Nursing

Practical Nursing (PN)

The Practical Nursing program is designed to help students develop basic nursing skills in medical, surgical, obstetrical and pediatric nursing.  The role of the practical nurse focuses on the technical skills, general knowledge and judgement necessary to organize and provide caring interventions to patients with commonly occurring medical conditions.  The practical nurse participates in health promotion/maintenance activities for the individual in the context of the family.  The practical nurse is prepared to provide nursing care within the scope of practice defined by the South Carolina Board of Nursing under the direct supervision of the registered nurse and/or other health care provider.  The course of study balances classroom instruction with relevant clinical experience and provides the opportunity for students to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become effective practitioners of practical nursing.

Upon completion of the program, the student is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).  The program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, (61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006; 212-363-5555) and approved by the South Carolina Board of Nursing.  Candidates who have criminal records may be required to appear before the South Carolina Board of Nursing, which will determine eligibility to take the NCLEX-PN exam.

Special Requirements

Students are required to take standardized tests at an approximate cost of $46 a semester.    Approximate cost for taking the licensure exam (NCLEX-PN) upon completion of the program is $300.  Students must purchase liability insurance each semester at a cost of approximately $5.  Students must purchase a uniform and special equipment the first semester (the approximate cost is $150).  Skills packets, learning packets and books must be purchased at the bookstore for nursing courses.

In addition to the college’s placement test, specific admission criteria to the Practical Nursing program include:

• SAT:  Minimum verbal or critical reading 480, minimum mathematics 480 both taken within the last 3 years; OR

• ACT:  20 composite (minimum verbal 20, minimum mathematics 23), taken    within the last 3 years; OR

• Completion of the Pre-Nursing Certificate with a cumulative minimum grade point average of 2.5 on these 8 courses, no grade lower than a “C,” and no more then one repeat per course: OR

• Completion of an associate, baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited school with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 at the time of the degree.

Additional Requirements

• High school or college credits in biology and algebra are recommended

• Emotional and physical ability to carry out normal activities of nursing care as determined by physical examination

Qualified applicants must attend a two-part orientation session and present CPR certification (adult, infant and child), health forms and immunization records prior to entering NUR 101.

All science courses taken prior to admission to the program must have been completed within 5 years of entry into NUR 101.

Applicants must have a cumulative 2.0 GPA for all Midlands Technical College course work for entrance into and progression through the nursing curriculum.

The Nursing Student Handbook outlines other policies relevant to students in the program. 

(The Handbook is located at www.midlandstech.edu/nursing)

Advanced Placement

Admission of transfer students is determined on a space available basis.  Students must meet all departmental admission requirements and have completed all prerequisite courses.  Students must provide transcripts, course descriptions, course outlines and a letter of reference from the chair of the previous Nursing program.  Students may be asked to validate theory and/or skills at the discretion of the Nursing department chair.

Progression

All courses in the curriculum must be passed with a grade of “C” or better. Courses may be repeated only once to obtain a grade of “C” or better.  No more than one clinical nursing course may be repeated.  Students must pass math competency tests throughout the program.  Students must have satisfactory clinical performance in every clinical nursing course.

Students who withdraw from or receive a grade lower than a “C” in any clinical nursing course must seek readmission to the program in order to repeat the course.  A student may be readmitted provided he/she had a cumulative GPA of 2.0 prior to having failed the course.  Readmission is based on space availability and eligibility.  The dropped, withdrawn or failed course must be successfully completed before the student can take another nursing course.  Students who have not completed a nursing clinical course within the last six months are required to validate knowledge and skills for previously completed clinical nursing courses.

CPR certification and TB skin testing must be kept current in order to remain in the program.

Major:  Practical Nursing (44 credit hours)

Diploma:  Health Science