program, affiliated with the CareerTech www.franklinctc.org, is a rigorous, high quality, high value one-year full time program. This program has a consistent record of success in providing challenging theoretical and clinical learning experiences to prepare the graduate with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for nursing practice and to successfully pass the NCLEX-PN licensing exam. A passing score on the exam results in licensure to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse. More importantly the student is prepared to competently enter post-licensure practice at the advanced beginner level. The student is guided by expert nurse educators who have strong clinical and educational backgrounds.

The program has an outstanding record in licensure exam pass rates and job placement. Employers report great satisfaction with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the PNP graduate in assuming an entry level position. Program graduate surveys consistently reflect high satisfaction with the quality of instruction and preparation for practice. Graduates attribute their success in becoming an LPN to the mentorship of the program’s nurse educators, the rigorous curriculum, and the wide variety of clinical experiences. ACEN accreditation reflects program excellence. Less than 20% of PN programs are accredited by a national nursing accreditor in the United States!

Two classes are enrolled each year beginning in either March or September. Students attend class or clinical during the day Monday through Thursday. Upon completion of the 1,540 hours of the program, as approved by the State Board of Nursing, the student will receive a diploma at graduation. Attend only 4 days a week! Less commuting, more time for study!

As pandemic restrictions continue to ease in May, 2021, the Program is conducting in-person instruction in the classroom.  The Program follows all CDC guidelines and evaluates daily, based on local statistics, the mode of instruction.

Examples of safety measures include screening, handwashing, social distancing, thorough daily cleaning of building , and other important safety measures.

Most clinical facilities have resumed policies to allow students/faculty to return and conduct clinical learning experiences.  Multiple methods of clinical instruction include direct care, simulation, case studies based on clinical facility availability.

Instruction methods are subject to change on a daily basis based on current community and/or Program students/faculty incidence of COVID-19 exposure, symptoms, and test results, and availability of immunizations.

CARES 1 Act — Disbursement of Funds

Notification of Disbursement (Posted originally on this website on June 25, updated on July 7, 2020 to include more detailed US Dept of Education requirements for reporting.)

42 of 45 PNP students, who are or could be eligible to participate in the Federal Student financial aid programs under Section 484 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants,  applied for the CARES Grant through the PNP Financial Aid Office.  After review of the 42 applications to ensure eligibility, all 42 were deemed eligible for the grant based on the eligibility requirements.

Method for Determining Awarding of Grant 

All 45 enrolled students were informed about the CARES Act I grant.  See Section below  “CARES Act – For currently enrolled students”.  The  45 enrolled students were each provided a PNP designed application and encouraged to apply, with multiple reminders and direct phone calls.  Applications were received within the one week deadline.  Each Grant application was reviewed by a committee in the Financial Aid Office.  Considerations included eligibility for Federal financial aid and stated needs on the application.  42 students applied.

Grant – Amount Received, Date, Individual Student Grant Awarded

The PNP received $44,752.00 on May 5/26/2020 from the US Dept of Education. The 42 eligible students, in accordance with Section 18004 (a)(1) of the Cares Act, received $1065.52 via check on 5/26/2020 for a total of $44,752.00.  Guidance was provided on appropriate use of grant money.

CARES Act (Section 18004(a)(1)) – For Currently Enrolled Students

The Practical Nursing Program signed and returned to the US Dept of Education, the Certification and Agreement with the assurance that 100% of the grant funds received will provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants directly to students.

Award range: $500- 800 distributed based on total number of currently enrolled and eligible students who submit a fully completed CARES Grant application by May 18 at 0630.  Application can be obtained from the PNP Office. All award amounts will be the same.

