Practical Nursing - Diploma
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 interprofessional 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.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Practical Nursing Program, the graduate should be able to:
- Participate in evaluating the concepts of the holistic individual and client response which promote human flourishing in the promotion of health, wellness, illness, quality of life, and the achievement of potential.
- Participate in the nursing process to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate client centered care as a means to problem solve and think critically while providing rationales for judgments.
- Participate in providing nursing care from an established plan of care based on evidence-based practices to clients at various stages of growth and development based on biophysical, psychosocial, and cultural needs while assisting them to attain their highest level of wellness.
- Utilize informatics to access, manage, and communicate client information.
- Interact effectively within the context of a caring therapeutic relationship with clients and families in need of health care.
- Collaborate with the interprofessional healthcare team to provide safe competent nursing care in a cost-effective manner.
- Delegate appropriate tasks as well as validate task completion according to established standards of practice and the Practical Nursing scope of practice.
- Participate in quality improvement by evaluating the client’s response to the interventions, by identifying hazards and errors and by suggesting to the registered nurse changes to improve the client care process.
- Practice within the ethical, legal, and regulatory frameworks of professional behaviors and identity within the healthcare system.
- Assume responsibility for continued learning and self-development.
- Integrate a spirit of inquiry in clinical nursing practice and learning.
Practical Nursing Checklist
Fall Semester I
| ACA-122 | College Transfer Success | 0 | | 0 | 1 |
| NUR-101 | Practical Nursing I | 7 | | 6 | 11 |
| BIO-168 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 | | 0 | 4 |
| PSY-150 | General Psychology | 3 | | 0 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 19 |
Spring Semester I
| NUR-102 | Practical Nursing II | 7 | | 9 | 10 |
| BIO-169 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 | | 0 | 4 |
| ENG-111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3 | | 0 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Summer Semester I
| NUR-103 | Practical Nursing III | 6 | | 9 | 9 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Total Credit Hours: 45