At the Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) Practical Nursing Program, some of the most important lessons aren't taught in a classroom. They're learned while sitting with a patient during a clinical rotation, helping a long-term care resident create a holiday craft, educating a family about managing their loved one's care, or providing community health education at events across Delaware County and Philadelphia.
During Social Wellness Month, DCIU is highlighting how these hands-on experiences help students understand that quality nursing care is built on more than clinical skills. While nursing is often associated with administering medications, monitoring vital signs and performing clinical procedures, faculty at the Practical Nursing Program emphasize that some of the most meaningful aspects of patient care begin with something much simpler: building relationships.
Through clinical rotations at healthcare facilities across Delaware County and Philadelphia, students learn that compassionate nursing extends beyond treating illness.
"Clinical experiences give students the opportunity to see the impact nurses can have beyond the technical aspects of care," said Program Supervisor Stacy Delany, MSN-ED, RN. "They learn how important it is to listen to patients, communicate clearly and understand the individual needs of the people they are caring for."
Those lessons begin in the classroom and continue throughout the program's 12-month curriculum. Students develop hands-on nursing skills while learning to observe patients' physical and mental conditions, communicate effectively with healthcare teams, educate patients and their families, and uphold the ethical, legal and professional standards expected of nurses.
As students progress through the program, they gain experience caring for patients across a variety of healthcare settings and specialties, including medical-surgical, pediatric, obstetrical, psychiatric and gerontological nursing. Clinical experiences allow students to apply classroom instruction while developing the communication and interpersonal skills essential to quality care.
In addition to clinical rotations, students participate in community-based learning experiences that provide opportunities to promote health education, connect with residents and support wellness initiatives throughout the region.
In recent months, students have participated in a variety of community health and outreach events throughout Delaware County and Philadelphia. Students provided blood pressure screenings and health education during Laura's Children Foundation's Annual 1 Mile & More, an event hosted by DCIU Practical Nursing Program graduate Laura Bien-Aime's foundation, which focuses on improving health literacy and promoting healthy lifestyles. Students also participated in ChesPenn's Women's Health Fair, attended the Chester Consortium's A Celebration of Maternal Health & Wellness: Rooted in Justice and Joy, supported families during Jefferson Health's Community Baby Shower in West Philadelphia and participated in an Autism Awareness Run organized by DCIU Nurse Educator Patricia Tuggle.
These experiences allow students to engage with individuals and families outside of traditional healthcare settings while reinforcing the importance of education, prevention and compassionate communication.
"Healthcare doesn't begin and end inside a hospital or long-term care facility," Delany said. "When our students participate in community events, they see firsthand how education, prevention and meaningful relationships contribute to healthier communities. Those experiences reinforce that nursing is about caring for the whole person wherever they are."
About the DCIU Practical Nursing Program
The DCIU Practical Nursing Program prepares students for rewarding careers as licensed practical nurses (LPNs) through a comprehensive 12-month curriculum that combines classroom instruction, simulation lab training, and clinical experiences throughout Delaware County and Philadelphia. Students graduate prepared to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses and enter the workforce providing high-quality care in hospitals, long-term care facilities, physicians' offices, schools, rehabilitation centers, and home healthcare settings. Since 2025, the program has achieved a 100 percent job placement rate for its graduates.
To learn more about the DCIU Practical Nursing Program, including admissions requirements and program information, visit www.dciu.org/lpn.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Marple Newtown, PA Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.