Practical Nursing Program
The practical nursing program at SCC focuses on preparing students
to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) for a variety of health
and medical-related settings.
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Practical Nursing
The student will receive a course syllabus for each course that will describe the competencies and course objectives for that course.
The individual graduate from the State Career College Hybrid Distance Education Practical Nursing Program will be prepared to function as a novice Practical Nurse with theoretical and practical/technical competence in acute, subacute, chronic, and long term, community-based care settings.
The Practical Nurse Graduate will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) for licensure.
Program Outcomes
Through planned learning experiences, following the completion of the Hybrid Distance Education Practical Nursing Program each graduate will be able to:
- Use knowledge of basic physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and cultural needs to assist the patient meet their universal, biophysical, psychological, and social needs within the health and wellness continuum.
- Assume the role of a competent, caring Practical Nurse in a variety of health care settings under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse, Physician, or Dentist.
- Use his or her knowledge in compassionate caring and utilize the nursing process in providing competent and safe nursing care in meeting self-care deficit demands of the individual.
- Use effective and appropriate communication techniques in interactions with patients, families, and other health team members.
- Demonstrate self-direction, responsibility for maintaining competence and ability to safely perform basic therapeutic and preventative nursing care procedures in providing individualized care.
- Organize and coordinate care of patients in structured health care settings, as they seek to sustain or regain their health.
- Employ principles of teaching to assist clients in resolving self-care deficits.
- Demonstrate accountability in all aspects of providing nursing care to individuals while recognizing his or her own role as a novice Practical Nurse within the health care system with adherence to ethical and legal standard of the profession.
- Pursue personal and professional development.
Program Curriculum
The curriculum is over an 18-month period, with course duration of 69 weeks, including classroom instruction correlated with guided lab and clinical practice at affiliated health care agencies. This 18-month period begins after the completion of the required pre-requisites:
- CPR Course completion with current Certification Card
- Health Record compliance
- Immunizations compliance
- Fingerprint Background Check
Classroom and laboratory hours focus on theory and basic nursing skills which are provided on campus. Along with on campus training, clinical hours, under the guidance of qualified program faculty, students will gain valuable experience in the care of clients of all ages in a variety of health care settings. Transportation to these agencies is the responsibility of the student
Acceptance into the Hybrid Distance Education Practical Nursing Program is contingent upon the applicant meeting the basic requirements for college and program admission. A selective admissions process is used to determine the applicant’s eligibility for enrollment.
In order to progress through the Practical Nursing Program, the student must maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 (80%) or higher on a 4.0 scale and successfully complete each course with a “C” or better. Current CPR and immunization requirements must also be maintained throughout the program.
Program Delivery
Mode of delivery: Distance Education-Hybrid / Residential
Program of Study
Curriculum Clock Hour Distribution
| Course Number | Course Title | Clock Hours |
| BIO 101 (8 Weeks) | Anatomy and Physiology, I | Total Hours: 160 Hours Theory Hours: 128 Hours Laboratory Hours: 32 Hours |
| NUR 101 (14 Weeks) | Foundations of Nursing | Total Hours: 280 Hours Theory Hours: 168 Hours |
| NUR 101C | Foundation of Nursing | Clinical/Lab Hours: 112 Hours |
| NUR 102 (14 Weeks) | Medical Surgical Nursing 1 Geriatric | Total Hours: 280 Hours Theory Hours: 168 Hours |
| NUR 102C | Medical Surgical Nursing 1 Geriatric | Clinical/Lab Hours: 112 Hours |
| NUR 103 (15 Weeks) | Medical Surgical Nursing 2 | Total Hours 300 Theory Hours: 180 Hours |
| NUR 103C | Medical Surgical Nursing 2 | Clinical/Lab Hours: 120 Hours |
| NUR 104 (5 Weeks) | Maternal and Newborn Nursing | Total Hours: 100 Hours Theory Hours: 60 Hours |
| NUR 104C | Maternal and Newborn Nursing | Clinical Hours: 40 Hours |
| NUR 105 (5 Weeks) | Pediatric Nursing | Total Hours: 100 Hours Theory Hours: 60 Hours |
| NUR 105C | Pediatric Nursing | Clinical Hours: 40 Hours |
| NUR 106 (8 Weeks) | Pharmacology | Total Hours: 160 Hours Theory Hours: 96 Hours Laboratory Hours: 64 Hours |
| Nursing Program Total | 1380 |
Course Description
BIO 101: ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
Total Clock Hours: 160
Theory: 128
Lab: 32
Clinical: 0
Delivery: Distance Education-Hybrid / Residential
The Anatomy & Physiology Course examines the structure and function of the human body as a part of the foundation for nursing education. The course content includes the study of cells, tissues, metabolism, fluid and electrolyte balance and acid-base balance. Also included is the examination of the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive body systems.
Prerequisite(s): Admission requirements
NUR 101: FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING
Total Clock Hours: 280
Theory: 168
Clinical/Lab: 112
Delivery: Distance Education-Hybrid / Residential
This course focuses on the principles and skills that form the foundation for practical nursing. Emphasis is on the nursing process and skills as a framework for establishing and guiding nursing care in all healthcare settings. Students learn to use critical thinking skills to gain knowledge of medical terminology, pharmacology, develop communication skills necessary to foster nurse client relationships, anatomy, and physiology as well as psychosocial health concepts. The student will have an introduction to extended roles such as team leader and coordinator. After the first semester the student is eligible to sit for the Certified Nursing Exam.
