REVISED: October 23, 2015
Practical Nursing
Program
Information Packet
Health-Related Programs Admission Office
850.484.2210
[email protected]
The Practical Nursing program is a candidate for national accreditation with Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 850, Atlanta GA 30326, Phone: 404.975.5000, Fax: 404.975.5020. www.acenursing.org
Pensacola State College is an EA/EO Institution
What is expected of a Practical Nurse?
"Practice of practical nursing" as defined by the Florida Department of Health, Florida Board of Nursing means the performance of selected acts, including the administration of treatments and medications, in the care of the ill, injured, or infirm and the promotion of wellness, maintenance of health, and prevention of illness of others under the direction of a registered nurse, a licensed physician, a licensed osteopathic physician, a licensed podiatric physician, or a licensed dentist.
Nursing faculty believe that licensed practical nurses contribute necessary, unique and skilled competencies to the health care system. The Department of Nursing's mission is to provide quality educational opportunities for students seeking to enter the healthcare arena and to meet the healthcare needs of the community.
Special Admission Requirements
Students seeking admission to the program must complete an application to the College and the program. Admission to the program is limited by student/faculty ratios and availability of clinical resources. All application requirements must be completed before a student will be considered for admission to the PN program. Once all admission requirements are complete, candidates are ranked according to first complete. Students are required to successfully pass a criminal level II background and a urine drug screen prior to clinical experiences. Applicants who have an arrest record (other than a minor traffic violation) should be aware that they may not be permitted to sit for the licensing examination (NCLEX-PN) after program completion. The Florida Board of Nursing determines eligibility for NCLEX-PN after receiving an individual's application to take NCLEX-PN. Refer to www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/nursing/nur_faq.html for questions.
ADMISSION CRITERIA
Submission of Pensacola State College (PSC) Application ($30 non-refundable fee), Submit an application for the Health-Science Programs,
Submission of official high school transcripts,
Applicants to the PN program must be high school graduate or have completed the GED, Submission of official transcripts from all colleges currently attending or previously attended, Minimum 2.0 vocational cumulative grade point average,
Practical nursing entrance exam minimum raw scores of 24 on Judgment and Comprehension (reading), 36 on Academic Aptitude and 42 on Natural Science,
Score of 23 or higher on Health related Math exam, Complete Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE), Complete and passing Background and Drug Screening; Health compliance.
REQUIREMENTS FOR PROGRAM PROGRESSION
Grade of C or higher in practical nursing program, Grade of C or higher in all co-requisites and prerequisites,
Current CPR certification at the Health Care Provider level (American Heart Association only); Ability to meet Performance Standards of both mental and physical health, maintain current
immunizations:
o TDaP (Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis) booster within 10 years OR TD booster within 2 years
o MMR -Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella o Varicella (chicken pox)
o Hepatitis B Tuberculosis
o Influenza and H1N1 will be required yearly (October – April).
EXIT REQUIREMENT
Program Track
The PN Program is one year in length (three terms) and accepts students in the spring term.
Spring Summer Fall
HSC 003C
Basic Health Care Worker
B Session 90 Theory Hours HCP 0121C Certified Nursing Assistant B Session 60 Theory Hours 60 Clinical Hours 3 2.5 PRN 0092C Practical Nursing II A Session 195 Theory Hours 255 Clinical Hours 15 PRN 0096C
Practical Nursing III
A Session 195 Theory Hours 255 Clinical Hours 15 PRN 0091C Practical Nursing I D Session 165 Theory Hours 120 Clinical Hours 9.5
Total Vocational Credits 15 Total Vocational Credits 15 Total Vocational Credits 15
Performance Standards
A PN program applicant should possess the following capabilities:1. Sufficient physical, motor, sensory, intellectual, emotional, and social/ communication skills to provide safe patient care utilizing a variety of equipment in different health care environments. Examples of performance standards for nursing practice are outlined below.
2. Be of sound mind and body to perform the professional duties of a nursing student without becoming injurious to self or others.
Technical Standards/ Physical
Abilities & Skills Standard Examples
M
ob
ilit
y
Physical abilities sufficient to move independently from room to room, walk in hallways, maneuver in small places such as patient rooms, medication rooms.
Walking independently with patients from department to department, around the patient room, down the corridor, from one patient room to another to take care of all patients on a team and to assist in the transport of all patients from bed to bed, bed to chair. Walking, standing, sitting for long periods of time, stooping, lifting patients weighing, squatting, reaching, twisting, bending, pushing, pulling, dragging, climbing.
M
ot
or
Sk
ills
Gross and fine motor skills to practice safe and efficient patient care. Sufficient manual dexterity to manipulate equipment in the patient care setting.
Manual dexterity to start a patient’s intravenous line, set alarms on monitors, draw up and give injections to patients without extraneous movement.
