Earn Your License and Start Working in Nursing in Just One Year
Practical Nursing Certificate
College of Saint Mary’s Practical Nursing Certificate is a full-time, on-campus 12-month program. Students take general education support courses that will enhance the understanding of the practical nursing courses in the classroom and the clinical setting. Graduates of the Practical Nursing program will be able to provide direct nursing care to individuals with common health needs within a structured healthcare setting under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse or physician. Upon completion of the program, graduates are qualified to take the National Council of State Board of Nursing (NCLEX-PN) examination for practical nursing.
Student Practical Nursing Certificate Program - Student Manual
Required Courses in Your Major
Program of Study
BIO 120 Principles of Anatomy and Physiology
An introductory study of the cells, tissue and organ systems of the human organism. Nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, and excretory physiology will be emphasized.
BIO 121 Principles of Anatomy and Physiology Lab
Using a hands-on approach, students will explore major anatomical and physiological concepts. Cytological and anatomical concepts will be investigated through models. Physiological concepts will be examined through in-class experiments as well as dissection of preserved pigs, and cadaver observation.
Introduction to Practical Nursing I
This course will introduce basic concepts and skills related to categories of normal human functioning including growth and development, selected alterations in categories of human functioning, nursing process, teaching/learning and professional development related to the care of adult patients.
Medical-Surgical Practical Nursing I
This course will expand your knowledge of health promotion of the young, middle and older adult, as well as the adaptation by the patient during acute and chronic illnesses. The selected alterations in categories of human function that will be studied include protect, sensory/perceptual, nutrition and elimination, growth and development and fluid-gas transport.
Medical-Surgical Practical Nursing II
This course will expand your knowledge of health promotion of the young, middle and older adult, as well as the adaptation by the patient during acute and chronic illnesses. Practical nursing care surrounding emergent and urgent care situations will also be discussed.
Maternal-Child Practical Nursing
This course will expand your knowledge of health promotion and disease process throughout the lifespan. You will explore the normal pregnancy experience along with selected alterations, care of the normal newborn with selected alterations, and health and illness of children and adolescents.
Transition to Practical Nursing Practice
In this course, you will address issues that have broad implications in the practice of nursing for licensed practical nurses. As a manager of care for selected patients, you will address principles related to coordination of care, prioritization, evidence-based practice and quality improvement.
Introduction to Pharmacology
In this course, you will study selected classes of drugs, which includes: names, uses, mechanism of actions, systemic effects, adverse effects, compatibilities, contraindications and nursing implications.
Psychosocial Concepts in Practical Nursing
In this course, you will address therapeutic and interdisciplinary communication concepts as well as the management of patients with normal psychosocial functioning and selected common psychiatric and behavioral conditions.
Nutrition
This course will focus on the concepts of nutrition therapy and help you to understand and apply nutrition therapy with nursing interventions to assist selected patients in adapting to alterations in human functioning and health.
Integrating Practical Nursing Concepts
In this course, you will address physiological integrity of individuals with acute and chronic diseases across the lifespan, with a focus on basic care and comfort, pharmacological and parenteral therapies and a reduction of risk potential.
Practical Nursing Clinical I
In this course, you will focus on the initial skills needed to care for the patient. The clinical laboratory and long-term care will be used as practice settings.
Medical-Surgical Practical Nursing I
In this course, you will focus on applying the skills needed to care for selected adult patients. The long-term care area will be used as the practice setting.
Medical-Surgical Practical Nursing II
In this course, you will focus on applying the skills needed to care for selected adult patients. Long-term care with skilled units and acute hospital sites will be used as practice setting.
Maternal-Child Practical Nursing Clinical
In this course, you will focus on applying the skills needed to care for selected patients across the life span from fertilization through young adult. Acute-care, clinics, daycares and schools will be used as practice settings.
Transition to Practical Nursing Practical Clinical
In this course you will focus on applying the skills needed to act as manager of care for selected patients. The student will apply principles related to coordination of care and selected safety and infection control principles. Long term care facilities and clinics will be used as practice settings.
Requirements for Graduation from College of Saint Mary.
To earn your practical nursing certificate, you must take 35 credit hours of major program courses and seven credit hours of supporting courses.
Professional Licensure Requirements
After completing the PNC program at College of Saint Mary, graduates must apply for licensure and successfully complete the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). The requirements for licensure may vary by state. The link below will provide the state requirements for a LPN/LVN license.
The Assurance of Accreditation
The assurance of regional accreditation means that our degrees have been evaluated for their outcomes — including how well they prepare you to meet the needs of your employers, yourself and our global society. College of Saint Mary is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
The practical nursing program has Nebraska State Board of Nursing approval.
Requirements for Admission to College of Saint Mary
PNC application reviews are done on a rolling basis, beginning June 1 for a May start date annually. To be accepted into the PNC program, all applicants must:
- High School graduate or GED with appropriate signatures.
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended.
- Cumulative college GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Completion of ENG 101 with a final grade of C or higher.
- Completion of BIO 120/121 or BIO 200/201 with a final grade of C or higher. If transferring in A&P courses, they must have been successfully completed within the last 5 years.
- Demonstration of English Language Proficiency through one of these options:
- Graduate from an English-based high school
- Associate’s (or higher) degree from an accredited, English-based, college or university
- Complete an English Placement Test through CSM, placing into ENG 101 or higher
- English Language Proficiency testing
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper version minimum score of 560
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) computer version minimum score of 220
- Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) minim score of 84 and a minimum speaking score of 26
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic version with overall score of 6.5 and minimum score of 6.0 on all modules
- Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) with a minimum score of 780
- Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) with a passing standard of 81 and speaking section score of 3
- Michigan English Test (MET) with a minimum overall score of 55 and a minimum speaking score of 55
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) 55 overall with no sub scores lower than 50 in each scored part
- Duolingo English Test Score minimum score of 105
- An active and unencumbered CNA license.
- A letter of recommendation may be requested by the Program Director.
- Prior to program start:
- Meet Core Performance Standards (Policy 1.2) and Nursing Program Requirements (Policy 1.3)
- Completed health record, including BLS documentation, immunizations and laboratory results, background check and drug screen.
- The nursing program reserves the right to admit only those students who, in the judgment of the program, satisfy the requirements of scholarship, health, and personal suitability for nursing.
Academic Description
Earn Your License and Start Working in Nursing in Just One Year
Practical Nursing Certificate
College of Saint Mary’s Practical Nursing Certificate is a full-time, on-campus 12-month program. Students take general education support courses that will enhance the understanding of the practical nursing courses in the classroom and the clinical setting. Graduates of the Practical Nursing program will be able to provide direct nursing care to individuals with common health needs within a structured healthcare setting under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse or physician. Upon completion of the program, graduates are qualified to take the National Council of State Board of Nursing (NCLEX-PN) examination for practical nursing.
Student Practical Nursing Certificate Program - Student Manual
Accreditation
The Assurance of Accreditation
The assurance of regional accreditation means that our degrees have been evaluated for their outcomes — including how well they prepare you to meet the needs of your employers, yourself and our global society. College of Saint Mary is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
The practical nursing program has Nebraska State Board of Nursing approval.
Admissions Requirements
Requirements for Admission to College of Saint Mary
PNC application reviews are done on a rolling basis, beginning June 1 for a May start date annually. To be accepted into the PNC program, all applicants must:
- High School graduate or GED with appropriate signatures.
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended.
- Cumulative college GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Completion of ENG 101 with a final grade of C or higher.
- Completion of BIO 120/121 or BIO 200/201 with a final grade of C or higher. If transferring in A&P courses, they must have been successfully completed within the last 5 years.
- Demonstration of English Language Proficiency through one of these options:
- Graduate from an English-based high school
- Associate’s (or higher) degree from an accredited, English-based, college or university
- Complete an English Placement Test through CSM, placing into ENG 101 or higher
- English Language Proficiency testing
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper version minimum score of 560
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) computer version minimum score of 220
- Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) minim score of 84 and a minimum speaking score of 26
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic version with overall score of 6.5 and minimum score of 6.0 on all modules
- Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) with a minimum score of 780
- Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) with a passing standard of 81 and speaking section score of 3
- Michigan English Test (MET) with a minimum overall score of 55 and a minimum speaking score of 55
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) 55 overall with no sub scores lower than 50 in each scored part
- Duolingo English Test Score minimum score of 105
- An active and unencumbered CNA license.
