2013-2014 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Nursing (Practical Nursing), Certificate
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 Return to: Programs of Study
Special Admission Requirements: Initial Program Application Deadline: November 1 and Final Application Deadline April 1
Career Programs Building, Room 110, 240-500-2380
This program of study is designated as a Health Manpower Shortage Program; therefore, some residents of Maryland enrolled in this program of study on the first day of the term may be eligible for in-county tuition rates for courses required for program completion.
Award: Certificate
Total Credit Hours: A minimum of 42 credit hours.
Purpose: For students who wish to complete a certificate program in practical nursing. The nursing program is approved by the Maryland State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) formerly known as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The nursing program is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skill, and understanding necessary to function effectively in all areas of practical nursing. Graduates of the nursing program are eligible to apply to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).
Curriculum: The curriculum is divided into several broad areas of study and consists of lecture, laboratory, and clinical experiences. Emphasis is on providing basic nursing care to assist persons with acute and chronic health problems in a variety of settings.
Program Outcomes
- Eighty percent of the RN and PN students who begin the program will successfully complete the program within a maximum of three calendar years from the date of entry.
- Ninety percent of the program graduates will pass NCLEX on their first attempt.
- Ninety percent of the graduate survey respondents will be employed as an entry-level practitioner within 6 months of graduation.
- Seventy five percent of the graduate survey respondents will express satisfaction with curriculum, environment, learning resources, support services, and policies.
- One hundred percent of students graduating from the HCC Nursing Programs will meet all student learning outcomes.
Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, graduates of the Practical Nursing Program will be able to:
- Utilize critical thinking to assist in implementing the nursing process to provide care for individuals and families that will promote health throughout the lifespan in a variety of settings.
- Adhere to quality of care and safety standards in both acute and community based environments.
- Practice within the ethical and legal framework of the nursing profession.
- Provide compassionate care and serve as advocates for individuals and families, respecting their diverse cultures, values, and belief systems.
- Use therapeutic verbal, nonverbal, and written communication skills.
- Assists the individual, family, and the healthcare team to promote, maintain or restore health, and comfort the dying.
- Uses human, physical, and technological resources in a safe and costeffective manner without sacrificing quality nursing care.
- Participate in lifelong learning activities that promote career growth and personal development.
- Manage and provide care with and across healthcare settings under supervision and according to the LPN scope of practice.
Pre-Admission Requirement
Students must complete the nationally normed test for nursing students known as the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). The TEAS is a scholastic aptitude assessment in the areas of math, reading, English, and science. Students will not be considered for admission to the program until they achieve the required scores on the TEAS. Applicants should consult the HCC Web site at www.hagerstowncc.edu/academics/divisions/nursing/teas for specific infomation about the TEAS, including score requirements. This requirement should be completed prior to submission of the Supplemental Application (see below), but no later than the application deadline.
Admission Requirements
Admission to HCC does not guarantee admission to the Division of Nursing. The requirements below must be completed and submitted to the Office of Admissions and Registration by the application deadline. Students who complete admission requirements and submit all required documentation will be considered for the program until April 1. Qualified applicants will be admitted on a first come, first served basis.
- Submit a completed program application known as the Supplemental Application for the Practical Nursing Program form
- Submit TEAS scores
- Proof of high school graduation or completion of GED with official transcripts
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended
- Completion of CHM 101 or high school chemistry or concurrent enrollment in CHM 101
- College placement tests in mathematics, English, and reading
- Completion of the A&P placement test with a passing score or concurrent enrollment in BIO 099
- Completion of all required science courses within seven years prior to admission to the program
- Completion of ENG 099 or concurrent enrollment or eligibility to enter ENG 100
- Completion of MAT 099 or concurrent enrollment, or eligibility for MAT 100 (MAT 101 not required)
- A grade of “C” or higher is required for all general education requirements
- A minimum cumulative grade point average for all college coursework of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Foreign educated students must have their college and high school transcripts evaluated by World Education Services (WES) or AACRAO International Education Services (IES)
Program Requirements: Students practice skills and procedures in the college laboratory. All nursing students must receive:
- A minimum overall grade of 75% in each nursing course.
- A minimum exam grade average of 75% in each nursing course.
- A minimum grade of 90% on a drug calculation exam each semester.
- A mark of satisfactory for both the simulation laboratory and clinical experiences. Students who receive a final mark of unsatisfactory in the clinical laboratory or clinical experience, or fail the drug calculation exam, despite a passing theory grade, will not be permitted to progress in the nursing program and will receive a final grade of “F” for the course.
