Practical Nursing Program Certificate
(Day and Evening Programs Offered)
The Practical Nursing Program prepares you for a career as a licensed practical nurse. Licensed practical nurses are important members of the health care delivery team. They work as licensed nurses within the framework specified by the Nursing Statues and Regulation of the Commonwealth.
They may be employed in various settings including, but not limited to doctors’ offices, acute care, long term care, clinics, and rehabilitation centers. LPNs provide direct care to patients whose conditions are relatively stable and non-complex. LPNs work as a part of the health care delivery team to insure the patient’s plan of care is followed thoroughly.
Upon successful completion of this program, you are eligible to take the National Licensure examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Quinsigamond’s program is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing, 239 Causeway Street, Boston, MA 02114, 617.727.3060 and is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), 3343 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, GA 30326, 404.975.5000.
Courses in both practical nursing and the biological and social sciences are required in the program. Practical Nursing courses include clinical experiences in area hospitals, community healthcare settings, and long term care facilities, as well as classroom study and laboratory practice on campus. All clinical experiences are conducted under the supervision of Quinsigamond faculty. The program can be completed in forty weeks, if pursued on a full-time basis.
Upon completion of this certificate program and successful completion of the NCLEX-PN exam, you will be prepared to obtain employment as a licensed practical nurse and/or continue your studies at the associate's degree level in such disciplines as registered nursing, medical support specialist or other related field of study.
Entrance into most clinical agencies will require the wearing of a school uniform. Students should anticipate additional expenses for clinical uniforms, professional liability insurance and standardized testing.
To be eligible to continue in the program, the student must achieve a grade of "C” or higher in all Practical Nursing (PNP) courses and in BIO 140, PSY 101, and PSY 121, and must demonstrate satisfactory progress in the laboratory and clinical components of each nursing course. Students who have received a grade below a “C” in BIO 140, PSY 101 and PSY 121 are required to repeat the course and obtain a grade of “C” or higher by the end of the semester in which they are required or required as a prerequisite. The student must also satisfy all course and program requirements, including regulations on attendance and conduct, in order to be eligible for licensure and graduation. Students who do not have completed health files submitted to the Practical Nurse Program and cleared by the Clinical Coordinator by July 21st of the respective year will be removed from their nursing courses and will have to file for readmission to the next available year.
Readmission is always based on space availability. Please review the readmission policy outlined in the QCC handbook.
Applicants should understand the State Board of Registration in Nursing reserves the right to refuse an applicant the privilege of sitting for the NCLEX-PN examination based on a Good Moral Character Licensure requirement. As a result of this requirement, a Criminal Offenders Record Information (CORI) and Sexual Offenders Record Information (SORI) check is required of all students accepted into the program and each semester thereafter. Students should be aware that a court record might prevent them from taking the NCLEX-PN examination. More information is available by contacting the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Nursing. Finger printing may be required and drug testing will be required. All students must submit evidence of a positive Hepatitis B titer to be admitted to the program.
Admissions Process
Specialized Health Careers Advising facilitates the entry of students to Health Care Programs. All students applying should contact Health Careers Advising at 508.854.4308.
Additional costs
Practical Nurse Education students should anticipate additional expenses for uniforms/clinical wear, textbooks, professional liability insurance, licensing examinations, and any required skills for remediation.
Technical Performance Standards
Prior to application of this program, please review the Technical Standard requirements on pages 16-19 of the current college catalog.
A total of 46 credits are required for the Certificate in Practical Nursing.
Gainful Employment Disclosure
The CIP Code is 51.3901. See http://www.onetonline.org/crosswalk/CIP?s=51.3901&g=Go for more information.
77.8% of students graduate on-time. The average student completes this program with a Median Federal Loan Debt of $5,723 and a Median Non-Federal Loan Debt of $8,090.
Courses
Semester 1
Introduction to the Human Body
Practical Nursing I
Introduction to Pharmacology
Introduction to Psychology
Semester 2
A Survey of Life Span Development: Conception to Death
Semester 3
Practical Nursing II: Medical/ Surgical Nursing of the Adult/ Aged
Concepts in Mental Health
Nutritional Concepts in Health and Illness
Clinical Pharmacology
Trends in Practical Nursing
Semester 4
Practical Nursing III: Pediatric/ Maternal/ Newborn/Leadership Management Nursing