Program Overview
Ready to get going in your nursing career? Find a fast-track to working in the medical field by getting an advanced certificate in practical nursing.
During your journey to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN), you’ll practice critical thinking, team building and communication. You’ll be prepared to work in a variety of environments, including home healthcare, hospitals, clinics and nursing homes.
This is an advanced certificate program and typically takes one year to complete. Delta offers registered nurse (RN) associate’s degree and LPN to RN associate’s degree programs.
Interested in a career in nursing? Learn more about our region’s employment outlook and career opportunities you can pursue in this field of study.
Care for ill, injured or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing is required.
median annual salary
annual job openings
are currently employed within the State of Michigan Prosperity Regions 5 and 6.
This number is expected to over the next four years.
of current workers will reach retirement age within the next ten years.
Visit Career Coach for more details.
About Delta's Program
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Hands-on learningDelta’s 9,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art health professions lab provides an outstanding simulated hospital patient care environment for students to learn and practice nursing skills. You'll have the knowledge, skills and confidence you need to hit the ground running.
This program is approximately one year in length. The Delta College PN program is excellent at preparing students to sit for the LPN State Board Exam with an exceptionally high pass rate.
Once a student has graduated and received their State Board of Nursing license to be a licensed Practical Nurse, they can work in a variety of settings such as acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, doctor office and home health care. The practical nurse assists physicians and registered nurses in the development and modification of patient care plans, performs basic tests, and assists with medications and other treatments.
Professional licensure
This program prepares you to take the NCLEX exam in the state of Michigan. Graduates who want to practice in other states should contact the program coordinator and review NCSBN.org.
All of our nursing programs, Associate Degree in Nursing (both full-time and part-time
tracks), including the Transition to ADN track, and our Practical Nursing Certificate
program have approval from the Michigan Board of Nursing. The ADN program has been
approved since 1964 and the LPN program since 1990. The Michigan Board of Nursing
can be contacted at:
Bureau of Health Services
Ottawa Building
P.O. Box 30670
Lansing, Michigan 48909-8170
517-335-0918
The practical nursing program at Delta College located in University Center, MI 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 initial accreditation.
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website.
Getting your degree in a health field is unique compared to other Delta programs. You must first take your prerequisite core courses, and then you'll apply for validation.
The Registrar's Office validates your prerequisite courses to confirm you are eligible to begin the clinical portion of you program.
Success Tips
- Declare the Licensed Practical Nurse to RN program.
- Meet with your advisor regularly. Stay on track with what you need to do to apply.
- Apply for validation with the Registrar's Office once you've started your final semester of prerequisite courses.
- Stay connected for important updates from Delta!
Students entering the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program or Practical Nurse (PN) program must provide documentation of ability to perform specific nursing skills prior to entry into the clinical portion of the program. Students must be competent in performing ALL of the specific nursing skills that are learned and practiced as a CNA (recording vital signs, eating, dressing, grooming, bathing and toileting).
The nursing curriculum, for the ADN and PN programs, builds on this knowledge and expects each student to perform in a safe and competent manner related to these functions.
We think it's important to know how we're doing so we can continually improve our programs – collegewide. We work really hard to give our students the best possible education. So, we annually evaluate and show you what we find out.
NCLEX Results
The licensure pass rate is the percent of first time takers achieving a passing score on the NCLEX-PN.
| Year (January 1 – December 31) |
First time test takers achieving a passing score (Delta College average) |
First time test takers achieving a passing score (National average) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 |
77.27% |
83.08% |
| 2021 |
85.7% |
79.60% |
| 2022 | 85% | 79.93% |
Program Completion Rate
The completion rate is percentage of graduates 100% of the program length.
| Years | Graduates at 100% of program length |
|---|---|
| 2019/20 | 46.4% |
| 2020/21 | 34.6% |
| 2021/22 | 66.7% |
Job Placement
The job placement rate is the percentage of graduates employed full or part time in a nursing related position as indicated on the Career Program Graduates survey.
| Completion year | Job placement rate |
|---|---|
| 2018/19 | 100% |
| 2019/20 | 100% |
| 2020/21 | 100% |
With your successful validation, you're guaranteed a spot in the program if you follow the required steps.
Current wait times from semester of validation to clinical entry as of October 2022 are below, although please know that these are estimates and subject to change.
- RN Full-time Track
2 - 4 semesters - RN Part-time Track
2 - 6 semesters - Paramedic/LPN to RN Transition Track
1 - 3 semesters - LPN
2 - 3 semesters
Why you should choose Delta
Delta is the right choice for you if you are looking for the best nursing programs in the Great Lakes Bay Region offering optimal clinical hands-on experience!
Since it's beginning in 1961, Delta's nursing program has had a stellar reputation for offering an exceptional education at a great value. If you compare programs, you'll find that Delta's is less than half the cost of a public university's.
Plus, we offer an interest-free tuition payment plan that spreads out your payments.
Life is busy, but that shouldn't get in the way of your education. Delta offers a variety of nursing programs. We have the right one for you!
Because our program utilizes only area hospitals and facilities for clinical experiences students are able to commute from home.
The specially-designed courses emphasize creative and critical thinking, providing a unique learning experience. You have more exploration of the subject area with increased faculty and student interaction. Make the most of your Delta experience. Join Honors!
Although not a requirement of one another, students in the Nursing program may be eligible for the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing Honor's Society -- Alpha Delta Nu.
Facts & Figures
96% of grads passed the licensing exam last year.
Employers hired 98% of recent grads.
Related Programs
Delta College offers a variety of nursing programs -- one perfect for you.
- Certified Nursing Assistant - Job Training
- Licensed Paramedic to RN - Associate
- Licensed Practical Nurse to RN - Associate
- Registered Nurse - Associate
- Registered Nurse - Dual Associate with General Management