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.
Coursework 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.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
The practical nursing program at Cleveland Community College located in Shelby, North Carolina 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 initial accreditation.
Admission and Selection Criteria
CCC has established admissions and selection procedures to ensure students are admitted and selected in a consistent and equitable manner. Completion of these requirements will not guarantee admission to the program. All applicants are encouraged to attend a Health Sciences Symposium, which are held in June and November, to learn more information about the program.
All admissions criteria must be completed and submitted to the Admissions Office prior to the program deadline of January 25.
Admission Requirements
- Application to the College and NC Residency
- Official high school transcript or equivalent
- Reading/English: Meet one of the following to demonstrate proficiency:
- Completion of prerequisites to be eligible to register for ENG 111 without corequisite (or currently enrolled)
- Completion of ENG 111 or equivalent with a minimum of "C"
- Have a 2.8 or higher unweighted high school GPA
- Provide satisfactory placement test scores
- Provide proof of completion of an associate or bachelor's degree (if applicable)
- TEAS Score of 60 or higher
Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Testing Information
The TEAS is designed specifically to assess the preparedness of students applying to a health sciences program. TEAS scores are good for 5 years, and must have a minimum of 30 days between each test. Students must register for the test through ATI at www.atitesting.com.
TEAS testing information:
- Paper and pencil will be provided
- No smartwatches or any other programmable devices are allowed
- Cell phones must be turned off
- No food or drink allowed, unless medically necessary
- Photo ID required
- ATI login information
Post-Provisional Acceptance Requirements
An email notification of provisional acceptance will be sent by February 20. The following must be completed to satisfy acceptance requirements:
- Attend nursing orientation
- Complete CCC Health Sciences Medical Form
- Criminal background check and 12-panel drug screen obtained through a secure compliance tracking database
- The following immunizations are required (more information will be provided during orientation):
- Covid-19
- Complete 2-Step TB Test or IGRA
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza (required between 9/1 - 10/31)
- Varicella
- Td or TDaP
- MMR
- CPR Certification will be offered the first week of class (first fall semester only) and must remain current throughout the program.
- Comply with the Technical Standards outlined for the program
- Highly recommended for all students to have health insurance
Clinical facilities may require criminal background checks, drug screenings, credit checks, and/or proof of US citizenship prior to or during participation in the clinical portion of the program. A student who is unable to complete the clinical portion of the program will not be able to graduate. Criminal background checks, drug screenings, credit checks, and/or proof of US citizenship may also be required after graduation by examination boards, state licensing boards, and employing agencies.
Essential Functions and Technical Standards
Purpose Statement
The following standards reflect reasonable expectations of students. In adopting these standards, the program is mindful of the patient’s right to safe and high-quality healthcare by students. The student must be able to apply the knowledge and skills necessary to function in a broad variety of clinical situations while providing high-quality patient care. These standards reflect what may be required for employment of the entry-level professional.
It is important that students who are admitted possess cognitive and critical thinking skills, interpersonal skills, behavioral skills, physical skills, and communication skills necessary to practice in the field. Reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities will be considered on an individual basis, but each student must be able to independently perform all performance standards demanded by the clinical site and the College. Accommodations will be provided in accordance with Disabilities Services at Cleveland Community College. The following abilities/skills are required, with or without accommodations. Students must meet the following technical standards and maintain satisfactory demonstration of these standards for progression throughout the program. Students unable to meet these technical standards will not be able to complete the program. The examples used are not all-inclusive.
| Capability |
Standard |
Examples of Technical Standard Found in the Program and Related to Industry |
| Cognitive Ability/Critical Thinking Skills |
Ability to collect, interpret, and integrate data and information in order to make decisions quickly. |
Read and comprehend relevant information in textbooks and professional literature.
Acquire information from written documents and information systems.
Identify cause and effect relationships.
Identify changes in patient health status.
Develop appropriate patient goals and nursing interventions.
Make decisions reflective of classroom learning in the clinical sites.
Be able to consider alternatives and make a decision for managing or intervening in the care of a patient.
Be able to think clearly and rationally.
Be able to function appropriately in routine and stressful situations. Be able to independently and accurately assess or contribute to the assessment of a patient. |
| Physical |
Tactile Skills: Sense of touch sufficient to perform physical assessment. |
Obtain vital signs.
Check skin temperature and turgor. |
| Mobility/Motor Skills: Possess manual dexterity and motor skills to perform safe and effective nursing skills; possess good eye/hand/foot coordination. |
Be able to use both hands for exerting up to 50 pounds of force.
Demonstrate adequate coordination.
Be able to stand for long periods.
Give patient bed baths.
Make occupied or unoccupied bed.
Position and transfer patients safely.
Use equipment.
Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Administer injections.
Start IVs.
Perform venipuncture.
Insert Foley catheters. |
| Auditory Skills: Hearing ability to monitor and assess health needs. |
Hear equipment/emergency alarms, and call bell.
Listen to heart, lung and blood pressure sounds.
Hear call for help.
|
| Visual Skills: Visual ability to monitor and assess patient care needs. |
Observe patient responses to treatment.
Detect changes in skin color.
