Practical Nursing Diploma Program Curriculum: A Comprehensive Overview

The Practical Nursing diploma program is designed to equip students with the knowledge, technical skills, and judgment necessary to provide effective nursing care. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the curriculum, covering key aspects such as program structure, accreditation, admission requirements, course content, and career opportunities.

Program Overview

The Practical Nursing program is an accredited program that teaches you the knowledge and skills necessary to become an effective practical nurse. The program is designed to help students develop basic nursing skills in medical, surgical, obstetrical, and pediatric nursing. Students will learn basic nursing skills in an academic program that balances classroom instruction with relevant clinical experience. The course of study balances classroom instruction with relevant clinical experience and provides the opportunity for students to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become effective practitioners of practical nursing.

The role of the practical nurse focuses on the technical skills, general knowledge, and judgment necessary to organize and provide caring interventions to patients with commonly occurring medical conditions. The practical nurse participates in health promotion/maintenance activities for the individual in the context of the family. The practical nurse is prepared to provide nursing care within the scope of practice defined by the South Carolina Board of Nursing under the direct supervision of the registered nurse and/or other health care provider.

Learning experiences for students in the Practical Nursing Diploma Program are provided in classrooms and laboratories on the Airport Campus in the Health Sciences Building and Lexington Hall. Student preclinical experience is provided in nursing skills labs and a state-of-the-art simulation lab. Required clinical experiences (externships/internships) are arranged through affiliations with local healthcare facilities.

Accreditation

Accreditation is a crucial aspect of any nursing program, as it ensures that the program meets specific quality standards and prepares graduates for licensure and practice. The practical nursing program at Midlands Technical College located in West Columbia, SC is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Durham Tech's Practical Nursing program, located in Durham, North Carolina, that is in accordance with ACEN records, is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000 www.acenursing.org. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Practical Nursing program is Continuing Accreditation. The Practical Nursing Program at Fletcher Technical Community College located in Schriever, Louisiana is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 404-975-5000 www.acenursing.org. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Practical Nursing Program is Continued Accreditation.

Read also: Comprehensive PE Test Guide

Durham Tech will host a site visit for continuing accreditation of its Practical Nursing program by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Admission Requirements

Admission to a Practical Nursing program typically involves meeting specific academic and health-related requirements. These requirements ensure that students have the foundational knowledge and physical and emotional capacity to handle the demands of the program and the nursing profession.

In addition to the college’s placement test, students must meet one of the following criteria to be admitted to the Nursing Program: Ensure all required prerequisite courses are completed in order to submit a competitive Nursing program application.

Open Application dates for Competitive Nursing Applications- Open Application dates for Fall Semester starts are January 15 - May 15. Applications will be accepted for ADN, LPN, and Transition. Notification of acceptance or denial into the Nursing program will be received by June 15.- Open Application dates for Spring Semester starts are May 25 - August 25. Applications will only be accepted for ADN and LPN. Notification of acceptance or denial into the Nursing program will be received by September 15.- Open Application dates for Summer Semester starts are September 15 - December 15. Applications will only be accepted for ADN and LPN. Notification of acceptance or denial into the Nursing program will be received by January 25.

Additional Requirements: High school or college credits in biology and algebra are recommended. Emotional and physical ability to carry out normal activities of nursing care as determined by physical examination. Cleared background check; negative drug screen; physical exam; immunizations such as Hepatitis B, Tdap, Varicella, and MMR; a two-step TB skin test (PPD) or Quantiferon Gold; and CPR (American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers) are required to enter clinical courses. Qualified applicants must attend a two-part orientation session. Applicants must have a cumulative 2.0 GPA for all Midlands Technical College course work for entrance into and progression through the nursing curriculum. The Nursing Student Handbook outlines other policies relevant to students in the program.

Read also: Requirements for LPN Programs

LPN Prerequisite Courses: ENG 101 PSY 201 PSY 203 BIO 210 (must be completed within 5 years of starting NUR 134 or NUR-203) BIO 211 (must be completed within 5 years of starting NUR 134 or NUR-203) MAT 102 or higher. Beginning with the Summer 2025 cohort, "W"s in prerequisite courses will not count as an attempt.

Admission into the Practical Nursing program is based on the above criteria. Seating is limited. A student’s eligibility to apply is not a guarantee of acceptance into the Practical Nursing Program. Fletcher Technical Community College does not maintain a waiting list.

Curriculum Structure and Course Content

The Practical Nursing curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive foundation in nursing principles, skills, and patient care. The curriculum typically includes a combination of classroom instruction, laboratory practice, and clinical experiences. The design of the practical nursing curriculum is guided by local, regional and national standards and is based on healthcare trends, higher education practices and the nursing discipline. Curricular concepts introduced throughout the program help you develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to become a safe and competent entry-level practical nurse.

The Practical Nursing program is a non-credit, clock-hour certificate program. The curriculum is divided into four modules/semesters that can be completed in 18 months with an evening and weekend schedule. Each module coincides with a term semester and offers at least a one-week break between modules. There is a total of 610 classroom hours and 890 clinical practice hours for a total of 1,500 hours. Quantitative grades are awarded for classroom instruction and the clinical/lab practicum portion grades are awarded on a pass/fail basis.

