Practical Nursing Program Information Packet Health-Related Programs Admission Office 850.484.2210 healthprograms@pensacolastate.edu The Practical Nursing program is a candidate for national accreditation with Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 850, Atlanta GA 30326, Phone: 404.975.5000, Fax: 404.975.5020. www.acenursing.org Pensacola State College is an EA/EO Institution Pensacola State College does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, gender age, religion, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or genetic information in its educational programs, activities or employment. For inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, contact the Associate Vice President of Institutional Diversity/sex, at (850) 484-1759, Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd., Pensacola, Florida 32504. REVISED: October 23, 2015
PSC PN INFORMATION PACKET Page 2 What is expected of a Practical Nurse? "Practice of practical nursing" as defined by the Florida Department of Health, Florida Board of Nursing means the performance of selected acts, including the administration of treatments and medications, in the care of the ill, injured, or infirm and the promotion of wellness, maintenance of health, and prevention of illness of others under the direction of a registered nurse, a licensed physician, a licensed osteopathic physician, a licensed podiatric physician, or a licensed dentist. Nursing faculty believe that licensed practical nurses contribute necessary, unique and skilled competencies to the health care system. The Department of Nursing's mission is to provide quality educational opportunities for students seeking to enter the healthcare arena and to meet the healthcare needs of the community. Special Admission Requirements Students seeking admission to the program must complete an application to the College and the program. Admission to the program is limited by student/faculty ratios and availability of clinical resources. All application requirements must be completed before a student will be considered for admission to the PN program. Once all admission requirements are complete, candidates are ranked according to first complete. Students are required to successfully pass a criminal level II background and a urine drug screen prior to clinical experiences. Applicants who have an arrest record (other than a minor traffic violation) should be aware that they may not be permitted to sit for the licensing examination (NCLEX-PN) after program completion. The Florida Board of Nursing determines eligibility for NCLEX-PN after receiving an individual's application to take NCLEX-PN. Refer to www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/nursing/nur_faq.html for questions. ADMISSION CRITERIA Submission of Pensacola State College (PSC) Application ($30 non-refundable fee), Submit an application for the Health-Science Programs, Submission of official high school transcripts, Applicants to the PN program must be high school graduate or have completed the GED, Submission of official transcripts from all colleges currently attending or previously attended, Minimum 2.0 vocational cumulative grade point average, Practical nursing entrance exam minimum raw scores of 24 on Judgment and Comprehension (reading), 36 on Academic Aptitude and 42 on Natural Science, Score of 23 or higher on Health related Math exam, Complete Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE), Complete and passing Background and Drug Screening; Health compliance. REQUIREMENTS FOR PROGRAM PROGRESSION Grade of C or higher in practical nursing program, Grade of C or higher in all co-requisites and prerequisites, Current CPR certification at the Health Care Provider level (American Heart Association only); Ability to meet Performance Standards of both mental and physical health, maintain current immunizations: o TDaP (Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis) booster within 10 years OR TD booster within 2 years o MMR -Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella o Varicella (chicken pox) o Hepatitis B Tuberculosis o Influenza and H1N1 will be required yearly (October April). EXIT REQUIREMENT Minimum grade of C in all PN level courses.
PSC PN INFORMATION PACKET Page 3 Program Track The PN Program is one year in length (three terms) and accepts students in the spring term. Spring Summer Fall HSC 003C Basic Health Care Worker B Session 90 Theory Hours 3 PRN 0092C Practical Nursing II A Session 195 Theory Hours 15 PRN 0096C Practical Nursing III A Session 195 Theory Hours 255 Clinical Hours 255 Clinical Hours 15 HCP 0121C Certified Nursing Assistant B Session 60 Theory Hours 60 Clinical Hours 2.5 PRN 0091C Practical Nursing I D Session 165 Theory Hours 120 Clinical Hours 9.5 Total Vocational Credits 15 Total Vocational Credits 15 Total Vocational Credits 15 Note: Total weekly contact hours for clinical may vary, depending on clinical institution availability and College holiday schedule.
PSC PN INFORMATION PACKET Page 4 Performance Standards A PN program applicant should possess the following capabilities: 1. Sufficient physical, motor, sensory, intellectual, emotional, and social/ communication skills to provide safe patient care utilizing a variety of equipment in different health care environments. Examples of performance standards for nursing practice are outlined below. 2. Be of sound mind and body to perform the professional duties of a nursing student without becoming injurious to self or others. Technical Standards/ Physical Abilities & Skills Mobility Standard Physical abilities sufficient to move independently from room to room, walk in hallways, maneuver in small places such as patient rooms, medication rooms. Examples Walking independently with patients from department to department, around the patient room, down the corridor, from one patient room to another to take care of all patients on a team and to assist in the transport of all patients from bed to bed, bed to chair. Walking, standing, sitting for long periods of time, stooping, lifting patients weighing, squatting, reaching, twisting, bending, pushing, pulling, dragging, climbing. Motor Skills Hearing Visual Gross and fine motor skills to practice safe and efficient patient care. Sufficient manual dexterity to manipulate equipment in the patient care setting. Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs. Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary to provide safe patient care. Manual dexterity to start a patient s intravenous line, set alarms on monitors, draw up and give injections to patients without extraneous movement. Auscultation of breath sounds, heart sounds, blood pressure, bowel sounds, hearing alarms, call bells telephones in patient care, converse with patients, family and staff from varying distances with varying audible sounds. Reading patient charts/flow sheets/monitors, drawing up and administering medications, assessing patient skin tones, reading thermometers, assessing wound status, non-verbal behaviors. Tactile Communication Interpersonal Critical Thinking Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment and to provide safe patient care. Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in coherent and concise oral and written form. Interpersonal skills sufficient for interaction with patients, families and groups from diverse backgrounds (cultural, emotional, intellectual) in a variety of health care settings Critical thinking sufficient for clinical decision-making Performing palpation, giving injections, starting IV s, sterile and non-sterile dressing changes, urinary catheterization, assess skin temperature and texture, and assist with patient care activities Following spontaneous verbal and/or written instructions. Is able to effectively communicate in English. Must be able to communicate the patient s response to therapy to other members of the health care team, document patient responses to therapy on health care forms utilizing various forms of media, consult with health care team members/workers in a professional manner. Conversing effectively with patients, families, and groups and in stressful patient care situations such as emergencies. Competent assessing a patient in a timely manner and correctly interpreting assessment. Readily responding with appropriate nursing/medical interventions and treatment plans. Can work in isolation independently for positive patient outcome.
