Practical Nursing Diploma (D45660)

Program Description

The Practical Nursing curriculum provides knowledge and skills to integrate safety and quality into nursing care to meet the needs of the holistic individual which impact health, quality of life, and achievement of potential.  Course work includes and builds upon the domains of healthcare, nursing practice, and the holistic individual. Content emphasizes safe, individualized nursing care and participation in the interdisciplinary team while employing evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and informatics.  Graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) which is required for practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Employment opportunities include hospitals, rehabilitation/long term care/home health facilities, clinics, and physicians’ offices.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program should be able to:

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Admission

Due to limited enrollment, admission to the Practical Nursing diploma program is competitive. In addition to the Alamance Community College admission requirements, the following are minimum requirements for admission to the Practical Nursing Program.

STEP 1 ‐ ENROLLMENT PROCESS:
• Mandatory attendance at a Nursing Information Session
• Request official transcripts for high school diploma (or GED) and completed college courses (if applicable)
• Meet minimum proficiency for Reading, English, and Mathematics
• Schedule an appointment with Health Sciences Advisor

STEP 2 ‐ ADMISSION CONSIDERATION FOR NURSING:
For purposes of admission into the Practical Nursing Program, students apply to compete for a seat in the program. The courses listed below are the courses that earn point value. For BIO 163, students are limited to only 3 attempts within 5 years of the clinical application deadline, this includes grades of WP, D and F.

For each of the classes listed below, ranking points are awarded based on the final grade earned. [A = 4 points, B = 3 points, C = 1 point]
• BIO 163 - Basic Anatomy & Physiology
• ENG 111 - Writing and Inquiry
• MAT 110 - Math Measurement & Literacy
• PSY 150 - General Psychology

ATI TEAS EXAM SCORE:
The ATI TEAS exam must be completed and required score documentation submitted by the application deadline. Official scores may not be more than two years old. The exam may be taken up to two times per calendar year with the highest score being accepted.

Total ATI TEAS Score must be a minimum of 60%

Points Awarded
90-100 - 40
80-89 - 30
70-79 - 20
60-69 - 10

CNA CERTIFICATION:
All applicants must submit transcripts demonstrating that they have completed a Certified Nurse Aide I program with clinical hours that is accredited and approved through the NC Department of Health & Human Services (or equivalent if completed out-of-state). Applicants must also be registered on the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry. Students actively employed as a CNA will be awarded 10 points (letter from employer is required for verification).

A student is not considered admitted to the Practical Nursing program at Alamance Community College until the student receives official, written notification of admission to the program from the Nursing Department Head and/or the Admissions Office. Once admitted to the Practical Nursing program, the student’s faculty advisor will enroll them in their nursing courses.

Progression

Alamance Community College is committed to the success of students. To progress in the Practical Nursing program, the student is required to do the following:
1. Maintain an overall quality grade point average of 2.0 or higher
2. Attain a grade of 80% (“B”) or higher in all Nursing (NUR) courses.
3. Demonstrate satisfactory completion in the clinical setting.
4. Pass any general education course required by the Nursing program with a grade of 70% (“C”) or better.

• A student may repeat a Practical Nursing course (NUR 101, 102, 103) only once within a two-year period.
• A student may be admitted to the Practical Nursing diploma program only twice.

All clinical and simulation hours must be completed for course progression.  Excused and unexcused absences from clinical and simulation must be made up.  Missed clinical/simulation hours will be rescheduled with the guidance of the course faculty member, Clinical Coordinator and/or Department Head.

If a student is unable to make up missed clinical/simulation time during the current semester, they will receive a grade of “incomplete”. They will be required to complete the required hours during the subsequent semester within a prescribed period (determined by the course faculty member and/or Nursing Department Head). Once completed, the Nursing Department Head will have the “incomplete” grade revised to the letter grade earned by the student.

Grade Appeal

Any student who believes he/she has received an unfair grade may appeal the grade decision. A grade appeal will be initiated within 30 days from the date the grade was issued, and the appeal will be in writing.  In the event a student appeals a grade that prevents progression in a program, the student will be allowed to enroll and attend the following semester pending the outcome of the appeal, except clinical. If the grade is upheld, the student will be administratively dropped from the course and refunded the tuition.

The procedure for a student to exercise the right to appeal a grade is as follows:
Complete the Alamance Community College Grade Appeal Form. The student will describe the sequence of events, efforts made to resolve the grade dispute, supporting evidence, recommended solution(s) or desired outcome, and attached scans of documents that support his/her grade appeal. All documentation will be emailed to the instructor as the first level of appeal.
Once the appeal has been reviewed, the instructor will communicate their decision to the student. At this point, the student will decide to:

1. Accept the decision and end the appeal process
2. Do not accept the decision and continue by submitting the appeal to the next level for review.

Appeal to the Instructor
The instructor will investigate and respond to the appeal, in writing, within five college working days. If the student feels that the issue is still unresolved, the student should appeal to the next level within five days after receiving the decision.

