Course Catalog

Practical Nursing - PN12 Diploma


The Practical Nursing diploma program is designed to prepare students to write the NCLEX-PN for licensure as practical nurses. The program prepares graduates to give competent nursing care. This is done through a selected number of academic and occupational courses providing a variety of techniques and materials necessary to assist the student in acquiring the needed knowledge and skills to give competent care. A variety of clinical experiences is planned so that theory and practice are integrated under the guidance of the clinical instructor. Program graduates receive a practical nursing diploma and have the qualifications of an entry-level practical nurse.

Requirements:

  • Submit a completed application and application fee
  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Submit official high school transcript or High School Equivalency transcript
  • Submit official college transcripts, if applicable
  • Present acceptable SAT or ACT scores taken within the last 60 months, or acceptable ACCUPLACER, COMPASS or ASSET scores taken within the last 60 months. Documentation on a college transcript of successful completion of appropriate courses from a regionally accredited college or university may be accepted in lieu of test scores.

Additional Program Requirements:

  • Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to the Practical Nursing program
  • Students are accepted to the program based on a competitive admissions process. Program-specific competitive admission requirements are available online.
  • American Heart Association Provider CPR Certification, physical examination, up-to-date immunizations, criminal background check and drug screen required prior to start of clinical rotation.

This program qualifies for the HOPE Career Grant.

Start Terms:

  • This program begins each Fall and Summer semester on the Valdosta campus; it begins each Fall semester on the Ben Hill campus and each Spring semester on the Coffee campus.
Gainful Employment Information
Curriculum Outline (57 hours)
General Core Courses 9
ENGL 1010

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Diploma Level Reading and Writing Scores OR READ 0090 and/or ENGL 0090 w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills.

3
MATH 1012

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Diploma Level Math Scores or MATH 0090 w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, measurement and conversion, geometric concepts, technical applications, and basic statistics.

3
PSYC 1010

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None Presents basic concepts within the field of psychology and their application to everyday human behavior, thinking, and emotion. Emphasis is placed on students understanding basic psychological principles and their application within the context of family, work and social interactions. Topics include an overview of psychology as a science, the nervous and sensory systems, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychological disorders and their treatment, stress and health, and social psychology.

3
Occupational Courses 48
ALHS 1011

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 5 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Focuses on basic normal structure and function of the human body. Topics include general plan and function of the human body, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous and sensory systems, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.

5
ALHS 1060

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None A study of the nutritional needs of the individual. Topics include: nutrients, standard and modified diets, nutrition throughout the lifespan, and client education.

2
PNSG 2010

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 1 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s):Diploma Level reading & writing scores and MATH 1012 Co-requisite(s): None Applies fundamental mathematical concepts and includes basic drug administration. Emphasizes critical thinking skills. Topics include: systems of measurement, calculating drug problems, resource materials usage, fundamental pharmacology, administering medications in a simulated clinical environment, principles of IV therapy techniques, and client education.

2
PNSG 2030

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 6 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): PNSG 2010, PNSG 2035 An introduction to the nursing process. Topics include: nursing as a profession; ethics and law; client care which is defined as using the nursing process, using critical thinking, and providing client education and includes principles and skills of nursing practice, documentation, and an introduction to physical assessment; customer/client relationships; standard precautions; basic life support; infection control/bloodborne/airborne pathogens; and basic emergency care/first aid and triage.

6
PNSG 2035

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 6 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): PNSG 2010, PNSG 2030 An introduction to nursing practice in the clinical setting. Topics include but are not limited to: history taking; physical assessment; nursing process; critical thinking; activities of daily living; documentation; client education; standard precautions; hygiene and personal care; mobility and biomechanics; fluid and electrolytes; oxygen care; and perioperative care.

2
PNSG 2210

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): PNSG 2030 Co-requisite(s): PNSG 2010 Focuses on client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, using critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole; hygiene and personal care; mobility and biomechanics; fluid and electrolytes; oxygen care; perioperative care; immunology; as well as pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to the cardiovascular, respiratory, and hematological and immunological systems.

4
PNSG 2220

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): PNSG 2030 Co-requisite(s): PNSG 2320 This second course in a series of four focuses on client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, using critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole; as well as pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to the endocrine, gastrointestinal, and urinary system.

4
PNSG 2230

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): PNSG 2030 Co-requisite(s): PNSG 2330 This third course in a series of four focuses on client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, using critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole; mental health; as well as pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to the neurological, sensory, and musculoskeletal systems.

4
PNSG 2240

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): PNSG 2030 Co-requisite(s): PNSG 2340 This fourth course in a series of four courses focuses on client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, using critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole, oncology; as well as pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to the integumentary and reproductive systems.

