The Practical Nursing Program, affiliated with the CareerTech www.franklinctc.org, is a rigorous, high quality, high value one-year full time program. This program has a consistent record of success in providing challenging theoretical and clinical learning experiences to prepare the graduate with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for nursing practice and to successfully pass the NCLEX-PN licensing exam. A passing score on the exam results in licensure to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse. More importantly the student is prepared to competently enter post-licensure practice at the advanced beginner level. The student is guided by expert nurse educators who have strong clinical and educational backgrounds.

The program has an outstanding record in licensure exam pass rates and job placement. Employers report great satisfaction with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the PNP graduate in assuming an entry level position. Program graduate surveys consistently reflect high satisfaction with the quality of instruction and preparation for practice. Graduates attribute their success in becoming an LPN to the mentorship of the program’s nurse educators, the rigorous curriculum, and the wide variety of clinical experiences. ACEN accreditation reflects program excellence. Less than 20% of PN programs are accredited by a national nursing accreditor in the United States!

Two classes are enrolled each year beginning in either March or September. Students attend class or clinical during the day Monday through Thursday. Upon completion of the 1,540 hours of the program, as approved by the State Board of Nursing, the student will receive a diploma at graduation. Attend only 4 days a week! Less commuting, more time for study!

CARES 1 Act — Disbursement of Funds

Notification of Disbursement (Posted originally on this website on June 25, updated on July 7, 2020 to include more detailed US Dept of Education requirements for reporting.)

42 of 45 PNP students, who are or could be eligible to participate in the Federal Student financial aid programs under Section 484 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants,  applied for the CARES Grant through the PNP Financial Aid Office.  After review of the 42 applications to ensure eligibility, all 42 were deemed eligible for the grant based on the eligibility requirements.

Method for Determining Awarding of Grant 

All 45 enrolled students were informed about the CARES Act I grant.  See Section below  “CARES Act – For currently enrolled students”.  The  45 enrolled students were each provided a PNP designed application and encouraged to apply, with multiple reminders and direct phone calls.  Applications were received within the one week deadline.  Each Grant application was reviewed by a committee in the Financial Aid Office.  Considerations included eligibility for Federal financial aid and stated needs on the application.  42 students applied.

Grant – Amount Received, Date, Individual Student Grant Awarded

The PNP received $44,752.00 on May 5/26/2020 from the US Dept of Education. The 42 eligible students, in accordance with Section 18004 (a)(1) of the Cares Act, received $1065.52 via check on 5/26/2020 for a total of $44,752.00.  Guidance was provided on appropriate use of grant money.

CARES Act (Section 18004(a)(1)) – For Currently Enrolled Students
The Practical Nursing Program signed and returned to the US Dept of Education, the Certification and Agreement with the assurance that 100% of the grant funds received will provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants directly to students.

Award range: $500- 800 distributed based on total number of currently enrolled and eligible students who submit a fully completed CARES Grant application by May 18 at 0630.  Application can be obtained from the PNP Office. All award amounts will be the same.

Period of assistance: Spring/Summer 2020

Eligibility Requirements:

• Either a 2019-20 or a 2020-21 FAFSA on file depending on the enrollment period of the request
• Students must complete the COVID-19 CARES application  form
• Must have had a disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic
• Student must be enrolled in the Aug 19-20 or Mar 20-21 Cohort
• Student must be a US Citizen or eligible non-citizen
• Student must be making SAP
• Student must be a regular student
• Male students must be registered with the selective service

Ineligible Students:

• Students in default
• Students who are not enrolled
• Incoming students
• Students not making SAP are not eligible unless an appeal has been granted
• Students with unresolved “C” codes
• Students with invalid FAFSAs due to signature or social security issues
• International or DACA students
• Students still enrolled in high school

Considerations for an Award

• The request for assistance must be for assistance with a component of the cost of attendance including food, housing, transportation, computer or technology needs.
• Students may also receive assistance for some miscellaneous personal expenses such as utility bills, laundry, toiletries and medicines.
• The funds may not be used to pay an outstanding tuition bill. The payments must be provided directly to students.
• A student must meet all federal financial aid eligibility requirements before an award may be given.
• Students are limited to one request.

Disbursement of Funds
Disbursement will occur through the standard disbursement process.

• Funds are not subject to R2T4
• Will pass through the system and not pay any charges.
• Student Accounts/Accounts Payable will refund the student directly.

• HEERF Student Aid Portion Report
• April – June, 2020
• July – September, 2020
  • July – September 2020 Revised
• October – December, 2020
  • October – December 2020 Revised
• January – March 2021
  • January – March 2021 Revised
• April – June 30, 2021
  • April – June 2021 Revised
• July – September 30, 2021
  • July – September 2021 Revised
• October – December 31, 2021
  • October – December 2021 Revised
• Student Aid Portion October – December 2021
• January – March 2022
• Student Aid Portion January – March 2022
• April – June 2022
• Student Aid Portion April – June 2022
• July – September 2022
• Student Aid Portion July – September 2022

The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing Reports that the first time pass rates for the licensure exam (NCLEX-PN) are as follows:

• 2024 – 100.0%
• 2023 – 100.0%
• 2022 – 83.33 %
• 2021 – 95.35%
• 2020 – 100.0%
• 2019 – 93.33%
• 2018 – 100.0%
• 2017 – 90.00%
• 2016 – 87.50%
• 2015 –  95.92%

The Practical Nursing Program opened in September 1958, under the sponsorship and direction of the Chambersburg Area Joint School Board as a part of its adult education program. The program was originally located in a school buliding on 4^th street in Chambersburg.  In 1968 the Franklin County Career and Technology Center became its governing organization, and the Program was moved onto the Career Tech’s campus.  

