Practical Nursing
Career/Certificate Program
Train to Change Lives
What Will I Learn?
The practical nursing program strives to offer accessible and high-quality education to equip individuals with the necessary knowledge and technical skills to pass the National Council Licensure Examination- Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) and enter the practical nursing profession at an entry level.
Practical Nursing is a full-time program completed in a three-semester course requiring attendance during the day. We offer several options in course sequencing to help you become successful. Upon satisfactory completion of the 46-credit-hour program students will receive a practical nursing certificate.
The Practical Nursing Program at Reid State Community College at the Evergreen Campus located in Evergreen, Alabama, is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Practical Nursing Program is initial accreditation.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326 Phone: (404) 975-5000 I Website: http://www.acenursing.com
Program graduates are competent in academic subjects including communication, mathematics, computer literacy, biology, anatomy, English, and human relations. Additionally, completers are knowledgeable in technical areas such as:
- Maternity
- Pediatrics
- Geriatrics
- Adult Health
What Can I Earn?
The median salary for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses is currently $51,604 per year in Alabama (LightCast 2026).
New workers start around $38,611 and highly experienced workers can earn up to $63,680.
Career Opportunities & Job Outlook
Practical Nursing is considered an in-demand career projecting sharp growth from 2024 to 2028. Jobs are available statewide in home health, family practice, surgical unit, substance abuse, hospice, wellness, pediatrics, corrections, cardiology, OBGYN and mental health. Higher concentrations of opportunities are located across the coastal area of northwest Florida and Mobile AL but also in local markets including Dothan, Wetumpka, Prattville, Monroeville and Andalusia.
Common career paths include:
- Practical Nurse in Surgery
- Outpatient Departments
- Intensive Care Units
- Community Health Centers
- General Nursing Care Units
- Home Health Nurse
- Rehabilitation Nurse
Program Summary
Length: 3 Semesters of Full-time attendance
Applicants Must:
- Have submitted all prior transcripts and be unconditionally accepted into Reid State. An application to apply to Reid State is available at www.reidstate.edu/apply
- Have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA for students with nursing required general education courses, or a minimum 2.5 high school GPA for students without prior college work. A GED is acceptable.
- Practical Nursing required general education courses include:
- Biology 201 and 202
- Psychology 210
- English 101
- Math 100
- Speech 106 or 107
- Be eligible to take English 101 and Math 100
- Be in good standing with the College
- Meet the essential functions or technical standards required for nursing
- Have earned either a minimum 18 ACT composite score OR obtained a passing score on the TEAS (The Test of Essential Academic Skills) test.
Any questions regarding the application or the nursing program can be directed to Ms. Karen Barnes, Director of Nursing, at kbarnes@reidstate.edu.