Nursing – LPN

PRACTICAL NURSING CERTIFICATE LEADING TO LPN (157) PROGRAM OF STUDY FIRST SEMESTER
Course #		Course Title	Credit	Pre-Requisite Courses (if applicable)
SDV	100	College Success Skills	1
PNE	161	Nursing in Health Changes I (Actual Clinic hours — 24 Geriatrics)	6	Acceptance into Practical Nursing program
SAF	130	Safety for Healthcare	1
Students earn AHA Heartsaver OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen certification and OSHA 10 certification. OPTION: After successful completion of PNE 161 and 40 clinical hours students are eligible to challenge the Certified Nurse Aide Exam
NUR	135	Drug Dosage Calculations	2
PNE	143	Applied Nursing Skills	1	Acceptance into Practical Nursing program
PNE	173	Pharmacology for PN’s	2	Acceptance into Practical Nursing program
PNE	174	Applied Pharmacology for Practical Nursing	1	Acceptance into Practical Nursing program
PNE	155	Body Structure & Function	3	Working on courses for or acceptance into Practical Nursing program
STUDENTS MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE VIRGINIA BOARD OF NURSING CERTIFIED MEDICATION AIDE EXAM
SECOND SEMESTER
PNE	162	Nursing in Health Changes II (Actual Clinic Hours — 210 MS/GERI/PEDI/MENTAL)	10	SDV 100, ENG 111, PNE 161, MTH 126, PNE 143, PNE 173, PNE 155
PSY	230	Developmental Psychology	3
PNE	158	Mental Health	1	SDV 100, ENG 111, PNE 161, MTH 126, PNE 143, PNE 173, PNE 155
PNE	159	Care of Pediatric Clients	2	SDV 100, ENG 111, PNE 161, MTH 126, PNE 143, PNE 173, PNE 155
THIRD SEMESTER
ENG	111	College Composition	3
PNE	164	Nursing-Health Changes IV (Actual Clinic Hours — 210 OB/Advanced Clinical)	10	PNE 162, PSY 230, PNE 158, PNE 295
PNE	132	Care of Maternal and Newborn Clients	2	PNE 162, PSY 230, PNE 158, PNE 295
PNE	145	Trends	1	PNE 162, PSY 230, PNE 158, PNE 295
HLT	130	Nutrition and Diet Therapy	2
Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN examination and subsequent licensure.
Total Program Credits			51

Notes and Additional Curriculum Options

Course substitutions may be available. Please see an advisor for more information.

Completion of both PSY 231 and PSY 232 will substitute for PSY 230. Completion of BIO 145, or both BIO 141 and 142, or completion of both BIO 231 and 232, will substitute for PNE 155.

For Further Information, Contact:

Kim Dorton, Dean of Health Sciences	kdorton@mecc.edu	276.523.9014
Lena Whisenhunt , Program Director	lwhisenhunt@mecc.edu	276.523.9022
Sabrina Cowden	scowden@mecc.edu	276.523.9012
Mitzi Jones	mjones@mecc.edu	276.523.9015

Admission to the Practical Nursing program is a selective process. The Practical Nursing program is open to applicants who are free of any physical or mental condition which might adversely affect performance as a member of the nursing profession. In addition to the requirements for admission to the college, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

• Completion of Practical Nursing Program Application for each academic year interested in being considered for the Practical Nursing program.

• State accredited high school diploma, home school diploma, or GED.
• High school/GED Graduates with less than twelve (12) transferable college credits
• The cumulative high school GPA will be used when less than twelve (12) transferable college creditsare completed. The GPA for GED recipients will be computed based on the total GED score.

 

Applicants are solely responsible for completing and/or submitting the following items:

• MECC  application for admission to the college
• MECC Practical Nursing Program Application (Spring Semester – accepted August 1 – October 1;   Fall Semester – accepted March 1 – June 1). Applicants will be notified of status for admission during the month following application deadline.
• A copy of high school transcript or GED scores and any college transcripts must be submitted to Enrollment Services attached to the Application for Practical Nursing as part of the application packet.
• It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to ensure the application file is complete and all supporting documents have been received in Enrollment Services/Admission.

