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Area of Study

Nursing

Practical Nursing Certificate Exit Option

TOTAL CREDITS
54
CIP:
513801
BANNER:
PN2
Certificate

Practical Nurses are the entry level position into the nursing profession and work under the direction of a register nurse (RN) or physician.  Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) provide hands on care such as medication administration, wound care, administering feeding via a feeding tube, nasogastric tube insertion and care and bladder cauterizations and care.

Practical nurses are trained to give basic bedside nursing care in a variety of settings including home care agencies, clinics and long-term care facilities under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician. 

The practical nursing certificate can be awarded to a student who completes the first year of the two-year associate degree program and takes an additional course in the summer, NUR1069 (169) Transition into Practical Nursing. This certificate in practical nursing is awarded with a grade of “C” or better in all required course work.  After receiving the certificate of Practical Nursing the student is eligible to take the NCLEX-PN exam (state board exam) to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

Prerequisites

Total Credits 15-17
Course Number Course Title Credits Details
ENG121ENG1021
English Composition I:GT-CO1 3

Emphasizes planning, writing, and editing/revisions of compositions, coupled with development of critical and logical thinking skills. This course includes a minimum of five compositions that stress analytical, evaluative, and persuasive/argumentative writing. This is a Statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO1 category. Prerequisite: College Readiness in English. (3-0)

BIO201BIO2101
Human Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab: GT-SC1 4

Focuses on an integrated study of the human body including the histology, anatomy, and physiology of each system. Examines molecular, cellular, and tissue levels of organization plus integuments, skeletal, articulations, muscular, and nervous systems. Includes a mandatory hands-on laboratory experience covering microscopy, observations, and dissection. This is the first semester of a two semester sequence. This is a Statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SC1 category. Prerequisite: Successful completion of BIO1111 with a "C" grade or better, OR BIO1004 with a "C" grade or better, OR BIO1006 with a "C" grade or better, OR instructor approval. (3-2)

BIO202BIO2102
Human Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab: GT-SC1 4

Focuses on the integrated study of the human body and the histology, anatomy, and physiology of the following systems and topics: endocrine, cardiovascular, hematology, lymphatic and immune, urinary, fluid and electrolyte control, digestive, nutrition, respiratory, reproductive, and development. Includes a mandatory hands-on laboratory experience involving microscopy, observations, and dissection. Prerequisite: Successful completion of BIO 2101 with a "C" grade or better. This is a Statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SC1 category. (3-2)

PSY235PSY2440
Human Growth & Development: GT-SS3 3

Examines human development from conception through death emphasizing physical, cognitive, emotional and psychosocial factors. This is a Statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS3 category. Prerequisite: College Readiness in English. (3-0)

Also choose one of the following courses.

HPR108HPR1010
Dietary Nutrition 1

Studies the basic nutritional principles in clinical practice in health care. The course will cover factors which influence the nutritional status of individuals, methods of nutritional assessment and support, and diet modification for specific disease states. (1-0)

HWE100HWE1050
Human Nutrition 3

Introduces basic principles of nutrition with emphasis on personal nutrition. This course focuses on macro and micro nutrients and their effects on the functions of the human body. Special emphasis is placed on the application of wellness, disease, and lifespan as it pertains to nutrition. (3-0)

Fall First Year

Total Credits 15-16

Take 3 credits of Social and Behavioral Science.

BIO2104 (BIO204) and MAT can be completed prior to entry.

Course Number Course Title Credits Details
NUR109NUR1009
Fundamentals of Nursing 6

Fundamentals of Nursing NUR1009 introduces the fundamental concepts necessary for safe, patient-centered nursing care to a diverse patient population while integrating legal and ethical responsibilities of the nurse. Introduces caring, critical thinking, the nursing process, quality improvement, and communication used when interacting with patients and members of the interdisciplinary team, and relates evidence-based nursing practice. Application of knowledge and skills occurs in the nursing skills laboratory and a variety of clinical settings providing care to stable patients with common health alterations. Prerequisite: Acceptance into ADN program. (Theory: 2cr= 30 contact hours; Lab: 2cr= 90 contact hours; Clinical: 2cr= 90 contact hours) (2-2-2)

NUR112NUR1012
Basic Concepts of Pharmacology 2

Overview of the basic principles of pharmacology including major drug classifications and prototypes of commonly used medications. Principles of medication administration include aspects of best practice for safe, quality, patient-centered care. Central points include safety, quality improvement factors in the administration of medications, patient teaching, and variation encountered when administering medications to diverse patient populations across the lifespan. Prerequisite: Acceptance into ADN program. (Theory: 2cr= 30 contact hours) (2-0-0)

BIO204BIO2104
Microbiology with Lab: GT-SC1 4

Covers the diversity of microorganisms, their structure, physiology, and the identification process. There is an emphasis on microorganisms that cause infectious disease and the process of infection, host immune responses, and methods to control microorganisms. Laboratory experiences include culturing, identifying, and controlling microorganisms. This course is designed for students pursuing a health science field. This is a Statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SC1 categoryPrerequisite: Successful completion of BIO1111 with a "C" grade or better, OR instructor approval. (3-3)

Also choose one of the following courses.