The four-semester-aligned nursing curriculum (summer, fall, spring, summer) is designed to prepare students to become practical nurses. The practical nursing certificate program includes courses in fundamentals, medical-surgical, maternal-child, well-child and mental health nursing. These courses provide a foundation for students to develop the skills and knowledge for living in a complex, diverse and changing world.

The Practical Nursing Diploma Program consists of four semesters (62 credit hours) of classroom instruction, service learning opportunities, and supervised clinical activities in accredited hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care agencies including the learning community at Fletcher Technical Community College.

Progression: The Nursing Student Handbook outlines the current progression policies in the nursing program.

Core Course Examples

Introduction to human anatomy and physiology as it relates to the body in health and disease. The relationship between the structure and function in each body system is emphasized.
This course introduces math for pharmacology and the study of drug preparation and administration. The system approach to the study of diseases and disorders continues with the study of the reproductive and respiratory systems. Content includes aspects of how disease processes affect individuals throughout the life span.
The course continues to build on the principles of medical-surgical nursing. Additional systems studied include the endocrine system, the integumentary system, and the nervous system. Mental health and illness concepts are also included.
This is an introductory course for the student who is entering into the nursing program. The course emphasizes the role of the practical nurse, the scope of practice, and different levels of education for a nurse and the understanding of the roles in the health care system. The course is also designed to assist students with strategies on how to be successful in a nursing program; time management skills, medical terminology, medication math, and test taking skills. Professionalism in health care will be discussed. Development of critical thinking skills will be emphasized throughout the course.
This course will introduce the student to the fundamental concepts of nursing practice and the application of the concepts with a focus on wellness and health promotion across the lifespan. The application of knowledge and skills occurs in the nursing laboratories and clinical settings. The clinical setting will be at affiliated long term care facilities.
This course builds on the previous semester courses to further refine the concepts of evidenced based practice with application to the care of diverse patients across the livespan with uncomplicated acute and chronic disorders in medical surgical, maternal child and pediatric patients. Application of knowledge and skills occurs in the nursing laboratories, simulation, and a variety of clinical settings.
This course builds on the previous nursing courses to further refine and apply the concepts of nursing practice in the care of diverse clients with uncomplicated/complicated acute and chronic conditions and mental health disorders across the lifespan. Application of knowledge and skills occurs in the nursing laboratories,simulation, and a variety of clinical settings.

General Education Courses

General education and science courses are offered through St. Emphasis on the structure and function of the major systems of the human body and its variations from the normal. The cellular, embryological, and genetic basis of structure and function are also considered. Includes laboratory. Emphasis on the structure and function of the major systems of the human body and its variations from the normal. The cellular, embryological, and genetic basis of structure and function are also considered. Exploration of the methods and applications of psychology; introduction to research techniques, concepts, theories, and findings about normal and abnormal behavior. Comprehensive examination of the basic principles, stages and aspects of human growth and development from birth to senescence. Introduction and practice in writing and reading English prose with special emphasis upon individual development. The course progresses from personal experiences to critical writing and research and includes individual instruction and mandatory laboratory work (in CALL) in English grammar spelling and sentence structure. Special use is made of peer group discussion and other non-traditional teaching techniques.

Clinical Experiences

Clinical experiences are an integral part of the Practical Nursing curriculum. Students gain hands-on experience in various healthcare settings, providing direct patient care under the supervision of experienced nurses and healthcare professionals. This program has a clinical component to complete the program. Please be advised that Fletcher’s Nursing and Allied Health faculty members work closely with many clinical sites to provide an optimal clinical experience for all of its students. Fletcher must follow policies and guidelines set forth by programmatic accreditation boards as well as hospital policies. We must abide by the federal, state, local, college and health care facility mandates and your program completion date is dependent upon our ability to enter and complete training in clinical facilities.

Clinical experiences (externships/internships) are arranged through affiliations with local healthcare facilities.

Costs and Financial Aid

The cost of a Practical Nursing program can vary depending on the institution and location. Tuition for the PN Diploma Program is $485 per semester credit. be changed at any time with a 30-day notice. Tuition does not include the non-refundable application and testing fees. general education credits is $24,065.

Students are required to take standardized tests at an approximate cost of $195 a semester. The approximate cost for taking the licensure exam (NCLEX-PN) upon completion of the program is $350. Students must purchase liability insurance each semester at a cost of approximately $5. Students must purchase a uniform, special equipment and clinical documentation sessions in the first semester (the approximate cost is $350). Skills packets, learning packets, and books must be purchased at the bookstore for nursing courses.

Licensure and Career Opportunities

Upon completion of the program, the student is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) which is required for practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse. The program is approved by the South Carolina Board of Nursing. Candidates who have criminal records may be required to appear before the South Carolina Board of Nursing, which will determine eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN exam.

Employment opportunities include hospitals, rehabilitation/long term care/home health facilities, clinics, and physicians' offices.

Program Policies and Procedures

Progression: The Nursing Student Handbook outlines the current progression policies in the nursing program. The Nursing Student Handbook outlines other policies relevant to students in the program.

Scores are valid for one (1) year.

tags: #practical #nursing #diploma #program #curriculum