Printer-Friendly

Practical Nursing Diploma

(Day Program)

PN program Information Sessions are required. For more information, contact Peg Mariani, ext 5431.

The Practical Nursing Program prepares students for licensure as licensed practical nurses.  Upon graduation students are prepared to work as entry level members of a multidisciplinary team providing care to clients in a variety of health care settings.

The Practical Nursing Program promotes a self-directed approach to learning throughout the student's seminar, laboratory, and clinical experiences.  Students participate actively in their learning process through involvement in regularly scheduled seminars, laboratory and clinical work, and ongoing self evaluation.  Students are regularly involved in group work that helps them develop the collaborative skills necessary for today's nursing practice, as well as providing them with a greater sense of community.  Students and faculty meet during scheduled seminars to discuss theoretical knowledge to skills and other related nursing care in the laboratory and clinical settings.  Students regularly utilize faculty as resources, and mentors to assist them in their learning process.

The curriculum is based on Self-Care Theories of Nursing and includes a general education component. Nursing courses are taken sequentially and include a clinical/lab component.   Students must earn a minimum grade of B- (80%) in all nursing courses.  Nursing courses that do not meet this requirement must be repeated.

Clinical learning experiences may be scheduled during the day and/or evenings.  Prior to all clinical affiliations, students must provide evidence of a current AHA/ARC CPR training healthcare provider level (online course not accepted), medical health insurance, and proof of certain immunization status.  Specific information on these will be further discussed in the informational session.

To ensure the safety and well being of others, the expectation is that students will demonstrate honesty, maturity, emotional stability, ethical behavior and adhere to the LPN Code of Ethics during these experiences. The program values clinical and ethical competence in all learning experiences.

Admission criteria:

       •     Active NH LNA License (to be kept current throughout the program);

       •     General requirements listed in the catalog;

       •     Evidence of high school credits in math, English and Science with lab.

       •     Two letters of reference submitted on forms provided by the College

       •     Completion of Applicant Questionnaire

       •     Acceptable performance on the TEAS pre-admission exam. Composite score of 110 or higher with a minimum of 50th percentile in each of the four sections - Math, Science, Reading and English and Language Usage. Register for exam online at https://www.atitesting.com

       •     Attendance at a mandatory PN Information Session

•   Completed A& P Essentials (or A&P I & II) and Introduction to Psychology (PSYC101)   with a grade of C or higher from a regionally approved college within the past 10 years.

Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). The Practical Nursing Program has full approval status from the New Hampshire Board of Nursing. For NCLEX PN pass rates go to: http://www.nh.gov/nursing/education/documents/sep11_pn_rpt.pdf

The New Hampshire Nurse Practice Act, RSA 326:B identifies limitations to licensure ie., conviction of a felony, which may prohibit the graduate from writing the licensure examination. Applicants will be provided with specific limitations during the admissions process. Since January 2004, NH Law requires that every applicant applying for an initial license to practice in nursing must submit a notarized “Criminal Record Release Authorization Form” to the Division of State Police prior to application for licensure.

Students will be required to take the Assessment Technology Institute Exam at the end of the program and will be billed for this exam during Spring Semester.

Gainful Employment Disclosure Statement