Practical Nursing (Adults Only)
Welcome to the Waynesville School of Practical Nursing
Thank you for your interest in the Waynesville School of Practical Nursing. We are the only practical nursing program in Pulaski County and have been in operation since 1973. Which means we have been providing nursing education to the community for over 50 years. In 1974, the Practical Nursing program had a graduating class of 18 students, then in 2004, we were approved to accept 36 students in a class. Throughout the program's history, the Fort Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital has been one of our clinical locations where our students get hands-on learning experiences throughout the hospital. Working side-by-side with Fort Leonard Wood, our students have been able to help a diverse set of patients, and get a one-of-a-kind learning experience. Since we are located so close to Fort Leonard Wood, many of our students are part of a military family, and they are able to take the skills that they learned across the world.
Every year we take steps to better prepare our students for real-world nursing. We have had a 100% pass rate for the NCLEX-PN for over 5 years and are also currently ranked 3rd out of 35 practical nursing programs in Missouri. The dedication of the staff and students has made this program widely successful in the years that we have been in operation and for the years to come.
Located in the Waynesville Career Center, we are part of the Waynesville R-VI School District, a public education organization. We are also fully approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing (MSBON) (Full approval is the status granted a program of professional nursing after the program has met and continues to meet regulations or requirements). Our goal at the Waynesville School f Practical Nursing is to prepare individuals to provide intelligent, skillful nursing care in the areas of health that are available to Practical Nurses. The program is based on the premise that all patients are unique individuals who are worthy of being treated in a professional and holistic manner.
***Upon successful completion of the program, graduates receive a certificate and may be qualified to apply to take the national licensure exam for Practical Nursing (NCLEX- PN). Successful completion of the Practical Nursing Program does not guarantee eligibility to take the NCLEX-PN Licensure Exam. Refer to Missouri Nurse Practice Act, Section 335.066***
"Nursing has been my passion since a child. I have always had a heart for others and want to do what I can to make their lives just a little bit better. I selected the Waynesville School of Practical Nursing because the commute time was minimal from my home, the school hours were excellent, and there were no weekend clinicals. Also, it followed the Waynesville School District calendar, so I had the same days off as my kids. I love everything about nursing. There are so many different things you can do in this field. I enjoy having options and there is always something new I learn." - Erica, LPN, Class of 2019
Program Schedule
We are an eleven-month practical nursing program that begins in August and finishes in June the following year. After successfully completing the program, the student will have earned a Diploma in Practical Nursing and may sit for the NCLEX-PN Examination. Once the student passes this examination, he/she will be a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).
The Waynesville School of Practical Nursing program is a full-time program consisting of approximately 887 hours of classroom training with an additional 538 hours of clinical training.
Courses Include: See Course Content Below
Classroom Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Clinical Hours of Operation:
Monday and Tuesday: 6:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Vary depending on clinical sites.
“Nursing was never something I thought I could do, but once I saw how COVID-19 was affecting patients everywhere, I decided to make a change to help people. I am a military spouse, so I needed to find a program close to the base and that was not a traditional 2-year RN program. Waynesville School of Practical Nursing worked out well for me. I am currently a full-time LPN working in the acute care/urgent care part of a busy clinic in Upstate New York, as well as a full-time student enrolled in an LPN-BSN Program. The hours are long, and the job is hard, but it’s those precious moments of making a difference to someone who is suffering that make it worthwhile.” - Melissa, LPN, Class of 2021
Advanced Placement
All students must meet the mandatory attendance of the Practical Nursing Program. All students must satisfactorily complete all aspects of the program. No advance placement in the program will be considered.
Philosophy of the Practical Nursing School
The Waynesville School of Practical Nursing derives its philosophy and purposes from the mission statement of the parent organization, Waynesville R-VI School District. Therefore, the Waynesville School of Practical Nursing faculty collectively accepts the obligation to community service, continuing education, academic excellence, and the provision of educational opportunities.
The educational program is planned and organized to assist the student to reach his/her potential. Theory and practice are integrated to emphasize the relationships of facts, concepts, skills, and the mindset required in the performance of practical nursing. The program is based on the premise that each patient/resident is a unique individual who is worthy of being treated in a professional and holistic manner.
The program begins with basic concepts in theory and practice, then advances to the more complex as the student progresses. The program also encourages the student to broaden his/her views and look to the future.
The ultimate goal is to assist the student in gaining knowledge, skill, and the ability needed to acquire the type of employment or continuing education that he/she desires.
“I’ve wanted to be a nurse since high school. I chose Waynesville school of practical nursing because it was close to home and is a fast-track course. With my husband being military and moving within the next year it was a perfect start to my nursing career. I enjoyed the fact that it was a seated course because I don’t do very well with online school. I work as a clinical coordinator of a dementia facility. I love putting the skills I’ve learned to work and making a difference to their physical and mental health.” - Monica, LPN, Class of 2020
Program Objectives
The objectives of the practical nurse program are:
Apply nursing concepts and critical thinking based on the physical, psychological, sociocultural, spiritual, and developmental aspects of individual client systems across the life span.
Demonstrate professional growth by acquiring knowledge and skills through continuing education.
Utilize the nursing process by giving sage, prudent nursing care to client/client systems.
Demonstrate competency in the performance of clinical nursing skills and critical thinking in the process of coordination of care.
Interact professionally with peers and members of the health care team.
Adhere to the Code of Ethics for Practical Nurses.
Complete the requirements for application for licensure by the Missouri State Board of Nursing and National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses.
"I decided to become a nurse after many years of working as an EMT-B for an ambulance district. I wanted to do more than just emergency medicine. I wanted to be able to treat people on days that weren't always considered 'the worst day of their life. I chose Waynesville School of Practical Nursing because my mom graduated from this school. I also knew that it was a very tough program that I would learn a lot from. I was lucky enough to find my "work home" very quickly after graduating. The best thing about being a nurse for me is that I get to be there to hold hands with, laugh with, spend quality time with, and sometimes even cry with my residents. I am privileged to be their (my residents) person when they have nobody else and that means so much to me." -Christan, LPN MDS Coordinator, Class of 2019