Practical Nursing Certificate

CONTACT

Health, Education, Culinary Arts & Human Services Division, 413.552.2030

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Nursing is the art and science of caring. Nursing is an interpersonal process based on values, beliefs, and standards of the profession. Nursing is a profession which utilizes nursing knowledge and principles from the humanities and the biological, behavioral, and social sciences to assist individuals, groups, and communities in promoting, maintaining, and restoring health.

The Practical Nurse Certificate Program is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.

The Practical Nurse Certificate Program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

utilize the nursing process to provide safe and effective nursing care, applying current evidence-based practice standards appropriate to the patient’s needs
facilitate clinical competence in the role of practical nurse in accordance with legal, ethical, and regulatory standards
participate in the implementation of priority-based, patient-centered nursing care that respect the patient’s individual preferences
collaborate with the interdisciplinary team, incorporating appropriate communication techniques to provide quality patient care

The application for the Nursing Program can be found either by contacting the Admissions office 413.552.2321 or by going to the HCC website: www.hcc.edu.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: 45 CREDITS

BIO 217(E) - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credit(s): 4
BIO 218(E) - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credit(s): 4
NTR 101 - Introduction to Nutrition Credit(s): 3
PHM 171 - Pharmacology I Credit(s): 1
PHM 181 - Pharmacology II Credit(s): 1
PNR 170 - Fundamentals of Nursing Credit(s): 9
PNR 173 - Practical Nurse Skills Workshop Credit(s): 2
PNR 180 - Health Promotion and Maintenance Credit(s): 9
PNR 182 - Practical Nurse Role Development Credit(s): 2
PNR 190 - Practical Nurse Acute and Complex Care Credit(s): 4
PSY 110(B) - Introduction to Psychology Credit(s): 3
PSY 216(B) - Human Development Credit(s): 3

TOTAL: 45 CREDITS

NOTES

For a comprehensive list of requirements for both admission and completion of this program, please visit the Nursing page on the HCC website.

Practical Nursing students must achieve a C+ or better in all required courses to graduate from the Practical Nursing program. Sciences courses need to be completed within seven years of applying to the program.

Final admission to the program is dependent on successful completion of all general education courses with a minimum grade of C+, Nurses Aid training or direct patient care experience as a PCT, CPR, submission of DPH immunization and health requirements, and passing of the CORI/SORI check, Drug Screening and Fingerprinting. Students must demonstrate ability to adhere to the essential functions throughout enrollment in the program with or without reasonable accommodations.

Professional licensure and certification requirements vary from state to state. Licensure and certification in one state does not guarantee automatic licensure in another state. Holyoke Community College offers courses and programs that may lead to professional licensure or certification in states outside of Massachusetts. Holyoke Community College has not made a determination that its curriculum meets State educational requirements for licensure or certification in states outside of Massachusetts.

The Practical Nurse Certificate program prepares students to take the NCLEX-PN exam to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in Massachusetts.

For Nursing professional licensure in states other than Massachusetts, please contact the licensing board in your state to determine whether Holyoke Community College’s program meets your state’s requirements for licensure.

(M064)