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The Practical Nursing program at Highland Community College Technical Center in Atchison, Kansas prepares students for employment as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Students will obtain the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to succeed in passing the National Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN). Students will complete a nine-month course of study.
Licensed Practical Nurses play an important role in performing tasks in a variety of settings including long-term care facilities, doctor's offices, correctional facilities, hospitals, and many more medical venues. Licensed Practical Nurses work under the direction of Registered Nurses, advanced practice personnel and physicians. Some LPNs choose to continue their education toward Registered Nurse (RN).
The Practical Nursing program aligns with the Kansas Board of Regents Curriculum. CIP Code 51.3901: Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training. A program that prepares individuals to assist in providing general nursing care under the direction of a registered nurse, physician, or dentist. Includes instruction in taking patient vital signs, applying sterile dressings, patient health education, and assistance with examinations and treatment.
Certifications: Students who successfully complete the Practical Nursing program are eligible to register for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) certification exam.
Pre-Requisites for PN Program
Students are required to have an active CNA (Certified Nurse Aide) Certificate and take the following hours prior to entering the PN Program:
**These courses have a 7-year expiration date. If it's been over 7 years since you've taken this course, please contact the Nursing Department.
PSY 205: Human Growth and Development (3 credits)
3 Credit Hours
This course focuses on human development using normative scales for physical, intellectual, emotional, language, social, and personality development. The process of human growth and development across biological beginnings, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and end of life will be presented. Environmental and biological influences that affect development are also reviewed.
BS 104: Human Anatomy w/ Lab (4 credits)**
4 Credit Hours
This course is an anatomical study of the systems forming the human body. Emphasis is placed on the organs forming each system, the embryonic development of the system, and the functions of the tissues and organs of each system. The course includes a brief physiological review with each system and will consist of three hours lecture and one and one half hours of laboratory work per week.
BS 105: Human Physiology w/ Lab (4 credits)**
5 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: BS 101, BS 105, or TST 117
This course will provide a study of the morphology, physiology, and classification of microorganisms associated with disease. The course will also focus on methods of disease prevention through sanitation, disinfection and sterilization, sources and means of infection, and body defenses.
ENG 101: Composition I (3 credits)
3 Credit Hours
See advisor for details on composition I options.
Applications
PN students begin classes at the Technical Center in Atchison, Kansas each August and finish in May. Application materials (Nursing Program Application; Test Results; Transcripts; etc.) are due by April 1 each year. Forty students are accepted into the PN program each year. Students should contact the nursing department to obtain an informational packet with comprehensive application requirements by emailing nursing@highlandcc.edu.
Applicant's file must contain the following in order to interview:
- HCC Online Application with correct major/program and semester (select practical nursing and fall.)
- ATI TEAS Test: Minimum average score of 58.7%. Bring photo ID, arrive 15 minutes prior to start time, plan on two-plus hours, the fee is $80. Call (785) 442-6233 for open test dates.
- Work Keys Scores: Level 5 for Applied Math and level 6 for Workplace Documents. Plan on two-plus hours for these tests. The fee is $15 for each test for a total of $30.
- Active CNA certification in Kansas or it's equivalent if from another state.
- Proof of graduation from high school or completion of GED.
- Letter of reference (form provided in information packet) from most recent employer that recommends applicant.
- Transcripts from all previous schools attended, especially those verifying C or better grades for required prerequisites: Anatomy & Physiology (minimum of 5 credit hours with lab), Composition I (3 credit hours), and Human Growth and Development (3 credit hours).
The Selection Process is Point Driven:
An applicant’s file is complete when items 1-7 are in his/her file. Applicants whose files are complete are scheduled for the group interview around April 1st. As part of the interview, applicants will be given points for punctuality, attire, and basic math calculations.. A point system is used to determine the best-qualified applicants who are then sent letters of acceptance. These individuals must respond to their acceptance letter by the date indicated in the letter. Failure to return the acceptance by the date provided will result in the loss of a position in the class.
All application materials must be in the nursing office in Atchison, Kansas by April 1. Applicants will be directed as to how to obtain a criminal background check and a drug screen in the acceptance letter after official acceptance into the program. Nursing applicants must be 18 years old by graduation from the Practical Nursing Program and able to perform the physical and mental activities required of nurses.
Contact
Come visit our Practical Nursing Program to see if we are the right fit for you! Call us at 785-442-6180 to schedule your visit to Highland Community College Technical Center in Atchison, Kansas.
HCC Nursing Programs are approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing (KSBN).
The curriculum for both the Associate Degree of Nursing - ADN (LPN-RN Bridge) and the PN Program support the statewide alignment as outlined by the Kansas Post-secondary Technical Education Authority (TEA) under the auspices of KBOR as approved by KSBN.
