Nursing: Practical Nursing Diploma

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Campus Offered: Council Bluffs, Clarinda, Shelby County Center

The Practical Nursing program of study prepares graduates to provide direct nursing care for individual clients with common health needs in structured health care settings under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse or physician. Graduates are awarded a diploma and are qualified to write the National Council of State Board of Nursing (NCLEX- PN) examination for practical nurses. This common core of nursing knowledge supports an educational ladder concept and serves as the foundational courses for the Associate Degree Nursing program offered at the college.

Program Prerequisite: Current, valid CNA Certificate.

General Education Courses that must be completed prior to first semester of nursing:

ENG 105 - Composition I 3.0 Credit(s)
PSY 121 - Developmental Psychology 3.0 Credit(s)
BIO 168 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I 3.0 Credit(s)
BIO 173 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II 3.0 Credit(s)

Students must complete the curriculum described below:

Recommended Course Sequence

First Semester

PNN 228 - Foundations of Nursing I 6.0 Credit(s)
PNN 290 - Health Assessment Across the Lifespan 2.0 Credit(s)
PNN 721 - Foundations of Nursing Clinical I 2.0 Credit(s)
SPC 112 - Public Speaking 3.0 Credit(s)
PNN 201 - Introduction to Math and Medications 1.0 Credit(s)

Semester Total: 14.0 Credits

Second Semester

PNN 229 - Foundations of Nursing II 4.0 Credit(s)
PNN 723 - Foundations of Nursing Clinical II 2.0 Credit(s)
PNN 282 - Pharmacology II 2.0 Credit(s)
PNN 446 - Nursing Care of the Growing Family 4.0 Credit(s)
BIO 151 - Nutrition 3.0 Credit(s)

Semester Total: 15.0 Credits

Total Semester Hours Required 43.0

Notes:

Courses with PNN prefix must be completed in the sequence listed above. Students must earn a “C” or higher in all required courses in order to graduate.