Anna Evans was the first Nurse Administrator for the Practical Nursing Program.  She guided it until her retirement in the late 1970’s and Mary Butts becasue the new administrator.  Under Mrs. Butts leadership the program underwent a major curriculum change. Just as the centerury was ending Mary retired and Kathy Hoose took the reins in 1999. During her tenure the Program needed to relocate, and found a home on Wilson College’s campus, though the FCCTC continued as the governing organization.  Janyce Collier was given the position of Nurse Admininstrator in 2006.  While admininstrator Mrs. Collier led the Program through a curriculum change, moved the Program back to the Career Tech Campus, started a Capital Campaign, and oversaw the building of a permanent locatin for the PNP on the FCCTC campus. The Program moved into the Grace Gilbert Brooks Nursing Building in August of 2020. Janyce retired in 2021, and Kathleen Rundquist is currecnt Nurse Admininstrator.  

For over 26 years the PNP has provided a quality education and has trained over 3000 LPNs. 

Faculty/Staff Recognition

• 2025       Jeff Ulrich obtains BSN  – Congratulations!     
  • Kathleen Rundquist elected Vice Presient of Pennsylvania Association of Practicle Nurse Admininstrators (PAPNA) 
  • Pam Hoffeditz, Dr. Ginger Peterson, and Kathleen Rundquist – Podium Presentation of completed research at NLN’sNursing Education Research Conference (NERC)
• 2024       Jeff Ulrich joins the faculty team as a full-time med-surg instructor 
  • Kyla Jones and Andrea Youngblood joined the faculty team as adjunct instructors – welcome aborad
• 2023       Diane Bailey retired and Brandy Zeger joined the faculty team as a full-time med-suge instructor.  Congratulations to  both.  
  • Julie Raleigh joins our team as Admininstrative Assistant   
  • Brandy Zeger and Kathleen Rundquist inducted into Sigma Theta Tau
• 2022       Deb Ramer retired and Kris Hockenberry joined the faculty team as a full-time instructor.  Congrats and Welcome!
• 2022      Lisa Mentzer retired January 2022. Tara McCartney, MSN, RN joins the full time faculty. Congrats to both!
• 2021       Kathleen Rundquist MSN, RN appointed as Nurse Administrator  effective 7/1/2021.
• 2021       Jan Collier retired 6/30/2021
• 2020      Pam Hoffeditz  – Poster Presentation at 2020 STTI/NLN Nursing Education Research Conference delayed due to cancellation of conference related to pandemic conditions.
• 2019     Ginger Peterson – Obtained NPD-BC certification – fantastic!
• 2019     Pam Hoffeditz – abstract accepted for Poster Presentation at 2020 STTI/NLN Nursing Education Research Conference.   Dr. Debora Coombs will be co-author.
• 2019    Ginger Peterson – Clinical and Simulation Faculty member achieved CNE credential!  Congrats!!
• 2019    Charter Members of the Sigma Theta Tau International Omega Eta Chapter April, 2019 – Jan Collier, Dr. Debora Coombs, Pam Hoffeditz, Ginger Peterson, Sandra Strait. Inducted 
• 2018     Ginger Peterson MSN degree conferred Nov, 2018 – Congratulations!
• 2018     Pam Hoffeditz – Best Practices Presentation at PAPNA Conference May, 2018. Topic: Mental Health Focus Day: Nurse-Led Groups, Lived Experience and More.
• 2017     Pam Hoffeditz obtained CNE certification.  Only 2% of PN Faculty have this certification nationally.
• 2014     Debbie Coombs, Faye Gaugler, Pam Hoffeditz, Lisa Mentzer, Deb Ramer – Innovative Curriculum Development
• 2013     Faye Gaugler – PAPNA Educator of the Year

The Practical Nursing Program at the Franklin County Career and Technology Center (FCCTC), located on the FCCTC Campus in Chambersburg, PA, is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Practical Nursing Program is Continuing Accreditation.

–View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program

Program Outcomes and Success Measures

The Program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The program has been approved by the Veteran’s Administration for more than 50 years.    Additional Approvals include CareerLink and PA Trade Act.

Caring – Promoting health, healing, and hope in response to the human condition

Integrity – Respecting the dignity and moral wholeness of every person without conditions or limitation

Diversity – Affirming the uniqueness of an differences among persons, ideas, values, and ethnicities

Excellence – Co-creating and implementing transformative strategies and daring ingenuity

Adopted from the National League for Nursing, Inc.

The program aligned with the Joining Forces initiative with other nursing programs throughout the United States. We have committed to educating our future nurses to meet the unique health needs of service members, veterans, and their families.

Students having any complaint about the Program are encouraged to contact the Nurse Administrator by coming directly to the Practical Nursing Program Office. Other methods include:

Call 717-263-5667

Email Kathleen.Rundquist@franklinctc.com

Send a letter:  FCCTC PNP  2463 Loop Road Chambersburg, PA  17202

To contact ACEN (the PNP Accreditor):

Website – , see “Contact Us” for address and phone number

3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
USA
P. +1 (404) 975-5000
F. +1 (404) 975-5020

To contact the PA Dept of State Commonwealth of PA (Pennsylvania Program Authorizing Agency):  

Visit the website

or go to this link: following contact information for the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs

Penn Center, 2601 N 3rd Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: (717) 787-8503
Toll Free: 1-833-DOS-BPOA (1-833-367-2762)
Fax: (717) 783-0510
Email: RA-BPOA@pa.gov