Practical Nursing Diploma
Program Description
The Practical Nursing curriculum is Craven Community College’s oldest program. It prepares individuals with the knowledge and skills to provide nursing care to children and adults and to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs).
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, LPNs provide direct care for people who are sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled. Often, they provide basic bedside care. Many LPNs measure and record vital signs such as height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration. They also prepare and give injections and enemas, monitor catheters, dress wounds. While LPNs work under the direction of Registered Nurses and physicians, experienced LPNs may supervise nursing assistants and aides.
Graduates of this program are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN), which is required for practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Admission Criteria – 2021 Fall Admission
Nursing is a selective admission program. See the “Admissions” and “Tuition” sections of this Catalog regarding general college admission procedures and fees. Also, in the Admissions section, see the heading titled “Limited Admission Programs: Health Programs” for information about deadlines and processes for admission. The following are a few special requirements for entry to the nursing program:
- Math high school GPA must be 2.8 or higher within 10 years of enrollment at Craven CC or complete all developmental requisites to be eligible for MAT 110 & BIO 168.
- English high school GPA must be 2.8 or higher within 10 years of enrollment at Craven CC or complete all developmental requisites to be eligible for ENG 111.
- Physical Examination: The necessary form will be provided by the College. This examination must be completed within 30 days prior to enrollment and will be reviewed by the nursing faculty. Immunization are required of nursing students. This procedure may be hazardous in the event of pregnancy. A doctor should be consulted if the immunization is necessary.
- Prior to the student’s participation in the clinical component of the nursing programs, the primary clinical site requires a criminal background check for all states of residence. The clinical sites may require drug testing. At the time of this catalog preparation, the primary clinical site is requesting a statewide criminal background check for the past seven years. The clinical sites have the right to deny student access based on criminal background check results. This denial would result in the student’s inability to successfully complete the program. Inability to complete the clinical portion of a course will prevent the student from progression within the program.
- Student must have an overall GPA of at least 2.5. GPA is not rounded.
- Student must be a graduate of an accredited/registered high school or a recognized equivalency, such as a GED diploma.
- All applicants must currently be listed on the NC registry as a CNA 1.
Students who:
- Present physical or emotional problems which conflict with the safety essential to nursing practice and do not respond to treatment or counseling within a time frame that enables meeting program objectives;
- Demonstrate behavior which conflicts with the safety essential to nursing practice; or
- Fail to demonstrate professional behavior, including honesty, integrity, and appropriate use of social media, while in the nursing program of study;
will be removed from direct patient care and will be scheduled for a conference with the faculty member and the Director of Nursing. The consequence will be determined by the severity of the lack of adherence to nursing standards as determined by the faculty and the Director of Nursing. Any of the above infractions may be grounds for dismissal from the nursing program. If dismissed, the student will receive a grade of “D” for the course in which they are enrolled, and will be ineligible for re-entry into the nursing programs.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Participate in evaluating the concepts of the holistic individual and client response in the promotion of health, wellness, illness, quality of life and the achievement of potential.
- Practice professional nursing behaviors, within the ethical-legal practice boundaries of the LPN, incorporating person responsibility and accountability for continued competence.
- Participate in providing evidence-based nursing care, from an established plan of care, based on biophysical, psychosocial and cultural needs of clients in various stages of growth and development while assisting them to attain their highest level of wellness.
- Reinforce and/or implement the teaching plan developed and delegate by the registered nurse to promote the health of individuals, incorporating teaching and learning principles.
- Participate in the nursing process to provide individualized, safe and effective nursing care in a structured setting under supervision.
- Demonstrate caring behaviors in implementing culturally-competent, client-centered nursing care to diverse clients across the lifespan.
- Participate in Quality Improvement (QI) by identifying hazards and errors and by suggesting, to the registered nurse, changes to improve the client care process.
- Utilize informatics to access, manage and communicate client information.
- Participate in collaboration with interdisciplinary healthcare team, as assigned by the registered nurse, to support positive individual and organizational outcomes in a safe and cost-effective manner.
- Take and pass the NCLEX-PN exam.
Career Opportunities
Employment opportunities include:
- hospitals
- rehabilitation/long-term care facilities
- home health agencies
- clinics
- physicians’ offices.
Additional Education Opportunities
Advanced standing (transition) students are given credit for NUR 111, NUR 112 and NUR 114 if they have their LPN license and have successfully completed NUR 214 as part of the admission criteria. They enroll in the third semester of the Associate Degree Nursing program if space is available. Admission criteria must be met.
Contact Information
Nursing Program Coordinator/
Director of Nursing
252-638-7346
Health Programs Admissions Office
252-639-2025
Admissions Office
252-639-7430