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
- Reinforce and/or implement the teaching plan developed and delegated by the registered nurse to promote the health of individuals, incorporating teaching and learning principles
- 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 of all ages
- Participate in Quality Improvement 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
- Evaluate nursing interventions and strategies, quality improvement processes, and technologies to ensure positive individual and organizational outcomes
- 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
| Course | Course Code | Credit Hours | Link to course details |
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| ACA-111 | 1 | ||
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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.
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| BIO-163 | 5 | ||
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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.
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| PSY-150 | 3 | ||
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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.
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| NUR-101 | 11 | ||
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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.
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| Course | Course Code | Credit Hours | Link to course details |
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| PSY-241 | 3 | ||
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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.
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| NUR-102 | 10 | ||
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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.
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| ENG-111 | 3 | ||
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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.
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| Course | Course Code | Credit Hours | Link to course details |
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| NUR-103 | 9 | ||
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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.
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Special admissions requirements
This program has additional application requirements. Please speak with an advisor for details.