Southern Westchester BOCES Licensed Practical Nursing Program Turns Out Successful Graduates to Fill Healthcare's Needs

As the population in the U.S. continues to age, the need for skilled nursing staff in the healthcare long-term sector is more important than ever.

This demand is also fueled by recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which shows that the employment of LPNs is expected to grow 22 percent by 2020, faster than other health-related occupations.

Such trends are a boon to the Southern Westchester BOCES Licensed Practical Nursing Program, says LPN instructor and Clinical Program Coordinator Mary Ann Hollander, as it speaks to the program’s importance in an ever-changing industry.

Geared toward adults, the program offers 10 months of accelerated day classes as well as a 20-month program offered part-time during the day and evening.

There are approximately 160 students in this year’s combined classes. They come from various communities in Westchester and Putnam counties as well as from the Bronx, Long Island and parts of Connecticut.

Ms. Hollander says its rigorous curriculum has consistently prepared nursing graduates for jobs in the long-term care industry, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities and home care environments, in addition to physicians’ offices and clinics.

Before being accepted to the program, applicants must take the practical nursing entrance exam. Prospective students often take the LPN prep course. This 54-hour class helps students hone their math, reading, writing, critical thinking and test-taking skills, increasing their chances for success on the entrance exam.

“We expect a certain level of ability from all of our applicants, “ says Ms. Hollander, “with the goal of setting students up for success.” Ms. Hollander notes that some students may be encouraged to sign up for the less demanding part-time course of study if family responsibilities and other factors such as employment interfere with the many hours of study the program requires.

“Many graduates see the program as a ‘stepping stone’ to a career as an RN,” adds Ms. Hollander, who has an extensive nursing background and has been part of the LPN faculty since 1992.

“We are very proud of the accomplishments our LPN students achieve, and many will continue their education after graduating,” she says.

Approximately one-third of the program’s incoming LPN candidates come with some medical experience as emergency medical technicians, patient care technicians, certified nurse assistants and medical assistants. Others have no experience and choose the profession as a second career or to follow a lifelong ambition.

LPN students will learn nursing theory, anatomy and physiology, medical/surgical nursing, pediatrics, obstetrics and the administration of medication. Ms. Hollander says students must be able to think on their feet and have the ability to solve problems. “It’s not just about learning a skill; there’s so much more critical thinking that occurs everyday in practice.”

Embracing the philosophies of nursing at the practical nurse level include the ability to prioritize patient needs, to approach patients in an attentive, non-judgmental fashion and to generally create an atmosphere within the healthcare setting for compassionate, holistic patient care.

Much of that knowledge comes from the students’ clinical rotations, which are required for graduation and are accomplished in various healthcare settings.

Over the years, Ms. Hollander has received many notes of gratitude from former students, speaking to their success after graduation and the wealth of knowledge they gained while enrolled in the LPN program.

“I’m very proud of our solid and successful program,” says Ms. Hollander. “We are fortunate to have outstanding, dedicated faculty and support staff that go above and beyond to create a positive environment.“

For more information on the LPN program at BOCES, visit http://www.swboces.org/adult-Education.cfm or call 914-592-0849. In addition, two LPN seminars are being scheduled next month, one on Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and the other on Dec. 16 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Both will be held at the BOCES Adult Learning Center located at 450 Mamaroneck Avenue in Harrison.