H
ea
ring
Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and
assess health needs. Auscultation of breath sounds, heart sounds, blood pressure, bowel sounds, hearing alarms, call bells telephones in patient
care, converse with patients, family and staff from varying distances with varying audible sounds.
V
isu
al Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary to provide safe
patient care.
Reading patient charts/flow sheets/monitors, drawing up and administering medications, assessing patient skin tones, reading thermometers, assessing wound status, non-verbal behaviors.
Ta
ct
ile Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment and to provide safe patient care. Performing palpation, giving injections, starting IV’s, sterile and non-sterile dressing changes, urinary catheterization, assess
skin temperature and texture, and assist with patient care activities Com m uni ca tion
Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in coherent and concise oral and written form.
Following spontaneous verbal and/or written instructions. Is able to effectively communicate in English. Must be able to communicate the patient’s response to therapy to other members of the health care team, document patient responses to therapy on health care forms utilizing various forms of media, consult with health care team members/workers in a professional manner. Int er pe rs ona
l Interpersonal skills sufficient for interaction
with patients, families and groups from diverse backgrounds (cultural, emotional, intellectual) in a variety of health care settings
Conversing effectively with patients, families, and groups and in stressful patient care situations such as emergencies.
Cr itic al Thi nk ing
Critical thinking sufficient for clinical
decision-making Competent assessing a patient in a timely manner and correctly interpreting assessment. Readily responding with appropriate
C
ontact Information
Department Telephone # Importance Director of Nursing
Dusti Sluder ... 484-2254 [email protected]
Students are strongly advised to meet with the Health Admissions office on the PSC Warrington Campus when seeking admission into the PN program.
Health Related Programs Admissions Office
Warrington Campus ... 484-2210
Information and application packets are available for all health related programs.
Admissions/Registrar Offices
Warrington Campus. ... 484-2270
Pensacola Campus ... 484-1602 Milton Campus ... 484-4410
College application for admission is accepted at any of PSC campus. The Registrar’s Office verifies transcripts/ documents are received.
Testing Centers
Warrington Campus ... 484-1076 Pensacola Campus ... 484-1656
Register for entrance exams.
Academic Counseling Offices
Warrington Campus ... 484-2270 Pensacola Campus ... 484-1660 Milton Campus ... 484-4410
It is recommended that the applicant contact an academic advisor/counselor for detailed information on the program requirements.
Financial Aid/Veteran Affairs/Scholarships
Pensacola Campus ... 484-1680 Warrington Campus ... 484-2349 Milton Campus ... 484-4410
Expenses
In addition to tuition, the student may be assessed lab fees, books, and supplies as appropriate for each course. Additional expenditures specific to nursing courses include specialized equipment, uniforms, materials and supply fees for clinical and laboratory courses, and transportation for off-campus experiences. Course and pre-graduation achievement exams are required and paid for by the student. Fees are subject to change. See College Catalog for Financial Aid programs information.
Below is a list of APPROXIMATE costs and are subject to change without notice.
Expenses In-State Residents Alabama Out of State
Pensacola State College Application Fee (first time students) 30.00 30.00 30.00
Entrance Exam 28.00 28.00 28.00
Tuition – 45 Vocational credits
− Per credit hour: $85.80 FL Resident, − AL Resident $95.80
− Out of State $343.20
3861.00 4311.00 15444.00
Lab Fees 1118.69 1118.69 1118.69
Books, Modules, Forms Packets, and Assessment Tests 733.70 733.70 733.70
Preclinical Physical Examination and Immunizations Varies Varies Varies
Uniforms and Supplies
− (Includes 2 uniforms, shoes, hose, penlight,
stethoscope, bandage, scissors, benchmark test sheets, videotape, and photo)
275.00 275.00 275.00
Notice Regarding Changes to Policies
The provisions of this publication are not to be construed as a contract between the student and Pensacola State College. The College reserves the right to change any provision or requirement when such action becomes necessary. PN program requirements may change due to regulatory rules, accreditation standards, health recommendations, or program needs. Students are advised to work closely with the
counselors/advisors to remain up to date on program requirements.
Health Care Programs Admission Policy- Positive Drug Screen
Applicants who test positive on the required drug screen and cannot provide appropriate documentation to the Medical Review Officer explaining the positive result will be suspended on the candidate list for any limited access healthcare program in which they have achieved candidacy status for one year after the date of the positive drug screen.
At the end of the one year suspension the applicant will be placed in the next cohort and sent a letter of acceptance into the program. The applicant will be considered for all programs in which they received candidacy based on their original candidacy date prior to the one year suspension for the positive drug screen. Upon receipt of an acceptance letter into a limited access healthcare program the individual will perform a new background check and drug screen and is both are clear will be admitted to the program.
A second positive drug screen will result in the individual being purged from all limited access health care program application pools. The individual may reapply to any of the health care program(s); candidacy will be based on meeting the current entrance requirements for the program(s).
