Program Description
This program is designed for students wanting to complete a Certificate in Practical Nursing and enter the workforce. Students explore knowledge and skills of safe patient-centered nursing care. This program is for students whose primary goal is practical nursing to assist in providing general nursing care under the direction of a registered nurse, physician, or dentist. The program prepares students for careers in long term care facilities, clinics, home care, doctors' offices, and some hospitals. Graduates of the program receive a certificate in practical nursing and are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (PN NCLEX®).
Learn more about this program.
What You Will Learn
Upon completion of the program you will be able to:
1. Provide safe, quality, person-centered nursing care in a variety of healthcare settings considering basic research, evidence, and patient preferences as the basis for care
2. Engage in critical thinking and clinical judgment, within the practical nurse scope of practice, to make person-centered care decisions
3. Participate in performance improvement/quality improvement activities to improve patient care
4. Collaborate with healthcare team members, the patient, and the patient's support persons to facilitate effective patient care
5. Use information technology to support and communicate the planning and provision of patient care
6. Manage care in a variety of healthcare settings for diverse patient populations through the process of planning, organizing, and directing
7. Function within the scope of practice of the Practical Nurse incorporating professional, legal, and ethical guidelines
8. Promote a culture of caring to provide support, compassion, and culturally competent, holistic care
My Academic Plan
Courses are displayed in a part-time start, full-time finish sequence. Follow the pathway below to complete your certificate. This pathway may be accelerated by applying transfer credit, credit for prior learning, and/or completing one or more additional courses each semester. For more information please see your Academic Advisor.
Spring or Summer Semester 1
| A & P | Anatomy and Physiology (BIO 1006 or BIO 2101 or BIO 2102) | 4 |
| ENG 1021 | English Composition I: GT-CO1 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 7 |
Semester Note: First Semester courses are required and must be taken prior to program admittance. You should complete the Practical Nursing Program application process prior to declaring as a Practical Nursing student and take Semester 2 and Semester 3 as a full-time Practical Nursing student.
Fall Semester 2
| NUR 1001 | Pharmacology Calculations | 1 |
| NUR 1002 | Alterations in Adult Health I | 4 |
| NUR 1003 | Basic Health Assessment for the Practical Nurse | 1 |
| NUR 1005 | Practical Nursing Arts & Skills | 6 |
| NUR 1010 | Pharmacology for Practical Nursing | 3 |
| NUR 1016 | Basic Concepts of Geriatric Nursing | 1 |
| NUR 1070 | Clinical I | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 19 |
Semester Note: You must complete this program as a full-time nursing student beginning in Semester 2. Contact an advisor regarding your scheduling needs.
Spring Semester 3