No. of Credits: 42
Contact: L. Polk, Chair, Health Sciences Division;
K. Russell, Program Coordinator
The Practical Nursing certificate program prepares graduates to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). The practical nurse (PN) is prepared to assist with the nursing process to provide nursing care that promotes the achievement of optimal health outcomes. Students learn the principles and practices of nursing through independent and web-enhanced study, lectures, demonstrations, skills practice, and simulation. They participate in clinical practica off campus in a variety of healthcare settings under the supervision of nursing instructors. Employment opportunities exist in long-term care and a variety of community-based health care agencies. The Practical Nursing and Associate Degree in Nursing programs have the approval of the Maryland Board of Nursing and are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Accreditation information regarding the nursing programs may be obtained from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing: 3343 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326, 404-975-5000 www.acenursing.org.
Practical Nursing Certificate Admission Criteria:
- High school diploma or GED
- Minimum 2.0 GPA in high school or in college (with at least 12 earned college credits)
- College placement test scores at the ENG 1010 and MTH 1115 levels, and placement out of Reading, or completion of the appropriate College Prep courses to achieve these levels
- ACT (American College Test) composite raw score of 20 or above or SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) equivalent score of 950**** or above for Critical Reading and Math. ACT and SAT scores are considered current for five years).
**** This score is subject to change as statisticians at ACT recalculate comparable scores based on newer editions of ACT
This is a competitive admission program and begins only in the fall. First consideration will be given to residents of CSM’s service area (Calvert, Charles, St Mary’s counties). All petitioners who have met the admission criteria are ranked and admitted according to their residency status and cumulative GPA. The cumulative GPA will be calculated for all colleges in which transfer work has been applied to the program.
Admission and progression in this program requires that a “C” or better be earned in all coursework. The minimum grade of “C” is 75% for nursing courses that have letter grades.
This program may be designated as a Health Manpower Shortage program. For more information contact the Admissions Department.
The maximum number of credits accepted in transfer from other institutions to this program is 31.
Applicants may obtain the Nursing Programs’ Admission Information booklet from an advisor or online at the college’s web site. After reviewing the program requirements and procedures, applicants are advised to attend a nursing information session before meeting with an academic advisor.
LPNs with an active unencumbered Maryland or compact state LPN license are eligible to apply for admission to the LPN-ADN Transition pathway. Students should discuss this opportunity with a college advisor.
NOTE: Students are required to provide proof of immunization status, a completed health form, a criminal background check and drug screen at the students’ expense. Students are also required to provide proof of health insurance and CPR certification. The American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare providers OR the American Red Cross CPR for Professional Rescuers are the only accepted CPR courses.
The college will not be responsible for any tuition, fees or other costs that may be charged or paid or lost due to incomplete, untimely or unsatisfactory health records, CPR certification, background check or drug screen. The college is not responsible for the conduct of background checks and drug screenings, or decisions made by other entities as a result of the background check and drug screening requirements.
Career Opportunities:
Licensed practical nurse
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will…
- Use the nursing process to identify the interrelationship among the person, the environment, health, and the role of nursing
- Apply knowledge from the biopsychosocial arts and sciences to assist persons with commonly occurring and recurring health problems to achieve health outcomes
- Use established standards and principles to administer safe nursing care which takes basic functional, physiological, psychological, and environmental domains into consideration
- Contribute to the development of the nursing plan of care using application of knowledge, judgment, principles of communication, specialized skills, creative problem solving, and critical thinking
- Assist the person in achieving health promotion, maintenance, restoration, or palliation
- Manage care to meet priorities, providing appropriate delegation to and supervision of assistive personnel
- Practice within the legal and ethical framework of practical nursing
- Participate in activities that promote responsible, competent licensed practical nursing practice and continued educational development within the global health care community
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