Practical Nursing

Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES will start taking applications in January 2026 for the next Practical Nursing class starting August 2026. 
Please use the request form, or call the office at 315-253-4899 to get on our mailing list.

The Practical Nursing Program is an eleven (11) month program with 1210 hours of classroom and clinical instruction combined. The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to care for sub-acute and chronically ill clients of all ages. The Practical Nursing Program uses Dorothea Orem’s Theory of self-care to guide students from a dependent relationship towards the goal of becoming independent practitioners. The New York State Education Department, Division of Professional Education Services approves the Practical Nursing program. Students who successfully meet the program requirements are eligible to sit for the National Council for Nurses Licensing Examination.

Disclaimer: Criminal background, conviction of a felony or misdemeanor may affect the ability to be licensed in New York State.

HEGIS Code 5209.20

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Program Content

Anatomy and Physiology

• This course provides students with information about the body structures and functions. Students use models and notes to study the body and its functions.

Microbiology

• Students learn about infectious agents, their processes, and how to prevent the spread of infection. 

Nutrition

• This course teaches the importance of food both personally for health maintenance and for the treatment of disease.

Fundamental Skills of Nursing Practice

• This course develops basic nursing care skills and integrates interventions for clients. 

Growth and Development

• This course is designed to assist students to gather the knowledge and skills necessary when providing care to clients of varying ages. The clinical experience occurs in nursing homes (Finger Lakes Center for Living and The Commons at St. Anthony) and other community agencies (Auburn Community Hospital and local schools). 

Pharmacology

• This course provides students with knowledge and skills related to medication administration. Medication actions are correlated with the diseases and body systems.
• Students are required to pass a Drug Dosing Exam with a 100% in order to continue through the program.

Medical Surgical Nursing

• This course deals with diseases and disorders of the various body systems. It is taught in units according to each body system. Nutrition, Pharmacology, and Pediatric conditions are integrated into this course. 

Mental Health Nursing

• This course deals with caring for clients with mental illness and supporting the mental health of clients. Clinical experience is provided in different areas of Auburn Community Hospital.

Pediatric Nursing

• Students learn about conditions of infants and children including medication administration and nursing procedures specifically aimed at children. 

Gerontology

• This course is designed to assist the student to identify and meet the needs of the elderly client.

Program Schedule

The Practical Nursing program is offered once a year and classes are scheduled from August to July. Students participate in classroom and clinical experiences Tuesday through Friday.

First Week in August Through Mid-October Schedule
Tuesday through Friday
Lab Days
8 am - 3:30 pm
Location is The Center for Learning,
12 Allen Street, Auburn, NY 13021

Mondays (not a required day)
Study groups, laboratory remediation
(By appointment or scheduled session)
Location is The Center for Learning

Mid-October through July Schedule
Clinical Days
7:00 am - 2:30 pm

Theory Days
8:00 am - 3:30 pm

NOTE: The practical nursing calendar does NOT follow the county school calendar.

The program offers 606 hours of theory instruction with the option for remediation on Mondays, 101 hours of laboratory experiences, and 504 hours of clinical hours. Clinical experiences progress from basic care in Local Nursing Homes to Acute Care at Auburn Community Hospital. Additionally, students are given the opportunity to explore other areas of interest in local physician’s offices, some home care services, dialysis, obstetrics and mental health. Each unit of instruction is evaluated with written multiple choice examinations. Students are evaluated daily in the clinical areas. Expected skills will progress from simple tasks to more complex ones. Some clinical observations have different hours.

Program Prerequisites

• Completion of the application process.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum scores for TEAS overall is 52%. The reading comprehension minimum score is 62% and the science minimum is 32%. Any applicant who does not meet minimum scores will be given one opportunity to retake the test at an additional cost. Must be taken at Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES Campus. 
• Students accepted into the program must reach age 18 prior to the date of graduation.
• Students are required to have American Heart Association CPR (at their own expense) for the health care provider prior to entering any clinical agency (September). Classes are available for accepted students. 

Application Information

Admission Deadlines:

Early Acceptance:

   Application Deadline is Friday, March 27, 2026.

    *Application, processing fee, all references, transcripts and pre-admission testing are due by this date.

Final Acceptance:

    Application Deadline is Friday, May 22, 2026.

    *Application, processing fee, all references, transcripts and pre-admission testing are due by this date.

** The following forms are required for an application to be considered complete:

• Informational Session
• Application
• Pre-Admissions Testing
• Reference Letters (3)
• Transcipts

Graduation Rates