Practical Nursing Diploma (PN12)  Diploma


Campus Locations: Vidalia, Swainsboro

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 such as administering medications, monitoring patients, changing dressings, and collaborating with other members of the health care team. This is done through a selected number of general core 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.

Once a student has met the criteria, then he/she will follow the sequence of Practical Nursing Practice courses. After completing the general core and occupational classes, the program generally takes a minimum of three (3) consecutive semester terms to complete. To graduate, students must earn a minimum of 60 semester credit hours. Students may enter the program in either Fall or Spring semesters on the Swainsboro or Vidalia campus (day classes only).

Immediately upon graduation, STC graduates have made between $14 and $20 per hour.

*For more detailed program information, please refer to the Catalog & Handbook.

Entrance Requirements

  • Submit a completed application;
  • Be at least 18 years of age;
  • Submit official high school/high school equivalent transcripts;
  • Submit official college transcripts, if applicable;
  • Prospective students seeking admission into the Practical Nursing diploma program will enroll in the Health Care Assistant - Health Care Technician option.
  • Beginning Spring 2015, all students must successfully pass the TEAS with a benchmark score of at least 55% to be eligible for admission;
  • Students applying for admission into the PN program must possess a minimum 3.0 GPA.
  • Satisfy Placement Testing requirements.

Program Costs

The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) requires all colleges to notify students and prospective students of all program costs for which they will be responsible. Students will be responsible for the following expenses. Most of these requirements must be completed prior to the beginning of clinical or laboratory activities.

Costs are estimates and are subject to change.

  • Tuition/Fees: $7,755 (tuition $100 per credit hour; fees $351 for 5 semesters)
  • Textbooks: $500 for entire program
  • Graduation Application Fee: $40 (if student participates); Print Diploma Fee $10
  • ATI Fee: $500 per semester
  • Licensure Exam: $240
  • ATI Comprehensive Exam: $52 (if third attempt is required)
  • STC Practical Nursing Pin: $10
  • Cogent Background: $53
  • Uniform/Supplies Costs: Up to $300
  • myClinicalExchange: $40 Annually
  • Background Check & Drug Screen: Approximately $85 (prices vary based on clinical site requirements)
  • AHA BLS & First Aid (CPR) (must remain current throughout the program): $65
  • Respiratory N95 Mask: $20
  • CPR Mask: $9
  • Liability Insurance: $12 per year
  • Immunizations/Laboratory Tests
    • MMR Vaccination: $64
    • Measles Titer: $20
    • Mumps Titer: $20
    • Rubella Titer: $20
    • Varicella Titer: $20
    • Hepatitis B Titer: $20
    • Varicella Vaccination: $117
    • Tuberculin Skin Test (TST)/PPD - Two-step: $25 per step OR IGRA laboratory test initially and then annually ($85.00)
    • Tdap: $40
    • Tetanus Vaccination: $20
    • Hepatitis B Series: $264
    • Hepatitis A and B: $163 for 3-shot series (this option may be chosen instead of the Hepatitis B series)
    • Seasonal Influenza vaccine: $25
  • Special Note: A single charge may apply to more than one (1) titer being drawn at the same time.

Please note expenses related to program courses will NOT be refunded if the student is unable, unwilling, or ineligible to complete the clinical component of any course.

Fees are due as noted on syllabus. Failure to pay the fees by the deadline may result in the student not being allowed to return to class. ATI fees are due by 5 p.m. on the second day of class each semester.

Some clinical sites require a physical exam and proof of health insurance. Failure to supply all required (unexpired) documentation may prohibit the student from attending clinical. A student who cannot complete program clinical requirements may not continue in the practical nursing program.

Laptop/personal computer is required. Suggested specifications include:

  • Processor i5 or i7
  • Memory 8GB or higher
  • Hard drive 250GB or larger
  • DVD Drive either internal or external

Required:

  • Webcam with microphone
  • A minimum internet speed of 5 Mbps. (10 Mbps or more is recommended). Test your internet speed using www.speedtest.net.

Southeastern Technical College’s Practical Nursing program is approved by The Georgia Board of Nursing for the State of Georgia, 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, GA 31217-3858, (478) 207-2440.

Program and Student Learning Outcomes

Curriculum Outline (60 hours)
General Core (12 hours) 12
COLL 1040

(Prerequisite: None) This course is designed to provide tools to assist students to acquire skills necessary to achieve academic and professional success in their chosen occupational/technical program of study. Topics include: Computer Applications/Technology Skills, Getting off to a Good Start, Learning and Personality Styles, Time and Money Management, Study and Test Taking Skills, Stress Management and Wellness, Communication Skills, and Career Exploration.

