Overview
| Entrance Dates: |
Fall: Offered at the Piedmont Summerville, Thomson, and Waynesboro Sites.
Summer: Only held on the Summerville Campus. |
| Length of Program: |
Three Terms |
| Credit Hours Required for Graduation: |
49 |
Admission: Selection for the Practical Nursing Program is based on the following criteria:
- Apply to Augusta Technical College
- Attend a Nursing Program Information Session
- Complete the online application for the PN Program by the posted deadline. For selection consideration into the PN program, you must meet college admission criteria, as well as:
- Be 18 years of age.
- Complete the ATI TEAS entrance exam with a minimum composite score of 60%. The ATI TEAS exam may be taken twice per ranking cycle.
- The Practical Nursing Program has a selective admissions process. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Students scoring above 60 percent on the ATI TEAS test will be considered for selection based upon ranking using criteria from the Practical Nursing Program Admissions Points Worksheet.
For more information regarding this process, please contact the Admissions office at (706) 771-4028 Refer to program related deadlines.
Program Description: The Practical Nursing program is designed to prepare students to write the NCLEX-PN for licensure as practical nurses. The program prepares graduates to give competent nursing care. This is done through a selected number of occupational courses providing a variety of techniques and materials necessary to assist the student in acquiring the needed knowledge and skills to give competent care. The nursing program covers all theoretical content areas outlined in Georgia Board Rule 410-9-06. A variety of clinical experiences are planned so that theory and practice are integrated under the guidance of the clinical instructor. Program graduates receive a practical nursing certificate and have the qualifications of an entry-level practical nurse. Students will have to submit a satisfactory criminal background check as well as a drug screen to be placed in a clinical health care facility to complete the clinical rotations of their educational training. The Practical Nursing Program is approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing (GBON) and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. The address and phone number is: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30326, 404-975-5000. The web site is https://www.acenursing.org/search-programs.
Employment Opportunities: Graduates are in high demand for employment in nursing homes, health centers, convalescent homes, hospitals, schools, doctor’s offices, and prisons.
Credentialing (Required): Satisfactory completion of all program courses entitles students to sit for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) examination.
Curriculum Outline
Occupational Courses, 49 credits
Notes:
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A grade of “C” or higher is required for all courses listed in the curriculum outline.
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Students who do not earn a grade of “C” or higher in any one course with the PNSG prefix will be allowed to reenter the program. For reentry the student must complete an individualized remedial program assigned by the Nursing Program. A student who does not earn a grade of “C” or higher in any two courses with the PNSG prefix will not be allowed to reenter the program for 5 years.
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A student who is not enrolled in the program for more than one year will be required to reenter the first semester of the program.
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Practical Nursing students must submit completed medical and dental examination forms prior to participation in lab activities. Separate documentation will be required for Hepatitis B, TB testing, and all immunizations and titers. Students who refuse to take the Hepatitis B vaccination series must sign a declination form and be aware that clinical practicum sites may refuse them an opportunity to gain clinical experience. Some facilities may require the COVID-19 vaccination.
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Conviction of a felony or gross misdemeanor may prohibit employment in field and may make a student ineligible to take the licensing exam required for the profession. A background check and/or drug screen will be required by all agencies before a student attends a clinical practicum. For more information, contact the Department Chair.
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Student activities associated with the curriculum, especially while students are completing his or her clinical rotations, will be educational in nature. Students will not be receiving monetary remuneration during this educational experience, nor will he or she be substituted for hired staff personnel within the clinical institution in the capacity of a practical nurse.
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Prior to participation in campus/clinical labs, students are required to show proof of current health insurance. Students who cannot show proof of health insurance need to be aware that clinical practicum sites may refuse to allow them the opportunity to gain clinical experience at their facility.
Guided Pathway
You may click on any course below to view the course description and prerequisite information.
Students who do not follow the Course Sequence listed below may not be able to complete the program in the number of semesters shown.
Piedmont Summerville Day Program, Summer Entry
PROGRAM NAME: Practical Nursing
AWARD: Diploma
CAMPUS: Piedmont Summerville Day Program
Year 1 Summer Semester
Year 1 Fall Semester
Year 1 Spring Semester
Piedmont Summerville, Thomson, and Waynesboro Day Program, Fall Entry
PROGRAM NAME: Practical Nursing
AWARD: Diploma
CAMPUS: Piedmont Summerville, Thomson, and Waynesboro Day Program
Year 1 Fall Semester
Year 1 Spring Semester
Year 1 Summer Semester
Accreditation
The Practical Nursing program at Augusta Technical College at the Augusta Campus, Waynesboro, and Thomson Sites located in Augusta, Waynesboro, and Thomson Georgia is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000.
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the practical nursing program is continuing accreditation.
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
Student Achievement Data is available on the program's student achievement data page.