LCCTC LPN PROGRAM CELEBRATES 60 YEARS
Lebanon, PA
03/07/2018 04:17 PM
From 10 LPN students annually in 1958 to 165 today, the Lebanon County Career and Technology Center (LCCTC) Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program will celebrate its 60th Anniversary with a day-long Open House on Tuesday, March 13, from 12 Noon to 8:00 p.m.
According to Jenny Neidigh, Director of the Practical Nursing Program, the day-long event is open to past graduates as well as the general public who might be interested in a change of career or simply would like to join in the celebration and activities.
“Our Open House will feature tours, demonstrations of the nursing profession, refreshments, and a historical display of items from past classes donated by our graduates,” said Neidigh. “Of course, we expect lots of reminiscing from our alumni and maybe a question or two from our visitors to see how our program has expanded and grown over the 60 years.”
The day includes free blood pressure screenings, games of nursing trivia, and simulation demonstrations of maternity, intensive care, and infant nursing. Students assisted Neidigh in planning the event, saying, “This place has given us the opportunity to learn how to care for people of all ages, with all types of health and medical situations. We have learned that being a nurse isn’t always easy, but it’s the most important job there is.”
In 1958, the nursing program’s first class started with 10 students and was held in a building at Fourth and Willow Street. Ten years later, the practical nursing program moved into the newly constructed Lebanon County Area Vocational-Technical School (since renamed the Lebanon County Career and Technology Center) at 833 Metro Drive.
“This year, the 2017-2018 full-time class, which graduates in June, will be the 100th graduating class,” added Neidigh. “Our graduating classes have ranged from 7 students in 1960 to the 2004-2005 full-time class, which graduated 55 students. The LCCTC offers two full-time daytime nursing programs (starting in February and June) and one nighttime part-time program (September start) for a total annual LPN enrollment of 165 students. We continue to grow the program in an attempt to keep up with the growing local, state, and national demand for LPNs.”
Nursing has been, and continues to be, a rapidly growing profession. Job placement in the profession for LCCTC LPN graduates is over 90%. Surveys show that nine out of ten Licensed Practical Nurses enjoy their career in nursing and plan on doing it for a lifetime.
If you would like to learn more facts about Licensed Practical Nursing as a career, go to Pennsylvania Association of Practical Nursing Administrators web site at www.PA-PNA.org . Licensed Practical Nursing programs offer an affordable education, employment growth, and a solid living wage. LPNs create plans of care, supervise nurse assistants, give direct care such as checking vital signs, passing medications, administering IVs, wound care, and much more. LPNs also have the option of advancing in the nursing profession while working. They can enroll in “bridge” programs which enable them to receive credit for their PN diploma and work towards their Registered Nursing degree.
If your vision or dream is to become a Licensed Practical Nurse, go to the Lebanon County Career and Technology Center’s website (www.LCCTC.edu ) to learn more about the program.