3
ENGL 1010

(Prerequisite: ENGL 0097 OR Appropriate Placement Test Score AND READ 0097 OR Appropriate Placement Test Score) Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills.

3
MATH 1012

(Prerequisites: MATH 0097 OR Appropriate arithmetic placement test score.) Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, measurement and conversion, geometric concepts, technical applications, and basic statistics.

3
PSYC 1010

(Prerequisite: Provisional admission) Presents basic concepts within the field of psychology and their application to everyday human behavior, thinking and emotion. Emphasis is placed on students understanding basic psychological principles and their application within the context of family, work, and social interactions. Topics include an overview of psychology as a science, the nervous and sensory systems, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychological disorders and their treatment, stress and health, and social relations.

3
Pre-Practical Nursing Admission Occupational Courses (7 hours) 7
ALHS 1011

(Prerequisite: Regular Admission) Focuses on basic normal structure and function of the human body. Topics include general plan and function of the human body, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous and sensory systems, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.

5
ALMA 1000

(Prerequisites: MATH 1012) (Co-requisites: MATH 1111) Prepares students in understanding the application of mathematics in their health science program courses. The topics included are basic mathematics, medical terminology, mathematical conversions, weight and measurement applications used in health science programs. Additionally, problem solving strategies, basic principles of medication administration, and research in health science will be incorporated into the course competencies.

0
ALHS 1090

(Prerequisite: Provisional Admission) Introduces the elements of medical terminology. Emphasis is placed on building familiarity with medical words through knowledge of roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Topics include: origins (roots, prefixes, and suffixes), word building, abbreviations and symbols, and terminology related to the human anatomy.

2
Practical Nursing Occupational Courses (41 hours) 41
PNSG 2010

(Prerequisite: Program Admission) Applies fundamental mathematical concepts and includes basic drug administration. Emphasizes critical thinking skills. Topics include: systems of measurement, calculating drug problems, resource materials usage, fundamental pharmacology, administering medications in a simulated clinical environment, principles of IV therapy techniques, and client education.

2
PNSG 2030

(Prerequisite: Program Admission) An introduction to the nursing process. Topics include: nursing as a profession; ethics and law; client care which is defined as using the nursing process, using critical thinking, and providing client education and includes principles and skills of nursing practice, documentation, and an introduction to physical assessment; customer/client relationships; standard precautions; basic life support; infection control/blood-borne/airborne pathogens; and basic emergency care/first aid and triage.

6
PNSG 2035

(Prerequisite: Program Admission) An introduction to nursing practice in the clinical setting. Topics include but are not limited to: history taking, physical assessment, nursing process, critical thinking, activities of daily living, documentation, client education, and standard precautions;hygiene and personal care; mobility and biomechanics; fluid and electrolytes; oxygen care; and perioperative care.

2
PNSG 2210

(Prerequisite: Program Admission) Focuses on client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, using critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole; immunology; as well as pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to the cardiovascular, respiratory, and hematological and immunological systems.

4
PNSG 2310

(Prerequisite: Program Admission) This first clinical course, in a series of four medical-surgical clinical courses, focuses on clinical client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, applying critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. At the completion of the four part sequence of these medical-surgical clinical courses students will have completed a minimum of 375 hours of clinical experience including 300 hours of comprehensive medical-surgical, 37.5 pediatric and 37.5 mental health experiences. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole; hygiene and personal care; mobility and biomechanics; fluid and electrolytes; oxygen care; perioperative care; immunology; mental health; and oncology. In addition pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to cardiovascular, hematological, immunological, respiratory, neurological, sensory, musculoskeletal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, urinary, integumentary and reproductive systems.

2
PNSG 2220

(Prerequisite: Program Admission) This second course in a series of four focuses on client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, using critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. Topics include: health management and maintenance and the prevention of illness, care of the individual as a whole; as well as pathological disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to the endocrine, gastrointestinal, and urinary system.

