DUBOIS, Pa. — Penn State DuBois' Practical Nursing Program has been approved as an eligible program for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits. This approval allows eligible veterans to use GI Bill funding to help cover the costs associated with the program.
The new designation expands access to the program and provides an additional pathway for veterans interested in pursuing a career in healthcare.
Penn State DuBois is currently enrolling students for the next Practical Nursing cohort, which begins in August. Veterans interested in learning more about the program or exploring enrollment can contact Beth Sawyer at ejs215@psu.edu or by phone at 814-375-4715.
To support prospective students, several upcoming information sessions are scheduled:
- April 8 at 6 p.m.
- April 20 at noon
- May 20 at 6 p.m.
Attendees may participate either in person or via Zoom. Registration is available online at this link.
The Practical Nursing Program is an 18-month, certificate program designed for individuals seeking to enter the nursing field. The next program starts in August, however prospective students should begin the registration process now in order to meet all registration requirements and deadlines. Courses are held during evenings and weekends in DuBois, with clinical training opportunities available in both Clearfield and Jefferson counties.
Throughout the program, students complete 1,500 hours of training, including 610 hours of classroom instruction and 890 hours of clinical experience, across five courses delivered over four consecutive semesters. The curriculum is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and professional competencies needed for practical nursing, as well as to prepare them for success on the NCLEX-PN licensure exam.
Instruction is provided by experienced professionals from a variety of nursing disciplines, offering students a strong foundation through both classroom learning and hands-on clinical practice.
As demand for healthcare professionals continues to grow, graduates of practical nursing programs are well-positioned to pursue careers in hospitals, physician offices, long- and short-term care facilities, home health settings, and specialized areas such as behavioral health, rehabilitation, and school-based healthcare.