Practical Nursing

The Practical Nursing Program is a 1545 hours twelve months FT program that prepares students to provide direct nursing care with a holistic approach to clients of all ages and to function in  the role of the LPN upon licensure. Practical nurses practice under the supervision of registered nurses, advanced practice nurses, licensed physicians or dentists.

Practical Nursing Program – Diploma

• Delivery: In person
• Total Hours: 1545
• Class Schedule: Days, Monday – Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Practical Nursing Program Objective

To prepare graduates with the knowledge, skills, and attitude to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN), to gain entry-level employment as a licensed practical nurse (LPN), to function safely and effectively within the licensed practical nurse role and scope of practice, and to provide competent, high quality nursing care through use of sound clinical reasoning.

Practical Nursing Program Description

The Practical Nursing Program is comprised of 1545 hours of instruction completed over a

12-month period. The curriculum is divided into three levels:

1. Level 1 consists of the first sixteen weeks which include Anatomy and Physiology, Nutrition, Personal Health and Vocational Relationships, and- Fundamentals of Nursing. The Fundamentals of Nursing course contains 400 hours of instruction, including 280 hours of fundamentals of nursing clinical experience where students provide direct patient care in a long-term care environment.
2. Level II consists of fifteen weeks which include Pharmacology, Intravenous Therapy and Medication Administration, Human Growth and Development, and Medical-Surgical Nursing I. In addition to studying the path physiologic principles and nursing care related to specific adult medical and surgical disorders, Medical-Surgical Nursing I also includes didactic and clinical experience in Mental Health.
3. Level III consists of the remaining fourteen weeks of the program, where students continue to learn the nursing care of medical and surgical patients. Level III also includes a course in Maternity and Pediatrics Nursing, where students learn about the role of the practical nurse in providing nursing care for mothers and pediatric patients and their families. The clinical experience in Level III includes participation in maternal and pediatric nursing clinical, where students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a safe clinical environment.

Upon program completion, graduates is eligible to apply to the State Board of Nursing to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN).

Practical Nursing Program Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the program, the graduate will:

1. Utilize scientific knowledge and evidence to practice specialized nursing skills and guide nursing judgement, critical decision-making, and safe patient-centered care.
2. Demonstrate professional nursing practice incorporating self-accountability, effective communication, competence, and life-long learning.
3. Collaborate as a member of the multidisciplinary healthcare team that implements patient-centered care.
4. Create a culture of holistic caring that values the inclusion of humanism, diversity, community, family, spiritualism and respect in the delivery of patient-centered care across the lifespan.
5. Employ safe nursing care that upholds legal and ethical principles framed by the practical nursing scope of practice.

 Practical Nursing Program Course Descriptions

LEVEL I –

PN101 Anatomy and Physiology:

This course equips practical nursing students with fundamental concepts related to the structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) of the human body, utilizing a body systems approach. Scientific principles of the anatomical structure and natural functions of the human body support the theoretical foundation for subsequent nursing courses and skills development.

PN102  Personal Health and Vocational Relationships.

The purpose of this course is to provide the student with the fundamental information needed to make necessary personal and professional adjustments inherent in the development as a practical nurse. Students learn effective study skills, time and stress management techniques, the importance of maintaining good physical health and personal hygiene, and communication skills needed to achieve a balance between personal and professional life.

PN103 Nutrition and Diet Therapy

This course provides practical nursing students with an overview of the principles of recommended nutrition and the relationship of good nutritional habits to the maintenance of health. Students learn about the impact of social, cultural, and economic influences on diet and nutrition in our society, and the varying nutritional needs of patients throughout their lifespan. This course also includes the utilization of therapeutic diets and helping patients meet their dietary goals to enhance their nutritional status and overall health.

PN104 Fundamentals of Nursing

This course provides the beginning nursing student with a fundamental knowledge base for the principles of nursing, and teaches students basic nursing skills necessary for the delivery of safe patient-centered nursing care. The concept of the nursing process is introduced as it relates to the development of patient-centered nursing actions and the promotion and maintenance of health.

LEVEL II –

PN201 Intravenous Therapy and Medication Administration

This course provides the theoretical and practical components of safely administering intravenous therapy and medications within the licensed practical nursing scope of practice. The course content includes indications for intravenous therapy; the preparation, administration, maintenance, monitoring, and discontinuation of intravenous therapy; nursing care of patients before, during, and after intravenous treatment; intravenous fluid dosage and flow/drip rate calculations; and the role of the practical nurse in regard to blood transfusions.

PN202 Human Growth and Development

This course provides the practical nursing student with the fundamental principles of human growth and development, from fetal development and infancy through the various life stages to older adulthood. Students learn the basic psychological, biological, behavioral, cognitive, and cultural principles which influence growth and development of the individual throughout the lifespan.

PN203 Medical-Surgical Nursing I

This course presents the path pathophysiologic principles and application of the nursing process related to specific adult medical and surgical disorders. Building on the knowledge acquired in previous courses, the nursing process is utilized to identify the needs of patients with more common adult disorders and the role of the practical nurse in the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health

PN204 Pharmacology

This course introduces practical nursing students to the study of pharmacology and the effects of drugs on the human body. Students learn about the actions of selected medications, the indications for use of these medications in the treatment of specific conditions, and the roles and responsibilities of the practical nurse in the preparation and administration of medication to patients. This course includes a basic review of mathematics, metric and household measurement systems, and techniques for calculating medication dosages in children and adults.

LEVEL III –

PN301 Medical-Surgical Nursing II

This course is a continuation of Medical-Surgical Nursing I. The course presents the pathophysiologic principles and application of the nursing process related to specific adult medical and surgical disorders. Building on the knowledge acquired in previous courses, the nursing process is utilized to identify the basic needs of patients with more common adult disorders and the role of the practical nurse in the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health.

PN302 Maternity/Pediatrics

This course aims to familiarize students with the role of the practical nurse in meeting the needs of maternal and child patients. Students study topics related to maternity including pregnancy, labor and delivery, post-partum care, and complications of pregnancy. The pediatric component of this course focuses on the care of children in all phases of development including neonatal, infancy, childhood, and adolescence.