Academy for Practical Nursing & Health Occupations

Academy for Practical Nursing & Health Occupations Academics

The Academy for Practical Nursing & Health Occupations serves over 4,000 students, while assisting them with earning the skills and knowledge for entry in a variety of health fields. Established in 1978, the academy continues to educate students to obtain work in nursing homes, home health agencies, hospitals, as well as outpatient facilities such as clinics, surgical centers, laboratories, rehabilitation centers, adult living facilities, physician office, and adult day care centers.

Currently, the Academy for Practical Nursing & Health Occupations offers one program and two diplomas. Students can earn an Occupational Associate Degree in Practical Nursing, and a Critical Thinking Skills IV Certification. This program includes 1350 hours of study which includes classroom lectures, lab work, and clinical practice. The non-traditional curriculum utilized within this program includes classes such as body structure and function, nutrition, pediatric nursing, geriatric nursing care, medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology and medicine administration, and mental health concepts. In addition, students may earn a Critical Thinking Skills certification once their 1350 hours are completed. This certification includes intravenous therapy principles, supervision, and delegation skills. Other coursework includes phlebotomy, EKG skills, and critical thinking.

The Academy for Practical Nursing & Health Occupations also offers two diplomas for students interested in working as a rehabilitation/restorative assistant or a patient care technician. The rehabilitation/restorative assistant program prepares students in allied health skills so they may utilize their skills and knowledge in clinics, nursing homes, adult living facilities, rehabilitation centers, physician offices, patient homes, and hospital settings. Within the patient care technician program students can expect to learn how to care for patients in different environments. They may choose a variety of skill settings including rehabilitation/restorative aide skills, phlebotomy, EKG skills, or unit secretary skills. Completion within this program earns students a diploma and the chance to work in long term care, physician offices, nursing homes, adult living facilities, hospitals, as well as rehabilitation and out-patient settings.

The Academy for Practical Nursing & Health Occupations is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE).