Nursing: Practical Nursing

The Practical Nursing (PN) certificate program at Clover Park Technical College prepares graduates for entry into the nursing profession as a practical nurse and work under the direction of a licensed registered nurse, licensed physician or dentist.  The program is offered at Clover Park Technical College campus.

Graduates who successfully complete the program are eligible to apply to a State Board of Nursing for licensure as a licensed practical nurse and to take the National Council Licensure Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).  This examination is used by the State Board of Nursing to test the entry-level nursing competence of candidates for licensure as licensed practical nurses.  When the candidate successfully completes the NCLEX-PN exam, a license is issued. Information about the NCLEX-PN exam is available at ncsbn.org/nclex.htm

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Clover Park’s Practical Nursing Certificate program consists of 78 credits of nursing courses and 24 credits of general education courses.  In addition, all students entering the practical nurse program must have completed a State approved nursing assistant program (NA-C), successfully passed the state exam, and maintained their nursing assistant license without any restrictions on their license.

Students are admitted to the program twice a year, starting in the Spring quarter or in the Fall quarter on a first come first served basis.  Applications are accepted at any time with guaranteed admission provided all prerequisites are met.  There is generally a one year wait for admission.  Students are encouraged to apply early while they are completing their prerequisites.  Admission to a specific class will depend on whether the student has completed all of the required prerequisites by the deadlines listed on the application.

This PN program focuses on the art and science of nursing.  Learning will be achieved in the classroom, by simulation in the skills laboratory, and clinical practice settings.  Students will attend class and laboratory educational learning experiences on campus.  Clinical learning experiences are obtained in various healthcare settings in the community under the guidance of nursing faculty.  Classes and laboratory experiences are offered during the day between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.  Clinical experiences are largely scheduled 6:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  The college reserves the right to schedule clinical experiences during evening and/or on weekends if necessary.

Clinical experiences provide students with the opportunity to care for a variety of clients in acute, long-term, mental health, and outpatient facilities.

This program is designed to be completed in four quarters.  Remediation is possible on a case by case basis and availability of program resources.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

If the student is taking prerequisites at CPTC, students must meet COMPASS scores required for placement into the core academic courses.

If the student is taking or has taken prerequisite courses at another educational institution, (s)he must have credits evaluated prior to submitting the application. The student must request an official college transcript be sent to CPTC Student Records for evaluation and complete a transfer credit request form. Please Note: Mail your official transcript to Clover Park Technical College ATTN: Credential Evaluator (Bev Custard).  Any questions or concerns regarding transferring credits can be made to the following email  Beverly.custard@cptc.edu )  Your transcripts will be evaluated and a report will be mailed to you.

The Evaluation Transfer Report MUST be submitted to the nursing program before application deadlines. (NO exceptions for lateness).  It is the student’s responsibility to ensure their application is complete and the required documents are received by the nursing program.  Documents can be submitted to the nursing department in person or scanned and submitted via email to nursingprogram@cptc.edu.

PREREQUISITES (Provide documentation of proof of successful completion of the following):

1. High school transcript OR GED certificate
2. Completion of the following academic prerequisites:

1. General Education Courses:  You must achieve a B (3.0) or better in the following:
2. o   ENGL& 101 – English Composition OR ENGL& 235 Technical Writing (5 cred)
3. o   MAT 108 Math for Health Occupations OR MATH& 141 Pre-Calculus OR MATH& 146 Introduction to Statistics (5 cred) OR MATH& &151 Calculus I
4. o   PSYC& 100 General Psychology (5 cred)
5. o   BIOL& 241 Anatomy and Physiology I w/lab  AND  BIOL&  242 Anatomy and Physiology II w/lab OR BIOL 118 Human Anatomy and Physiology

3. State approved nursing assistant course (NA-C), and current unencumbered/unrestricted NA-C license.
   
4. American Heart Association CPR for the Health Care Provider (this includes adult, child, and infant, under the guidelines of the American Heart Association). Online CPR courses are not accepted.
   
5. Proof of health care insurance prior to the deadlines set for enrollment. Each student is required to carry personal health/medical insurance throughout their clinical   rotations. Quarterly-based insurance for students may be purchased; further information is available through the Advising and Counseling Office. No student will be allowed at clinical sites without proof of insurance.
   
6. The student must receive a No Record on File Report Related to Crimes Against Persons from the Washington State Patrol.

IMMUNIZATION INSTRUCTIONS:  Please read carefully!!!  You must have the immunizations listed below, but you are NOT required to submit any documentation to the nursing department prior to the first day of class.  You are required to BRING a copy of proof of immunizations listed below on the first day of class.  Please note:  TB and Seasonal Flu vaccines are required annually and must be kept current throughout the program.  You will be required to upload proof of immunizations into a program called certified background during your first weeks in class.  This is a requirement that must be met in order to attend clinical rotations.

Instructions for uploading these documents will be provided during your program orientation at the start of the quarter.  You will not be allowed to attend clinical site rotations until proof of the required immunizations is met.

NOTE: Immunization requirements are based on CDC recommendations for health care workers and Clinical site requirements.

Required Immunizations include:

1. Hepatitis B series plus positive titer,
2. Tetanus/Diphtheria, TB: (1) 2-step TB screening, OR (2) Quantiferum Gold TB test, or (3) history of past three years
3. TB testing.
4. Measles/ Mumps/Rubella (2 injections or 1 injection and positive titer) and verification of immunity to Varicella
5. Seasonal flu and H1N1.

NOTE:  Immunization requirements may change, based on Center for Disease Control guideline, college, and/or clinical facility policies.

 
Physical Activity: This occupation requires medium physical activity and lifting/handling objects weighing 10-25 pounds (occasionally up to 50 pounds). Nurses are often standing for long periods of time. For safety and protection of patients, the student nurse must be able to perform basic cardiac life support, including CPR, and function in stressful and/or emergency situations. Students must be able to safely assist a patient in moving from bed to a chair, commode, or cart.  Students must sign an affidavit that they meet the physical requirements before they can be placed in a clinical setting.

Admission Dates: Fall or Spring Quarters

APPLICATION PROCESS

Download and complete Part 1 of the LPN Admissions Packet.  Applications are also available in-person in the Nursing Department.  We do not have an application submission deadline. Applications are accepted year-round.

Program Requirements

To review course descriptions, please click here.