Nursing Division

HCC’s practical nursing program ranked top in state

(July 23, 2021) – The Practical Nursing Program at Hagerstown Community College has been ranked number one in Maryland, by PracticalNursing.org, for the fifth consecutive year.  

“I am extremely proud of our LPN program,” said Karen Hammond, director of the nursing division. “The program has been very successful as shown by consistently high pass rates on the NCLEX-PN exam and the success of our graduates as they enter the work force. This award validates the excellent LPN program that we offer here at HCC.”

Of the 12 state-approved practical nursing programs in Maryland, PracticalNursing.org ranked the top five, based on state test results and the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) pass rates for the past five years. The NCLEX-PN exam is used by state boards of nursing to test proficiency and grant licensure for each Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). To view the full list, visit www.practicalnursing.org/lpn-programs/maryland/#rankings.

“The practical nursing program at HCC prepares the student to enter the workforce. The students gain employment across the tri state area and beyond,” said Dr. Robin Hill, program coordinator for the Practical Nursing Program at HCC. “Our students are in demand. There are many facilities that reach out to us to recruit our graduates. The students can also transition to the RN program after six months of LPN employment and completion of the transition program.”

HCC has been offering the Practical Nursing Program since 2003. The NCLEX-PN pass rate for these students has been 100 percent for the past 15 years. The program is accredited by the Maryland Board of Nursing and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

HCC also offers an associate degree program in nursing, a certified nursing assistant/geriatric nursing assistant program, and several transition programs such as LPN to RN, paramedic to RN, and an associate to bachelor’s nursing program. For more information, visit www.hagerstowncc.edu/nursing.