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.

Program Outcomes

The faculty of the Practical Nursing Program has set the following program outcomes:

At least 80% of practical nursing graduates will pass NCLEX-PN on the first attempt.
At least 75% of practical nursing students will graduate within 150% of the time from entry into the program.
At least 90% of practical nursing graduates will report employment as a LPN within 6-12 months of graduation.

Student Learning Outcomes

The Practical Nursing faculty believe the curriculum built based upon the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) standards, plus professionalism and leadership, allows for the preparation of the practical nurse to provide quality and safe client care within appropriate healthcare settings and his/her scope of practice.

QSEN Concept: Client Centered Care

Deliver quality nursing care to clients and their families from diverse backgrounds in a variety of settings.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the nursing process.
- Perform a basic health assessment that includes physiological, psychological, sociological, and spiritual needs of clients and in a variety of settings.
- Demonstrate delivery of age-appropriate communication in the health care settings.
- Provide relevant health education based on client’s developmental level and cultural preferences.

QSEN Concept: Teamwork and Collaboration

Participate as a member of the inter-professional healthcare team in the delivery of safe, quality client-centered care.
- Recognize role and scope of practice of practical nurse.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary health care team to provide quality care.
- List multidisciplinary team members within the health care settings.
- Identify strengths, limitations, and values in functioning as a member of the health care team.

QSEN Concept: Evidence Based Practice

Utilize evidence based rationales and resources when providing safe, quality clientcentered care.
- Define evidence based practice.
- Recognize the nurse’s role in evidence based practice.
- Use evidence based practice to reduce variations in nursing care.

QSEN Concept: Client Centered Care

QSEN Concept: Quality Improvement

Participate in activities that improve and promote quality of care in health care settings.
- Verbalizes understanding of collecting and recording data for quality improvement purposes.
- Identify methods to monitor continuous quality improvement.
- Implement nursing actions that improve client outcomes.

QSEN Concept: Safety

Apply strategies that minimize risk and provide a safe environment for clients, self, and others.
- Recognize hazards of the client’s environment.
- Communicate observations and concerns related to hazards to the health care team.
- Implement actions that minimize safety risks and environmental hazards.
- Identify actions to reduce risk of injury to self and others.

QSEN Concept: Informatics

Utilize client care technology in the provision of safe, quality client-centered care.
- Implement appropriate use of technology in the health care setting.
- Demonstrate the proper use of electronic health record systems according to HIPPA regulations in all health care settings.

Concept: Professionalism

Practice in a professional manner while providing client-centered nursing care.
- Demonstrate principles of work ethics.
- Identify legal aspects that guide nursing practice.
- Display professional accountability and responsibility in the delivery of client centered care.

Concept: Leadership

Demonstrate the ability to serve as a team leader overseeing client care delivered by team members.
- Apply organizational, time management and priority setting skills necessary to provide safe, quality client-centered care.
- Delegate tasks within the health care settings that is appropriate in the delivery of client centered care.
- Identify ways to resolve client care issues within the health care team.

Entrance Requirements

Please be aware that some clinical sites mandate the COVID-19 vaccination in accordance with CMS guidelines.
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 Progression and Readmission

Progression

In order to continue in the nursing program, the student must:

Maintain a grade of C or better in all PNSG courses.
Achieve a passing score (100%) on the required calculation exams.
Be accepted by clinical agencies for clinical experiences.
Students must demonstrate safe practice in the care of clients and exercise appropriate clinical judgment as beginning level practitioners.
Maintain ability to meet essential core nursing performance standards.
Maintain compliance with health policy and current health care provider CPR certification.

A student that has an unsuccessful attempt in a PNSG course (W, D, or F) cannot progress until the course is completed successfully. Course repetition will be based on guidelines outlined in the readmission procedure.

Withdrawal and/or a D or F in one or more nursing courses in a term is considered one unsuccessful attempt.

Readmission to the Practical Nursing Program

Based on space availability, readmission may be considered for the following:

Students who withdraw with Withdraw (W).
Students who fail to complete a course with a grade of C or better.

Students may only be readmitted ONCE to any practical nursing course. Any student who has withdrawn or failed any nursing course(s) more than once may not be considered for readmission.

Any student requesting readmission must reapply to the Admissions office at least two months prior to the appropriate start date.

