Practical Nursing (PN12)  Diploma


Program Description:

The Practical Nursing program is designed to prepare students to sit for the NCLEX-PN for licensure as practical nurses. The program prepares graduates to give competent nursing care. This is done through a selected number of academic and occupational courses providing a variety of techniques and materials necessary to assist the student in acquiring the needed knowledge and skills to give competent care. A variety of clinical experiences is planned so that theory and practice are integrated under the guidance of the clinical instructor. Program graduates receive a Practical Nursing diploma and have the qualifications of an entry-level practical nurse.

Practical Nursing Handbook Practical Nursing Admissions Application (Fall 2023)

Entrance date(s): Fall Semester & Spring Semester

Program admission requirements:

Program Acceptance Capacity: 60 Students (effective Fall 2019)

Minimum Test Scores

ACCUPLACER NEXT GENERATION– Reading 236 ACCUPLACER – Sentence Skills 60
Writing 232 Reading Comp. 64
Arithmetic 235 Arithmetic 40

High School diploma or equivalent required for admission.

Applicant must be at least 17 years of age.

Submission of an acceptable TEAS score of “55” or better is required. The TEAS can be repeated once within a calendar year, and potential students must wait thirty (30) days after the initial test date before retesting. If the potential candidate seeking admission into the program is unsuccessful in passing the TEAS after two (2) attempts, the candidate may retake the test the next calendar year. Acceptable TEAS scores are valid for 2 years.

Applicant must provide documentation of negative tuberculosis skin test or chest X-ray, proof of COVID vaccination, physical exam, Hepatitis vaccination or declination, and immunization record are required after acceptance into the program.

Students must attend orientation. PN students must have at least a 2.7 GPA (for applicable core) and an overall GPA of at least 2.0 to progress to Fundamentals and Dosage. Core classes may only be repeated once. All science courses must be less than 5 years.

Occupational Courses Timeframe of Expiration:

  • ALHS 1011/BIOL2113/BIOL2113L/BIOL2114/BIOL2114L: 5 year expration
  • ALHS 1090: 10 year expiration
  • ALL PNSG courses: 2 year expiration

Credits required for graduation: 57

*Requirements to advance:

A GPA of 2.7 is required to advance from the first semester to the second semester.

The GPA will be calculated using the following courses: ENGL 1010, MATH 1012, PSYC 1010, ALHS 1090 and ALHS 1011..

Students will be allowed only two (2) failing grades during their enrollment in the program. Upon failing the first class (nursing courses, or nursing practicum courses) the student will attend an appeal hearing with the Chair, and selected nursing faculty. The student will be placed on a probationary status with a prescribed action plan. The student must adhere to the prescribed action plan completely.

If a student fails a second course, that student will be dropped from the program and unable to reenter for three (3) years.

Practical Nursing Program:

Albany Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, GA 30033-4097
Telephone: 404-679-4501

The Practical Nursing Program at Albany Technical College located at the main campus in Albany, Georgia is approved by the:

Georgia Board of Nursing (GBON)
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, Georgia 31217-3858
Phone: 844-753-7825

The Practical Nursing program at Albany Technical College located at the main campus in Albany, Georgia is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
Phone: (404) 975-5000

ACEN Accreditation Information:

  • Accreditation Type: Nursing Education
  • Initial Accreditation: June 23, 2020
  • Most Recent Commission Action: March 2022
  • Current Accreditation Status: Accredited
  • Stipulations: None
  • Date of Last Visit: September 21-23, 2021
  • Next Site Visit: Fall 2026

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate of Science in Nursing program is Initial Accreditation. Click here to view the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program.

Basic Skills Courses 9 credits
ENGL 1010

Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills.

3
MATH 1012

Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, measurement and conversion, formula manipulation, technical applications, and basic statistics.

3
PSYC 1010

Presents basic concepts within the field of psychology and their application to everyday human behavior, thinking, and emotion. Emphasis is placed on students understanding basic psychological principles and their application within the context of family, work and social interactions. Topics include an overview of psychology as a science, the nervous and sensory systems, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychological disorders and their treatment, stress and health, and social relations.

3
Occupational Courses 48 credits
ALHS 1011

Focuses on basic normal structure and function of the human body. Topics include general plan and function of the human body, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous and sensory systems, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.

5
ALHS 1090

Introduces the elements of medical terminology. Emphasis is placed on building familiarity with medical words through knowledge of roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Topics include: origins (roots, prefixes, and suffixes), word building, abbreviations and symbols, and terminology related to the human anatomy.

