Practical Nursing Certificate

Program Description:

The Practical Nursing program is a 12-month, 46-credit certificate program designed to provide theoretical and clinical laboratory study in nursing that will enable students to learn to assist other licensed health care professionals, such as registered nurses and physicians, and work as members of a health care team. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN). The program is accredited by the Maryland Board of Nursing.

Admission Process for the Practical Nursing Program

Admission to this program is a separate process from admission to the college. Admission to the School of Health Professions programs is competitive, selective, and is based on established criteria. Information about admissions processes for the programs in the School of Health Professions and the Selective Admissions Application form are available online at www.ccbcmd.edu/nursing/Admissions.html.

Students in the School of Health Professions are expected to conduct themselves according to an honor code, exhibit professional behavior, and communicate effectively in English, both written and oral. Students will be required to provide documentation of health insurance, titres/immunizations, CPR certification (American Heart Association Health Care Provider or equivalent), physical examination, and PPD/chest x-ray.

Application Deadline

Admission into the Practical Nursing program is competitive. Admission applications should be completed by April 15th. In addition, applicants must register to take the Test of Essentail Academic Skills (TEAS) prior to the application deadline. A new admission application must be completed for each new admission request.

Students are encouraged to make a financial plan prior to entry since full-time employment is strongly discouraged during the clinical nursing sequence. Information relative to scholarships and loans is available from the Financial Aid office.

Admission Criteria

1. Criteria for consideration for admission into the Practical Nursing Program:
   
   1. High School Diploma or GED
   2. Successful completion of prerequisite courses with a “C” or better
   3. GPA of 2.0 or greater for all past CCBC courses
   4. Competency in math, reading and English
   5. Completion of Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
2. BIOL 110
     is a prerequisite for
   BIOL 220
     and
   BIOL 230
    . The option to challenge or receive a waiver for
   BIOL 110
     can be requested through the Biology department.  Students planning to enter the nursing program should address this alternative with an academic advisor or counselor.

Practical Nursing Program Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the certificate program, the student will be able to:

1. demonstrate evidenced-based practice in the delivery of nursing care;
2. demonstrate culturally and spiritually competent care; and
3. collaborate with other members of the health care team to provide high quality patient-centered care.

Legal Implications

Upon successful completion of the Practical Nursing certificate program, the graduate applies to take the National Licensing Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Permission to take the NCLEX-PN examination is established by law and granted by the Maryland Board of Nursing. The Board may deny a graduate this permission for a variety of reasons. This includes: 8-6A-10 (a)4 - if convicted of or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or to a crime involving moral turpitude, whether or not any appeal or other proceeding to have the conviction or plea set aside [Nursing Practice Act, Annotated Code of Maryland].

During the clinical components of the program, clinical sites may determine to decline a student based on the criminal background check or drug screen. If a student is declined by two clinical facilities, they are unable to meet the clinical objectives and cannot progress in the nursing program.

Certificate Requirements:

Total Credits Required for Certificate: ***46

*The option to receive a waiver for selected health care skills is available for Certified Nursing Assistants.

**BIOL 110  is a prerequisite for BIOL 220 . The option to challenge or receive a waiver for BIOL 110  can be requested through the Biology Department. Students planning to enter the nursing program should address this alternative with an academic advisor, case manager or counselor.

*** If you are a credit student who is new to college (meaning you have not successfully completed transferable college credit(s) at another institution(s)), you are required to take ACDV 101  during your first semester at CCBC, thereby increasing the number of credits required for this certificate by 1 credit. Students are required to provide an official transcript(s) to document successful completion of college coursework at another institution(s) in order for this requirement to be waived.

Gainful Employment Disclosure:

http://www.ccbcmd.edu/gainfulemployment/practical_nursing201.html

Semester Sequence

• Practical Nursing Certificate Semester Sequence