Practical Nursing

Academic Division of Nursing

Nursing Student

The certificate program in Practical Nursing, begins in September as either a ten month, full-time day or a two-year part-time late afternoon/evening program. The program of study includes theory in the biological and behavioral sciences as the foundation to the nursing courses. The curriculum emphasizes clinical experiences in a variety of health care settings. Planned learning experiences are directed toward developing nursing competency consistent with current practices. The full-time program meets five days a week. The full-time class schedule averages 30 hours (class and clinical). The part-time program meets three times per week, beginning in late afternoon, and averages 20 hours (class and clinical). Enrolled students must complete the certificate requirement within 4 years of enrollment in the full-time nursing program.

All nursing courses require students to have scheduled clinical nursing practice within a variety of health care settings under the supervision of qualified nursing faculty. Please note, acceptance to the program does not guarantee a clinical nursing placement. Clinical facilities require a satisfactory criminal offender record information (CORI) check on all students before he/she can be allowed in the clinical setting. A positive CORI check may mean that a student is not allowed within a clinical facility for his/her clinical nursing practice. A misdemeanor or a felony can result in a positive CORI. If this happens, then the student will not be able to complete the nursing program. Additionally, students may be required by clinical agencies to undergo random drug testing. Students who successfully complete the program are eligible to take the NCLEX- Practical Nurse examination for licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Applicants for licensure in Massachusetts must be of good moral character as determined by the Board of Registration in Nursing. Please note that a student who has been convicted of either a misdemeanor or a felony may be denied entrance to the licensure examination.

The Practical Nurse Certificate Program is approved by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (BORN) and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) You may contact the ACEN for more information on the web at http://www.acenursing .org or at 3343 Peachtree Rd. NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326, by telephone at 404-975-5000 or 800-669-1656, or by faxing 404-975-5020. You may contact BORN for more information on the web at http://www.mass.gov/dph/boards/rn or at 239 Causeway Street, Suite 200, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02114, or by phone at (617) 973-0800 or (800) 414-0168.

Download the Practical Nursing Certificate overview sheet.

For more information about the Nursing Program requirements, click here.

Certificates

Program Outcomes
At the completion of this program, the student should be able to:

Assess the biopsychosocial deficits of the health care client
Assist in developing nursing care plans and setting priorities for nursing care
Implement care plans using safe nursing care principles standards of practice and based on individual rights and client needs
Communicate effectively
Evaluate the progress of the care plan based on nursing intervention and outcomes
Distinguish the role of a Licensed Practical Nurse within the health care delivery system
Understand the importance of personal and professional growth and utilize educational opportunities to achieve goals
Advocate for the health care consumer and the nursing profession