2
PNSG 2010
Prerequisite: ALHS 1011 Corequisites: ALHS 1060, PNSG 2030, PNSG 2035

Applies fundamental mathematical concepts and includes basic drug administration. Emphasizes critical thinking skills. Topics include: systems of measurement, calculating drug problems, resource materials usage, fundamental pharmacology, administering medications in a simulated clinical environment, principles of IV therapy techniques, and client education.

2
PNSG 2030
Prerequisite: ALHS 1011 Corequisites: ALHS 1060, PNSG 2010, PNSG 2035

An introduction to the nursing process. Topic include: nursing as a profession; ethics and law; client care which is defined as using the nursing process, using critical thinking, and providing client education and includes principles and skills of nursing practice, documentation, and an introduction to physical assessment; customer/client relationships; standard precautions; basic life support; infection control/blood-borne/airborne pathogens; and basic emergency care/first aid and triage.

6
PNSG 2035
Prerequisite: ALHS 1011 Corequisites: PNSG 2030, PNSG 2010

An introduction to nursing practice in the clinical setting. Topics include but are not limited to: history taking; physical assessment; nursing process; critical thinking; activities of daily living; documentation; client education; standard precautions; hygiene and personal care; mobility and biomechanics; fluid and electrolytes; oxygen care; and perioperative care.

2
PNSG 2210
Prerequisites: ALHS 1011, ALHS 1060, PNSG 2030, PNSG 2035 Corequisites: PNSG 2310, PNSG 2220, PNSG 2320

Focuses on client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, using critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole; immunology; as well as pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to the cardiovascular, respiratory, and hematological and immunological systems.

4
PNSG 2310
Prerequisites: ALHS 1011, ALHS 1060, PNSG 2010, PNSG 2030, PNSG 2035 Corequisites: PNSG 2210, PNSG 2220, PNSG 2320

This first clinical course, in a series of four medical-surgical clinical courses, focuses on clinical client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, applying critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. At the completion of the four part sequence of these medical-surgical clinical courses students will have completed a minimum of 375 hours of clinical experience including 300 hours of comprehensive medical-surgical, 37.5 pediatric and 37.5 mental health experiences. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole; hygiene and personal care; mobility and biomechanics; fluid and electrolytes; oxygen care; perioperative care; immunology; mental health; and oncology. In addition pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to cardiovascular, hematological, immunological, respiratory, neurological, sensory, musculoskeletal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, urinary, integumentary and reproductive systems.

2
PNSG 2220
Prerequisites: ALHS 1011, ALHS 1060, PNSG 2010, PNSG 2030, PNSG 2035 Corequisites: PNSG 2210, PNSG 2310, PNSG 2220

This second course in a series of four focuses on client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, using critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole; as well as pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to the endocrine, gastrointestinal, and urinary system.

4
PNSG 2230
Prerequisites: ALHS 1011, ALHS 1060, PNSG 2010, PNSG 2030, PNSG 2035 Corequisites: PNSG 2330, PNSG 2340

This third course in a series of four focuses on client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, using critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole; mental health; as well as pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to the neurological, sensory, and musculoskeletal systems.

4
PNSG 2320
Prerequisites: ALHS 1011, ALHS 1060, PNSG 2010, PNSG 2030, PNSG 2035 Corequisites: PNSG 2210, PNSG 2310, PNSG 2220

This second clinical course, in a series of four medical-surgical clinical courses, focuses on clinical client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, applying critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. At the completion of the four part sequence of these medical-surgical clinical courses students will have completed a minimum of 375 hours of clinical experience including 300 hours of comprehensive medical-surgical, 37.5 pediatric and 37.5 mental health experiences. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole; hygiene and personal care; mobility and biomechanics; fluid and electrolytes; oxygen care; perioperative care; immunology; mental health; and oncology. In addition pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to cardiovascular, hematological, immunological, respiratory, neurological, sensory, musculoskeletal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, urinary, integumentary and reproductive systems.

2
PNSG 2330
Prerequisites: ALHS 1011, ALHS 1060, PNSG 2010, PNSG 2030, PNSG 2035 Corequisites: PNSG 2230, PNSG 2240, PNSG 2340

This third clinical course, in a series of four medical-surgical clinical courses, focuses on clinical client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, applying critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. At the completion of the four part sequence of these medical-surgical clinical courses students will have completed a minimum of 375 hours of clinical experience including 300 hours of comprehensive medical-surgical, 37.5 pediatric and 37.5 mental health experiences. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole; hygiene and personal care; mobility and biomechanics; fluid and electrolytes; oxygen care; perioperative care; immunology; mental health; and oncology. In addition pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to cardiovascular, hematological, immunological, respiratory, neurological, sensory, musculoskeletal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, urinary, integumentary and reproductive systems.