4
PNSG 2320

(Prerequisite: Program Admission) This second clinical course, in a series of four medical-surgical clinical courses, focuses on clinical client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, applying critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. At the completion of the four part sequence of these medical-surgical clinical courses students will have completed a minimum of 375 hours of clinical experience including 300 hours of comprehensive medical-surgical, 37.5 pediatric and 37.5 mental health experiences. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole; hygiene and personal care; mobility and biomechanics; fluid and electrolytes; oxygen care; perioperative care; immunology; mental health; and oncology. In addition pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to cardiovascular, hematological, immunological, respiratory, neurological, sensory, musculoskeletal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, urinary, integumentary and reproductive systems.

2
PNSG 2230

(Prerequisite: Program Admission) This third course in a series of four focuses on client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, using critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. Topics include: health management and maintenance and the prevention of illness, care of the individual as a whole, mental health; as well as pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to the neurological, sensory, and musculoskeletal systems.

4
PNSG 2330

(Prerequisite: Program Admission) This third clinical course, in a series of four medical-surgical clinical courses, focuses on clinical client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, applying critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. At the completion of the four part sequence of these medical-surgical clinical courses students will have completed a minimum of 375 hours of clinical experience including 300 hours of comprehensive medical-surgical, 37.5 pediatric and 37.5 mental health experiences. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole; hygiene and personal care; mobility and biomechanics; fluid and electrolytes; oxygen care; perioperative care; immunology; mental health; and oncology. In addition pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to cardiovascular, hematological, immunological, respiratory, neurological, sensory, musculoskeletal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, urinary, integumentary and reproductive systems.

2
PNSG 2240

(Prerequisite: Program Admission) This fourth course in a series of four focuses on client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, using critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. Topics include: health management and maintenance and the prevention of illness, care of the individual as a whole, oncology; as well as pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to the integumentary and reproductive systems.

4
PNSG 2340

(Prerequisite: Program Admission) This fourth clinical course, in a series of four medical-surgical clinical courses, focuses on clinical client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, applying critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. At the completion of the four part sequence of these medical-surgical clinical courses students will have completed a minimum of 375 hours of clinical experience including 300 hours of comprehensive medical-surgical, 37.5 pediatric and 37.5 mental health experiences. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole; hygiene and personal care; mobility and biomechanics; fluid and electrolytes; oxygen care; perioperative care; immunology; mental health; and oncology. In addition pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to cardiovascular, hematological, immunological, respiratory, neurological, sensory, musculoskeletal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, urinary, integumentary and reproductive systems.

2
PNSG 2250

(Prerequisite: Program Admission) Focuses on clinical patient care aspects health management and maintenance and the prevention of illness, care of the individual as a whole, and deviations from the normal state of health. The definition of client care includes using the nursing process, performing assessments, using critical thinking, and providing client education displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. Topics include: health management and maintenance and prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole; and deviations from the normal state of health in the reproductive system, pathological and nonpathological concerns in obstetric clients, and the newborn; client care, treatment, pharmacology, medication administration, and diet therapy related to obstetric clients, and the newborn; and standard precautions.

3
PNSG 2255

(Prerequisite: Program Admission) Focuses on clinical health management and maintenance and the prevention of illness, care of the individual as a whole, and deviations from the normal state of health. The definition of client care includes using the nursing process, performing assessments, using critical thinking, providing client education, displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. Topics include: health management and maintenance and prevention of illness, care of the individual as a whole, pathological and nonpathological concerns in obstetric clients and the newborn; client care, treatments, pharmacology, and diet therapy related to obstetric clients and the newborn; and standard precautions.

1
PNSG 2410

Builds on the concepts presented in prior nursing courses and develops the skills necessary for successful performance in the job market. Topics include: application of the nursing process, supervisory skills, client education methods, group dynamics and conflict resolution.

1
PNSG 2415

Builds on the concepts presented in prior nursing courses and develops the skills necessary for successful performance in the job market, focusing on practical applications. Topics include: application of the nursing process, critical thinking, supervisory skills, client education methods, and group dynamics.

2
Faculty
Advisor

Practical Nursing Instructor
Swainsboro Campus - Building 8, Office 8103/8105

Advisor

Practical Nursing Instructor
Vidalia Campus - Gillis Building, Office 816

Advisor

Nurse Aide Program Director / Lead Instructor
Vidalia Campus - Gillis Building, Office 834

Advisor

Associate of Science in Nursing Instructor
Vidalia Campus - Gillis Building, Office 715

Advisor

Practical Nursing Program Coordinator / Instructor
Vidalia Campus - Gillis Building, Office 706

Advisor

Practical Nursing Instructor
Swainsboro Campus - Building 8, Office 8109/8113

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