Practical Nursing, CC

Division of Health Professions

The Practical Nursing Certificate Program is full-time and 12 months in length. It prepares the student to provide direct client care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, licensed physician or licensed dentist. The graduate will participate in assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care in cooperation with other members of the health care team. Upon graduation students are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN licensing examination. The Associate Degree Nursing program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and Practical Nurse Program is on provisional approval status by the State Board of Nursing.

Both programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. For more information regarding the ACEN, contact 3343 Peachtree Road, NE Suite 850, Atlanta, Georgia 30326, 404-975-5000

Program Competencies

Upon successful completion of this program, the student should be able to:

Provide safe nursing care along with physical comfort and psychological and spiritual support by utilizing the nursing process.
Practice effective communication techniques in settings with clients, clients’ families and members of the health care team.
Seek self-improvement and growth by active participation in education and career development.
Function within the legal and ethical parameters of the law governing practical nursing.

New students for this program will be placed into the Health Science Transfer program until they have been admitted through the selective admissions process into the clinical program. Please visit our Enrollment Information page for details on the Selective Admissions process for the Practical Nursing program.

Gainful Employment Information

Gainful employment information is intended to provide students with better information about the effectiveness of college programs in preparing students for careers. Information provided includes estimated program costs and time needed to complete the program, financing options and related careers.

View our latest gainful employment information on our website.

Required Program of Study

General Education Requirements (6 Credit Hours)

COM 121 - English Composition I 3 Credit Hours
PSY 130 - General Psychology 3 Credit Hours

Major Requirements (42 Credit Hours)

PNP 101 - Practical Nursing I 13 Credit Hours
PNP 102 - Practical Nursing II 13 Credit Hours
PNP 103 - Practical Nursing III 13 Credit Hours
PNP 110 - Body Structure & Function 3 Credit Hours

Additional Information

The PNP is a full-time day program only.

Students must have a GPA of 2.5 or above to apply to and be accepted to the Practical Nurse Program.

Math skills will be tested in the Spring Semester. Students must pass the math exam with an 85% or above to progress in the program.

* Students may waive ORI 103 and COM 031 if they have completed 24 college credits.

** Students possessing a high school-level biology and/or chemistry course (with lab) with a “C” grade or better will satisfy this/these course prerequisites if completed within 5 years of program start date.

*** Students have the option of taking BIO 250 - Anatomy & Physiology I and BIO 255 - Anatomy & Physiology II as their requirement for PNP 110 - Body Structure & Function . These courses must be completed within five years of the start date into the Practical Nursing Program. Students that have chosen this option would have PNP 110 - Body Structure & Function waived.

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