Students who do not meet program or course standards that result in termination from the nursing program by the Director, Nursing Division, are not eligible for readmission. This includes students who cannot meet safety standards, and students who violate the college’s Honor Code and Standards of Conduct, the nursing program’s Standards of Conduct, and the National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses’ Association Code of Ethics.
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Program Requirements (42 credits)
Certificate Requirement (42 Credits)
Selection Criteria
Students will be admitted to the practical nursing program each summer. The program is an over subscribed program which means that there are more applicants than there are available seats in the program. Students are selected for admission based on their TEAS score. Students who have been accepted for admission will be notified of the decision by mail. The offer of admission is for the specified year only.
Those students not admitted to the class will be placed on a standby list until June 1. The standby list is dissolved after this date, and students who desire admission to the practical nursing program in a subsequent year, must fill out another Supplemental Application for the Practical Nursing Program form and follow the admission guidelines above. Final Acceptance
Final acceptance into the program is contingent upon the following criteria. Students unable to meet these criteria will be withdrawn from the program and the seat filled by a student from the standby list.
- Completion of CHM 101 (if in progress at time of application), ENG 101 , BIO 103 , BIO 104 , PSY 101 and MAT 099 with a grade of “C” or better. Students must have completed or be eligible to take BIO 104 by the summer semester in which nursing courses begin; this means BIO 103 must be completed during or before the Spring semester of that same year.
- Students must pass a dosage calculation exam with a score of 90% or above.
- Students must successfully pass a drug screen and criminal background check.
- Students must be able to meet the program’s technical standards.
- Satisfactory completion of a health examination record and all required tests and immunizations.
- Current American Heart Association “Healthcare Provider” CPR certification.
Criminal Background Checks
All nursing students who are offered admission to the nursing program will be required to complete a criminal background check. A separate criminal background check may also be required by a clinical site prior to beginning a clinical experience. Criminal background check results are disclosed to clinical facilities as required. If a student is denied access by a clinical site because of the background check, and as a result, cannot meet program requirements, the student will be dismissed from the nursing program.
Individuals applying to take the NCLEX – PN exam may be required to submit to an additional criminal background check depending upon the state in which the individual seeks licensure. State boards of nursing may deny an individual the opportunity to sit for an examination, or grant licensure, even if the individual has completed all course work and graduated from the program, if the individual has a criminal history, has been convicted, or pleads guilty, or nolo contendere to a felony or other serious crime. Drug Screen
All nursing students who are offered admission to the nursing program will be required to submit to a drug screen. Drug screen results are disclosed to clinical facilities as required. A random drug screen may also be requested at any time during the nursing program if a nursing faculty member or a clinical facility representative has reasonable cause to suspect that a student is impaired and poses a safety concern to patients or others. If a student is denied access by a clinical site because of drug screen results, and as such, cannot meet program requirements, the student will be dismissed from the nursing program. Readmission to the Nursing Program
Students who fail NUR 111 and desire readmission to the program must reapply as a first time student according to the standards listed above. Students who withdraw from or fail NUR 112 , NUR 113 , NUR 114 , and NUR 115 , and desire readmission to the practical nursing program, must submit their request in writing to the Director, Nursing Division within 60 days of withdrawal or unsuccessful completion of the course. In addition, students who fail a course because of failing the course’s required drug calculation exam are required to successfully complete a drug calculation exam for readmission to the program. Readmission cannot be assured and is based on the availability of seats, faculty, and clinical facilities. Readmission to the nursing program must take place within one year of leaving the program. The curriculum under which a student seeks readmission may be different from the one under which the student left. Students who are accepted for readmission must complete the degree requirements in place at the time of readmission. Students who fail or withdraw from a nursing course after readmission are not eligible to be readmitted a second time. Transfer from Other Colleges
Students transferring to HCC from other colleges who seek admission as a first time student into the practical nursing program must be enrolled as an HCC student and complete the Supplemental Application for the Practical Nursing Program form by the established deadline dates. In order to be considered for admission, students must meet the same requirements as other first time students and will be selected according to the same criteria. Official transcripts from all colleges attended must be received by the application deadline. A transfer evaluation will be done on all transcripts by the Office of Admissions and Registration to determine which courses a student may transfer to HCC for credit. Required science courses that are older than seven years must be repeated. Transfer to Associate Degree Nursing Programs
Licensed Practical Nurses with an active, unencumbered Maryland or compact LPN license articulating to the Associate Degree level are awarded a maximum of one year of nursing courses in the program they are entering, following successful completion of the program’s transition course(s), if required. (Maryland Board of Nursing. Online. 01-10-08). Technical Standards
There are technical standards and skill requirements which students are expected to possess and demonstrate in order to be successful in this program. More information on these standards can be found on the Web page for this program. |
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