Students must submit to the Program Director:

A letter requesting readmission that includes:
- Last semester and nursing program attended; reason for withdrawal, dismissal or failure; reason why he/she desires to be readmitted; and the circumstances which have changed to indicate the applicant would be successful in completing his/her nursing education.
The college required documents for proof of current BLS CPR certification, immunizations, criminal background check and drug screen.

Students must request reinstatement within one year from the term of withdrawal or failure.

Students applying for re-entry beyond the first semester must take course challenge exam(s), calculation exam, and a clinical competency evaluation. Students must score 80% or better on the challenge exams and score 100% on the calculation exam. Students must successfully complete a clinical competency evaluation at the same level of competency expected for the proposed course.

Readmission to the nursing program is not guaranteed. Selection for readmission is based on GPA at the current institution, TEAS score, and space availability. Readmission/reinstatement may be denied due to, but not limited to, any of the following circumstances:

Grade point average is less than 2.0 from nursing occupational courses, either PNSG prefixes completed at the current institution;
Refusal by clinical agencies to accept the student for clinical experiences;
Students who receive one Level 1 occurrences or two Level 2 occurrences;
Twelve months have elapsed since the student was enrolled in a nursing course;
Student has been dismissed from the program

Students dismissed from the previous program for disciplinary reasons and/or unsafe/unsatisfactory client care in the clinical area may not be allowed readmission/reinstatement into the nursing program.

In the event more than one student meets the requirements for readmission, the following criteria will be utilized to determine the best candidate for readmission:

Space availability
TEAS adjusted individual score: 60%
GPA: 40%

A student who earns a D or F on two (2) practical nursing program attempts will be dismissed from the PN Program and will not be eligible for readmission.

Transfer

The transfer procedure only applies to students desiring to transfer between programs/campuses offered by colleges under the Technical College System of Georgia.

Any student requesting transfer must apply to the Admissions office at least two (2) months prior to the appropriate start date.

Based on space availability, transfer may be considered for students meeting the following criteria.

Students must:

meet minimum admission standards for the nursing program;
possess a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative GPA at time of transfer;
be a student in good standing and eligible to return to the previous nursing program;
provide a letter of recommendation from the Dean/Director/Instructor of the previous program.

Students must submit:

The college required documents for proof of current BLS CPR certification, immunizations, criminal background check and drug screen.

Students applying for transfer beyond the first semester must take course challenge exam(s), calculation exam, and a clinical competency evaluation. Students must achieve a score of 80% or better on the challenge exams and score 100% on the calculation exam. Students must successfully complete a clinical competency evaluation at the same level of competency expected for the proposed course.

Students can only be readmitted for transfer ONCE to any practical nursing course. Any student who has withdrawn or failed any nursing course(s) more than once will not be considered for transfer.

Students will be accepted for transfer between college programs one time only.

Acceptance of transfer students into nursing programs is limited by the number of faculty and clinical facilities available. Meeting minimal standards does not guarantee acceptance.

In the event more than one student meets the requirements for transfer, the following criteria will be utilized to determine the best candidate for transfer:

Space availability
TEAS adjusted individual score: 60%
GPA: 40%

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.

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.

Curriculum Outline (60 hours)

General Core (12 hours)	12
COLL 1040College Foundations (Institutional Credit Only) (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 1010Fundamentals of English I (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 1012Foundations of Mathematics (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 1010Basic Psychology (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 1011Structure & Function of Human Body (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 1000Allied Health Math (Institutional Credit Only) (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 1090Medical Terminology for Allied Health Sciences (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 2010Intro to Pharmacology & Clinical Calculation (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 2030Nursing Fundamentals (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 2035Nursing Fundamentals Clinical (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 2210Medical Surgical Nursing I (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 2310Medical Surgical Nursing Clinical I (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 2220Medical Surgical Nursing II (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 2320Medical Surgical Nursing Clinical II (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 2230Medical Surgical Nursing III (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 2330Medical Surgical Nursing Clinical III (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 2240Medical Surgical Nursing IV (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 2340Medical Surgical Nursing Clinical IV (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 2250Maternity Nursing (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 2255Maternity Nursing Clinical (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 2410Nursing Leadership 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 2415Nursing Leadership Clinical 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