Period of assistance: Spring/Summer 2020

Eligibility Requirements:

• Either a 2019-20 or a 2020-21 FAFSA on file depending on the enrollment period of the request
• Students must complete the COVID-19 CARES application  form
• Must have had a disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic
• Student must be enrolled in the Aug 19-20 or Mar 20-21 Cohort
• Student must be a US Citizen or eligible non-citizen
• Student must be making SAP
• Student must be a regular student
• Male students must be registered with the selective service

Ineligible Students:

• Students in default
• Students who are not enrolled
• Incoming students
• Students not making SAP are not eligible unless an appeal has been granted
• Students with unresolved “C” codes
• Students with invalid FAFSAs due to signature or social security issues
• International or DACA students
• Students still enrolled in high school

Considerations for an Award

• The request for assistance must be for assistance with a component of the cost of attendance including food, housing, transportation, computer or technology needs.
• Students may also receive assistance for some miscellaneous personal expenses such as utility bills, laundry, toiletries and medicines.
• The funds may not be used to pay an outstanding tuition bill. The payments must be provided directly to students.
• A student must meet all federal financial aid eligibility requirements before an award may be given.
• Students are limited to one request.

Disbursement of Funds

Disbursement will occur through the standard disbursement process.

• Funds are not subject to R2T4
• Will pass through the system and not pay any charges.
• Student Accounts/Accounts Payable will refund the student directly.

HEERF Student Aid Portion Report

April – June, 2020

July – September, 2020

July – September 2020 Revised

October – December, 2020

October – December 2020 Revised

January – March 2021

January – March 2021 Revised

April – June 30, 2021

April – June 2021 Revised

July – September 30, 2021

July – September 2021 Revised

October – December 31, 2021

October – December 2021 Revised

Student Aid Portion October – December 2021

January – March 2022

Student Aid Portion January – March 2022

April – June 2022

Student Aid Portion April – June 2022

July – September 2022

Student Aid Portion July – September 2022

The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing Reports that the first time pass rates for the licensure exam (NCLEX-PN) are as follows:

• 2024 – 100.0%
• 2023 – 100.0%
• 2022 – 83.33 %
• 2021 – 95.35%
• 2020 – 100.0%
• 2019 – 93.33%
• 2018 – 100.0%
• 2017 – 90.00%
• 2016 – 87.50%
• 2015 –  95.92%

The Practical Nursing Program opened in September 1958, under the sponsorship and direction of the Chambersburg Area Joint School Board as a part of its adult education program. The program has undergone several changes of administration and currently is under the direction of CareerTech.

Approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the course provides an inexpensive educational program for a lifetime career.

Practical Nursing Program Building moved to new building on the Career Tech campus.  In-Person Classes and Clinical Experiences.  Public Open House in near future — watch for details.

Faculty/Staff Recognition

2022      Lisa Mentzer retired January 2022. Tara McCartney, MSN, RN joins the full time faculty. Congrats to both!

2021       Kathleen Rundquist MSN, RN appointed as Nurse Administrator  effective 7/1/2021.

2021       Jan Collier retired 6/30/2021

2021       Sierra Funk, DNP, RN joined faculty team as adjunct clinical educator.

2021       Kathleen Rundquist earned the MSN degree. Congratulations!

2020       Lisa Mentzer celebrated 30 years of commitment and excellent teaching in the Practical Nursing Program.

2020     Full time faculty transitioned program from online/virtual to in person instruction with modified clinical experiences, as the pandemic begins to subside July 1, 2020.  Incredible work and dedication of faculty – thank you!!

2020      Kathleen Rundquist, MSN(c), RN joining faculty team as adjunct clinical educator.  Welcome!

2020      Ginger Peterson enrolled in doctoral studies program.

2020      Jan Collier accepted for Poster Presentation on Community Collaboration Project with Wilson College and PSU Mont Alto for NLN Summit in September, 2020.

2020      Diane Bailey,  Pam Hoffeditz, Lisa Mentzer, and Deb Ramer successfully transitioned the face to face program to an online/virtual program as the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in Franklin County.  Amazing Job and thank you from all students and Administration!

2020     Jan Collier appointed as Interim President of Pennsylvania Association of Practical Nursing Administrators (PAPNA).

2020      Pam Hoffeditz  – Poster Presentation at 2020 STTI/NLN Nursing Education Research Conference delayed due to cancellation of conference related to pandemic conditions.

