Practical Nursing (LPN)
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The Practical Nursing program prepares the individual to assist in providing general nursing care requiring basic knowledge of the biological, physical, behavioral, psychological, and sociological sciences; and of nursing procedures which do not require the the substantial skills, judgment, and knowledge required of a registered nurse. This care is performed under the direction of a registered nurse, licensed physician, or dentist. Students that complete the program requirements will be eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). The State Board of Nursing may refuse any individual the right to take the NCLEX-PN based on previous criminal records.
East Central Community College currently admits students into the Practical Nursing (PN) Program in August. Application deadline is May 1st. The PN Admissions Committee will select each semester's class from the pool of applicants who meet minimum admission requirements. Any application with incomplete records will not be considered for admission. The admission process is competitive and completion of minimum requirements is not a guarantee of admission. Minimum Admission Requirements (in addition to general admission requirements for the college); Applicants are evaluated on ACT score, academic course work, GPA, and pre-entrance examination using the following rubric. All applicants: 1. Must have an ACT composite score of 16 AND 2. Cumulative score 51% or higher on the pre-entrance exam Points will be awarded accordingly: ACT HESI pre-entrance 16-18 1 point 51-60 1 point 19-21 2 points 61-70 2 points 22-24 3 points 71-80 3 points 25+ 4 points 81 + 4 points A & P I A & P II A 2 points A 2 points B 1 point B 1 point Students within the 5 county district or previous enrollment at EC 1 point Credit for Prior Learning Credit will be given for prior learning. If the student has taken Anatomy and Physiology I and II with the labs and received a grade of "C" or better then the student will receive credit for PNV 1513 Body Structure and Function. The courses must be taken within the previous five (5) years or score at least 60 percentile on the HESI A2 pre-entrance exam Anatomy and Physiology subject area to receive credit for this course. Progression Requirements A minimum grade of 80 is required in each course and clinical to progress to the next semester. If a student is unsuccessful in any course during the semester, the student must repeat all courses in that semester. Withdrawal Registration for a course makes the student responsible for attending the class until the course is completed or until, with permission of the Dean, the Office of Admissions authorizes withdrawal from that course. A student who withdraws from the program must file an official withdrawal in the Office of Admissions. Failure to comply will result in the recording of failing grades in all nursing courses in which the student is registered. Upon withdrawal from the East Central Community College Practical Nursing Program, an exit interview will be conducted. The Dean or an instructor will meet with the student in order to identify factors that contributed to withdrawal from the nursing program. Dismissal A student may not be permitted to continue enrollment when the student has received a grade of "D" or "F" on any required nursing course. A student may be dismissed at any time from the nursing program by the Dean for any behavior determined to be unprofessional, unethical, unsafe, or illegal or for performance that is unsuitable for the practice of nursing. Readmission Each readmission case will be considered on an individual basis. Course repetition will be based on instructor availability and program resources. For readmission, the student must write a letter to the Dean requesting readmission by November 15 for spring readmission and May 1 for summer/fall readmission. The letter should include the following information:
The Dean will present the readmission request letter to the PN faculty. The Dean and the PN faculty will discuss the merits of the request and the interview recommendation. The following areas will be evaluated:
The decision to allow a student to return to the nursing program following documentation of unsafe or unethical nursing practice, resulting in clinical failure or withdrawal, rests with the Dean in consultation with the PN faculty. East Central Community College's Practical Nursing Program Philosophy Nursing is an art, a spirit, a science, and a profession which requires a great deal of caring. Nursing is maintaining health and rehabilitation to a level as near normal as possible. Nursing activity is directed toward meeting the patient's daily needs for medical and self-care. The faculty should lay the foundation of knowledge, place appropriate responsibility upon the students to learn, motivate the student, and secure learning experiences so that the student may acquire self-confidence and skill. The practical nursing program is a one-year (12 month) program that prepares a student upon graduation to function in the two roles of the licensed practical nurse. The two roles are: 1) provide direct patient care at the bedside in relatively stable nursing situations such as hospitals, nursing homes, private homes, extended care facilities, and other health care facilities under the direction of a qualified health professional; and 2) Perform nursing care in semi-complex and complex situations such as recovery rooms, labor rooms, coronary intensive care units, and emergency rooms which require a higher level of judgment on te part of the LPN and a closer working relationship with, and a greater degree of direction by, the health professional. It is the obligation and responsibility of the faculty to provide a sound educational program. The faculty must plan and secure learning experiences which will prepare the student to function in the role of the practical nurse. The nursing profession has an obligation to society to develop sound and efficient patterns for nursing education at the levels which are demanded by the nursing needs of society. Nursing, as an educational subject, can be developed at different levels (LPN, Associate Degree Nursing, and BSN) with regard to the extent of the knowledge and skills required. One necessary level is that of practical nursing. The practical nurse is very important member of the health team. |
LPN Information Sheet
Applications will be available January 3, 2014.
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