Practical Nursing (certificate)

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Special Admission Requirements: Learn more on the Health Sciences Applicants page

Official Title of Certificate: Practical Nursing, Certificate

Award: Certificate

Code: CRT.NUR.PRAC-NRSG

Total Credit Hours: A minimum of 41

Learn more about the Practical Nursing Certificate program

Purpose: For students who wish to complete formal education with a certificate. Graduates of the Practical Nursing (PN) program are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). The Practical Nursing program is approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing.

AACC cannot confirm whether the course or program meets requirements for professional licensure in states other than Maryland. If you plan to apply for licensure in a state other than Maryland, contact that state’s licensing board to determine whether the AACC course or program meets requirements for licensure in that state. If you need assistance finding contact information for your state, or if you need additional information regarding professional licensure, please contact the School of Health Sciences at 410-777-7310.

Range of Occupations

Practical Nurse (PN)

Additional Certificate Requirements

All nursing students must receive: (1) a minimum grade of C in each nursing course; and (2) a mark of satisfactory in the clinical laboratory. Students who receive a mark of unsatisfactory in the clinical laboratory at any time during the nursing course sequence will not be permitted to continue in the clinical laboratory and will receive a final grade of F.

Special Conditions

Health Occupation Shortage: This program of study may be designated a Health Occupation Shortage Tuition Reduction Program. This means that some residents of Maryland (refer to the Tuition, Fees and Payments section of this catalog) enrolled in this program of study by the first day of the term may be eligible for in-county tuition rates for courses required for program completion. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm that this program still maintains a Health Occupation Shortage Program status before enrolling. Please refer to the college’s Accounts Receivable Office to confirm this designation.

Anne Arundel Community College and/or the School of Health Sciences reserves the right to revise requirements for admission into the Health Sciences programs, the selection criteria and procedures, and the required courses for programs of study as deemed necessary without prior notification.

Entrance/Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

To view all entrance/admission details, please go to the Practical Nursing Admission Requirements page.

Criminal Background Check and Drug Screening

This program requires the satisfactory completion of a criminal background check and drug screening. For complete details, refer to Health Sciences Criminal Background & Drug Screening.

Certificate Graduation Requirements

To graduate with a certificate, students must have demonstrated eligibility for ENG 101 or ENG 101A . Refer to Academic Regulations on Graduation Requirements .

Planning Tool: One-Year Sequence of Courses

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Practical Nursing Course Sequence

(one academic year)

Prerequisites

All prerequisites, general education and nursing courses require a grade of C or better.

BIO 231 - Human Biology 1 4 credit hours AND
BIO 232 - Human Biology 2 4 credit hours
OR
BIO 233 - Anatomy and Physiology 1 4 credit hours AND
BIO 234 - Anatomy and Physiology 2 4 credit hours
BIO 101 is a prerequisite for BIO 233 -BIO 234 .
PSY 111 - Introduction to Psychology 3 credit hours

Mathematics: 3 credits

Refer to General Education Mathematics Requirements for a list of approved courses.

Total credit hours: 14

Certificate Requirements

Term 1 - Summer

LPN 180 - Fundamentals of Practical Nursing 8 credit hours

Total credit hours: 8

Term 2 - Fall

LPN 193 - Adult and Child Health Concepts in Practical Nursing 10 credit hours

Total credit hours: 10

Term 3 - Spring

LPN 194 - Women, Newborns, Mental Health and Integration of Concepts in Practical Nursing 9 credit hours

Total credit hours: 9

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

Utilize the five (5) steps of the nursing process to determine and provide nursing care that is holistic, systematic, evidence-based, safe and grounded in understanding of the sciences, humanities, cultural diversity and nursing theory (Care Provider).
Analyze data, question assumptions and approach all clients with a curiosity resulting in safe clinical decisions that improve quality of care (Investigator).
Implement one’s role as a professional in ways that reflect integrity, responsibility, ethical practices and an evolving identity as a nurse (Professional).
Collaborate with clients, families and the health care team to provide coordinated care that is holistic, safe and individualized for multiple clients in diverse health care settings (Collaborator).
Utilize teaching and learning strategies to promote knowledge that optimizes decisions related to health and wellness for clients, families, peers and the community (Educator).
Utilize professional and therapeutic communication strategies with clients, families and the health care team to promote positive client outcomes (Communicator).

This program aligns with the college’s core competencies.

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