Anyone who has been convicted of a federal or state felony or misdemeanor (excluding minor traffic violations) and anyone with a history of drug or alcohol habituation should arrange for a conference with the Program Director or a nursing faculty member upon application to the program.

First Phase of Admission:

• College placement scores indicating readiness for MTH 126 or higher
• College placement scores indicating readiness for ENG 111
• Biology with a lab (high school or college) with a “C” or better. Applied biology and/or ecology does not satisfy this requirement. Biology requirements must have been completed within five (5) years of application. PNE 155, BIO 101 or BIO 102, BIO 141 or BIO 142, NAS 171 will meet the admission requirements.
• A Cumulative GPA (Grade Point Average) of at least a 2.5 in high school or at the last college or university where at least 12 credits hours were completed. GED recipients will be ranked according to their general equivalent diploma scores.

The most current grade recorded for coursework will be used in admission consideration.

Students must meet the above listed requirements to continue to the second phase of the admission process.

Second Phase of Admission:

• Applicants must complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills version V (TEAS V). Testing can be completed in Student Services a maximum of twice a year-once for Fall and once for Spring placement. Tests will be administered during the month of July and November. Applicants must complete all sections on the TEAS V. A minimum individualized adjusted score of 54% is required for admission into the program. Testing fee: $55.00. (price for testing subject to change). Fees for TEAS V testing must be paid by credit card, debit card, or prepaid card in Student Services. Please bring one of these methods of payment with you on the day of your test. Payment will be made during registration process for the TEAS V test. The Student Services Staff will assist you in this process.

• To help you prepare for the TEAS test, study materials are available from:

  ·          ATI at https://www.atitesting.com/teas/teas-prep

  ·          https://www.testprepreview.com

  ·          www.uniontestprep.com

  ·          The MECC Library also offers TEAS study guides as reference materials. These materials cannot be checked out but are free to the students to use. There are TEAS reference materials available at cost to the student also. Complete a google search of TEAS V study materials for more information.

• On the day of the TEAS V test, certified nurse aides with a minimum of 1,000 hours and 6 months’ work experience wishing to receive credit for work experience must submit to the program director:

• A copy of their Board certification
• An officially sealed letter from human resources verifying length of work experience (1,000 hours or 6 months minimum), area of experience, and contact information
• All documentation will be verified by the program director

Other admission point availability:

General Education Course Requirements. These are the required general education program courses that will be used to give extra points for courses completed. Students are highly encouraged, but not required, to complete this coursework prior to submission of application.

• ENG 111- 3 credits
• MTH 126- 2 credits
• HLT 130- 1 credit
• SDV 100- 1 credit
• PSY 231 and 232 – 6 credits
• PSY 230 – 3 credits
• BIO 141 and 142- 8 credits
• PNE 155 – 3 credits

Students should refer to the Practical Nursing Admission Process and the Health Science Program Application for published deadlines and admission criteria.

Special Note

The State Board of Nursing has the authority to deny licensure to any applicant who has violated any of the provisions of 54.1-3008 of the Code of Virginia. Any student entering the Practical Nursing program who has committed any legal offenses other than minor traffic violations should discuss these matters with the Program Director of the Practical Nursing program prior to application.

Program Requirements

The student is required to complete a sequence of courses and learning experiences provided at the college, off campus educational facilities, and selected community agencies, such as hospitals, nursing homes, physician’s offices, and comparable facilities. The Practical Nursing faculty will observe and evaluate the student’s suitability for nursing and direct patient care.

The Practical Nursing program faculty reserves the right to recommend, through appropriate channels, the withdrawal of any student who does not exhibit suitable demeanor/attendance.

Students must complete all first semester courses prior to completing any second semester courses; all second semester courses must be completed prior to completing any third semester courses. Students are encouraged to repeat courses, if necessary, within the next available semester but must be completed within one year of admission. If over one year, students will be required to submit an application and repeat all PNE coursework. Students dismissed from the program for any reason, will not be allowed re-admission.

