Pearl River Community College Practical Nursing Full-Time Program Applications Accepted October 1 till March 1 We are pleased that you have shown an interest in the Practical Nursing Program at Pearl River Community College (PRCC). The Practical Nursing (PN) full time program takes three semesters to complete. It is offered at the Poplarville Campus located in Poplarville, MS and at the Forrest County Center located in Hattiesburg, MS. PRCC has one starting date per year for Practical Nursing and it is the Fall semester. The deadline for submitting an application is March 1 for the class which will start each August. The PRCC Practical Nursing program is accredited by the Mississippi Community College Board. (MCCB) Eligibility Requirements 1. Submit an acceptable ACT score. An acceptable ACT score is a composite of 16 with sub-score of 14 in mathematics and sub-score of 14 in reading. All PN applicants must have an ACT on file with the college. 2. Submit an official high school transcript from an accredited high school indicating date of graduation or official GED Report indicating passing. For Those Eligible, This Is How to Apply 1. Complete an application to PRCC and an application for the Practical Nursing Program. The PN application is included in this packet. The application for PRCC is found on-line at www.prcc.edu 2. Submit an official high school transcript with date of graduation or GED report indicting passing. Pearl River Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, or disability. For inquiries regarding the non discrimination policies or to request accommodations, special assistance, or alternate format publication please contact Tonia Moody, ADA/Civil Rights Coordinator, at P.O. Box 5118, Poplarville, Mississippi 39470 or (601) 403 1060. Page 1 of 9
3. If you are a current student at PRCC OR if PRCC is the only college you have attended since 2010 the PN department can obtain the needed transcripts. If PRCC does not have your transcripts, you must obtain all official transcript(s) and submit them with your application. 4. If you are currently working in the healthcare field and have held that job for a year or longer, submit a Verification of Employment Form with the proper signatures and contact information. The form is included in this packet. 5. Submit all application materials in person to the Practical Nursing Department on the campus where you wish to attend. Deliver your application to: Poplarville Campus Linda Griffis, Nursing Building, Office 601-403-1046, lgriffis@prcc.edu Forrest County Center (Hattiesburg) Melissa Bryant, Building #5 office 130 601-554-4697, mbryant@prcc.edu How Selection is Made Applicants will be selected by Point(s) awarded using this scale Student s ACT Score 27 or higher 10 25-26 8 23-24 6 20-22 4 18-19 2 16-17 1 Ranking of College GPA based on a minimum of 12 semester hours applicable towards a degree or a four year cumulative High School GPA IF no college courses have been acquired G.P.A. Range 3.8 4.0 10 3.5 3.7 8 3.2 3.4 6 2.9 3.1 4 2.6 2.8 2 2.5 1 Page 2 of 9
High school Allied Health classes Two years completed 2 One year completed 1 Verifiable Health Care Employment (1 year) Form must be complete 2 Pearl River Practical Nursing program does not require prerequisites, however, if a student has completed any of the following classes with a final grade of A or B, points will be awarded: Principles of A & P I and II lecture and labs, BIO 1511; BIO 1513; BIO 1514; BIO 1521; BIO 1523; BIO 1524; Anatomy and Physiology I & II lecture and labs BIO 2511; BIO 2513; BIO 2514; BIO 2521; BIO 2523; BIO 2524. Human Growth & Development EPY 2533 or, Nutrition FCS 1253 Classes completed Official transcript grade of A one hour class 2 Official transcript grade of B one hour class 1 Official transcript grade of A three hour class 4 Official transcript grade of B three hour class 2 Official transcript grade of A four hour class 6 Official transcript grade of B four hour class 3 Verify by college transcripts Priority in student admission will be given to (1) in-district candidates, (2) out-of-district candidates, and (3) out-of-state candidates For applicants tentatively selected for admission: 1. An information session will be conducted for those selected for admission. Attendance is mandatory. The information session(s) will be held on each campus. Date(s): to be announced 2. A physical is required. The physical is to confirm that the applicant is in good health and possesses the required physical abilities to function satisfactorily within the program and the occupation. TB screening is required as part of the physical exam. The results must render a negative result or evidence of compliance with treatment protocol. 3. Drug screening will be required from a specific lab; Healthworks located at 5909 US Hwy 49, Hattiesburg, and must render a negative result in order to continue in the application process. Applicants are given specific time frames for obtaining their drug screen. Page 3 of 9
