Practical Nursing Diploma (D45660)

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.

The practical nursing student must maintain a grade of "C" or above in all General Education Courses required for graduation from the Practical Nursing Program. In the Practical Nursing Program, every required Major Course (courses with NUR prefix) must be passed with an 80 or above each semester before enrolling for the following semester. The student must pass related courses prior to or during the term scheduled before enrolling for the following semester.

The student is responsible for making sure requirements have been met and that all materials have been received by the Admissions Office before the program deadline. Students may take general/related (non-nursing) courses before acceptance into the nursing program. Completion of these courses will help prepare but not guarantee admission into the program. All communication regarding admissions/selection status will be sent via CCC student email. Student email is the official and preferred form of communication at CCC.

Admission and Selection Criteria

Admission to Practical Nursing is competitive among qualified applicants according to established criteria. There is a limited application period and exact admissions evaluation criteria are revised and updated annually. All Allied Health applicants are required to attend an annual Allied Health information session in order to declare an Allied Health program of study. Allied Health information session schedules are available in Student Services at 704.669.4081 or online at http://www.clevelandcc.edu/allied-health-students.php.

An admissions and selection rubric will be used to determine acceptance to the Practical Nursing program. Students not selected to the program may reapply for the next year by attending another Allied Health Information session. All applications for admission must be updated annually. If one has applied previously, he or she must initiate the process again, including the PSB aptitude exam retesting.

CCC has established admissions and selection procedures to ensure students are admitted and selected in a consistent and equitable manner. The admissions and selection rubric is only intended to provide students with a checklist assisting in identifying program eligibility requirements, while outlining the admissions/selection process. This rubric is for student use only and does not serve as the official record of calculated points. Completion of these requirements will not guarantee admission to the program.

For the most current admission and selection rubric, please visit the College website at www.clevelandcc.edu.

Admissions criteria to be completed prior to program deadline (Step 1 of Admission and Selection Rubric):

  • Current application for admission: All Practical Nursing applicants must attend an Allied Health Information session prior to being considered for admission and declaring Practical Nursing as their program of study
  • Official high school transcript or GED
  • Official college transcript (s) if you intend to earn transferable credit
  • MAT 070 or DMA 010, DMA 020, DMA 030, DMA 040 and DMA 050 satisfactory completion or exemption (per transcript)
  • ENG 095 or DRE 098 satisfactory completion or exemption (per transcript)
  • NA I Certification: Maintain current listing without findings on N.C. Aide I registry
  • GPA: CCC students: GPA 2.0 or higher, non-CCC students who have attempted 12 or more hours at another institution: GPA 2.0

Selection Process

  • All general admission requirements must be met.
  • If notified by the Admissions Office, eligible applicants report for the PSB Health Occupations Aptitude Examination. There is a fee for the aptitude exam.
  • Conditional acceptance for admission is based on the Practical Nursing Admissions & Selection Rubric. Notification of conditional acceptance, along with health examination forms will be provided.
  • If indicated, an interview will be scheduled.

Post-Acceptance Process

  • Notification of final acceptance will be sent by the Admissions Office after successful completion of all orientation requirements and physical examinations.
  • All students accepted into the Practical Nursing program must acquire a criminal background check and drug testing with the designated third party vendor. Accepted students will be notified with information concerning the third party vendor. Criminal background checks and drug testing are required by the clinical facilities, who determine all clinical participation.
  • All students accepted into the Practical Nursing program are required to have accident and malpractice insurance.
  • All students must provide proof of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification for healthcare providers.
  • Graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN), which is required for practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse.

Reentry Policy

  1. All requests for reentry into the Practical Nursing program must be approved by the Admissions Office and the Practical Nursing Director prior to implementation.
  2. Only one reentry into the Practical Nursing program will be considered.

Course and Hour Requirements

Students are not allowed to enroll in the NUR courses until formally accepted into the program. Please see admission requirements.

Major Courses

Course NumberTitleClass HoursLab HoursClinical HoursCredits
NUR 101Practical Nursing I
7
6
6

11

NUR 102Practical Nursing II
7
0
9

10

NUR 103Practical Nursing III
6
0
9

9

Total Major Hours: 30

General Education Courses

Communications:

Course NumberTitleClass HoursLab HoursClinical HoursCredits
ENG 111Writing and Inquiry
3
0

3

Natural Sciences:

Course NumberTitleClass HoursLab HoursClinical HoursCredits
BIO 155Nutrition
3
0

3

and

BIO 163Basic Anatomy and Physiology
4
2

5

or

BIO 169Anatomy and Physiology II
3
3

4

(BIO 169: BIO 168, Anatomy & Physiology I is a prerequisite to BIO 169)

Social/Behavioral Science:

Course NumberTitleClass HoursLab HoursClinical HoursCredits
PSY 110Life Span Development
3
0

3

or

PSY 241Developmental Psych
3
0

3

(PSY 241 has prerequisite of PSY 150)

Total General Education Hours: 13-14

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION: 43-44

Suggested Sequence of Courses

Fall Semester

Course NumberTitleClass HoursLab HoursClinical HoursCredits
BIO 163Basic Anatomy and Physiology
4
2

5

or

BIO 169Anatomy and Physiology II
3
3

4

 

ENG 111Writing and Inquiry
3
0

3

NUR 101Practical Nursing I
7
6
6

11

Total Credit Hours:
13-14
8-9
6
18-19

Spring Semester

Course NumberTitleClass HoursLab HoursClinical HoursCredits
BIO 155Nutrition
3
0

3

NUR 102Practical Nursing II
7
0
9

10

Total Credit Hours:
10
0
9
13

Summer Term

Course NumberTitleClass HoursLab HoursClinical HoursCredits
NUR 103Practical Nursing III
6
0
9

9

Social/Behavioral Sciences Course*
3
0
0

3

Total Credit Hours:
9
0
9
12

*See "Course and Hour Requirements"

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION: 43-44