Practical Nursing
Practical Nursing Program Pipeline Information
The mission of the McCann Practical Nursing Program is to prepare competent, ethical, entry-level nursing graduates capable of caring holistically for a diverse population of patients and with a commitment to life-long learning, the healthcare team, and the community.
According to the U. S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics almost 60,000 LPN positions will open each year over the next decade in response to the long-term care needs of a growing elderly population, retiring nurses in the workforce, and the general increase in demand for healthcare services.
LPNs provide basic bedside care, measure and record patients’ vital signs, give medications, perform routine laboratory tests, and monitor medical equipment. Our practical nursing program is 10 months in length with classes scheduled Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 2:45 PM beginning in January with graduation in November. Classes are held at school and at community clinical sites.
This program provides over 1,100 hours and includes instruction in the discipline of nursing across the entire lifespan from birth to old age, including death, and will include changing healthcare needs and trends. Clinical experiences occur in many settings including long-term care facilities, inpatient hospitals, and specialty and physician practices.
The program is fully approved by Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. The McCann Technical School Practical/Vocational Nursing Program holds initial accreditation from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation, (NLN CNEA), located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037, 202-909-2487. Completion of the program leads to a practical nurse certificate and entitles the graduate to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). A practical nursing license is issued upon passing the NCLEX-PN. The program also meets the requirements to apply for licensure by examination for the Vermont Board of Nursing.
Graduating from the McCann practical nursing program qualifies graduates to work in Massachusetts or Vermont upon successful attainment of licensure. Individuals intending to practice outside of these states can refer to the NCSBN website, and should discuss with the PN program director about the applicant's ability to attain licensure in a state other than Massachusetts or Vermont. This examination is not a graduation requirement.
Department Faculty
Christa Berthiaume, DNP, RN, CNE
Program Coordinator
cberthiaume@mccanntech.org
Phone: (413) 664-5493
Jill Cole, BSN, RN
Adjunct Faculty
jcole@mccanntech.org
Diane O'Neil, BSN, RN
Instructor
doneil@mccanntech.org
Phone: (413) 664-5494
Meghan Pinsonnault, MSN, RN
Instructor
mpinsonnault@mccanntech.org
Phone: (413) 664-5265
Alexandria Rousseau, BSN, RN
Instructor
arousseau@mccanntech.org
Program Calendar
Program Information
- Career Placements
- Costs (New rates effective 2/28/25)
- Course Descriptions
- Courses
- Emergency Preparedness Plan
- NCLEX-PN Results
- Online Textbook & Clinical Supplies Order Form
- Practical Nursing Brochure
- Practical Nursing Links
- Program Outcomes
- Student Grievance Policy
- Student Handbook