Content includes the roles of the practical nurse in the promotion of health and prevention of disease. Clinical experiences focus on the development of clinical competency and application of the nursing process in meeting the basic needs of clients.
Prerequisite(s): A&P
NUR 102: MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING 1 & GERIATRIC
Total Clock Hours: 280
Theory: 168
Clinical/Lab: 112
Delivery: Distance Education-Hybrid / Residential
This course will focus on introduction of common acute and chronic conditions affecting Adult and Geriatric clients and provide students with the knowledge and skills required for their care and management. This course includes concepts and practices used to provide medical and surgical nursing care to adults over 60 years of age with common physical and mental health care needs. Participating in activities in the classroom and
various clinical settings students learn and implement numerous nursing concepts and skills needed for adult client care. The theoretical and conceptual learning includes anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, preventative and medical nutrition, ethical/legal guidelines of medical and surgical care, nurse-adult client and heath care team relationship(s) and medical professionalism
The course will include diagnostic testing, signs and symptoms, treatment, and care/education. Principles of nutrition continue, and pharmacology is introduced in discussion with acute and chronic conditions. Clinical experiences provide opportunities for application of knowledge and skills to manage and care for adult/geriatric clients.
Prerequisite(s): A&P, NUR 101
NUR 103: MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING 2
Clock Hours: 300
Theory: 180
Clinical/Lab: 120
Delivery: Distance Education-Hybrid / Residential
This course focuses on the utilization of the nursing process and critical thinking in the nursing care management of adults with common and well-defined health deficits. This course includes concepts and practices used to provide medical and surgical nursing care to adults’ age 19 – 59 years of age with common physical and mental health care needs. Participating in classroom activities and various clinical settings students learn and implement numerous nursing concepts and skills needed for adult client care, including adult anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, preventative and medical nutrition, ethical/legal guidelines of medical and surgical care, nurse-adult client and health car e team relationship(s) and medical professionalism.
The course will include diagnostic testing, signs and symptoms, treatment, and care/education. Principles of nutrition and pharmacology continue in discussion with acute and chronic conditions. Clinical experiences provide opportunities for the application of knowledge and skills to the nursing care of adults in a variety of clinical settings.
Prerequisite(s): A&P, NUR 101, NUR 102
NUR 104: MATERNAL/CHILD NURSING
Total Clock Hours: 100
Theory: 60
Clinical/Lab: 40
Delivery: Distance Education-Hybrid / Residential
This course focuses on the utilization of the nursing process and critical thinking in the care of childbearing women, newborn and family. this course includes concepts and practices used to provide nursing care to adults and youth during prenatal, delivery, and postpartum (including care of the normal newborn). Participating in classroom and laboratory base activities and various clinical settings, students learn and implement numerous nursing concepts and skills needed for prenatal, delivery and postpartum client care, including anatomy and physiology of mother and fetus, preventative and medical nutrition, pharmacology, ethical/legal guidelines of medical and surgical care, nurse-adult client relationship and medical professionalism
The course will also focus on the normal and abnormal pregnancy, labor and delivery, the puerperium, and the newborn. Principles of normal growth and development, psychosocial considerations, conditions related to the female reproductive and urinary systems, nursing care of mother and infant throughout the maternity cycle. Pharmacology is continuous throughout the course.
Prerequisite(s): A&P, NUR 101, NUR 102, NUR 103
NUR 105: PEDIATRIC NURSING
Clock Hours: 100
Theory: 60
Clinical/Lab: 40
Delivery: Distance Education-Hybrid / Residential
This course focuses on the utilization of the nursing process and critical thinking in the care and management of the pediatric client. This course includes concepts and practices used to provide nursing care for children 1 month to 18 years of age with common physical and mental health care needs. Participating in classroom and laboratory activities and various clinical settings, students learn and implement numerous nursing concepts and skills for pediatric, medical and surgical care, including child anatomy and physiology, preventative and medical nutrition, ethical/legal aspects of medical care, communication, and impact of cultural diversity on medical care, nurse-client relationship, and nursing professionalism.
The course will focus on common illnesses occurring in childhood. It includes application of biological, social, and developmental theory in the promotion and restoration of health. Principles of pharmacology are continuous throughout the course. Pediatric dosage and calculations emphasized vs. adult calculation.
Prerequisite(s): A&P, NUR 101, NUR 102, NUR 103, NUR 104
NUR 106: PHARMACOLOGY
Total Clock Hours: 160
Theory: 96
Clinical/Lab: 64
Delivery: Distance Education-Hybrid / Residential
This course introduces essential concepts of pharmacology for the practical nurse. It includes the use of the nursing process in the safe administration of medications via oral, topical, intradermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravascular route. Examines major drug names, classifications of drugs in relation to mechanism of action, therapeutic effects, adverse effects, interactions, route of administration, dosage, availability, patient assessment, laboratory considerations, and nursing implications (implementation, patient/family teaching, and evaluation).
Prerequisite(s): A&P, NUR 101, NUR 102, NUR 103, NUR 104, NUR 105
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