Practical Nursing
Program
2017-2018
Application Checklist for High School
Students in the PCCS Program
Important Contacts
Lake Land College 5001 Lake Land BlvdMattoon, IL 61938 www.lakelandcollege.edu Krista Burrell, Counselor for Allied Health
Luther Student Center, Counseling Services, Room #25; 217-234-5042 [email protected]
Assists with the application and registration process.
Provides general information and advising regarding Allied Health programs, as well as Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing completion options.
Mary Rogers, Administrative Assistant/Allied Health Neal Hall, 217-234-5447
Maintains all of the nursing program files. Schedules students for Pre-PN Entrance Exam.
Provides general information about the college’s nursing programs. Cheryl Beam, Director of the Nursing Program
Neal Hall, Room 002, 217-234-5452 [email protected]
Oversees all aspects of the nursing programs. Reviews waiver requests and admissions credits.
Advises CRT.PN.TRK, CRT.PN, and potential students regarding progression toward graduation.
Teaches in the PN and ADN programs.
Lake Land College’s Practical Nursing program is accredited by: Accreditation Commission for
Education in Nursing
3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850 Atlanta, GA 30326
www.acenursing.org
Higher Learning Commission 230 South LaSalle St. Suite 7-500 Chicago, IL 60604
Practical Nursing
Rev. CB 2/15
Admissions Information
Partner for College and Career Success (PCCS) eligibility allows graduating high students to be considered for admission to the PN program from a group comprised only of other PCCS students. Students accepted through PCCS are guaranteed a spot in the program, upon successful completion of
college coursework (C’s or better), as outlined in this packet.
Admission into the program will only be considered once the student’s file is complete. A complete file includes all of the required elements on the Admissions Checklist.
Practical Nursing (CRT.PN)—PCCS Student Checklist
Complete the following required steps prior to March 1 of the year for which you are applying.
Meet with high school guidance counselor regarding certification of PCCS eligibility during junior year of high school. Request high school guidance counselor submit high school transcript and completed PCCS certificate to the nursing department at Lake Land College.
Complete an Intent to Enroll for Lake Land College—Select “CRT.PN.TRK” as the academic program. This will ensure you are assigned a nursing academic advisor. It will also generate a Lake Land email account; prospective students are expected to check this email account on a regular basis for nursing department correspondence.
Complete a Nursing Department Intent Form indicating interest in the Practical Nursing Program. These are available online, in the nursing department, or in Counseling Services. Receipt of this form will prompt the nursing department to start a file and correspondence will begin.
The department will review student information to determine eligibility to take the take the HESI A2 Admission Assessment Exam. To be eligible, the applicant needs satisfactory scores in 2 of 3 categories on one of the following: (College Placement and ACT scores are valid for 5 yrs)
o Compass: English 81, Reading 83, and Algebra 39. This is the Lake Land College Placement test. To schedule, call the Tutoring and Testing Center at (217) 234-5301.
o ACT: Reading 21, English 19, and Math 19.
o OR Completion of at least 2 of the following 3 courses (or their equivalents): RDG 050 (or completion of 30 college credits in good standing), ENG 007 or higher, & MAT 005 or higher. Within 2 weeks of receipt of completed intent form, applicants will be notified (via Lake
Land email) regarding eligibility to take the HESI A2 Admission Assessment Exam. To be considered for the Practical Nursing Program the applicant must obtain a minimum acceptable score of 70 on this exam. NOTE: this exam was changed in 2016—students taking the previous exam are required to attain a score of 80.
Upon receipt of this email, it is the students’ responsibility to schedule and pay for the exam with the Tutoring and Testing Center in Webb Hall at (217) 234-5301. The cost is $50, payable to “Lake Land College,” by cashier’s check or money order only. Payment can be delivered in person or by mail to Lake Land College Tutoring and Testing Center. Payment must be received at least two weeks before the test—allow ample time if utilizing the US mail to send payment. This exam is a three hour, proctored, online test offered the first Friday of September, October, November, December, and January. Students will be tested in reading comprehension, vocabulary and general knowledge, and math.
