Governor's Health Sciences Academy

Building Citizens. Promoting Success.

BEDFORD COUNTY SCHOOL OF PRACTICAL NURSING PROGRAM





Faculty:
Leigh Ann Markham, BSN, RN           
   Director
Andrea Chapman,  RN
PN II Instructor - Clinical Instructor
Allysa Foutz,  RN  
PN I Instructor Freda Spencer, MA, BSN, RN Program Administrator Tiffani Wright, RN Skills Lab - Clinical Instructor

Grade Level(s): 12-Adult 

Location: SGSTC - PN I & PN II

Credit: 3 Units Yearly 

Prerequisites: Application and Placement Test 

Practical nursing is a vocation in which the qualified person is prepared to provide nursing care for patients in relatively stable situations with a minimum amount of supervision from the registered nurse and to function as an assistant to the registered nurse in more complex nursing situations. The practical nursing program is 18 months in length and follows Bedford County Schools schedule. The first nine months of instruction is received at Susie G Gibson Science and Technology Center. In the fall of the following year is when the students begin a nine month combined classroom and clinical work experience at various local medical facilities. Criminal background check and drug screening are required.  Students will have assigned learning experiences caring for patients in the following areas: 

Surgical
Emergency
Pediatric
Mental Health
 Obstetrics
Newborn Infants
Geriatric, Long Term Care
Primary Care Offices


Graduates of the school are eligible to take the State Board Examination for a Practical Nursing license. This course is recommended for students interested in the following careers: Registered nurse, Surgical nurse, Nurse Practitioner, ER nurse, Hospice nurse, Labor & Delivery nurse, Infection Control nurse there are endless possibilities!

Our Goal is to to provide our graduates with the knowledge to become outstanding nurses:

• Once completed you will obtain licensure to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse through successful completion of the NCLEX-PN Examination.
• Function as a beginning nurse in acute, intermediate, long-term, and ambulatory healthcare settings.
• Utilize best practices as the foundation for the delivery of healthcare to the patient and family.
• Internalize the importance of pursuing lifelong professional and personal development. 

Here are the advantage of a Practical Nurse education with SGSTC include:

• Short program length
• Small student to teacher ratio
• Ability to transition to RN bridge program
• Focus on providing outstanding care
• Most Cost Effective

NCLEX-PN PASS RATE
2023 - 93% (15 graduating)
2022 - 70.6% (15 graduating)
2021 - 83% (12 graduating)
2020 - 100% (12 graduating)
 2019- 100%    (12 graduating)


A practical nurse, also knows as a licensed practical nurse (LPN), is an essential component of the healthcare system.  These individuals have successfully completed a recognized educational program in practical nursing and have passed the national licensing exam to become LPNs.  They are proficient in providing both basic and advanced medial care to a varied patient demographic.  LPNs are employed in multiple healthcare environments, such as hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, long-term care facilities, home health care settings, rehabilitation centers, and private practices, where they deliver critical care under the oversight of registered nurses (RNs) and physicians.

The Bedford County School of Practical Nursing (BCSPON) is proudly endorsed by the Virginia Department of Health Professions Board of Nursing (VBON) and the Division of Career and Technical Education with the Virginia Department of Education.  This endorsement affirms the program's adherence to state standards and its commitment to preparing skilled healthcare professionals.  Although the program does not hold accreditation from a nursing education accrediting body, such accreditation is not required by the Virginia Board of Nursing.

Our mission at BCSOPN is to educate nursing professionals who will embody compassion, critical thinking, and advanced clinical skills to effectively meet the healthcare needs of our community.  We are committed to advancing the nursing field by creating an environment where students can acquire the essential skills and critical thinking to thrive in their careers and significantly impact patient care.

A criminal background check and drug screening are required.  Students will have assigned clinical learning experiences for direct patient care in the following areas:  Fundamentals, Pharmacology, Emergency, Pediatric, Mental Health, Medical Surgical, Community, Maternal Child, Long Term Care, Geriatrics, and Primary Clinical offices.

The practical nursing program spans 18 months and adheres to the posted academic school schedule of Bedford County Public Schools.  Class instruction is delivered at the Susie G. Gibson Science and Technology Center along with clinical experiences at local medical and community facilities. 

As a public school based program, Bedford School of Practical Nursing does not currently hold accreditation with Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).