Practical Nursing Program

Courses

PNC 100: Introduction to Practical Nursing

This course introduces foundational concepts essential to the practice of practical nursing. Students will explore the ethical and legal responsibilities of nursing, focusing on key areas such as advanced directives, client consent, and quality improvement. The course emphasizes effective communication, recognizing and reporting staff conflict, and identifying barriers to learning. Students will also learn to practice according to the code of ethics for nurses, participate in staff education, and engage in client discharge and follow-up processes. Critical skills include acknowledging practice errors, adhering to regulations for mandatory reporting, and providing end-of-life care. Emphasis will be placed on evidence-based practice and comparing client development to established milestones. This course prepares students to understand their role within the healthcare team, enhancing their ability to deliver safe, competent, and ethical nursing care.

PNC 110: Foundations of Practical Nursing: Clinical Skills & Assessments

This course provides students with comprehensive training in fundamental nursing skills essential for delivering safe and effective client care. Students will learn to develop and update client care plans, work as part of an interdisciplinary team, and utilize evidence-based practices in clinical decision-making. Key skills include medication administration, wound care, diagnostic testing, and the use of medical equipment. Emphasis is placed on maintaining client safety, infection control, communication, and adhering to ethical standards. Through hands-on practice, students will gain confidence in performing clinical tasks, monitoring client conditions, and responding to emergencies, setting the foundation for their nursing career.

PNC 200: Medical-Surgical Practical Nursing I

This course introduces foundational concepts in medical-surgical nursing, emphasizing the care of adults with acute and chronic conditions. Students will build on their knowledge of the nursing process to assess, plan, and implement care strategies that address the needs of clients with alterations in bodily functions. Topics include the management of conditions affecting the cardiovascular, respiratory, integumentary, endocrine, musculoskeletal, genitourinary, and sensory systems. Emphasis is placed on holistic care that incorporates pharmacological, nutritional, cultural, and spiritual considerations to promote client adaptation and optimize health outcomes. Prerequisites: PNC 100, PNC 110

PNC 200C: Medical-Surgical Practical Nursing Clinical I

This clinical course provides students with practical, hands-on experience in applying the foundational skills of medical-surgical nursing. Emphasis is placed on the use of the nursing process to assess client conditions, prioritize care, implement evidence-based interventions, and evaluate outcomes. Students will gain experience in providing culturally and spiritually sensitive care, communicating effectively with clients and the healthcare team, and utilizing clinical technology. Through supervised clinical practice, students will develop the competence and confidence needed to deliver safe, client-centered care.

PNC 210: Family Health Practical Nursing

This theory-based course focuses on family health with an emphasis on maternal-newborn care, including pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. The course also explores pediatric care, adolescent health, and elements of gerontology. Students will apply the nursing process to assess, plan, and manage care for clients at different stages of life, focusing on health promotion, disease prevention, and culturally sensitive nursing interventions. Pharmacological, nutritional, and psychosocial aspects of care will be integrated into course content. Students will develop critical thinking and collaborative communication skills to provide safe, evidence-based care to individuals and families across the lifespan. 

PNC 210C: Family Health Practical Nursing Clinical

This clinical course provides practical nursing students with hands-on experience in caring for maternal, newborn, pediatric, and geriatric clients. Students will apply the nursing process to deliver safe, client-centered care within the LPN scope of practice. Emphasis will be placed on health promotion, monitoring for complications, effective communication with the healthcare team, and collaboration with clients and their families.

PNC 220: Practical Nursing Pharmacology I

This introductory pharmacology course introduces students to the foundational principles of safe medication administration for the integumentary, cardiac, respiratory, musculoskeletal, and endocrine systems. Emphasis is placed on pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, medication classifications, and the use of clinical judgment. Students will apply the Nursing Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (NCJMM) by recognizing cues, analyzing client data, and evaluating medication responses to ensure optimal care. Students will build critical thinking and medication management skills within the LPN scope of practice. Prerequisites: PNC 100, PNC 110

PNC 300: Medical-Surgical Practical Nursing II

This course expands on foundational nursing knowledge, focusing on the care of adults with acute and chronic conditions. Emphasis is placed on using the nursing process to assess, plan, and manage care, incorporating pharmacological, nutritional, and culturally sensitive interventions. Key topics include neurological conditions, fluid and electrolyte balance, arterial blood gases, gastrointestinal disorders, hematologic and lymphatic systems, immune function, cancer care, and HIV management. Students will also explore nursing care in urgent and emergent situations to promote adaptation and healing. Prerequisites: PNC 200, PNC 220

PNC 300C: Medical-Surgical Practical Nursing Clinical II

This clinical course provides hands-on opportunities for students to apply advanced medical-surgical nursing concepts in real-world settings by using the nursing process to assess conditions, prioritize care, perform interventions, and evaluate outcomes. Emphasis is placed on developing critical thinking, clinical judgment, and decision-making skills through analyzing data, evaluating interventions, and adapting care plans. Students will refine therapeutic communication, collaborate with healthcare teams, and provide culturally sensitive care while demonstrating professionalism and accountability in managing complex care in diverse healthcare environments.

PNC 310: Mental Health Practical Nursing

This course focuses on the role of the practical nurse in supporting the mental health and well-being of clients across the lifespan. Emphasis is placed on therapeutic communication, interdisciplinary collaboration, and culturally sensitive care for individuals with normal psychosocial functioning and common psychiatric or behavioral health conditions. Students will explore self-concept, stress management, and the care of clients experiencing grief, loss, crisis, or other mental health challenges. The course integrates pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, preparing students to provide safe, compassionate care within the LPN scope of practice.

PNC 320: Practical Nursing Pharmacology II

This pharmacology course builds on the foundational principles introduced in Pharmacology 1, focusing on safe medication administration for neurological medications, mental health medications, antibiotics/antifungal medications, and gastrointestinal medications. Emphasis is placed on deepening understanding of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, medication classifications, and the application of clinical judgment. Students will utilize the Nursing Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (NCJMM) to recognize cues, analyze client data, and evaluate medication responses, ensuring optimal client care. Through this course, students will further develop critical thinking and medication management skills within the LPN scope of practice. 

PNC 330: Professional Integration & Transition to Practical Nursing Practice

This course integrates key concepts from previous coursework to prepare students for the transition from student to licensed practical nurse (LPN). Emphasis is placed on developing leadership and management skills within the LPN scope of practice, applying clinical judgment, prioritizing care, and coordinating care for diverse clients. Students will explore evidence-based practice, quality improvement principles, and the role of the LPN in ethical and legal decision-making. Preparation for the NCLEX-PN will be supported through clinical judgment exams and comprehensive content review, ensuring readiness for safe and effective entry-level practice.