Practical Nursing, Diploma

Overview

Offered at the Piedmont Summerville, Thomson, and Waynesboro Sites.

Admission: The Practical Nursing program is a competitive program. Students who meet the College criteria for admission will be admitted to the College to take prerequisite courses. Prerequisite courses (ENGL 1010, MATH 1012, PSYC 1010, ALHS 1090, ALHS 1011) must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale by the designated deadlines to be evaluated for program admission. Students are REQUIRED to attend an informational session during the ranking cycle prior to consideration for acceptance into competitive admission programs.  Instructors will hold recruitment fairs/informational sessions on a rolling basis throughout the admissions cycle, January - May.

The academic ranking order for admission to the program is determined using the most recent grade for MATH 1012 and ALHS 1011. Students can retake a class to earn a higher grade. Students who are not selected for admission may consider another program or resubmit an admission application and a new Competitive Ranking Application by the next ranking cycle deadline. High school graduation or GED is required for admission to this program. For more information regarding this process, please contact the Admissions Office at (706) 771-4028. Refer to program related deadlines.

Program Description: The Practical Nursing program is designed to prepare students to take the state board examination for licensure as practical nurses, NCLEX-PN. The program prepares graduates to give competent nursing care. This preparation 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 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. The Practical Nursing Program is approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing (GBON) and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. The address and phone number is: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Georgia 30326, 404-975-5000. The web site is http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm.

Employment Opportunities: Graduates are in high demand for employment in nursing homes, health centers, convalescent homes, hospitals, schools, doctor’s offices, and prisons.

Credentialing (Required):  Satisfactory completion of all program courses entitles students to sit for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) examination.

Curriculum Outline

Basic Skills Courses, 9 credits

Occupational Courses, 48 credits

Notes:

• A grade of “C” or higher is required for all courses listed in the curriculum outline.
• Students who do not earn a grade of “C” or higher in any one course with the PNSG prefix will be suspended from the program for one semester. Before reentering the program, the student must complete an individualized remedial program assigned by the course instructor. A student who does not earn a grade of “C” or higher in any two courses with the PNSG prefix will not be allowed to reenter the program. A student who is not enrolled in the program for more than one year will be required to reenter the first semester of the program.
• ALHS prefix courses older than 5 years will not be considered for program progression evaluation. Students will need to retake these courses to become eligible for program progression evaluation.
• Practical Nursing students must submit completed medical and dental examination forms prior to participation in lab activities beginning in PNSG 2010 and PNSG 2030. Separate documentation will be required for Hepatitis B seroconversion, RPR, TB testing, and all immunizations and/or titers. Students who refuse to take the Hepatitis B vaccination series must sign a declination form and be aware that clinical practicum sites may refuse them an opportunity to gain clinical experience.
• Conviction of a felony or gross misdemeanor may prohibit employment in field and may make a student ineligible to take the licensing exam required for the profession. A background check and/or drug screen will be required by all agencies before a student attends a clinical practicum. For more information, contact the appropriate program advisor.
• Student activities associated with the curriculum, especially while students are completing his or her clinical rotations, will be educational in nature. Students will not be receiving monetary remuneration during this educational experience, nor will he or she be substituted for hired staff personnel within the clinical institution in the capacity of a practical nurse.
• Prior to participation in campus/clinical labs, students are required to show proof of current health insurance. Students who cannot show proof of health insurance need to be aware that clinical practicum sites may refuse to allow them the opportunity to gain clinical experience at their facility.

Guided Pathway

You may click on any course below to view the course description and prerequisite information.

Students who do not follow the Course Sequence listed below may not be able to complete the program in the number of semesters shown.

Piedmont Summerville Day Program

PROGRAM NAME: Practical Nursing

AWARD: Diploma

CAMPUS: Piedmont Summerville Day Program

Year 1 Spring Semester

Year 1 Summer Semester

Students are ranked for admission to the program during the summer semester.

Year 1 Fall Semester

Year 2 Spring Semester

Year 2 Summer Semester

Thomson Day Program

PROGRAM NAME: Practical Nursing

AWARD: Diploma

CAMPUS: Thomson Day Program

Year 1 Spring Semester

Year 1 Summer Semester

Students are ranked for admission to the program during the summer semester.

Year 1 Fall Semester

Year 2 Spring Semester

Year 2 Summer Semester

Waynesboro Day Program

PROGRAM NAME: Practical Nursing

AWARD: Diploma

CAMPUS: Waynesboro Day Program

Year 1 Spring Semester

Year 1 Summer Semester

Students are ranked for admission to the program during the summer semester.

Year 1 Fall Semester

Year 2 Spring Semester

Year 2 Summer Semester

Accreditation

The Practical Nursing program at Augusta Technical College at the Augusta, Waynesboro, and Thomson Campuses located in Augusta, Waynesboro, and Thomson Georgia is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000.

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the practical nursing program is continuing accreditation.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm