Practical Nurse Education Diploma

The Practical Nursing curriculum provides knowledge and skills to integrate safety and quality into nursing care to meet the needs of the holistic individual which impact health, quality of life, and achievement of potential.

Course work includes and builds upon the domains of healthcare, nursing practice, and the holistic individual. Content emphasizes safe, individualized nursing care and participation in the interdisciplinary team while employing evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and informatics.

Graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) which is required for practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Employment opportunities include hospitals, rehabilitation/long term care/home health facilities, clinics, and physicians’ offices.

Upon successful completion of this program, the graduate may be eligible to apply to take the licensure examination required to become a licensed practical nurse and should possess the knowledge, fundamental skills, and attitudes to:

1. Provide evidence-based clinically competent nursing care in a culturally sensitive manner.
2. Use communication and information technology effectively and appropriately.
3. Work in interdisciplinary teams.
4. Contribute to continuous improvement of the health care system.
5. Demonstrate ethical and legal behavior in all professional activities.

Technical Standards

In addition to DCCC requirements and course objectives, there are professional standards that encompass communication, motor skills, sensory and cognitive ability and professional conduct that are essential for the competent study and practice of nursing. These technical standards are published in the application packet for admission to Practical Nurse Education programs and the program student handbook. Practical Nurse Education Technical Standards   

Admission Requirements

The following are admissions criteria for applicants to the Practical Nurse Education (PNE) program.

To be eligible for admission to the PNE program applicants must have:

1. Complete and submit an Application for Admission.
2. Graduated from high school or have an Adult High School Diploma or have passed the GED® with an equivalency certification which meets minimum requirements set by the State of North Carolina. Official high school transcript and copy of AHS diploma/GED® certificate and official college transcripts, where applicable, must be on file in the Admissions Office.
3. Completed the College’s assessment process and achieved acceptable scores or be exempted from placement, or satisfactorily completed all needed preparatory courses by the end of fall semester prior to acceptance.
4. Completed the application process as described in the PNE admission packet.
5. Physical and emotional health status compatible with the ability to provide safe nursing care.
6. Completed a state-approved Nursing Assistant I training course consisting of 70 hours of training, which includes 40 hours of clinical instruction and be listed as a NAI with no substantiated findings by the time of entry to the program.
7. Be currently certified in Healthcare Provider CPR at the time of entry into the program.

Probation and Suspension

A nursing student is placed on suspension status from the program for the following reasons:

1. demonstrates behavior which conflict with safety essential to nursing practice as determined by the nursing faculty;
2. presents physical or emotional problems which conflict with safety essential to nursing practice and does not respond to appropriate treatment and/or counseling within a reasonable period of time; and/or
3. receives a final grade of “D” or “F” in any required course in the PNE curriculum or receives a final clinical evaluation of “Unsatisfactory” in any nursing course.

Nursing students are subject to the same probation and suspension policies as all other students enrolled at the College. Additional criteria for nursing apply.

Since requirements for progression in the nursing program are in addition to the general requirements of the College, a student suspended from the program is not necessarily suspended from the College. Students who are eligible to do so may continue in their supporting courses and apply for readmission to the nursing program at a later time or may elect to change their major.

Criminal Background Check

Applicants for initial licensure in North Carolina must have a criminal background check.

The clinical site requires a criminal background check and drug screen testing prior to participation in the clinical component. If any clinical facility refuses to allow the student to participate in the clinical experiences in that clinical agency as a result of those findings, the student will not be able to progress in the program.