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Plymouth

Quincy

Practical Nursing Courses

- Code
- Course
- Credits
- PNU 101
- Growth & Development
- 1
This course is an overview of the basic manifestations of normal physical, psychological, emotional and social growth and development including the prenatal period, infancy, toddler, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and aging. It includes the stages and factors necessary for normal growth, development and obvious deviations from the normal. Prerequisites: Admission to the Practical Nurse Program.
- PNU 111
- Human Behavior
- 1
This course introduces physical, psychosocial, cultural and spiritual factors that affect human behavior. Effects of internal and external stressors and the individual’s response to these stressors are discussed. Guidelines for the promotion of psychological and spiritual comfort, interpersonal behavior and self-assessment by the student are presented. Prerequisites: Admission to the Practical Nurse Program.
- PNU 131
- Nutrition
- 1
This course introduces the principles of normal nutrition, with emphasis on the nutritional needs across the life span. This course is designed to provide a working knowledge of nutrients, food sources, and menu planning and food preparation in a culturally diverse American society. The basic food group pyramid and “Guidelines for Healthy Americans” are introduced. Physical, psychological, economic, cultural and religious factors affecting nutrition are included. An overview of federal regulations related to nutrition is also presented. Prerequisites: Admission to the Practical Nurse Program.
- PNU 141
- Microbiology
- 1
This course provides a general study of common and newly emerging microorganisms and their characteristics in relation to health and control of disease. Included is an introduction to concepts of infection and immunity and the more common methods of destroying microorganisms. Emphasis is on infection control. No labs. Prerequisites: Admission to the Practical Nurse Program.
- PNU 145
- Fundamentals of Practical Nursing I
- 5
The hourly breakdown is for full-time students only.
This is a level I concentration course designed to introduce the practical nurse student to contemporary nursing practice. Course content identifies the concepts of communication, client assessment, the role of the practical nurse, healthy psychological and physiological responses of clients across the life span, with a focus on the aging adult client as well as including health promotion strategies. The course content emphasizes the client as a self-care agent. The concepts of self-care requisites and the presence of self-care deficits guide the development of nursing interventions and evaluation. The nursing process is introduced as the framework for identifying the client’s biopsychosocial needs. Theoretical and clinical content focuses on applying basic nursing principles. The course presents concepts of critical thinking, decision making and priority setting based on hierarchy of needs. Prerequisites: Admission to the Practical Nurse Program. Pre-or-co-requisites: PNU 111, PNU141, HSC 149.
- PNU 146
- Fundamentals of Practical Nursing II
- 5
The hourly breakdown is for full-time students only.
This is a level I concentration course designed to continue to build upon the concepts, knowledge, and skills introduced in PNU 145. This course continues to emphasize the client as a self-care agent and nursing process as a framework for identifying the client’s biopsychosocial needs, Pharmacology and math calculations for medications are introduced. Emphasis will be placed on nursing responsibilities in the preparation and safe administration of medications as well as documentation. Course content continues to identify the concepts of the role of the practical nurse for clients across the life span, with focus on the aging adult client. Theoretical and clinical content focuses on applying basic nursing principles. The course presents concepts of critical thinking, decision making and priority setting based on hierarchy of needs. Pre-requisites: PNU 145; Pre-or-co-requisites: MAT 103, PNU 101, PNU 131.
- HSC 149
- Applied A&P for Health Care Professions
- 4
This course is an integrated study of the anatomy and physiology of the human body from the cellular level to the system level; designed for students embarking on a career/profession in the field of health care. Emphasis will be placed upon clinical applications, associated medical terminology and patient assessment. Advances in biomedical technology and patient/client treatment will be highlighted. Completion of HSC 140 prior to enrollment HSC 149 strongly recommended.
- PNU 153
- Introduction to Care of the Adult
- 8
The hourly breakdown is for full-time students only.
This is a Level II concentration course designed to assist the practical nurse student in the integration of concepts mastered at Level I. Course content identifies nursing care of adult clients experiencing actual/potential self-care deficits and includes health promotion strategies. The concepts include nursing care of the perioperative client, care of clients with endocrine, immune, respiratory, sensory and musculoskeletal deficits. The course also presents the nursing care of clients experiencing mental health issues. The nursing process is used as the framework for meeting the self-care deficits of adults in structured clinical settings. Theoretical and clinical content focuses on applying nursing care within the student practical nurse role including the administration of medications. The course introduces concepts of leadership and management. Critical thinking skills with decision making and priority setting continue to be reinforced. Prerequisites: PNU 146.
- PNU 154
- Medical Surgical Nursing
- 8
The hourly breakdown is for full-time students only.
This is a Level III concentration course designed to assist the practical nurse student in the integration of concepts mastered at Level I and II. Course content identifies nursing care of adult clients experiencing actual/potential self-care deficits and includes health promotion strategies. The concepts include care of clients with cancer, blood, circulatory, neurological, gastrointestinal, genitourinary and reproductive deficits. Nursing care of clients experiencing emergency situations, including burns, fractures, exposure to biochemical substances is also included. The nursing process is used as the framework for meeting the self-care deficits of adults in structured clinical settings. Theoretical and clinical content focuses on applying nursing care within the practical nurse student role including the administration of medications. Concepts of priority setting, decision making, delegation and supervision are integrated in caring for a group of clients. Prerequisites: PNU 153.
- PNU 157
- Practical Nursing Across the Continuum
- 7
The hourly breakdown is for full-time students only.
This is a Level IV concentration course designed to assist the Practical Nurse student in the integration of concepts mastered at Levels I, II and III. Basic concepts of maternity and pediatric nursing are introduced. Course content includes family centered nursing care with health promotion and maintenance. Also included are the responsibilities of the Practical Nurse with an emphasis on transition to practice. The nursing process is used as the framework for meeting the self-care requisites of clients across the life span, including use of pharmacologic agents used for all age groups. Course concepts represent nursing care in both the community and inpatient settings. Prerequisites: PNU 154.