Program of Studies
Practical Nursing Certificate
Purpose: The one-year certificate program in Practical Nursing is designed to prepare selected students to qualify as contributing members of a health team, rendering patient care in a variety of health service facilities. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take the Virginia Board of Nursing examination leading to licensing as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).
Occupational Objectives: Employment opportunities for the Licensed Practical Nurse include nursing and staff positions in: Clinics • Health Departments • Home Health Agencies • Hospitals • Industry • Nursing Homes • Physicians' Offices
Admission Requirements: In addition to the admission requirements established for New River Community College, entry into the practical nursing program requires that the student:
- Complete high school or pass the GED exam.
- Be proficient in English, reading, and basic mathematics. Students who fail to make a satisfactory score on the math, English and reading proficiency test will be required to take appropriate developmental courses.
- Complete TEAS Test.
- Attend orientation session with nursing faculty.
Applicants should note that the Virginia Board of Nursing has the authority to deny licensure to an applicant who has violated any federal, state, or other statute. Examples include conviction of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, and alcohol or drug related issues. A prospective student who has been convicted, or pled guilty or nolo contendre to any illegal offenses other than minor traffic violations should contact the program director prior to making application to the program. Additional information may be obtained from the Virginia Department of Health Professions, Virginia Board of Nursing, located at Perimeter Center, 9960 Maryland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA 23233 (phone 804-367-4515).
Program Requirements: The Practical Nursing program is rigorous. All nursing courses in each semester are prerequisite to the succeeding semester. A student receiving a final grade lower than a "C" in any nursing course (including HLT 130) will be ineligible to progress in the nursing program. Further, satisfactory performance in the clinical area must be achieved.
The Practical Nursing program is operated in cooperation with the LewisGale Hospital at Pulaski and other clinical agencies. The first semester consists of classroom instruction. During the second semester, students are scheduled for selected learning experiences in the clinical setting. As a prerequisite to beginning the clinical experience the student must:
- Sign an agreement which holds clinical agencies, the college, the Virginia Community College System, and the State of Virginia harmless for any injury the student may receive, or liability claim the student may incur while engaged in the clinical portion of the practical nursing program. Students are taught and supervised by registered nurses.
- Purchase student professional liability insurance which is available through the college at a reasonable rate, complete student uniform, and watch.
- Have a various health screenings and return the signed forms to nursing faculty. The student must also make available to clinical agencies a copy of their health form. A positive drug screen will prevent the student from completing the program.
- Have a criminal background check; results of which will be reviewed by the clinical agency.
- Be certified in CPR from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association (health care providers' course).
- Student is also encouraged to obtain a vaccination for the hepatitis virus prior to beginning the clinical experience.
A student who has failed to achieve a "C" or above in each nursing course and achieve a 'satisfactory' clinical grade is eligible for readmission dependent on the following criteria:
- Apply in writing to the Director of Student Services at least one full semester before requested re-admission date.
- Have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the time of application.
In addition to the above criteria, re-admission will depend upon the availability of a clinical opening. Students will be notified of a decision affecting their re-admission at the end of the semester before requested re-admission date.
Certificate Degree Nursing Competencies: Nursing is a physically, emotionally, and intellectually demanding profession. Students engaged in clinical experiences while enrolled in the program perform in the role of a practical nurse. The chart on the next page, based on expectations published by the Council on Collegiate Education for Nursing, describes activities associated with clinical experiences.
| Category | Examples of Clinical Competencies and Responsibilities* |
|---|---|
| Analytical and Critical Thinking | Read and understand written documents in English (e.g. protocols), focus attention on task in distracting/chaotic environment, identify cause-effect relationships, use long and short-term memory, prioritize tasks. |
| Professional Relationships | Deal with the unexpected (e.g. patient crisis), handle strong emotions of others while controlling personal responses. |
| Communication | Communicate in English with patients, families, and agency staff members (both orally and written). |
| Mobility | Move within confined spaces, reach above shoulders (e.g. I.V. poles) and reach below waist (e.g. plug in electrical appliances), walk six to eight hours, stand at bedside up to 60 minutes to assist with procedures. |
| Motor Skills | Perform CPR, operate a fire extinguisher, key/type (e.g. use a computer), manipulate a syringe, manipulate an eye dropper. |
| Hearing | Hear faint body sounds (e.g. blood pressure, heart, lung, and abdominal sounds), hear monitor alarms, hear in situations when not able to see lips (e.g. when masks are used). |
| Visual | See objects near (e.g. computer screen), see objects far (e.g. patient at end of the hall), distinguish color intensity (e.g. flushed or pale skin), read digital displays, read graphic printouts, read small medication labels. |
| Tactile Sense | Use sense of touch to gather assessment data (e.g. palpate pulses, detect warmth vs. coolness). |
*Examples are intended as clarification, not as an exhaustive list
Upon completion of the three-semester curriculum, the student will be awarded the certificate of Practical Nursing.
Special Recognition: In addition to the general school recognition, the practical nursing school is approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing.
| Catalog | Class # | Class Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| HLT | 130 | Nutrition and Diet Therapy | 1 |
| PNE | 151 | Medical Surgical Nursing I | 4 |
| PNE | 155 | Body Structure and Function | 4 |
| PNE | 161 | Nursing in Health Changes I | 6 |
| PNE | 173 | Pharmacology for Nurses | 2 |
| SDV | 100 | College Success Skills | 1 |
| 18 | |||
SECOND SEMESTER (Spring)
| Catalog | Class # | Class Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PNE | 156 | Nursing Across the Life Span | 4 |
| PNE | 162 | Nursing in Health Changes II | 11 |
| ENG | 111 | College Composition (or ENG 115) | 3 |
| 18 |
THIRD SEMESTER (Summer)
| Catalog | Class # | Class Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PNE | 145 | Trends in Practical Nursing | 1 |
| PNE | 158 | Mental Health & Psychiatric Nursing | 2 |
| PNE | 163 | Nursing in Health Changes III | 8 |
| PSY | 200 | Principles of Psychology (or PSY 120 or Social Science Elective)1 | 3 | Total Minimum Credits |
50 |
NOTES:
1Students may choose from college approved Social Science electives on catalog page 48.
Gainful Employment Disclosure |
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| Certificate: Nursing (LPN Training) | ||
| Program Code: 157 | ||
| CIP Code: 51.3901 Nursing (LPN Training) | ||
| SOC Code(s): | ||
| 29-2061.00 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses |
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| Number of Students Completing Program1 | 15 | |
| Number of Student Completing Program within Normal Time1 | 0 | |
| In-State Total Tuition & Fees2 | $6,352.00 | |
| Out-of-State Total Tuition & Fees3 | $15,957.00 | |
| Books & Supplies2 | $1,225.00 | |
| Number of Students Completing Program with any Student Loan Debt1 | 9 | |
| Median Title IV Loan Debt | $2,200.00 | |
| Median Private Loan Debt | $0.00 | |
| Median Institutional Loan Debt | $0.00 | |
Additional Disclosure Information |
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1Number of students completing program between July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012 2Total tuition and fees based on the 2012-13 academic year and are subject to change. 3Total books and supplies are based on the 2012-13 academic year and are subject to change. |
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