Here are a few helpful resources:
- Certificate C | Degree Map
- Practical Nursing Application Packet (updated 5/2025)
- 2022 Wage Survey
- Approved for the Kansas Promise Scholarship
Practical Nursing Courses (32 Credits Total):
First Semester (16 credits total)
NUR 103: PN Success (1 credit)
1 Credit Hour
Prerequisite: Admission to PN Program
This course provides orientation to the program and promotes student success. Students are introduced to the student role, end-of-program student learning outcomes, college and program resources, learning and learning styles, test taking strategies, use of credible resources, wellness, and self-care strategies.
NUR 106: KSPN Foundations of Nursing (4 credits)
4 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to PN Program
This course provides an introduction to practical nursing and roles of the practical nurse as well as profession and client related care concepts. Emphasis is placed on the knowledge and skills needed to provide safe, quality care. The theoretical foundation for basic data collection and nursing skills are presented and an introduction to the nursing process provides the student with a framework for decision making.
NUR 109: KSPN Fundamentals of Pharmacology & Safe Medication Administration (2 credits)
2 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to PN Program
This course provides an introduction to the principles of pharmacology. Emphasis is placed on nursing care related to the safe calculation and administration of medications to clients across the life span.
NUR 122: KSPN Nursing Care of Adults I (5 credits)
5 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to the PN Program
This course focuses on the care of adult clients experiencing common medical/surgical health alterations with predictable outcomes. Emphasis is placed on the care of clients with alterations in cardiac output and tissue perfusion, oxygenation, regulation and metabolism, and integument. Principles of pre-and post-operative care, pharmacology and IV therapy are also addressed.
NUR 126: KSPN Foundations of Nursing Clinical (2 credits)
2 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to the PN Program
This course provides an introduction to the skills required to practice nursing. The theoretical foundation for basic data collection and nursing skills are presented and the student is given an opportunity to demonstrate these skills in a clinical laboratory setting. Students are also given the opportunity to apply the nursing process to client-related situations.
NUR 127: KSPN Nursing Care of Adults I Clinical (2 credits)
2 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to the PN Program
This course focuses on the care of adult clients with common medical/surgical health alterations. The clinical laboratory experience gives students the opportunity to apply theoretical concepts from Nursing Care of Adults I and implement safe client care in selected settings.
Second Semester (16 credits total)
NUR 150: KSPN Care of Aging Adults (2 credits)
2 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to the PN Program
This course is designed to explore issues related to aging adults. Course content addresses the impact of ageism, alterations in physiological and psychosocial functioning, and the role of the practical nurse in caring for older adult clients across a continuum of care.
NUR 156: KSPN Mental Health Nursing (2 credits)
2 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to the PN Program
This course explores basic concepts and trends in mental health nursing. Therapeutic modalities and client behavior management are discussed. Emphasis is placed on using the nursing process and meeting the basic human needs of the client with a mental health disorder.
NUR 157: KSPN Maternal Child Nursing (2 credits)
2 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to the PN Program
This course provides an integrative, family-centered approach to the care of childbearing women, newborns, and children. Emphasis is placed on care of the pregnant woman and newborn, normal growth and development, and common pediatric disorders.
NUR 159: KSPN Nursing Care of Adults II (5 credits)
5 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to the PN Program
This course focuses on the care of adult clients experiencing common medical/surgical health alterations with predictable outcomes. Emphasis is placed on the care of clients with alterations in cognition and sensation, mobility, elimination, immunity and hematology, and reproduction. Principles related to pharmacology and emergency preparedness are also addressed.
NUR 163: KSPN Leadership, Roles, and Issues (2 credits)
2 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to the PN Program
This course provides orientation to leadership roles of the LPN and related responsibilities. It also introduces issues to students that they will encounter in the workplace.
NUR 168: KSPN Maternal Child Nursing Clinical (1 credit)
1 Credit Hour
Prerequisite: Admission to the PN Program
This course provides an integrative, family-centered approach to the care of childbearing women, newborns, and children. Students observe the uncomplicated birth process and practice postpartum care as well as care of the newborn in the clinical laboratory setting. Common pediatric diseases and the growth and development process is the focus of child-related clinical laboratory experiences.
NUR 170: KSPN Nursing Care of Adults II Clinical (2 credits)
2 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to the PN Program
This course focuses on the care of adult clients with common medical/surgical health problems. The clinical laboratory experience gives students the opportunity to apply theoretical concepts from Nursing Care of Adults I and II and implement safe client care in selected settings. Students are also given the opportunity to practice leadership skills while managing a caseload of clients.
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