4. Obtain required health Form #121, Certificate of Immunization Compliance from the Health Department in your county; it should state that you are complete for school, university/college, or work requirements. 5. Applicants must submit fingerprints for a Criminal Background Check (CBC) in accordance with section 43-11-13 of the Mississippi Code of 1972. This process is necessary for the practical nursing student to enter the healthcare facilities for clinical. Any disqualifying event revealed by the CBC may prohibit the student from entering healthcare facilities for the purpose of performing clinical. All practical nursing students must participate in the required clinical. The College reserves the ultimate decision on acceptance or rejection of any application. Applicants should also be aware that an individual with a felony conviction may not be able to obtain licensure in certain professions. In such cases where a felony conviction will prevent the applicant from applying for state licensure in a specific area, the applicant will be denied admission to that specific program. Fingerprinting will be done in the summer prior to the beginning of the Fall semester. It will be performed by qualified personnel on the PRCC campus and a $50.00 fee must be paid for this service. No other background check is acceptable. If a disqualifying event is revealed it is the responsibility of the applicant to have it cleared by August 1. If you are unable to produce a clear background check by August 1, your admission to the class will be withdrawn. 6. CPR-C, Health Care Providers certification, by American Heart Association or Professional Rescuers by American Red Cross, is required prior to any clinical activity, and must not expire prior to graduation from the Practical Nursing program. Qualified alternates will be placed on a waiting list and may be selected to fill vacancies that occur prior to the end of late registration in the first semester of the program. If you were not selected for the program, but wish to be considered for the next admission cycle, you will need to submit a new application. Please refer to the Cat Country Guide (PRCC Student Handbook; PRCC website) under due process for student complaints. Critical Elements Page 4 of 9
As a student seeking admission to the Practical Nursing program, we would like you to be made aware of some critical elements for performance and completion: Stand for prolonged periods, up to eighty percent of clinical time Walk, bend, stoop, kneel, squat, push, pull, lift, and reach overhead Possess sufficient gross and fine motor coordination to perform nursing procedures See, talk and hear with sufficient acuity to perform client care Tolerate exposure to disinfectants, soap, cleansers, plastic and other materials used in protective equipment and for procedures Students are expected to travel as needed for clinical, convention, or lectures and learning opportunities off the campus All students must complete each course with an 80% GPA or better in order to progress Requirement for Licensure Upon graduation, the practical nursing student will receive a Certificate of Proficiency and may be eligible to write the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) for practical nurses. Licensing of practical nursing is regulated by the Mississippi Board of Nursing. The MBON requires a separate fingerprinting and background check conducted by their criminal investigations department prior to graduation. This will be the second Criminal Background check you will have completed while in the program. You will be assessed a fee for this service by the Mississippi Board of Nursing. Conviction of a misdemeanor or felony offense may a disqualifying event and be grounds for refusal by the board to issue a license. This background check will be scheduled during the third semester of the program. Definition of Practical Nursing The nursing faculty supports the description of the practical nurse from the State of Mississippi Law and Rules and Regulations, 2012. The practice of nursing by a licensed practical nurse means the performance for compensation of services requiring basic knowledge of the biological, physical, behavioral, psychological and sociological sciences and of nursing procedures which do not require the substantial skill, judgment, and knowledge required of a registered nurse. These services are performed under the direction of a registered nurse of a licensed physician or licensed dentist and utilize standardized procedures in the observation and care of the injured and infirm; in the maintenance of health; in action to safeguard life and health; and in the administration of medication and treatments prescribed by any physician or licensed dentist authorized by state law to prescribe.. Page 5 of 9
