Practical Nursing Certificate

Short 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. 

Type of Credential

Credit Certificate

Program Code

S 201

Contacts and Additional Information

Program Directors:

Nursing Program Administrator/Dean
CCBC Essex, Dr. Shawn P. McNamara
443-840-1360 or smcnamara2@ccbcmd.edu

Program Director - Catonsville
Dr. Elizabeth Webster
443-840-4447 or ewebster@ccbcmd.edu

Program Director - Essex
Dr. Mary Kay DeMarco
443-840-1433 or mdemarco@ccbcmd.edu

Program Director - Dundalk
Cheryl J. McNamara
443-840-3360 or cmcnamara@ccbcmd.edu

ATB Program Director - Essex
Karen Wons
443-840-2820 or kwons@ccbcmd.edu

Additional Information:

• Health Workforce Shortage Program
• Selective Admission Program
• Registered Nursing offered at Catonsville and Essex.  Practical Nursing certificate offered only at Dundalk.  Paramedic to RN transition course offered only at Catonsville.  LPN to RN transition course offered only at Dundalk; successful students then transfer to either Catonsville or Essex.
• The Associate Degree Nursing - Registered Nursing Program is available in a blended format.
• Opportunities for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) - Several General Education classes offer PLA. See Portfolio, Departmental Exam, CLEP, DSST, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate. General education classes are required for associate degrees but not for certificates.
• Articulation and Transfer Agreements

Semester 1 - Prior to Selective Admissions*

• BIOL 109 - Human Anatomy and Physiology 4 Credit(s). (career track)

• or

• BIOL 110 - Biology I: Molecular and Cells 4 Credit(s). ** (transfer track)

•  

• ENGL 101 - College Composition I 3 Credit(s).
• PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology 3 Credit(s).

Semester 2 - Prior to Selective Admissions

• BIOL 220 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4 Credit(s). (transfer track)

Semester 3 - Prior to Selective Admissions

• BIOL 221 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4 Credit(s). (transfer track)

Semester 1

• NURN 103 - Foundations of Practical Nursing Concepts 6 Credit(s).
• NURN 110 - Introduction to Pharmacology 2 Credit(s).

Semester 2

• NURN 111 - Practical Nursing Concepts I 5 Credit(s).
• NURN 112 - Practical Nursing Concepts II 5 Credit(s).
• NURN 113 - Mental Health Practical Nursing Concepts 3 Credit(s).

Semester 3

• NURN 114 - Maternity and Pediatric Nursing Concepts 5 Credit(s).
• NURN 115 - Trends in Practical Nursing 2 Credit(s).

Prerequisites - 10-18 Credits

Program Requirements and Electives - 28 Credits

Admission Process for Practical Nursing

Admission to the Practical Nursing 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 admission processes for the programs in the School of Health Professions and the Admission Application form are available online at School of Health Professions website.

Application Deadline

Admission into the Practical Nursing program is competitive. Admission applications should be completed by April 15^th. In addition, applicants must register to take the Test of Essential 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

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 the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)

End of Program Student Learning Outcomes

The expected culmination of all learning experiences occurring during the CCBC Practical Nursing Program is to prepare an entry level practitioner who are prepared and committed to:

1. Promote Optimal Health for patients, families, communities and themselves;
2. Demonstrate sound Nursing Judgment;
3. Continually develop their Professional Identity;
4. Maintain a Spirit of Inquiry as they seek to continually improve nursing practice and health care. 

Program Competencies

Upon graduation from the Community College of Baltimore County Practical Nursing Program, the practical nurse entry-level practitioner will be able to: 

1. Collaborate with members of the health care team to advocate for patients, families and communities in order to provide safe, high quality nursing care;

2. Demonstrate effective communication techniques and caring behaviors with patients, families and communities to improve health outcomes;    

3. Provide nursing care to patients, families, and communities recognizing their diversity and spirituality;

4. Use informatics and evidence-based practice to improve the quality of care for patients, families, and communities; 

5. Design health promotion activities that contribute to the wellness of patients, families and communities; 

6. Demonstrate accountability and responsibility in the delivery of patient-centered nursing care of patients, families and communities; 

7. Apply the nursing process as a systematic method of providing patient-centered nursing care throughout the life span; 

8. Analyze the essential pharmacologic principles used in providing care for patients; 

9. Adhere to the standards of excellence essential to professionalism incorporating ethics, integrity, caring, leadership, advocacy, and life-long learning; 

10. Promote safety for patients, families, and communities within health care systems; 

11. Perform nursing skills independently using available technology to meet standards of efficacy and safety; 

12. Integrate patient-centered teaching into the nursing care of patients, families, and communities; 

13. Demonstrate sound nursing judgment in clinical practice based on evidence which promotes optimal health for patients, families and communities.

Financial Aid Statement

Financial Aid students are encouraged to make a financial plan prior to entry since full-time employment is definitely not recommended during the clinical nursing sequence. Information relative to scholarships and loans is available from the Financial Aid office. Scholarship opportunities can be found on the Maryland Board of Nursing website at www.mbon.org

Legal Implications

Upon successful completion of the Practical Nursing 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 [Nurse 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 clinical objectives and cannot progress in the nursing program.