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Practical Nursing Diploma Program
The Practical Nursing program is designed to prepare students to write the NCLEX-PN for licensure as practical nurses. The program prepares graduates to give competent nursing care. This is done through a selected number of academic and occupational courses providing a variety of techniques and materials necessary to assist the student in acquiring the needed knowledge and skills to give competent care. A variety of clinical experiences are planned so that theory and practice are integrated under the guidance of the clinical instructor. Program graduates receive a practical nursing diploma and have the qualifications of an entry-level practical nurse.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Graduates from this program will have a variety of employment opportunities awaiting them. After successfully passing the licensure exam, graduate nurses can work in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and physician offices.
LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION
After successful completion of the Practical Nursing program, a graduate will apply to sit for the licensure exam. When this exam is passed, the graduate will receive a license to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the state of Georgia.
ADMISSIONS CRITERIA
- Submit a completed application and application fee;
- Be at least 17 years of age;
- Submit official high school transcript or GED transcript;
- Submit official college transcripts, if applicable;
- Meet the following assessment requirements:
Test Reading Writing Numerical Algebra ASSET 38 35 35 COMPASS 70 23 26 SAT 430 400 ACT 18 16 CPE 75 75 75 - Complete the following courses with a grade of "C" or better with a GPA of at least 3.0:
Course Hours AHS 101 Anatomy and Physiology (OL) 5 AHS 104 Introduction to Health Care 3 AHS 109 Medical Terminology (OL) 3 SCT 100 Introduction to Microcomputers (OL) 3 ENG 101 English (OL) 5 MAT 101 General Math (OL) 5 PSY 101 Psychology (OL) 5 - Complete the PSB Aptitude Exam for Practical Nursing and score in the 25th percentile in each section of the test.
Students must complete 3 out of the 7 courses listed above prior to taking the PSB Aptitude Exam for Practical Nursing. Students are not required, but are strongly encouraged to take AHS 101, AHS 109, and AHS 104 prior to scheduling the exam. It is the student's responsibility to contact the Admissions Office when 3 of the 7 courses have been completed.
Selection into the Practical Nursing program is a competitive process. All applicants who have met the minimum requirements for admission will be rated by test scores and other quantitative terms within the admission process.
Upon notification by your instructor, you must complete these necessary forms:
- Verification of birth;
- Medical History form;
- Health Exam and a #4402 Forensic Drug Panel (7) or similar drug screening;
- Criminal Background Check;
- Affidavit of Non-Drug Dependency/Felony Conviction;
- Hepatitis B Consent or Declination Form; and
- Immunization Forms (TB Skin Test, Tetanus Vaccination, Rubella Vaccinations, Varicella Vaccinations)
PRACTICAL NURSING CURRICULUM
Once a student has met the criteria above, then he/she will follow the sequence of Practical Nursing Practice courses outlined below. The standard curriculum for the Practical Nursing program is designed for the quarter system. After completing the 7 classes listed above, the program generally takes 4 quarters to complete. To graduate, students must earn a minimum of 95 credit hours. Students may enter the Vidalia campus program Fall and Spring quarters (daytime only). Students may enter the Glennville campus program Winter Quarter.
| CURRICULUM OUTLINE | CREDITS | |
|---|---|---|
| GENERAL CORE COURSES | 15 | |
| ENG 101* | English (OL) | 5 |
| MAT 101* | General Math** (OL) | 5 |
| PSY 101* | Psychology (OL) | 5 |
| OCCUPATIONAL COURSES | 77 | |
| AHS 101* | Anatomy and Physiology (OL) | 5 |
| AHS 102* | Drug Calculation and Administration | 3 |
| AHS 103* | Nutrition & Diet Therapy | 2 |
| AHS 104* | Introduction to Health Care | 3 |
| AHS 109* | Medical Terminology (OL) | 3 |
| NPT 112* | Medical-Surgical Nursing I Practicum | 7 |
| NPT 113* | Medical-Surgical Nursing II Practicum | 7 |
| NPT 212* | Pediatric Practicum | 2 |
| NPT 213* | Obstetrical Practicum | 3 |
| NPT 215* | Leadership Practicum | 2 |
| NSG 110* | Nursing Fundamentals | 10 |
| NSG 112* | Medical-Surgical Nursing I | 9 |
| NSG 113* | Medical-Surgical Nursing II | 9 |
| NSG 212* | Pediatric Nursing | 5 |
| NSG 213* | Obstetrical Nursing | 5 |
| NSG 215* | Nursing Leadership (OL) | 2 |
| FUNDAMENTAL OCCUPATIONAL COURSES | 3 | |
| SCT 100* | Introduction to Microcomputers (OL) | 3 |
* "C" or higher is required for designated courses.