2
PNSG 2240
Prerequisites: ALHS 1011, ALHS 1060, PNSG 2010, PNSG 2030, PNSG 2035 Corequisites: PNSG 2230, PNSG 2330, PNSG 2340

This fourth course in a series of four courses focuses on client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, using critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole, oncology; as well as pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to the integumentary and reproductive systems.

4
PNSG 2340
Prerequisites: ALHS 1011, ALHS 1060, PNSG 2010, PNSG 2030, PNSG 2035 Corequisites: PNSG 2230, PNSG 2330, PNSG 2240

This fourth clinical course, in a series of four medical-surgical clinical courses, focuses on clinical client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, applying critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. At the completion of the four part sequence of these medical-surgical clinical courses students will have completed a minimum of 375 hours of clinical experience including 300 hours of comprehensive medical-surgical, 37.5 pediatric and 37.5 mental health experiences. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole; hygiene and personal care; mobility and biomechanics; fluid and electrolytes; oxygen care; perioperative care; immunology; mental health; and oncology. In addition pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to cardiovascular, hematological, immunological, respiratory, neurological, sensory, musculoskeletal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, urinary, integumentary and reproductive systems.

2
PNSG 2250
Prerequisites: ALHS 1011, ALHS 1060, PNSG 2010, PNSG 2030, PNSG 2035, PNSG 2210, PNSG 2310, PNSG 2220, PNSG 2230, PNSG 2330, PNSG 2240, PNSG 2340 Corequisites: PNSG 2255, PNSG 2415

Focuses on health management and maintenance and the prevention of illness, care of the individual as a whole, and deviations from the normal state of health. The definition of client care includes using the nursing process, performing assessments, using critical thinking, providing client education, displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. Topics include: health management and maintenance and prevention of illness, care of the individual as a whole, pathological and nonpathological concerns in obstetric clients and the newborn; client care, treatments, pharmacology, and diet therapy related to obstetric clients and the newborn; and standard precautions.

3
PNSG 2255
Prerequisites: ALHS 1011, ALHS 1060, PNSG 2010, PNSG 2030, PNSG 2035, PNSG 2310, PNSG 2220, PNSG 2230, PNSG 2330, PNSG 2240, PNSG 2340 Corequisites: PNSG 2250, PNSG 2415

Focuses on clinical health management and maintenance and the prevention of illness, care of the individual as a whole, and deviations from the normal state of health. The definition of client care includes using the nursing process, performing assessments, using critical thinking, providing client education, displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. Topics include: health management and maintenance and prevention of illness, care of the individual as a whole, pathological and nonpathological concerns in obstetric clients and the newborn; client care, treatments, pharmacology, and diet therapy related to obstetric clients and the newborn; and standard precautions.

1
PNSG 2410
Prerequisites: ALHS 1011, ALHS 1060, PNSG 2010, PNSG 2030, PNSG 2210, PNSG 2310, PNSG 2220, PNSG 2230, PNSG 2330, PNSG 2240, PNSG 2340 Corequisites: PNSG 2250, PNSG 2255, PNSG 2415

Builds on the concepts presented in prior nursing courses and develops the skills necessary for successful performance in the job market. Topics include: application of the nursing process, supervisory skills, client education methods, group dynamics and conflict resolution.

1
PNSG 2415
Prerequisites: ALHS 1011, ALHS 1060, PNSG 2010, PNSG 2030, PNSG 2035, PNSG 2210, PNSG 2310, PNSG 2220, PNSG 2230, PNSG 2330, PNSG 2240, PNSG 2340 Corequisites: PNSG 2250, PNSG 2255, PNSG 2410

Builds on the concepts presented in prior nursing courses and develops the clinical skills necessary for successful performance in the job market, focusing on practical applications. Topics include: application of the nursing process, critical thinking, supervisory skills, client education methods, and group dynamics.

2
Faculty
Click to view profile for Teresa Darity
Program Chair

Chair/Instructor Practical Nursing
Health Technology Building, Room 112

Click to view profile for Kaycee Everson
Advisor

Practical Nursing Instructor
Health Technology Building, Room 108

Click to view profile for Annette Holloway
Advisor

Practical Nursing, Instructor
Healthcare Technology Building

Click to view profile for Clarissa Smith
Advisor

Practical Nursing Instructor
Healthcare Technology Building, Room 108

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