Practical Nurse

Requirements

NOTE: Nursing students are required to have two physical examinations, one as part of the admission process and the second prior to the beginning of second-year classes. Students must meet certain health criteria for clinical practice in agencies, including, but not limited to, random or for-cause drug screening. Students are required to be certified at the BLS for Healthcare Providers (BLS-HCP) level. Proof of successful completion of the BLS-HCP course must be in the form of an official CPR card document issued by an authorized AHA or Red Cross Training Center. Cards issued by private companies that state the course was “taught in accordance with AHA (or Red Cross) guidelines” are not sufficient evidence of course completion and will not satisfy this requirement.

To become an eligible nursing applicant, each individual must have the following on file in the admissions office no later than November 1^st.

Admission Process

1. Must be 18 years of age (at the start of the program)
2. Minimum GPA 2.0 (high school or college, most current will be used)
3. High school diploma, or equivalency certificate
4. Minimum TEAS Composite Percentage Score of 58%
5. Completion of college application and PN application https://trcc.edu/apply
6. Transcripts from all colleges/high school

The class will be selected using the following formula:

• TEAS Composite Percentage Score = 40%
• TEAS Reading Comprehension Score = 60%

In the event that two or more applicants receive the same overall admission score, the applicants will be ranked according to the TEAS Composite Percentage score, then the TEAS Reading Comprehension score, then the TEAS Math score, and finally the TEAS Science score.

Applicants will be notified of their admission status by letter. Individuals selected are required to have a physical examination, preadmission drug screen, and criminal background check prior to starting their first nursing course. Final admission is contingent upon submission of a satisfactory confidential medical history and examination, negative drug screen, a negative criminal background check, and a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher.

Selection as an alternate does not guarantee admission into the program or placement into the following year’s selection process. Alternates will replace students in the ranked order as space becomes available and will be notified by letter. If not granted admission, the alternate must reapply.

Progression and Retention Criteria

1. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 throughout their enrollment in the practical nursing program. Students must also comply with College policies regarding probation and suspension, as outlined in the Three Rivers College Catalog.
2. In order to progress in the practical nursing sequence:
   1. Students must achieve satisfactory skills lab performance, and a minimum grade of “C” for each nursing course and associated clinical component in order to progress to the next nursing course.
   2. Students who fail to achieve a satisfactory skills laboratory performance will receive a course grade of “F” regardless of the grade in the theory or clinical portions of the course.
   3. A student can fail or withdraw from the practical nursing program one time. A student can only be readmitted to the practical nursing program one time.
   4. Students must achieve a minimum grade of “B” in nursing related courses, including Anatomy and Physiology I and II or Body Systems and Function for Healthcare Providers.

First Block

Spring Semester

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
ALHE 127	Body Systems and Function for Healthcare Providers	3
PNRS 115	Fundamentals of Nursing	10
PNRS 117	Intravenous Therapy	0.75
PNRS 127	Mental Health	3
Total Credit Hours:		16.75

*Option for ALHE 127 (Must Complete Both)

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
BIOL 231	Anatomy and Physiology I	4
BIOL 232	Anatomy and Physiology II	4
Total Credit Hours:		8

Second Block

Summer Semester

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
PNRS 118	Medical Surgical Nursing I	7
PNRS 126	Pharmacology	4
Total Credit Hours:		11

Third Block

Fall Semester

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
PNRS 119	Medical Surgical Nursing II	7
PNRS 135	OB/Peds Nursing	5
PNRS 136	Personal, Vocational, and Leadership Concepts	5
Total Credit Hours:		18

Please see individual course descriptions for prerequisites, corequisites, and/or other requirements.

Program Outcomes

• Utilize the nursing process to provide safe client care within a health care team.
• Interpret clients’ diverse backgrounds across the lifespan to provide individualized nursing care.
• Use effective communication as a member of the health care team.
• Demonstrate safe, effective nursing care within the scope of practice for the practical nurse while maintaining legal/ethical standards.
• Discover strategies to promote personal success.
• Apply basic knowledge of mathematics; anatomy and physiology; and human growth and development to the practical nurse role.