PSC PN INFORMATION PACKET Page 5 Contact Information Department Telephone # Importance Director of Nursing Dusti Sluder... 484-2254 dsluder@pensacolastate.edu Health Related Programs Admissions Office Warrington Campus... 484-2210 healthprograms@pensacolastate.edu Admissions/Registrar Offices Warrington Campus.... 484-2270 Pensacola Campus... 484-1602 Milton Campus... 484-4410 Students are strongly advised to meet with the Health Admissions office on the PSC Warrington Campus when seeking admission into the PN program. Information and application packets are available for all health related programs. College application for admission is accepted at any of PSC campus. The Registrar s Office verifies transcripts/ documents are received. Testing Centers Warrington Campus... 484-1076 Pensacola Campus... 484-1656 Academic Counseling Offices Warrington Campus... 484-2270 Pensacola Campus... 484-1660 Milton Campus... 484-4410 Financial Aid/Veteran Affairs/Scholarships Pensacola Campus... 484-1680 Warrington Campus... 484-2349 Milton Campus... 484-4410 Register for entrance exams. It is recommended that the applicant contact an academic advisor/counselor for detailed information on the program requirements. Discuss financial support.
PSC PN INFORMATION PACKET Page 6 Expenses In addition to tuition, the student may be assessed lab fees, books, and supplies as appropriate for each course. Additional expenditures specific to nursing courses include specialized equipment, uniforms, materials and supply fees for clinical and laboratory courses, and transportation for off-campus experiences. Course and pre-graduation achievement exams are required and paid for by the student. Fees are subject to change. See College Catalog for Financial Aid programs information. Below is a list of APPROXIMATE costs and are subject to change without notice. In-State Alabama Out of State Expenses Residents Pensacola State College Application Fee (first time students) 30.00 30.00 30.00 Entrance Exam 28.00 28.00 28.00 Tuition 45 Vocational credits Per credit hour: $85.80 FL Resident, 3861.00 4311.00 15444.00 AL Resident $95.80 Out of State $343.20 Lab Fees 1118.69 1118.69 1118.69 Books, Modules, Forms Packets, and Assessment Tests 733.70 733.70 733.70 Preclinical Physical Examination and Immunizations Varies Varies Varies Uniforms and Supplies (Includes 2 uniforms, shoes, hose, penlight, stethoscope, bandage, scissors, benchmark test sheets, videotape, and photo) 275.00 275.00 275.00 Program Total $6046.89 $6496.89 $17629.89
PSC PN INFORMATION PACKET Page 7 Notice Regarding Changes to Policies The provisions of this publication are not to be construed as a contract between the student and Pensacola State College. The College reserves the right to change any provision or requirement when such action becomes necessary. PN program requirements may change due to regulatory rules, accreditation standards, health recommendations, or program needs. Students are advised to work closely with the counselors/advisors to remain up to date on program requirements. Health Care Programs Admission Policy- Positive Drug Screen Applicants who test positive on the required drug screen and cannot provide appropriate documentation to the Medical Review Officer explaining the positive result will be suspended on the candidate list for any limited access healthcare program in which they have achieved candidacy status for one year after the date of the positive drug screen. At the end of the one year suspension the applicant will be placed in the next cohort and sent a letter of acceptance into the program. The applicant will be considered for all programs in which they received candidacy based on their original candidacy date prior to the one year suspension for the positive drug screen. Upon receipt of an acceptance letter into a limited access healthcare program the individual will perform a new background check and drug screen and is both are clear will be admitted to the program. A second positive drug screen will result in the individual being purged from all limited access health care program application pools. The individual may reapply to any of the health care program(s); candidacy will be based on meeting the current entrance requirements for the program(s). If a student tests positive on a drug screen while enrolled in a limited access health care program, the student will be excused from the program and will not be eligible for re-entry. If the student is in a clinical facility when a drug screen is requested the student is responsible for any expenses incurred for the additional testing. Refusal to take a drug test is requested by a clinical site or by Pensacola State College will be treated as a positive drug screen with dismissal from the program and no opportunity for re-entry.