MAT103MAT1120
Math for Clinical Calculations 3

Covers the mathematical calculations needed for enteral and parenteral medication administration. It is designed for students in the health disciplines. Topics include measurements, conversion between various systems of measurements, and methods of solving problems related to drug dosage and medication administration. Prerequisite: Successful completion of MAT0250 or MAT0300 with a "C" grade or better or appropriate placement scores. (3-0)

MAT135MAT1260
Introduction to Statistics: GT-MA1 3

Introduces descriptive and inferential statistics, with an emphasis on critical thinking and statistical literacy. Topics include methods of data collection, presentation and summarization, introduction to probability concepts and distributions, and statistical inference of one and two populations. This course uses real world data to illustrate applications of a practical nature. This is a Statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-MA1 category. Prerequisite: Successful completion of MAT0250 or MAT0300 with a "C" grade or better or appropriate placement scores. (3-0) A.A. & A.G.S. Degrees only.

MAT121MAT1340
College Algebra: GT-MA1 4

Focuses on a variety of functions and exploration of their graphs. Topics include: equations and inequalities, operations on functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, linear and non-linear systems and an introduction to conic sections. This course provides essential skills for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) pathways.  This is a Statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-MA1 category. Prerequisite: Successful completion of MAT0300 with a "C" grade or better OR appropriate placement score. (4-0)

Spring First Year

Total Credits 17
Course Number Course Title Credits Details
NUR150NUR1050
Maternal - Child Nursing 6

NUR1050 provides for the acquisition of maternal/child nursing theory as well as application of mental health concepts, communication, collaboration, caring, and critical thinking/clinical reasoning necessary for safe, family centered nursing care to childbearing families and children that is developmentally and culturally appropriate. Incorporates evidence-based practice, standards of practice, quality improvement, and legal and ethical responsibilities of the nurse. Application of knowledge and skills occurs in the nursing skills laboratory and in a variety of maternal/child and pediatric clinical settings. Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of first semester of the ADN program. Satisfactory completion of BIO2104, MAT1120, or higher level math course, and social science elective. Student must also have completed or be enrolled in BIO2116. Successful completion of preceding required program course work. (Theory: 3.3cr= 49.5 contact hours; Lab: 0.7cr= 31.5 contact hours; Clinical: 2cr= 90 contact hours) (3.3-0.7-2)

NUR106NUR1006
Medical Surgical Concepts 7

NUR1006 is the first medical/surgical nursing course. Building on NUR1009, this course provides for the acquisition of basic medical/surgical nursing theory, as well as application of mental health concepts, communication, collaboration, caring, and critical thinking/clinical reasoning necessary for safe, patient-centered care to a developmentally and culturally diverse adult patient population experiencing various medical/surgical interventions. Incorporates evidence-based practice, quality improvement, professional standards, and legal and ethical responsibilities of the nurse. Application of knowledge and skills occurs in the nursing skills laboratory and a variety of clinical settings. Prerequisite: Successful completion of first semester of the ADN program. Satisfactory completion of BIO2104, MAT1120, or higher level math course, and social science elective. Student must also have completed or be enrolled in BIO2116. Successful completion of preceding required program course work. (Theory: 3.4cr= 51 contact hours; Lab: 0.3cr= 13.5 contact hours; Clinical: 3.3cr= 148.5 contact hours) (3.4-0.3-3.3)

BIO216BIO2116
Human Pathophysiology 4

Focuses on the alterations in physiological, cellular, biochemical processes, the associated homeostatic responses, and the manifestations of disease. Prior knowledge of cellular biology, anatomy, and physiology is essential for the study of pathophysiology. Prerequisite: Successful completion of BIO2101 with a "C" grade or better and Prerequisite or Co-requisite: BIO2102 (4-0)

Summer Term

Total Credits 4
Course Number Course Title Credits Details
NUR169NUR1069
Transition Into Practical Nursing 4

Facilitates the transition into the role of the practical nurse with emphasis on distinguishing the defined practical nurse scope of practice related to clinical practice, communication, nursing process, ethical/legal issues, and leadership skills. The student practices in the role of the practical nurse in the associated clinical experience.