4
PNSG 2250

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): PNSG 2030 Co-requisite(s): PNSG 2255 Focuses on health management and maintenance and the prevention of illness, care of the individual as a whole, and deviations from the normal state of health. The definition of client care includes using the nursing process, performing assessments, using critical thinking, providing client education, displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. Topics include: health management and maintenance and prevention of illness, care of the individual as a whole, pathological and nonpathological concerns in obstetric clients and the newborn; client care, treatments, pharmacology, and diet therapy related to obstetric clients and the newborn; and standard precautions.

3
PNSG 2255

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): PNSG 2250 Focuses on clinical health management and maintenance and the prevention of illness, care of the individual as a whole, and deviations from the normal state of health. The definition of client care includes using the nursing process, performing assessments, using critical thinking, providing client education, displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. Topics include: health management and maintenance and prevention of illness, care of the individual as a whole, pathological and nonpathological concerns in obstetric clients and the newborn; client care, treatments, pharmacology, and diet therapy related to obstetric clients and the newborn; and standard precautions.

1
PNSG 2310

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 6 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): PNSG 2210 This first clinical course, in a series of four medical-surgical clinical courses, focuses on clinical client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, applying critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. At the completion of the four part sequence of these medical-surgical clinical courses students will have completed a minimum of 375 hours of clinical experience including 300 hours of comprehensive medical-surgical, 37.5 pediatric and 37.5 mental health experiences. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole; hygiene and personal care; mobility and biomechanics; fluid and electrolytes; oxygen care; perioperative care; immunology; mental health; and oncology. In addition pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to cardiovascular, hematological, immunological, respiratory, neurological, sensory, musculoskeletal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, urinary, integumentary and reproductive systems.

2
PNSG 2320

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 6 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): PNSG 2220 This second clinical course, in a series of four medical-surgical clinical courses, focuses on clinical client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, applying critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. At the completion of the four part sequence of these medical-surgical clinical courses students will have completed a minimum of 375 hours of clinical experience including 300 hours of comprehensive medical-surgical, 37.5 pediatric and 37.5 mental health experiences. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole; hygiene and personal care; mobility and biomechanics; fluid and electrolytes; oxygen care; perioperative care; immunology; mental health; and oncology. In addition pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to cardiovascular, hematological, immunological, respiratory, neurological, sensory, musculoskeletal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, urinary, integumentary and reproductive systems.

2
PNSG 2330

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 6 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): PNSG 2230 This third clinical course, in a series of four medical-surgical clinical courses, focuses on clinical client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, applying critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. At the completion of the four part sequence of these medical-surgical clinical courses students will have completed a minimum of 375 hours of clinical experience including 300 hours of comprehensive medical-surgical, 37.5 pediatric and 37.5 mental health experiences. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole; hygiene and personal care; mobility and biomechanics; fluid and electrolytes; oxygen care; perioperative care; immunology; mental health; and oncology. In addition pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to cardiovascular, hematological, immunological, respiratory, neurological, sensory, musculoskeletal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, urinary, integumentary and reproductive systems.

2
PNSG 2340

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 6 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): PNSG 2240 This fourth clinical course, in a series of four medical-surgical clinical courses, focuses on clinical client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, applying critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. At the completion of the four part sequence of these medical-surgical clinical courses students will have completed a minimum of 375 hours of clinical experience including 300 hours of comprehensive medical-surgical, 37.5 pediatric and 37.5 mental health experiences. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole; hygiene and personal care; mobility and biomechanics; fluid and electrolytes; oxygen care; perioperative care; immunology; mental health; and oncology. In addition pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to cardiovascular, hematological, immunological, respiratory, neurological, sensory, musculoskeletal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, urinary, integumentary and reproductive systems.

2
PNSG 2410

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 1 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): PNSG 2030 Co-requisite(s): PNSG 2415 Builds on the concepts presented in prior nursing courses and develops the skills necessary for successful performance in the job market. Topics include: application of the nursing process, supervisory skills, client education methods, group dynamics and conflict resolution.

1
PNSG 2415

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 6 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): PNSG 2410 Builds on the concepts presented in prior nursing courses and develops the clinical skills necessary for successful performance in the job market, focusing on practical applications. Topics include: application of the nursing process, critical thinking, supervisory skills, client education methods, and group dynamics.

2
Faculty
Advisor

Practical Nursing Instructor

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Practical Nursing Instructor

Advisor

Practical Nursing Instructor

Advisor

Practical Nursing Instructor

Advisor

Practical Nursing Instructor

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