Practical Nursing, Certificate

The Practical Nursing program is a one-year (12 month) certificate program designed to prepare students to demonstrate competency in providing nursing care in a variety of health care settings and for employment as licensed practical nurses. Students must meet all admission criteria prior to being admitted to the nursing program.

Application to the Practical Nursing Program

• Apply to Northwest State Community College
• Apply to the Practical Nursing Program (separate application)
• Submit official high school transcript and other college transcripts

Admission to The Practical Nursing Program

Admission criteria must be met in order to obtain a seat in the nursing program. Once admitted through the nursing admission process, students are given the first available seat in the nursing program.

Admission criteria includes:

• High school graduate or GED
• College GPA > 2.25
• Test into college level English, Math, and reading per ACT or ACCUPLACER or take recommended courses
• High school Biology and Chemistry with labs with a final grade of “C” or “C” from an unaccredited high school and an ACT science score > 20, or BIO 101  or equivalent college course with “C” or better

Courses required for admission cannot be repeated for a satisfactory grade more than one time.

Upon Acceptance

The applicant must submit: Nursing Acceptance deposit fee ($100.00) to hold a seat in the assigned nursing cohort.

Following acceptance into the program and prior to beginning PNE 120  clinical, students must meet health and immunization requirements and obtain CPR by taking the American Heart Association CPR Professional Level BLS and be a state tested certified nursing assistant- STNA. A BCI/FBI criminal background check must be completed 6 to 8 weeks prior to beginning the program. A drug screen is prior to beginning the program. Students must submit all requirements by due dates to retain their seats in the Nursing program.

Program Learning Outcomes

Learners will be able to:

1. Apply knowledge from the biological, physical, behavioral, and nursing sciences in providing individualized, safe, effective nursing care in structured, predictable settings.
2. Participate in the nursing process to provide individualized nursing care to patients across the life span and health continuum.
3. Utilize therapeutic communication and interpersonal skills with patients, families, colleagues, and other members of the health care team.
4. Provide nursing care which values the worth and dignity of each patient.
5. Practice within the role of the Practical Nurse according to established legal and ethical guidelines.
6. Demonstrate accountability for own nursing practice in all areas of the health care delivery system.
7. Demonstrate responsibility for continued life-long learning and growth in nursing practice.

Career Outlook for LPNs

Employment of licensed practical nurses is projected to increase 9 percent from 2020 to 2030. Factors stimulating growth for licensed practical nurses include (1) an increased emphasis on healthcare delivery in the home; and (2) increased residential care for aging population.