2020    Michele Coletta, MSN(c), RN joined our team as part time faculty – welcome!

2019     Ginger Peterson – Obtained NPD-BC certification – fantastic!

2019     Pam Hoffeditz – abstract accepted for Poster Presentation at 2020 STTI/NLN Nursing Education Research Conference.   Dr. Debora Coombs will be co-author.

2019    Ginger Peterson – Clinical and Simulation Faculty member achieved CNE credential!  Congrats!!

2019    Diane Bailey, MS, RN, CNE recently joined the faculty team as a full time Med-Surg/Simulation educator.

2019    Ainsley Hoglund, BA joined the PNP team as our new Executive Assistant.

2019     Lisa Mentzer – Best Practices Presentation at PAPNA – The Lego Game

2019    Charter Members of the Sigma Theta Tau International Omega Eta Chapter April, 2019 – Jan Collier, Dr. Debora Coombs, Pam Hoffeditz, Ginger Peterson, Sandra Strait. Inducted – Joyce Burkholder – recently hired                as Part Time PN Faculty

2018    Debora Coombs – DNP degree conferred Dec, 2018 – Congrats Dr. Coombs!

2018 – Ginger Peterson MSN degree conferred Nov, 2018 – Congratulations!

2018 – Debora Coombs for poster presentation at NLN Summit Sept, 2018. Topic: An Intraprofessional Educational Workshop for PN and BSN Students to Promote Teamwork and Collaboration

2018 – Debora Coombs – Best Practices Presentation at PAPNA Conference May, 2018. Topic: Research and Scholarly Inquiry in Practical Nursing Education – Taking the First Step .

2018 – Pam Hoffeditz – Best Practices Presentation at PAPNA Conference May, 2018. Topic: Mental Health Focus Day: Nurse-Led Groups, Lived Experience and More.

2018 – Debora Coombs selected for poster presentation at 2018 NLN/Sigma Nursing Education Research Conference in Washington, DC.  Topic: Student Opportunity for Success SOS: An Academic Recovery Program.

2017 -Pam Hoffeditz obtained CNE certification.  Only 2% of PN Faculty have this certification nationally.

2017 – Debora Coombs elected as Board Member of the Nursing Honor Society at Wilson College.

2017 – Deb Ramer – Celebrating 25 years of teaching for the PN Program –        Thank you!

2017- Jan Collier elected President of Pennsylvania Association of Practical Nurse Administrators — www.pa-pna.org

2017 – Jan Collier, Deborah Coombs, and Pam Hoffeditz inducted into the Nursing Honor Society at Wilson College.

2016 – Lisa Mentzer – celebrating 25 years of teaching for the PN Program. Thank you!

2016 – Debora Coombs – Poster Presentation on the YES Program (Your Educational Success) at NLN/STTI Nursing Education Research Conference.

2015 – Pam Hoffeditz – PAPNA Best Practices – First Place for Pediatric Simulation

2015 – Debbie Coombs and Jan Collier obtained CNE certification.  Only 2% of PN Faculty have this certification nationally.

2015 – Lisa Mentzer – Finished Marine Corp Marathon – 5:41:04. – Congrats!

2015 – Carol Kearns – Celebrating 30 years of service to the PN Program.  Thank you!

2014 – Debbie Coombs, Faye Gaugler, Pam Hoffeditz, Lisa Mentzer, Deb Ramer – Innovative Curriculum Development

2013 – Faye Gaugler – PAPNA Educator of the Year

The Practical Nursing Program at the Franklin County Career and Technology Center (FCCTC), located on the FCCTC Campus in Chambersburg, PA, is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000

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

–View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm

Program Outcomes and Success Measures

The Program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The program has been approved by the Veteran’s Administration for more than 50 years.    Additional Approvals include CareerLink and PA Trade Act.

Caring – Promoting health, healing, and hope in response to the human condition

Integrity – Respecting the dignity and moral wholeness of every person without conditions or limitation

Diversity – Affirming the uniqueness of an differences among persons, ideas, values, and ethnicities

Excellence – Co-creating and implementing transformative strategies and daring ingenuity

Adopted from the National League for Nursing, Inc. http://www.nln.org/aboutnln/corevalues.htm