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Practical Nursing Technical Certificate

Program Goals

  1. Prepare qualified workers for the healthcare delivery system.
  2. Provide the opportunity for personal and professional student development.
  3. Prepare students to continue their education in the healthcare field.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

PLO 1. Students will demonstrate competency levels in the classroom and clinical setting so they qualify for initial employment.
PLO 2
 Students will demonstrate professional growth in a clinical setting.
PLO 3.  Students will show competency in the use of various health information systems and current technology to manage patient care in both the classroom and clinical setting.
PLO 4.
 Students will participate in professional development activities within the community.
PLO 5.
 Students will demonstrate their competency levels so that they are qualified for advanced education.

Program Description

The Practical Nursing Program combines classroom instruction with skills lab, simulation lab, and clinical practicum experience. Students who successfully complete the program earn a technical certificate and are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). A graduate who successfully passes this licensure will gain the title of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

The Practical Nursing Program meets the requirements of and is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. The Practical Nursing Program is offered once per year and is 11 months in length.

Note: Practical nursing courses are not for open registration. Students must complete and submit a separate application to the Practical Nursing Program, must meet the admission requirements, must submit all required documentation, and must be selected for admission. Advanced standing is not recognized for this program of study.

General Information

  • Developmental coursework may be required in addition to the courses required for this certificate.

General Requirements

  • This certificate requires successful completion of 45 credit hours.
  • A minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average is required for graduation.
  • Satisfaction of all financial obligations due to the college is required for graduation.

Residency Requirement

The student is required to complete a minimum of 15 semester hours in residence at SAU Tech for associate degrees and technical certificates and half of the credit hours required for certificates of proficiency as well as complete all other graduation requirements.  Students who wish to pursue additional degrees must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours of difference between the degrees.

ACTS Course Numbers

The Arkansas Course Transfer System (ACTS) contains information about the transferability of courses within Arkansas public colleges and universities. Students are guaranteed the transfer of applicable credits and equitable treatment in the application of credits for admissions and degree requirements.

 

Degree Plan

Program Prerequisites (10 hours)

AH 1143Medical Terminology

3
BIOL 2404Anatomy & Physiology I

4
MATH 1073Math for Healthcare Professionals

3

Fall Semester (14 hours)

PN 1014Strategies for Success

4
PN 1023Basic Nursing Concepts I

3
PN 1122Nursing Anatomy & Physiology

2
PN 1222Pharmacology I

2
PN 1403Clinical Practicum I

3

Spring Semester (16 hours)

PN 2021Mental Health

1
PN 2024Basic Nursing Concepts II

4
PN 2204Nursing of Adults I

4
PN 2232Pharmacology II

2
PN 2415Clinical Practicum II

5

Summer Semester (15 hours)

PN 2032Leadership/NCLEX Prep

2
PN 2214Nursing of Adults II

4
PN 2234Nursing of Mother Infants & Child

4
PN 2425Clinical Practicum III

5

Total Credit Hours: 45

Admission Requirements

Prior to the application deadline of March 1st each year, the candidate must:

  1. Submit an application to and be accepted for admission by SAU Tech.
  2. Submit to the Practical Nursing Program:
    1. Diploma, GED and/or College Transcripts (see below)
      • If applicant has not taken any college courses: A copy of his/her high school diploma or GED. All students admitted into the Practical Nursing Program must have a high school diploma or a GED prior to the program start date. (Applicants still in high school must submit a copy of their current high school transcript with the Practical Nursing Program application to be considered for conditional admission then must also submit a copy of the diploma or GED upon graduation.)
      • If applicant has taken college courses: A copy of all college transcripts.
    2. The Practical Nursing Program application found on the Allied Health Department’s website at www.sautech.edu/academics/alliedHealth.aspx or in the Nursing Department.
    3. If applicant has previously been in a Practical Nursing Program other than at SAU Tech: A letter of recommendation and good standing from the previous nursing program’s director. This is NOT required if the applicant has previously been in a Registered Nursing Program or has never been in a nursing program before.
  3. Take the Practical Nursing Program’s entrance exam, the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS V). TEAS V test scores must be within two years prior to application deadline.
    1. The TEAS V is given through the Testing Center and a fee is charged.
    2. The testing dates, fee, registration instructions, guidelines, and general information are located on SAU Tech Testing Center’s website. (www.edu/studentResources/testingCenter.aspx) and on the Allied Health website.
    3. The TEAS V is an online computerized test and takes approximately 3-1/2 hours to complete.
    4. The TEAS V includes, but is not limited to, reading comprehension, mathematics, science reasoning, and English and language usage.
    5. The TEAS V may only be taken twice per application period. The highest adjusted individual score from each section on either attempt is accepted. The applicant’s score on this exam is used to determine not only eligibility for admission into the program but also for ranking the candidates during the selection process. Applicants scoring below 50 on the English, reading or math sections and below 30 on the science section are advised to study then repeat the exam prior to the application deadline.
    6. For more information, contact the SAU Testing Center at 87.574.4486
    7. For more information on the TEAS V or for study resources, go to http://www.atitesting.com. Study guides are also available in the SAU Tech Learning Resource Center.

Application and Admission General Information

  1. Applicants who speak English as his/her second language must successfully pass an English proficiency exam prior to admission.
  2. Applicants must have a minimum of a 2.00 cumulative GPA in high school or college courses.
  3. Applicants will be selected using a score system that is based on the TEAS score, college coursework, and medical certification.

Applicants Selected Admission into the Practical Nursing Program

  1. Will receive an acceptance letter with further instructions for admission requirements such as immunization records, evidence of recent successful completion of the American Heart Association’s Healthcare Provider level CPR course, a criminal background check, a drug screen, and other information as needed. Random drug screens may be performed during the program.
  2. Will be required to sign a statement, before beginning the nursing program, that states they have read and understand ACA §17-87-312 and the specific offenses which, if pleaded guilty, nolo contender, or found guilty of will make an individual ineligible to receive or hold a license in Arkansas. The Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ARSBN) requires a criminal background check for all graduates applying for licensure. Graduating from a nursing program does not assure ARSBN’s approval to take the licensure examination. Eligibility to take the licensure examination is dependent on meeting standards in the Arkansas State Board of Nursing Nurse Practice Act and Rules. Students can access the information at http://www.arsbn.arkansas.gov/lawsRules/Pages/nursePracticeAct.aspx. Applicants who have pleaded guilty, nolo contender or been found guilty of any of these specific offenses may not be eligible to take the licensure exam so are, therefore, not accepted by some of the required clinical facilities and are not eligible for entry into the Practical Nursing Program.