Practical Nursing Diploma

Two nurses practice caring for patient in bed

Practical Nursing Diploma

Program Code: D45660

Our Practical Nursing diploma program will provide you with the knowledge and skills to provide nursing care to children and adults. You will participate in assessment, planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care. Upon graduating, you can take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN), which is required for practice as a licensed practical nurse. The Practical Nursing program begins each fall.

This is a diploma program and requires fewer credits and less time to complete than a degree program.

Skills You’ll Learn

The Practical Nursing program is focused on job-related skills in the following areas:

  • 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 personal 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
  • Reinforcing and/or implementing the teaching plan developed and delegated by the registered nurse to promote the health of individuals, incorporating teaching and learning principles
  • Providing individualized, safe, and effective nursing care in a structured setting under supervision
  • Demonstrating caring behaviors in implementing culturally-competent, client-centered nursing care to diverse clients of all ages
  • Participating in Quality Improvement by identifying hazards and errors and by suggesting to the registered nurse changes to improve the client care process
  • Utilizing informatics to access, manage, and communicate client information
  • Practice in collaborating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to support positive individual and organizational outcomes in a safe and cost-effective manner

Career Opportunities

There are many employment opportunities for Practical Nursing graduates, including:

  • Clinics
  • Home health agencies
  • Hospitals
  • Rehabilitation/long-term care facilities
  • Physicians’ offices

Diploma requirements

45 Credit Hours

Courses in this program

First Semester Second Semester Third Semester

Course Course Code Credit Hours Link to course details

This course introduces the college's physical, academic, and social environment and promotes the personal development essential for success. Topics include campus facilities and resources; policies, procedures, and programs; study skills; and life management issues such as health, self-esteem, motivation, goal-setting, diversity, and communication. Upon completion, students should be able to function effectively within the college environment to meet their educational objectives.

Lecture Hours: 1  Lab Hours: 0  Clinical Hours: 0  Credit Hours: 1 
  • Prerequisites:
    None
  • Corequisites:
    None

This course provides a basic study of the structure and function of the human body. Topics include a basic study of the body systems as well as an introduction to homeostasis, cells, tissues, nutrition, acid-base balance, and electrolytes. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of the fundamental principles of anatomy and physiology and their interrelationships.

Lecture Hours: 4  Lab Hours: 4  Clinical Hours: 0  Credit Hours: 5 
  • Prerequisites:
    Take One:, DRE-097, ENG-002, BSP-4002, ENG-111, Take One Set:,Set 1: DMA-010, DMA-020, and DMA-030,Set 2: MAT-010,Set 3: MAT-021,Set 4: MAT-043,Set 5: MAT-052,Set 6: MAT-071,Set 7: MAT-110,Set 8: MAT-121,Set 9: MAT-143,Set 10: MAT-152,Set 11: MAT-171,Set 11: MAT-003 with P1 Grade,Set 13: BSP-4003 with P1 Grade
  • Corequisites:
    None

This course provides an overview of the scientific study of human behavior. Topics include history, methodology, biopsychology, sensation, perception, learning, motivation, cognition, abnormal behavior, personality theory, social psychology, and other relevant topics. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the science of psychology.

Lecture Hours: 3  Lab Hours: 0  Clinical Hours: 0  Credit Hours: 3 
  • Prerequisites:
    Take One from:, DRE-097, ENG-002, BSP-4002
  • Corequisites:
    None

This course introduces the concepts within the three domains of the individual, healthcare, and nursing. Emphasis is placed on the concepts within each domain including assessment, clinical decision making, professional behaviors, caring interventions, biophysical and psycho concepts, communication, collaboration, teaching/learning, safety, ethical principles, legal issues, informatics, and evidence-based practice. Upon completion, students should be able to provide safe nursing care across the lifespan incorporating the concepts identified in this course.

Lecture Hours: 7  Lab Hours: 6  Clinical Hours: 6  Credit Hours: 11 
  • Prerequisites:
    None
  • Corequisites:
    None
Course Course Code Credit Hours Link to course details

This course is a study of human growth and development. Emphasis is placed on major theories and perspectives as they relate to the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial aspects of development from conception to death. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of development across the life span.

Lecture Hours: 3  Lab Hours: 0  Clinical Hours: 0  Credit Hours: 3 
  • Prerequisites:
    Take PSY-150
  • Corequisites:
    None

This course is designed to further develop the concepts within the three domains of the individual, nursing, and healthcare. Emphasis is placed on the concepts within each domain, including clinical decision making, caring interventions, biophysical and psychosocial concepts, communication, collaboration, teaching and learning, accountability, safety, informatics, and evidence-based practice. Upon completion, students should be able to provide safe nursing care across the lifespan incorporating the concepts identified in this course.

Lecture Hours: 7  Lab Hours: 0  Clinical Hours: 9  Credit Hours: 10 
  • Prerequisites:
    Take NUR-101
  • Corequisites:
    None

This course is designed to develop the ability to produce clear writing in a variety of genres and formats using a recursive process. Emphasis includes inquiry, analysis, effective use of rhetorical strategies, thesis development, audience awareness, and revision. Upon completion, students should be able to produce unified, coherent, well-developed essays using standard written English.

Lecture Hours: 3  Lab Hours: 0  Clinical Hours: 0  Credit Hours: 3 
  • Prerequisites:
    Take One Set:,Set 1: DRE-097,Set 2: ENG-002,Set 3: BSP-4002
  • Corequisites:
    Take ENG-011

Course Course Code Credit Hours Link to course details

This course is designed to assimilate the concepts within the three domains of the individual, healthcare, and nursing. Emphasis is placed on biophysical and psychosocial concepts, professional behaviors, healthcare systems, health policy, and quality improvement. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to provide safe, quality, and individualized entry level nursing care.

Lecture Hours: 6  Lab Hours: 0  Clinical Hours: 9  Credit Hours: 9 
  • Prerequisites:
    Take NUR-101
  • Corequisites:
    None

Special admissions requirements

This program has additional application requirements. Please speak with an advisor for details.

Additional information is available here.

Questions others are asking.

We offer several credentials that provide the flexibility you need. Most degree programs last two years and provide the most in-depth study of a particular subject. Diplomas and certificates take less time and are often taken in conjunction with other degree programs. Specialized training is also available for workforce development programs that are completed in less than a year.

View application requirements here.

View application deadlines here.

Nursing programs are approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. The Craven Community College Associate Degree in Nursing program holds pre-accreditation status from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation, located at 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037; phone 202-909-2526. Holding pre-accreditation status does not guarantee that initial accreditation by NLN CNEA will be received.

The Craven Community College, LPN and Associate Degree in Nursing programs are pursuing accreditation from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), located at 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20037; phone 202-909-2526. Interested parties are invited to submit third-party comments in writing directly to NLN CNEA, attention Dr. Teresa Shellenbarger, NLN CNEA Executive Director, no later than March 23, 2022.

Craven Community College degree programs satisfy the professional licensure requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to sit for these exams. However, requirements in other states may be different. North Carolina is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) along with 32 other states. For further details, visit the NC Board of Nursing Website. If you are considering a degree program that could potentially lead to professional licensure, please note that at this time Craven Community College may or may not be able to advise whether a program meets requirements outside of North Carolina. Prior to enrolling in a degree program, please discuss this important topic with your advisor.

You can view it here:

Nursing Student Handbook (PDF)

Contact Information

Health Programs - Nursing
Perdue Hall
New Bern Campus
252-638-1168

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