CATALOG: Practical Nursing Certificate

Purpose

The certificate in practical nursing is designed to prepare selected students to qualify as practi­cal nurse members of the health team in a variety of healthcare facilities. On successful comple­tion of the program students are eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Exam-Practical Nurse) which is the currently approved licensing exam for practical nursing in Virginia.

Occupational Objectives

Employment opportunities for the licensed Practical Nurse include nursing and staff posi­tions in clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, health departments, home health agencies, clinics, prisons, and physicians’ offices.
* Gainful Employment Data

Admission Requirements and Prerequisites

In addition to the requirements for admission to the college, the applicant must meet the fol­lowing prerequisites for admission to the practi­cal nursing program:

  • Graduation from high school or satisfactory completion of the General Education Diploma (GED).
  • Completion of college placement tests in reading, writing, and mathematics.
  • Completed all applicable developmental courses (MTE modules 1-3 completed) and ENF 3 (eligible to take ENG 111.);
  • Completion of one unit of high school biolo­gy or the college equivalent (BIO 101) with a grade of “C” or better.
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.0.
  • The TEAS Pre-Nursing Entrance Exam with­in 3 years with a minimum score at the 35th national percentile rank
  • Complete and submit an application to the nursing program by the designated time in the semester preceding the start of the pro­gram (see nursing link on RCC webpage for more information).


Guaranteed Admission Status

Students may be admitted to the PN program with guaranteed admission by completing the Career Studies Certificate, Pre-Nursing in its en­tirety by the end of the application period with a curricular GPA of 3.0 or higher, with no repeated courses in the curriculum and no less than a “C” in any course. Grades must be posted on your transcripts. No student is eligible for guaranteed admission if any curricular courses are missing or incomplete.

Students applying via guaranteed admission must also have completed the following:

  • High School diploma or GED
  • All VPT placement testing and developmental coursework as described above
  • Have met with a nursing faculty advisor to determine appropriateness of guaranteed admission and to choose the appropriate nursing program
  • Met all of the deadlines for completion and submission of the nursing program application(s).

The Virginia Board of Nursing has the au­thority to deny licensure to any applicant who has violated any of the provisions of 54.1-3007 of the Code of Virginia. Any student entering the nursing program who has committed any illegal offenses other than minor traffic violations should discuss these matters with the nursing program head for clarification prior to admission.

In all cases, the recommendation of the admission committee is the final determinant for admission to the Practical Nursing Program. All admission requirements must be completed prior to entry into the program.

The Practical Nursing Program is open to men and women who provide evidence of inter­est, motivation, and aptitude in the area of health care, and especially in direct patient care.

Program Requirements:

  • Attend orientation program in semester prior to the start of clinical nursing courses.
  • Students who are required to perform clinical rotations in cooperating healthcare agencies must be willing and able to conform to all clinical requirements of participating clinical agencies, including but not limited to: criminal background investigation; drug screening; im­munizations including seasonal influenza vac­cines; Tuberculosis screening; employment verifications; and, successful completion of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certifica­tion. (CPR certification must be the American Heart Association Certification for Healthcare Providers). Students are responsible for all costs associated with these requirements. It is the responsibility of the student to main­tain current records throughout the program. RCC uses a third party vendor (com) for all screenings and for maintenance of documents. Your instructor will provide you with all details to purchase this service, in­cluding deadlines for completion.
  • Maintain a grade of “C” or higher in all cours­es in curriculum.
  • Maintain professionalism in both campus and clinical settings, especially in attitude and responsibility. Failure to meet this requirement can result in termination from the program.
  • Students are responsible for purchasing the required clinical uniforms and name tags through the college’s designated supplier.
  • Standardized tests are integrated throughout the nursing program. The cost will be the responsibility of the student.
  • Conviction of a felony, misdemeanor or any offense substantially related to the qualifi­cations, functions and duties of a licensed practical nurse may constitute grounds for not allowing a candidate to take the licensing exam. This decision is made by the State Board of Nurs­ing. For questions regarding this issue, call the Virginia Board of Nursing 804-367-4515.
  • Nursing students must be in good stand­ing from all previous healthcare employers. Students may be denied clinical placement based on previous work history and thus, cannot be entered into or possibly complete the nursing program.
  • Nursing students enrolled in clinical nursing courses are required to have malpractice in­surance. Students may purchase malpractice insurance from independent providers.
  • Students are responsible for following the clinical policy for safe handling of biohazards and utilizing appropriate personal protec­tive equipment (PPE) in the prevention of blood-borne pathogens and communicable diseases. Additionally, students are respon­sible for employing appropriate ergonomics to prevent injury. Students will be responsi­ble for medical costs for any injury received while in a clinical setting, including injuries for which testing is required by clinical agencies. Rappahannock Community College is not responsible for student injuries in a clinical or lab setting.
  • The College does not assume responsibility for accidents/incidents which occur in clinicals, nor does it provide any student health services. The student assumes financial re­sponsibility for accidents/incidents requiring medical attention.