Read sphygmomanometer.
|
| Interpersonal and Behavioral Skills |
Ability to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. Demonstrate emotional stability to function effectively under stress and to adapt to changing environments. |
Establish and maintain effective, mature, and professional relationships with patients and peers.
Exercise appropriate judgement, meet acceptable time frames for client care delivery (based upon a particular point in the program within the allotted clinical time).
Accept accountability for all actions, including those that resulted in patient care errors.
Accept constructive criticism and respond by appropriate modifications.
Demonstrate respect for the patient, their privacy and family members.
Develop and maintain effective and harmonious relationships with other members of the healthcare team.
Present professional appearance. |
| Communication Skills |
Ability to communicate effectively in English using verbal, nonverbal, and written formats with faculty, patients, families, other healthcare team members and peers. |
Perform patient teaching.
Answer questions posed by the patient, family members, physicians, healthcare team members.
Document relevant patient information via computer.
Use correct terminology and spelling.
Interpret physician’s orders.
Record patient’s responses to treatment.
Demonstrate active listening skills.
|
| Occupational Exposure |
Healthcare is often delivered in high-stress areas, requiring management of multiple roles and duties simultaneously. The nursing student must possess the ability to protect self and others by implementing appropriate precautions due to communicable disease and/or body fluids, toxic substances, or other hazards. |
Requiring the use of personal protective equipment, i.e., masks, goggles, and gloves.
Working with sharps and chemicals.
Exposure to radiation, requiring lead apron weighing up to 10 pounds and monitoring devices for dose to exposed body parts.
Exposure to latex and nitrile products if allergic.
Exposure to assault and battery.
Environmental hazards - slippery floors, various levels of lighting, various room temperatures, etc.
Legal/ethical dilemmas.
Liability issues.
|
Estimated Total Cost for Program
| Fee Description |
Cost |
| Tuition |
$3347.00 |
| Program Fee (ATI Fee) |
$1230.00 |
| Lab Fees |
$72.00 |
| Background, Drug Screen, & Immunization Tracker |
$135.00 |
| Clinical Tracker |
$40.00 |
| Uniforms and Shoes |
$200.00 |
| Malpractice Insurance |
$16.00 |
| Pinning Fee |
$75.00 |
| CPR Card |
$10.00 |
| Textbooks |
$400.00 |
| Estimated Total |
$5525.00 |
Understanding the Ranking Process
When all admissions requirements have been met, qualified applicants are ranked using a point system. Enrollment in related courses is not required for acceptance; however, extra points will be awarded for each related course, completed by the deadline, based on the grade earned in the course. If the course is repeated, the highest grade earned will be used in the ranking.
- A = 4 points
- B = 3 points
- C = 2 points (no points are awarded for grades lower than C)
AP credit is based on individual scores:
- 5 = 4 points
- 4 = 3 points
- 3 = 2 points (no points are awarded for scores lower than 3)
Related course points will be added to the total TEAS score for the ranking. Applicants with the highest-ranked scores will be accepted. In the event of a tie, a Traditional Pathway applicant with the highest science score on the TEAS will be ranked higher, and the GPA will be used for LPN to ADN Pathway applicants. An alternate list will be maintained in ranking order. Alternates will only be accepted if a space becomes available. Applicants not admitted to the program must reapply. The chart below can be used to track related course points.
Related courses for Traditional Pathway:
Reentry Process
- All requests for reentry must be approved by the Admissions Office and the Nursing Director prior to implementation.
- Only one reentry will be considered.
Applied and Not Accepted
Students not selected to the program may reapply for the next year by completing a new health sciences application. All applications for admission must be updated annually.
Grading Policy
All NUR Courses must receive a grade of B or higher and all other courses in the program must receive a grade of C or higher.
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
| NUR 101 | Practical Nursing I |
7
|
6
|
6
| 11 |
| NUR 102 | Practical Nursing II |
7
|
0
|
9
| 10 |
| NUR 103 | Practical Nursing III |
6
|
0
|
9
| 9 |
Total Major Hours: 30
General Education Courses
Communications:
Natural Sciences:
| BIO 168 | Anatomy and Physiology I |
3
|
3
| | 4 |
| BIO 169 | Anatomy and Physiology II |
3
|
3
| | 4 |
Social/Behavioral Science:
Total General Education Hours: 14
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION: 44
Suggested Sequence of Courses
Fall Semester
| BIO 168 | Anatomy and Physiology I |
3
|
3
| | 4 |
| ENG 111 | Writing and Inquiry |
3
|
0
| | 3 |
| NUR 101 | Practical Nursing I |
7
|
6
|
6
| 11 |
| Total Credit Hours: |
13
|
9
|
6
| 18 |
Spring Semester
| BIO 169 | Anatomy and Physiology II |
3
|
3
| | 4 |
| NUR 102 | Practical Nursing II |
7
|
0
|
9
| 10 |
| Total Credit Hours: |
10
|
0
|
9
| 14 |
Summer Term
| NUR 103 | Practical Nursing III |
6
|
0
|
9
| 9 |
| PSY 150 | General Psychology |
3
|
0
| | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: |
9
|
0
|
9
| 12 |
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION: 44
| Diploma | College Transfer |
Yes
|
No
|