Appeal to the Academic Department Head
The academic department head will investigate and respond to the appeal, in writing, within five college working days. If the student feels that the issue is still unresolved, the student should appeal to the next level within five days after receiving the decision.

Appeal to the Academic Dean
The academic dean will investigate and respond to the appeal, in writing, within five college working days. If the student feels that the issue is still unresolved, the student should appeal to the next level within five days after receiving the decision.

Appeal to the Vice President of Instruction
The Vice President of Instruction will investigate and respond to the appeal, in writing, within five college working days. The decision of the Vice President of Instruction is final.

Readmission

Students who fail to progress within the Practical Nursing program may apply for readmission to the program, however space within the program is limited, and readmission is not guaranteed. Before initiating the readmission process, please determine if you are eligible or not.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
• Students who have earned a “C”, “D” or “WP” in a Nursing (NUR) course for the first time are eligible to seek readmission.
• Students who earn a “C”, “D” or “WP” in NUR 101 are eligible to re-apply for the program and follow the current admission criteria.
• Students seeking readmission within 24 months since leaving the Practical Nursing program.
• Must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher to return to the program.

WHO IS INELIGIBLE?
• Students who have earned a grade of “F” in any Nursing (NUR) course are not eligible to seek readmission to the Practical Nursing program
• Students separated from the Practical Nursing program longer than 24 months are ineligible to seek readmission. Instead, these students will need to reapply to start the program over in the first nursing course (NUR 101) and must follow the current admission criteria.
• Students seeking admission to the Practical Nursing program for a third time.

PROCESS
Readmission applicants are ranked using a point system similar to the admission process. Applicants will submit the following:
• Readmission Application form with a copy of all transcripts for courses transferred into Alamance Community College
• Letter from employer if actively working as a CNA, EMT, or Paramedic
• Continuous enrollment at ACC if general education courses are needed (excluding the summer semester). This will be waived if all general education courses for the Practical Nursing program have been completed.
• A letter requesting readmission submitted to the Admissions Counselor for Health Science Programs Student Success/Admissions and the Nursing Department Head.  The letter must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the semester when readmission is desired. The letter will include:

• Student ID number and contact information (e-mail address and phone number).
• Self-reflect and identify the specific reasons, challenges, or barriers that you believe caused you to be unsuccessful in the Nursing course
• Explain how the above issues have been resolved
• Identify a specific and realistic plan for ensuring your future success

 

SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS
Those students granted readmission to the Practical Nursing program will receive a letter and/or email from ACC informing them of the decision. Students will need to attend a readmission information session with the Nursing Department Head. Returning students must provide updated immunization records, American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, criminal background check, and a drug screen.

Transfer

APPLICATION PROCESS FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS

1. The student seeking transfer must file an application in the ACC Admissions Office.  The ACC application must indicate that this is a transfer request and the semester and year in which the student wishes to transfer. The student must apply and enter within two years of leaving the previous educational institution.
2. The student requesting transfer must meet the College and Practical Nursing program admission requirements for the college year into which he/she transfers.
3. The student must have been in good academic standing at the time the individual left the previous nursing program and must provide a written recommendation from the Dean/Department Chair of the previous nursing program.
4. The student must have a grade point average of at least 2.0 in all academic work completed.
5. The individual must meet with the Nursing Program Director who will review course outlines from the nursing program in which the student was previously enrolled. This review will determine the student’s potential placement into the ACC Practical Nursing program. This review must occur at least three months prior to the beginning of the desired semester of entry.
6. Selection for transfer will be based on date of application, if course(s) being transferred align with the ACC Practical Nursing program, available clinical space, and meeting of the above criteria.
7. The individual must submit a completed Student Medical Form which is required for Health Services Programs, and documentation of current American Heart Association CPR certification.
8. Complete a criminal background check and drug screen (student is responsible for fee).
9. To graduate from ACC, the student must have earned at least 50% of the required hours in the nursing program at ACC and taken at least 25% of the major course work required in the nursing program at ACC. Within the Practical Nursing program, student may transfer three of the four general education courses, and only NUR 101 from the Practical Nursing courses. These courses must have been taken no more than two years prior to enrollment at ACC with a grade of C or better for general education courses, and a grade of B or higher for NUR 101.

IF TRANSFERRING FROM ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING TO PRACTICAL NURSING

1. Students must comply with the above process.
2. Successful completion of NUR 111 (Intro to Health Concepts) with a grade of B or higher will receive transfer equivalency credit for NUR 101 (Practical Nursing I).
3. Successful completion of both BIO 168 (Anatomy & Physiology I) and BIO 169 (Anatomy & Physiology II) with grades of C or higher will receive transfer equivalency credit for BIO 163 (Basic Anatomy & Physiology).

Graduation Requirements

To be eligible for graduation the student must receive a grade of “B” or higher in all nursing (NUR) courses and a “C” or higher in all general education courses that are required by the Practical Nursing program.  Students must complete an Application for Graduation by the specified date (and pay associated fee). Students must fulfill all financial obligations to Alamance Community College to be
eligible for graduation.