PRACTICAL NURSING (PN04)

The Practical Nursing program is accredited by the Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed Practical Nurses and is designed to prepare students for the State Board of Examination for licensure as practical nurses. The program prepares graduates to give competent nursing care. This is done by providing a selected number of academic and occupational courses that offer a variety of techniques and materials necessary to assist the student in acquiring the needed knowledge and skills. A variety of clinical experiences is planned so that theory and practice are integrated under the guidance of the clinical instructors. Program graduates receive a Practical Nursing diploma and have the qualifications of an entry-level practical nurse.

Licensure Requirement
Special Entrance Requirements and Procedures for Admission

Admission is competitive. To be admitted to the program, students must have completed all the required general core and Health Technology Core courses, with the exception of AHS 102, Drug Calculation & Administration. Effective Fall Quarter 2008, in addition to the Health Technology Core, students must complete AHS 103 Nutrition and Diet Therapy in order to be selected for progression into the clinical portion of the program.

The first quarter of instruction, general and Health Technology Core, is conducted on campus, with theoretical classes only (general and Health Technology Core). Second quarter instruction includes AHS 102 Drug Calculation & Administration, theoretical classes, and direct laboratory application on campus and 60-hours of direct patient care clinical experience. Third, fourth, and fifth quarter students are on campus two days a week for theoretical classes and laboratory applications and are at the clinical sites three days a week for direct patient care experience. Every course is not offered every quarter at any and/or all locations.

Upon entrance to NSG 110, students must submit to the instructor current physical, dental and immunization forms, proof of student professional liability insurance. Student nurses’ uniforms are ordered at the beginning of NSG 110. Students will not be allowed to begin their clinical affiliation until above-mentioned forms, uniforms, and evidence of current CPR certification are received and all required nursing skills are attained.

Academic Progress

Practical Nursing students must pass all courses each quarter with a grade "C" or above and have a GPA of 2.00 or above in order to progress to the next quarter and remain on track. Those who receive a grade below a C remove themselves from the on track progression in the Nursing Program; and, therefore, will be subject to quarterly priority admission for repeating the course. The following policies apply to all AHS, MAT, NSG and NPT courses:

Only one of these courses may be repeated. The second course failure will result in program dismissal. Upon completion of the program and NSG 215, the student must take and satisfactorily complete a standardized exit exam in order to be eligible to receive the diploma in Practical Nursing and be eligible to take the NCLEX-PN examination. Details will be given upon entry to the NSG 215 course.

NOTE: A student who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor may be admitted to the nursing program, but such a conviction may prohibit one from taking the Practical Nurse License Examination. Permission to sit for the examination rests solely with the Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed Practical Nurses.