V.C., Practical Nursing Certificate

Certificate Type: V.C.
Major Code: LPN-VC
CIP: 0351390100
Former CIP: 0317060500

This program prepares students for employment as a licensed practical nurse (LPN). It includes classroom, laboratory and supervised client-care learning experiences. The program is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing and the Florida State Department of Education. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, the student is eligible to apply to the State Board of Nursing for licensure, by examination, as a licensed practical nurse. Information and applications may be obtained at information sessions held each term.

State Boards of Nursing have a responsibility to protect the public. In carrying out this responsibility, Boards of Nursing reserve the right to deny licensure to anyone who has been convicted of a crime other than minor traffic violations. Pursuant to Section 456.0635, Florida Statutes, the Florida Board of Nursing shall refuse to issue a license, certification or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination if the applicant has been:

• Convicted or plead guilty or nolo contendre (no contest) to a felony violation regardless of adjudication of chapters 409, 817 or 893, Florida Statutes; or 21 U.S.C. ss. 801-970 or 42 U.S.C. ss 1395-1396, unless the sentence and any probation or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the application.
• Terminated for cause from Florida Medicaid Program (unless the applicant has been in good standing for the most recent five years).
• Terminated for cause by any other State Medicaid Program or the Medicare Program (unless the termination was at least 20 years prior to the date of the application and the applicant has been in good standing with the program for the most recent five years).

In addition, clinical agencies require criminal background checks prior to participating in activities at the clinical agencies. All students are required to have a criminal background check prior to admission to the nursing program. Admission into clinicals is at the discretion of the clinical agencies.

Students applying for admission to the nursing program are required to complete an FBI criminal background check including:

• Online check of the Office of the Inspector General related to parties excluded from participation in Medicare/Medical and all federal healthcare programs.
• Online search of U.S. General Services Administration of parties excluded from federal procurements and non-procurement programs.

This is a limited-access program. Candidates must:

• Apply and be accepted to Seminole State College;
• Provide an official transcript(s) indicating a standard high school diploma or equivalent;
• Take the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE, Form A) within the first six weeks of admission into the program or transfer your TABE scores to Seminole State from another college. Scores are valid for two years. Send your official scores to the Seminole State Records Department. The LPN program has an exit requirement for TABE scores: Math - 595; Reading - 598; Language - 586;
• Take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) and achieve a minimum adjusted individual total score of 65 percent;
• Attend a mandatory nursing information session;
• Submit the completed Practical Nursing application packet.

Complete the following program prerequisites/corequisites with a grade of "C" or higher.

• BSC 1020 Human Biology
• HSC 1531 Medical Terminology
• HSC 1000 Introduction to Healthcare

If there are more applicants than seats, candidates will be evaluated according to the following categories:

• Category 1:Successful completion of all required prerequisite courses with a recalculated GPA of 3.5 or higher.
• Category 2:Successful completion of all required prerequisite courses with a recalculated GPA of 2.0-2.49.

Applicants are given admission priority within each category based on:

• Recalculated GPA;
• TEAS adjusted individual total score;
• Date of completion of prerequisite courses.

