Practical Nursing, Certificate Admission
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Train in the state-of-the-art Victor K. Phillips Nursing & Allied Health Building! See all that BC3 has to offer from high-tech simulation and skills labs to evidence-based instruction and practice. Learn about the Practical Nursing program, admission criteria, and how to apply to start your journey as a healthcare Pioneer here!
BC3’s Practical Nursing program is approved by the PA State Board of Nursing.
BC3 Shaffer School of Nursing Admission Criteria
All Applicants
- Graduation from an accredited high school or satisfactory completion of the GED/HiSET.
Applicants must have:
- English - 4 units
- Social Studies - 3 units
- Mathematics - 2 units (1 unit of Algebra required)
- Science - 2 units with a related laboratory (Chemistry preferred)
- Students must be 18 years of age at the time of the first clinical course
- Receipt of all final, official transcripts.
- “C” or better grades in all Practical Nursing, Certificate requirements (if applicable).
- “C” or better grades in required developmental/preparatory English and math coursework (if applicable).
Practical Nursing - Anatomy and Physiology Track, Certificate Applicant
This program is for individuals who wish to eventually obtain their Nursing, R.N., A.A.S. credential at BC3. The BC3 LPN to RN bridge program can be pursued within 3 years of their graduation with the Certificate and successfully passing the NCLEX-PN exam pending they meet admission criteria. The BC3 LPN to RN bridge program allows eligible students to enter the second year of the Nursing, R.N., curriculum.
- 2.30 cumulative, unweighted GPA minimum
- Completion of a Chemistry with lab course with a “C” or better grade in the last five years at high school or college-level
Practical Nursing - Human Biology Track, Certificate Applicant
This program is for individuals who wish to graduate with their Practical Nursing, Certificate to sit for their NCLEX-PN exam to enter the workforce. They are ineligible for the BC3 LPN to RN bridge program, but may apply for Advanced Standing consideration in the future.
- 2.30 cumulative, unweighted GPA minimum
- Completion of a Chemistry with lab course with a “C” or better grade in the last five years at high school or college-level
Interested in the BC3 Practical Nursing Program?
Practical Nursing Program Student Outcomes
Graduation Rates
The graduation rates for the Practical Nursing program for the most recent years were 58.3% for 2023 and 60% for 2022.
Licensure Rates
Graduates are required to pass a licensing examination in order to practice as a Practical Nurse. The licensing examination (National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-PN, for PN's) passing rates for the most recent years are 83.3% for 2022, and 100% for 2023.
Employment Rates
Graduates who obtained any form of Practical Nursing employment within one year were considered to be employed. Employment rates, either full or part-time, for the most recent years are 100% in 2022 and 2023.
How to Apply to BC3's Practical Nursing Program
STEP 1 | Review Timelines and Meet with an Admissions Representative
Though general education courses can be taken at any of our BC3 locations or online, the Practical Nursing, Certificate is only offered at our BC3 Main Campus in Butler.
The application for Spring 2025 is now closed.
Applications Open
- June 1, 2025 - October 1, 2025 for Spring 2026 priority consideration
We highly recommend that you meet with an admission representative or your academic advisor prior to submitting your Practical Nursing application to ensure you meet minimum criteria.
STEP 2 | Complete an Online Application for Admission
The Practical Nursing applications will be available beginning June 1st. You may begin taking application and general education requirements by applying as a Health Care Science, Pre-Nursing student at any time.
Complete the online Application for Admission. There is a non-refundable $25.00 application fee for all students.
STEP 3 | Submit High School Transcripts
- Submit an official high school transcript or GED/HiSET score report. International transcripts should be evaluated for course-by-course equivalencies through WES.org or ECE.org.
- Official high school transcripts must be sent by USPS mail to the BC3 Main Campus Admissions Office or by a third-party transcript service to admissions@bc3.edu. They cannot be emailed or faxed by the student or school.