** MAT 101, General Math, is a requirement for this program. MAT 101 contains competencies essential for this program, therefore, MAT 103, Algebra, cannot be accepted for MAT 101
(OL) designation indicates course is available online in selected quarters.
PROGRAM COSTS
(Costs are estimates and are subject to change.)
Tuition/Fees: $2,718
Books/Supplies: $1,200
Uniform Costs: $200
Liability Insurance: $12 per year
Licensure Exam: $240
Physical Exam: $100
Varicella titer: $62
Or
Varicella immunizations $160
#4402 Forensic Drug Panel (7) or similar screening: $25
Criminal Background Check: $10
TB Test: $20
Hepatitis B Series: $264
Tetanus Vaccination: $20
ATI Testing Fees: $154
Mandatory NCLEX Review Class: $210
STC Practical Nursing pin: $65
SPECIAL PROGRAM FEATURES
The Georgia Board of Nursing decides if a graduate will sit for the licensure exam. An extensive application from the graduate will be submitted to the board, including any information on prior felony convictions, which will be kept confidential.
CLINICAL EDUCATION
Number of Clinical Sites: Approximately 20
General Location of the Clinical Sites:
Toombs, Montgomery, and Tattnall counties.
Special Requirements of the Clinical Sites:
Special requirements of the Georgia Board of Nursing as well as Clinical Sites include: a physical exam along with blood work, up-to-date immunization records, drug screen, and criminal background check are required in order to attend clinical. Successful completion and current American Heart Association CPR status is also required.
Clinical Education Courses
Each nursing quarter requires successful completion of the designated theory class for that quarter before a student can attend the clinical part of the program. Clinicals are designed to give the student a real-life work experience of a Licensed Practical Nurse in a specific medical setting.
| Clinical Education Courses include: | Hours: | |
|---|---|---|
| NPT 110 | Nursing Fundamentals | 60 |
| NPT 112 | Medical-Surgical Nursing I Practicum | 210 |
| NPT 113 | Medical-Surgical Nursing II Practicum | 210 |
| NPT 212 | Pediatric Nursing Practicum | 60 |
| NPT 213 | Obstetric Nursing Practicum | 90 |
| NPT 215 | Nursing Leadership Practicum | 70 |
There are specific rules and guidelines that must be followed in order to successfully pass each clinical course. Clinical attendance is strict and must be followed because these rules are set in place by the Georgia Board of Nursing. Any missed days of clinical must be made up.
Clinical Assignments
Clinicals usually begin at 6:30 a.m., but may be earlier or later depending on the individual clinical sites. Students are required by the Georgia Board of Nursing to spend a set amount of time in each clinical area designated by the Board. The students are responsible for their own transportation to the site.
Readmission to the Practical Nursing Program
Students dropped from the Practical Nursing program may be allowed to repeat a course(s) one time only. Also, a student may repeat only one quarter within the Practical Nursing curriculum.
A student can only be readmitted to the Practical Nursing Program if the following criteria are met:
- The student can not exceed 24 months from the start date to the completion date of the entire nursing program.
- The student left the program in good academic standing (W, WP, or "C" or better in all nursing program classes).
- The student work ethic grade in all courses completed or in progress was a "2" or higher when he/she left the nursing program.
- The student did not violate clinical policies resulting in dismissal from the program.
- If space is available in the nursing program.
If all criteria are met, the student must then complete the following tasks before being readmitted to the Practical Nursing Program:
- Take a comprehensive written exam on all previous nursing courses that were completed and make a minimum score of 80 on all exams.
- Properly demonstrate a variety of clinical skills check-offs from the previous nursing courses that were completed.