Physical demands in this program include duties that frequently require squatting, bending, kneeling, reaching, stair climbing, lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, frequent pushing and pulling up to 200 pounds with assistance, and occasional lifting and carrying up to 51-74 pounds. Duties also require constant use of sight, hearing, touch, and speech. Environmental conditions include procedures that involve handling blood and body fluids using standard precautions.

Criminal Background Check/Drug Screening

Background checks for criminal history and sex offender crimes against minors are required for entrance into clinical agencies. Students with convictions may be prohibited from clinical practice and may not be allowed to complete the program. Any questionable background check will be reported to the clinical agency. Clinical agencies have final say whether a student may attend clinical or not. If a student is denied admission into the clinical agency, the student will not be allowed to finish the program.

Clinical agencies require drug testing prior to placement of students for clinical rotations. Students with positive drug test results will be prohibited from clinical practice and will not be eligible to complete the program. The cost of criminal background checks and drug testing will be the responsibility of the student.

Program Progression

Any student who earns a final grade lower than “C” in any listed curricular course must repeat the course and earn a final grade of “C” or better before taking the next course of sequence. Students are encouraged to repeated courses within the next available semester but must be completed within one year of admission. If over one year, students will be required to submit an application and repeat all PNE coursework. Students will be allowed ONE course failure and repeat of ONE PNE course or recognized course substitute. Upon failure of second course, student will be dismissed from program, regardless of the semester, and ineligible for readmission.

Students are allowed two withdrawals from PNE courses. Upon the third withdrawal, the student will be dismissed from the program.

Applicants and enrolled students within the Practical Nursing program must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Any applicant or enrolled student who fails to maintain a GPA of 2.0 or greater will be dismissed from the program.

All students will be required to complete ATI proctor exams in PNE 161, PNE 164, PNE 158, PNE 173, PNE 136 (OB and pediatrics), and PNE 145. Regardless of letter grade, a level 1 proficiency score is required to successfully complete the above listed coursework. Students who do not achieve a level 1 proficiency score will be given a grade of “F” and be required to repeat the coursework. Students who are unsuccessful (grade D or F) within coursework will not be allowed to take the ATI proctor exams and will be given the grade earned for that course.

Reminder, students may only fail and repeat one PNE, or accepted substitution, course. Upon second failure, student will be dismissed from program.

In the third semester (PNE 145), students will be given an ATI predictor exam. Students are required to score a minimum of 90% probability of passing boards on first attempt. Students will have two (2) attempts to earn the minimum score of 90% probability. Students who do not score the minimum of 90% probability on the exit exam will be given a grade of “F” for the course. Students will be required to repeat the PNE 145 coursework and take PNE 199-supervised study (graded as: satisfactory/unsatisfactory). Upon satisfactory completion of PNE 145 and PNE 199 coursework, students will be required to retake the predictor exams. Students will be given two (2) attempts to score 90% or greater probability of passing on first attempt. If 90% probability is not achieved, students will be given a grade of “F” in PNE 145 and will not earn the certificate of practical nursing and will be ineligible to retake the practical nursing certificate coursework.

Virginia Community College System policy states that no course may be taken more than twice (original enrollment and one repeat). There will be no exceptions to this policy.

Special Considerations

Practical Nursing is an academically rigorous program, but one having the potential to provide a rewarding career for participants.

Practical Nursing classes begin in the fall and spring of each year. This program is a limited enrollment program that accepts a maximum of 25 students in the spring semester and 30 students in the fall semester.

Medical Insurance coverage and personal liability for expenses related to injury and/or illness is the sole responsibility of the student. The College nor program assumes no responsibility for medical expenses and does not provide health insurance for students.

Financial Requirements

Students are responsible for the following costs in addition to tuition, fees, and book costs: uniforms, CPR/First Aid certification, immunizations, physical exam, medical equipment (stethoscope, sphygmomanometer, pen light, watch with second hand, etc.), and mandatory review and testing services (ATI) throughout the program. Upon completion of training, students will be eligible to sit the NCLEX-PN examination. All fees related to licensure examination are the student’s responsibility. Students are also responsible for their own transportation to the college and all clinical sites. Students who fail to meet these responsibilities will not be able to continue in the program. The anticipated cost of training: $7500.00 (subject to change as prices fluctuate).