Total program hours: 1,350

Major Courses
PRN0004	Fundamentals of Nursing This course provides the beginning nursing basic core upon which all subsequent nursing courses are built. The history of nursing serves as an introduction to the role and scope of the practical nurse in the healthcare system and ends with introduction to medical/surgical nursing. This course concerns man as a holistic being with basic human needs. Discussion focuses on nursing principles which identifies the needs of individuals within a family and community environment. The relationship of man, nursing, environment and healthcare are discussed using Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and nursing principles as a framework. Included are scientific principles of nursing care common to all clients. The curriculum threads of ethical and legal aspects of nursing, cultural diversity, growth and development, interpersonal/communication skills, nutrition and diet therapy, critical thinking and professional adjustments will be discussed as they relate to nursing care of the adult client’s basic needs. Additionally, this course provides the essential information and basic concepts related to the administration of medications including the systems of measurement used in healthcare settings and to provide practice in the type of dosage calculations performed by nurses. Nursing skills designed to simulate the nurse/client interaction are demonstrated in the campus laboratory with practice and testing by students in the lab setting. Lab fee required.	405
PRN0385C	Medical/Surgical Nursing I This course is a continuation of Fundamentals of Nursing and continues to build on concepts introduced in all previous required courses. The role of the practical nurse in the healthcare environment is explored. Using nursing principles and basic human needs as a framework, particular emphasis is placed on application of adult developmental theory, cultural diversity, therapeutic communication and legal/ethical approaches to helping man return to health after experiencing common, acute and chronic alterations in thought processes, circulation, oxygenation, nutrition, elimination, sexuality, endocrine function, mobility and sensory perception. Concepts of nutrition and diet therapy, medication administration/pharmacology and assisting the registered nurse with health teaching are integrated throughout the course. The clinical component, done in acute care, subacute and a variety of community settings (observation only) offers the student an opportunity to provide holistic nursing care to clients experiencing selected alterations in health. Clinical experience is correlated with theory under the guidance of faculty and enables students to implement skills and apply theory learned in the classroom. Lab fee required.	405
PRN0120C	Maternal - Child Nursing This course is designed to build on previous learning by integrating basic human needs and nursing principles into the care of the family. Utilizing nursing principles as a framework, the student will be able to focus on the needs of the childbearing family and children, newborns to adolescents. Concepts of alterations related to maternal child and child health nursing will be presented. An emphasis on growth and development of the newborn through the adolescent will be an integral part of the child health portion of the course. In addition, information regarding medication administration/pharmacology, health assessments, cultural diversity, interpersonal skills/communication skills, nutrition and diet therapy, legal/ethical issues and health teaching will be utilized as a framework to integrate holistic care for the family. Lab fee required.	107
BSC1020	Human Biology This course provides an introduction to scientific inquiry in relationship to the human body, its systems and basic functions with emphasis on homeostatic mechanisms. The structure and function of cells, tissues and organ systems will be investigated. Designed for non-science majors. This course does not fulfill the credit requirements for Biology majors.	3
Note: BSC 2093C Anatomy and Physiology I and BSC 2094C Anatomy and Physiology II may substitute for BSC 1020 Human Biology.
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BSC1084	The course could not be found.
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HIM1453	Anatomy and Physiology This course is a presentation of the essential anatomy and physiology of the human body. All body organ systems are discussed in a format of lecture, diagrams and audio-visual material. The course will introduce some aspects of chemistry and microbiology as it relates to healthcare, although emphasis is not placed in these areas. A knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the human body as a basis for later study of disease processes is an essential part of the curriculum for students in the health profession.	3
HSC1000	Introduction to Health Care This introductory course provides an overview of the health professions and the healthcare delivery system. Other topics include disease prevention and wellness promotion, guidelines for legal, ethical and moral practice and communication skills. Students will be introduced to the use of computers in healthcare, including diagnostic and monitoring capabilities. The emphasis of this course is to establish a firm foundation of professional characteristics, behaviors, values, skills and knowledge for students to build upon in their healthcare careers.	3
(HCP 0100C Nursing Assistant may substitute for this course per articulation agreement between Seminole State Nursing Assistant Program and the College's Practical Nursing Program.)
HSC1531	Medical Terminology This is an introductory course to the language of medicine utilized by healthcare professionals. Basic word structure and formation, medical terms, abbreviations, definitions and spelling are included. Major disease processes and pathological conditions of specific body systems will be discussed.	3
PRN0386C	Medical/Surgical Nursing II This course continues to build on concepts introduced in all previous required courses. The role of the Practical Nurse in the care environment is explored. Using nursing principles and basic human needs as a framework, particular emphasis is placed on application of adult developmental theory, cultural diversity, therapeutic communication and legal/ethical approaches to helping man return to health after experiencing common alterations in health relating to sexuality, sensory perception and sensation health problems. Concepts of nutrition and diet therapy, medication administration/pharmacology and assisting the RN with health teaching are integrated throughout the course. The clinical component, done in acute care, subacute and a variety of community (observation only) settings offers the student an opportunity to provide holistic nursing care to clients experiencing selected alterations in health. Clinical experience is correlated with theory under the guidance of faculty and enables students to implement skills and apply theory learned in the classroom. Students may be referred to the lab for remediation and/or retesting on any skills. Lab fee required.	193
PRN0500C	Gerontology Nursing This course builds on concepts introduced in the Medical Surgical nursing course incorporating gerontology nursing and the practical nurse leadership role with the scope of practice. Using nursing principles and basic human needs as a framework, emphasis is placed on cultural diversity, legal/ethical issues, adult development theory, therapeutic communication and interpersonal skills. Integrated in this discussion will be principles of nutrition therapy, pharmacology/medication administration and diagnostic testing. Emphasis will be placed on the principles of nursing care for the aging client, the aging process and holistic care for the older adult. Leadership skills, such as delegating to the healthcare team members, effective communication with healthcare professionals and time management will be explored. Assisting the practical nursing student to prepare for employment and transition from student to practitioner will be incorporated as the final step in the student's practical nursing education. Lab fee required.	105