Program Progression:

  • The student must complete all support cours­es either preceding or concurrently with the appropriate nursing course, as indicated in the curriculum plan.
  • The student is required to complete a se­quence of course and learning experiences provided at the college and selected commu­nity agencies. The nursing faculty will observe and evaluate the student’s performance in nursing and with direct patient care in the clinical sites.
  • A student must obtain permission from the program head to continue in the nursing program under the following conditions: 1) receiving a grade below “C” or 2) withdrawal from a nursing course. In accordance with VCCS policy, a student cannot enroll in the same course more than twice without
    administrative approval. Additional policies for the program are listed in the Nursing Stu­dent Handbook. The handbook is given to all entry-level nursing students, and is available online via Blackboard to admitted students.
  • Clinical agencies reserve the right to deny ac­cess to or dismiss a student from their agen­cy at any time with due cause.
  • The student releases the hospital, its agents, and its employees from any liability for any injury or death to himself or damage to his property arising out of the clinical agreement or use of hospital’s facilities.

Financial and Program Requirements

Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from the various clinical and social agencies used throughout the program for observational and direct care learning experiences. In addition to college tuition, the student will need to purchase textbooks, uniforms (including white hose or socks and shoes), nursing pin, and stethoscope. The student will also have to pay fees for achievement and other standardized testing associated with the program, and will need to have a watch with second hand, a pen light, and bandage scissors.

All students entering the program will be required to undergo a background check and drug screening prior to their admittance to the clinical sites.

Curriculum

First Semester
Course # Title Lecture Lab Credit
NUR 120 Nursing Terminology & Charting 1 2 0 2
PNE 155 Body Structure & Function 2 3 0 3
NUR 135 Drug Dosage Calculations 1 0 1
PNE 161 Nursing in Health Changes I 4 9 7
SDV 101 Orientation to Health Sciences3 1 0 1
Semester Totals 11 9 14
Second Semester
Course # Title Lecture Lab Credit
PNE 162 Nursing in Health Changes II 6 12 10
PNE 173 Pharmacology 1 0 1
PSY 230 Developmental Psychology 3 0 3
ENG 111 College Composition I 3 0 3
Semester Total 13 12 17
Third Semester
Course # Title Lecture Lab Credit
PNE 163 Nursing in Health Changes III 4 12 8
PNE 145 Trends in Practical Nursing 1 0 1
HLT 230 Principles of Nutrition & Human Development 3 0 3
SOC 200 Principles of Sociology I 3 0 3
Semester Total 11 12 15
Total Minimum Credits: 46 1 HLT 143 or BIO 141 may replace NUR 120 2 BIO 142 or NAS 150 may replace PNE 155 3 SDV 100 is accepted if taken prior to entering Certificate curriculum in Practical Nursing. Cost Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from the various clinical and social agencies used throughout the program for observational and direct care learning experiences. In addition to college tuition, the student will need to purchase textbooks, uniforms (including white hose or socks and shoes), nursing pin, and stethoscope. The student will also have to pay fees for achievement and other standardized testing associated with the program, and will need to have a watch with second hand, a pen light, and bandage scissors.  
Item Cost
Tuition and Fees (47 credits X $160.65*) $7,550.55
Uniform and Shoes 200
Books 500
Achievement Tests (Kaplan) 475
Clinical Supplies 200
Malpractice Insurance 58
Criminal Background Checks/ Drug Screens/ Document Tracker 120
Medical 500
Graduation and Licensure 500
Travel to Clinical Agencies Variable
Total Estimated Costs $10,103.55
* Tuition and Fees are subject to change. All students entering the program will be required to undergo a background check and drug screening prior to their admittance to the clinical sites.

Last modified on 06-24-2019