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Practical Nursing Diploma - (D45660)

The Practical Nursing curriculum provides knowledge and skills to integrate safety and quality into nursing care to meet the needs of the holistic individual which impact health, quality of life, and achievement of potential.

Course work includes and builds upon the domains of healthcare, nursing practice, and the holistic individual. Content emphasizes safe, individualized nursing care and participation in the interdisciplinary team while employing evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and informatics.

Graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) which is required for practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Employment opportunities include hospitals, rehabilitation/long term care/home health facilities, clinics, and physicians’ offices.

General Admission Requirements

  1. Detailed current information for interested applicants is located on the RCC website. Applicants must submit all required documentation by established deadlines detailed on the Practical Nursing program acceptance time line.
  2. Students must be able to fulfill all Program Technical Standards as outlined in the health sciences admission policy.
  3. Students are required to attend one Nursing Information Session in the application period.
  4. Complete minimum admission requirements by the specified date on the RCC website.
  5. Admission to all RCC Health Science programs is a competitive process. Applicants are evaluated based upon academic performance.
  6. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in nursing general education courses by the published deadline date for submitting Candidate Review Forms to the Admissions Office. Applicants not meeting the cumulative GPA requirements will not be reviewed by the program area for admission.
  7. Students must successfully complete the following courses with a “C” or higher before admission to the PN Program:

    BIO 168, BIO 169, CHM 131/CHM 131A or CHM 151 and certification of completion of Nurse Aide I and current listing on NC Registry with no substantiated findings.

  8. Students must successfully complete the following courses with a “C” or higher for the Practical Nursing Program:

    ENG 111 and PSY 150.

  9. All transcripts must be on file in the Admissions Office in order for a student to be considered for admission.
  10. A competitive ATI TEAS score will be required for consideration/acceptance into the Nursing program. All fees associated with the ATI TEAS exam are the responsibility of the student.
  11. Upon program acceptance, students must submit to a background check, drug screening and medical review/screen to include physical examination and immunizations. All fees associated with background check, drug screen and medical review are the responsibility of the student.
  12. It is the student’s responsibility to review all program materials and stay current with program requirements, policies and procedures.

Practical Nursing Program

Plan of Study

Required

Program Prerequisites: Students admitted to the Practical Nursing must successfully complete the following courses with a “C” or higher prior to enrolling in the first nursing [NUR] class and Certification of completion of Nurse Aide I and current listing on the NC Registry without substantive findings.

Course NumberCourse TitleCredits
BIO 168Anatomy and Physiology I

4

BIO 169Anatomy and Physiology II

4

 

CHM 131Introduction to Chemistry

3

CHM 131AIntroduction to Chemistry Lab

1

 

Or

 

CHM 151General Chemistry I

4

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse TitleCredits
ENG 111Writing and Inquiry

3

NUR 101Practical Nursing I

11

Total Credit Hours:14

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse TitleCredits
NUR 102Practical Nursing II

10

PSY 150General Psychology

3

Total Credit Hours:13

Summer Semester

Course NumberCourse TitleCredits
NUR 103Practical Nursing III

9

Total Credit Hours:9

Total Credit Hours: 48

Practical Nursing Program Costs

Practical Nursing program students should be prepared to incur additional expenses beyond tuition and college fees.

Outlined below are estimated expenses and are subject to change:

Medical Exam $100
Immunizations (which includes but not limited to Hep B, TB, Flu, childhood immunizations) $300
Drug Screen and Background Check $101
Uniforms for Clinical and Lab $200
1 pair bandage scissors, 1 pair hemostats, pen light, 3-color pen, 1 stethoscope, 1 sphygmomanometer $100
1 pair shoes (white leather) $50-75
Watch with second hand; military time preferred $25
Program Resources
   Online Educational services
   NCLEX Review
$1,974

Accident Insurance $6
CPR Certification $50
Nursing Pin, Lamp, and Cap (optional) $75
Malpractice Insurance $48
Nursing Lab Kit $186
Certification Exam
   (National Council Licensure Exam, NCLEX-PN)
$300