Credit for Previous Learning Credit for the PNV 1213 Body Structure and Function Course will be awarded if the student has: 1. Passed a college level Anatomy and Physiology course with a minimum grade of B. 2. Notifies the PN faculty to schedule a Pre-Test Exam for PNV 1213. 3. Passes the Pre-Test Exam with a score of 80% or better. Graduation requirements: 1. Complete all PN courses, including clinical components, with a minimum grade of 80% 2. Complete the program in three semesters 3. Meet all other PRCC class and graduation requirements 4. Make on-line application for graduation Practical Nursing Curriculum Three Semester Program 1. Fall Semester Hours Credit Body Structure and Function PNV 1213 3 Nursing Fundamentals and Clinical PNV 1443 13 Totals 16 semester hours The student will attend class/lab/clinical a total of 375 clock hours Fall semester 2. Spring Semester Adult Health Nursing Concepts & Clinical PNV 1682 12 IV Therapy & Pharmacology PNV 1524 4 Totals 16 semester hours The student will attend class/lab/clinical a total of 375 clock hours Spring semester 3. Summer Semester Specialty Areas in Nursing PNV 1728 8 Nursing Transitions PNV 1914 4 Totals 12 semester hours The student will attend class/clinical a total of 230 clock hours Summer semester Program total clock hours = 980 Semester hours = 44 Page 6 of 9
Pearl River Community College Application for Practical Nursing Today s Date 20 Social Security Number Name: Last First Middle Other Names Used Address City State Zip Code County Phone (Day) (Home) Date of Birth Sex Race * *Confidential information requested on a voluntary basis. Refusal to provide this information will not subject the applicant to any adverse treatment, and the information will used in a manner consistent with applicable Civil Right Laws. Citizen of U.S.? Yes No E-Mail address Person to be notified in case of emergency: Name (Last, First, Middle): Relationship City: State Zip Code: Phone Number Have you applied for other nursing or allied health programs? If so, which programs Which Campus do you plan to attend? Poplarville Hattiesburg Are you a current student at Pearl River Community College? yes no High school attended Date of graduation GED (Specify State) Have you previously attended PRCC? Yes No Dates: Name used: All students must complete the following section for colleges or universities that you have previously attended: Name of Institution Dates of Attendance City State Credits Earned Degree Have you taken the A.C.T.? Yes No Date Did you have your scores sent to PRCC? Yes No Page 7 of 9
Pearl River Community College requires applicants to answer the question: Have you ever been convicted of a felony? and have you ever been expelled and/or dismissed from another college or university for disciplinary reasons? An applicant who answers yes will be required to submit additional information and schedule a meeting with the appropriate Vice President. The College reserves the ultimate decision on acceptance or rejection of any application. Applicants should also be aware that an individual with a felony conviction may not be able to obtain licensure in certain professions. In such cases where a felony conviction will prevent the student from applying for state licensure in a specific area, the student will be denied admission to that specific program. Have you ever been convicted of a felony? Yes No Have you ever been dismissed from another college or university for disciplinary reasons? Yes No If you answer yes to either question, contact the Vice- President on the campus where you plan to register to schedule an appointment for an interview. In Poplarville 601-403-1215 or Hattiesburg 601-554-5505 An official transcript of all previous work must be received in the Admissions Office before a student is officially accepted. Return to: ADMISSIONS OFFICE, BOX 5559, POPLARVILLE, MS 39470. The Poplarville Admissions phone number is (601) 403-1214. If applying to our Forrest County Center, please send Application, transcripts, and ACT scores to: PEARL RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE, FORREST COUNTY CENTER, 5548 U.S. HWY 49 SOUTH, HATTIESBURG MS, 39401. The Forrest County Center Admissions phone number is (601) 554-5555. Pearl River Community College offers equal educational and employment opportunities to all persons without regard to sex, race, religion, color, national origin, handicap, or age. I AGREE THAT THE ABOVE INFORMATION IS TRUE TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE AND THAT DELIBERATE FALSIFICATION OF INFORMATION MAY RESULT IN DENIAL OF ADMISSION TO THE PRACTICAL NURSING PROGRAM OF PEARL RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE. Student Signature AUTHORIZATION FOR MEDICAL PROCEDURES In the event of serious illness or accident, every effort will be made to contact parents or guardian if student is under age 21. In the event that delay in medical, surgical, or psychological treatment might be detrimental to the health of the student, authorization for consultation and treatment is required. Permission is granted Pearl River Community College to refer this student for necessary treatment. Date Signature of students (age 21 and over) Date Signature of parents or guardian (If under age 21) Page 8 of 9
Verification for Health Care Employment Form Pearl River Community College Practical Nursing Program Instructions: Applicants of the Practical Nursing program should have their employer fill out verifying medical or medical related work experience. Applicant: Facility: Length of employment: Position: Brief description of duties: Supervisor Name: Signature of Supervisor: Date Contact information: Signature of applicant: Date: Page 9 of 9