- A letter of recommendation may be requested by the Program Director.
- Prior to program start:
- Meet Core Performance Standards (Policy 1.2) and Nursing Program Requirements (Policy 1.3)
- Completed health record, including BLS documentation, immunizations and laboratory results, background check and drug screen.
- The nursing program reserves the right to admit only those students who, in the judgment of the program, satisfy the requirements of scholarship, health, and personal suitability for nursing.
Curriculum
Required Courses in Your Major
Program of Study
BIO 120 Principles of Anatomy and Physiology
An introductory study of the cells, tissue and organ systems of the human organism. Nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, and excretory physiology will be emphasized.
BIO 121 Principles of Anatomy and Physiology Lab
Using a hands-on approach, students will explore major anatomical and physiological concepts. Cytological and anatomical concepts will be investigated through models. Physiological concepts will be examined through in-class experiments as well as dissection of preserved pigs, and cadaver observation.
Introduction to Practical Nursing I
This course will introduce basic concepts and skills related to categories of normal human functioning including growth and development, selected alterations in categories of human functioning, nursing process, teaching/learning and professional development related to the care of adult patients.
Medical-Surgical Practical Nursing I
This course will expand your knowledge of health promotion of the young, middle and older adult, as well as the adaptation by the patient during acute and chronic illnesses. The selected alterations in categories of human function that will be studied include protect, sensory/perceptual, nutrition and elimination, growth and development and fluid-gas transport.
Medical-Surgical Practical Nursing II
This course will expand your knowledge of health promotion of the young, middle and older adult, as well as the adaptation by the patient during acute and chronic illnesses. Practical nursing care surrounding emergent and urgent care situations will also be discussed.
Maternal-Child Practical Nursing
This course will expand your knowledge of health promotion and disease process throughout the lifespan. You will explore the normal pregnancy experience along with selected alterations, care of the normal newborn with selected alterations, and health and illness of children and adolescents.
Transition to Practical Nursing Practice
In this course, you will address issues that have broad implications in the practice of nursing for licensed practical nurses. As a manager of care for selected patients, you will address principles related to coordination of care, prioritization, evidence-based practice and quality improvement.
Introduction to Pharmacology
In this course, you will study selected classes of drugs, which includes: names, uses, mechanism of actions, systemic effects, adverse effects, compatibilities, contraindications and nursing implications.
Psychosocial Concepts in Practical Nursing
In this course, you will address therapeutic and interdisciplinary communication concepts as well as the management of patients with normal psychosocial functioning and selected common psychiatric and behavioral conditions.
Nutrition
This course will focus on the concepts of nutrition therapy and help you to understand and apply nutrition therapy with nursing interventions to assist selected patients in adapting to alterations in human functioning and health.
Integrating Practical Nursing Concepts
In this course, you will address physiological integrity of individuals with acute and chronic diseases across the lifespan, with a focus on basic care and comfort, pharmacological and parenteral therapies and a reduction of risk potential.
Practical Nursing Clinical I
In this course, you will focus on the initial skills needed to care for the patient. The clinical laboratory and long-term care will be used as practice settings.
Medical-Surgical Practical Nursing I
In this course, you will focus on applying the skills needed to care for selected adult patients. The long-term care area will be used as the practice setting.
Medical-Surgical Practical Nursing II
In this course, you will focus on applying the skills needed to care for selected adult patients. Long-term care with skilled units and acute hospital sites will be used as practice setting.
Maternal-Child Practical Nursing Clinical
In this course, you will focus on applying the skills needed to care for selected patients across the life span from fertilization through young adult. Acute-care, clinics, daycares and schools will be used as practice settings.
Transition to Practical Nursing Practical Clinical
In this course you will focus on applying the skills needed to act as manager of care for selected patients. The student will apply principles related to coordination of care and selected safety and infection control principles. Long term care facilities and clinics will be used as practice settings.
Degree Requirements
Requirements for Graduation from College of Saint Mary.
To earn your practical nursing certificate, you must take 35 credit hours of major program courses and seven credit hours of supporting courses.
Professional Licensure Requirements
After completing the PNC program at College of Saint Mary, graduates must apply for licensure and successfully complete the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). The requirements for licensure may vary by state. The link below will provide the state requirements for a LPN/LVN license.