- If you had your final, official transcript sent to BC3 previously, you do not need to resend it.
The mailing address is as follows:
Butler County Community College
Attn: Admissions Office
PO Box 1203
Butler, PA 16003
**Failure to submit required transcripts or test scores will delay application processing and admission decision.
STEP 4 | Submit College and University Transcripts
- Submit all official transcripts from colleges and universities attended. International transcripts should be evaluated for course-by-course equivalencies through WES.org or ECE.org.
- If attending another college or university during the spring or summer semesters prior to the Practical Nursing program starting, submit a final, official transcript once no longer enrolled.
- Official college or university transcripts and AP test scores must be sent by USPS mail to the BC3 Main Campus Registration Office or by a third-party transcript service to registration@bc3.edu. They cannot be emailed or faxed by the student or school.
- If you had your final, official transcript sent to BC3 previously, you do not need to resend it.
The mailing address is as follows:
Butler County Community College
Attn: Admissions Office
PO Box 1203
Butler, PA 16003
**Failure to submit required transcripts will delay application processing and admission decision.
STEP 5 | Complete BC3 Placement Testing or Determine Exemptions
- Visit bc3.edu/placement-testing to review available placement testing exemptions.
- Applicants who have graduated in the last five years with a minimum 3.00 cumulative, unweighted GPA and A/B grades in their 11th and 12th grade English courses and a “C” or better grade in Algebra 2 may not need to test.
- Need to test? Be on the lookout for an email with instructions on how to schedule.
Successful completion of this program may potentially lead to professional licensure. Licensure may be global or state-specific. This program meets the requirements for the state of Pennsylvania. Requirements for other states may vary: bc3.edu/professional-licensure.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to BC3 Admissions at admissions@bc3.edu or 724-284-8501.
Practical Nursing Clinical Sites
- Armstrong Memorial Hospital
- Concordia Lutheran Ministries
- Independence Health System
- Penn Highlands Health System
- Punxsutawney Area Hospital
- Quality Life Services
- Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
- UPMC
Criminal History Licensure Disclosure
Act 53
All applicants are considered equally without regard to race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, handicap or disability, use of a service animal due to disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, perceived gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, family status, or other classification protected by applicable law.
**However, please note that Nursing students must be 18 years of age prior to the start of their first clinical experience.
Pennsylvania law prohibits the State Board of Nursing from issuing a license to anyone who has been convicted of a crime with variable criteria according to Act 53 of 2020. This law allows for candidates with a criminal conviction to consider an occupation or profession that requires licensure.
With regard to the consideration of criminal convictions, Act 53:
- Prohibits Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affair’s (BPOA) licensing boards and commissions from denying licensure based on considerations of “good moral character,” “crimes of moral turpitude,” or “ethical or honest practice.”
- Requires each board and commission to develop and publish a schedule of criminal offenses that may constitute grounds to deny, suspend or revoke a license. The list must also identify which crimes are likely to pose a barrier to licensure because they are considered to be offenses “directly related” to the occupation/profession.
- Provides for an “individualized assessment” of each license applicant using objective, detailed criteria that includes rehabilitation and public safety.
- Provides a process for individuals who have criminal convictions to request a “preliminary determination” as to whether a particular conviction will be a bar to licensure. This new tool will enable people with criminal convictions to find out if their convictions would prevent them from getting a license − before enrolling in a training or educational program, before investing significant time and resources, and before formally applying for licensure.
Students are encouraged to complete the request for preliminary determination from
the State licensing board. This request once submitted will be reviewed by the PA
State Licensure board and returned to the applicant within 45 days. This should be
completed prior to or the first semester of the registered nursing program to inform
the candidate of their eligibility. Information regarding Act 53 of 2020 can be found
at the following website: https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/Pages/ACT-53-2020.aspx
The BC3 Nursing Admission Committee assumes the responsibility to review the data
of all applicants and has the right to offer admission to the best qualified individuals.
