Penn State Hazleton’s Continuing Education Office offers several health care education programs to help prepare individuals for a rewarding career that pays well in as little as four months.

These programs include practical nursing, phlebotomy technician and nurse aide and are designed to provide participants with a pathway to advance their career.

Practical nursing

Those interested in the practical nursing program, which begins Aug. 17, can begin the application process by attending the next information session on Feb. 8.

The practical nursing program is an 18-month part-time program that provides a high-quality noncredit certificate in practical nursing. It helps provide the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes essential for practical nursing practice and the knowledge necessary to test for the NCLEX-PN.

All classes are held on evenings and weekends. Student financial aid is available for those who qualify.

To be considered for the program, prospective students are encouraged to attend a virtual information session to meet faculty and learn more about curriculum, admissions requirements, financial aid and more.

Upcoming sessions are scheduled for Feb. 8, March 18 and April 19.

Candidates are required to take the TEAS entrance exam. Tests are held twice per month. The exam schedule and information on study materials is available at https://hazleton.psu.edu/practical-nursing.

Candidates who meet or exceed TEAS exam criteria will then be invited to apply for the program. Upon acceptance to the program, students must obtain clearances and work with continuing education staff to complete additional requirements.

Phlebotomy technician

Start date: April 20

This 90-hour evening program prepares students to collect blood specimens from patients through venipuncture and capillary sampling for the purpose of laboratory analysis.

The course, a combination of classroom and lab instruction, teaches all aspects related to blood collection and how to perform venipunctures completely and safely.

Nurse aide

Start date: March

A 128-hour program which combines classroom and lab instruction, the nurse aide program is offered in either a six-week part-time schedule or a four-week full-time schedule.

Upon successful completion, students receive training on the skills necessary to test for the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide written (or oral) examination and skills evaluation, the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program.

To learn how to apply or for more information about these programs, visit https://hazleton.psu.edu/ce or contact Director of Continuing Education Debra Conway at dxk40@psu.edu or 570-450-3136.