A study guide is available to assist in preparation for the exam:
HESI Admission Assessment Exam Review, 3rd ed. (2012). ISBN: 978-4557-0333-3
Admission scores are calculated utilizing the following rubric approved by the
nursing department.
Practical Nursing Admissions Rubric
Intent Form—Practical Nursing 2.5 points for each 6 month period, Jan
1-June 30 and July 1-December 31. 0 to 10 points
HESI A2 Admission Assessment Exam Minimum of 75 points
Completion of a certificate program (40 credits or more) or higher degree in a related healthcare field.
10 points
Currently employed in a healthcare field with direct patient care experience
10 points
Practical Nursing
Rev. CB 2/15
Course Waivers
A Practical Nursing student will be given a waiver for one of the first semester courses—PNC 049—Foundations in Nursing (6 credit hours)—if he/she has completed Anatomy & Physiology I and II (BIO 225 and 226) and Nutrition (HED 102) with grades “C” or better. All three courses must have been taken within the last 5 years, and completed by the end of the summer
preceding admission to the program. Eligible students must complete the following:
Write a letter to the director of the nursing program requesting the waiver. All
requests for waivers need to be submitted by June 1st. If enrolled in one of the courses
in the summer preceding admission, follow-up after courses completed to ensure still eligible for a waiver.
If courses were taken at another institution, official transcripts must be on file in the Admissions & Records Office. The student must request a “Transcript Evaluation” in person or online through the Admissions & Records Office.
Essential Qualifications/Functional Abilities: Students applying to the Nursing Programs at Lake Land College must be able to meet the technical requirements of the program and not pose a risk to the well-being of patients, other students, staff or themselves. Students applying to the program will need, at a minimum, to be capable of performing all Functional Abilities required of the nurse. The student will need to maintain and demonstrate these abilities through the duration of the program.
Cost Estimate for PN Program
Semester Credit Hours Tuition and Fees $115.30 per Credit Hour Course Fees TOTAL Fall 16 $1980 $75 $2055 Spring 17 $2000 $75 $2075 Summer 8 $1040 $75 $1115
Uniform and shoes $125
Supply Kit (from Lake Land College Bookstore)
$125 Textbooks and Simulation Learning System
(from Lake Land College Bookstore)
$1200 Background check, drug screen, & fingerprinting
$125
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I improve my chances of gaining admission into the PN program?
Study! Prepare for the HESI A2 Admission Assessment Exam because this is the best way to increase the number of admissions points.
Is there a waiting list?
No—The PN program is a selective program with an objective, competitive admissions process. Each year, 56 applicants are accepted based on a point system to begin in the fall semester. See PN Admissions Rubric.
Are there weekend or evening nursing classes?
No—courses are conducted Monday through Friday. Can I apply if I am out of the Lake Land College district?
The Illinois Community College Board requires all in-district applicants be considered first. Out-of-district students will be considered using the same admissions rubric only after all eligible in-district students have been considered.
How long is my Pre-PNHESI A2 Admission Assessment Exam score valid?
The HESI A2 Admission Assessment Exam scores are valid for five years from the application deadline. If a student takes the exam more than once, the most recent score is the score used for admission.
What do I do if I am not accepted into the program?
Study and retake theHESI A2 Admission Assessment Exam. Consider gaining
experience with direct patient care for additional admission points. How long does the program last?
The PN program is a one-year program; students must attend classes during the fall, spring, and summer semesters to complete the program.
How soon should I begin the application process?
Plan at least one year before projected start date. Students should turn in the Nursing Program Intent Form as early as possible.
Where is the PN program offered?
The PN program is offered on the main campus and Effingham Kluthe Center. Accepted students are able to register and choose the classroom section on a first come, first serve basis. Students will be assigned to clinical sites.
How often will I be in school?
Students can expect to attend class/clinical 4 days a week. The day off varies throughout the program depending on the clinical assignments. Most clinical assignments require students to BEGIN as early as 6 a.m.
Where can a PN graduate practice nursing?
Once a student graduates from the PN program, he/she is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) and obtain a LPN license in any state in the United States.
Can I work during school?
Because of the rigorous coursework, students are advised NOT to work full time. What courses should I take to prepare for the PN program?
