April 7 Zoom Open House Highlights Nursing Careers and Male Recruitment at DCIU Practical Nursing Program

A career in nursing is closer than many people think, thanks to the Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) Practical Nursing Program. The program will host a free Open House on Zoom on April 7 at 5 p.m. for prospective students interested in becoming Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) in just 12 months.

This session is for career changers, recent graduates and adults seeking a stable career in health care. Attendees will learn about the program, admissions process and how to launch a fulfilling career in nursing.

The Open House comes at a unique time as the program expands recruitment efforts, including new initiatives funded through the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Grant, aimed at encouraging more men to pursue careers in nursing. Despite increasing demand and competitive wages in the field, men currently make up about 12 percent of the nursing workforce nationwide, and DCIU hopes to help fill that gap.

“Increasing male representation helps strengthen the workforce and reflects the diverse communities our nurses serve. This grant allows us to reach students who may not have previously considered nursing as a career,” said Program Supervisor Stacy Delaney, MSN-Ed, RN.

The Open House also coincides with an exciting period of growth for the program, highlighted by its relocation to a modern, state-of-the-art facility at the Marple Education Center in Broomall. The expanded space includes additional classrooms, enhanced hands-on training areas and an upgraded simulation lab featuring Laerdal mannequins that replicate childbirth scenarios and other realistic clinical situations. Since 2024, the program has enrolled 50 students and maintained waitlists exceeding 30 applicants.

“This state-of-the-art space allows us to serve more students without compromising the quality of instruction,” Delaney said. “With more classrooms and upgraded simulation resources, we can continue delivering the high-quality, hands-on instruction that prepares our students to succeed in the nursing workforce.”

The Zoom event will introduce prospective students to the program and feature a panel discussion with Dr. Stephen Butz, director of Career and Technical Education programs; Delaney; Jeanne Cavalieri-Grover, PNP, financial aid consultant with Collegiate Aid Service; Janai Destra, director of liaison services at Care Options for Kids; and program graduate Taliah Muhammad, LPN at Broomall Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Participants will learn about admissions requirements, financial aid options and career pathways in nursing. Destra and Muhammad will share employer and graduate perspectives on the profession.

The DCIU Practical Nursing Program prepares students for careers as LPNs through a 1,500-hour curriculum that equips graduates with the skills needed to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses.

“Our 12-month program gives students opportunities to gain experience in various health care settings while they complete their classes,” Delaney said.

The program has maintained a 100 percent job placement rate for graduates since 2025. In 2020, Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce recognized the program as the top higher education program in Pennsylvania.

How to RSVP for Zoom Open House

The virtual Open House will take place Tuesday, April 7, at 5 p.m. on Zoom. Reserve a free spot at https://tinyurl.com/DCIUApril7OpenHouse.

To learn more about the program, visit www.dciu.org/lpn. For more information, or assistance, please contact lpn@dciu.org or (484) 423-7003.