PRACTICAL NURSING – CERTIFICATE

The Practical Nursing Program will prepare the graduate to take the NCLEX PN for a position as a licensed practical nurse (LPN). Licensed practical nurses function as an integral and important part of the health team, providing patient care.

The licensed practical nurse performs tasks and responsibilities within the framework of case finding, health teaching, and health counseling and provides supportive and restorative care under the direction of the registered professional nurse or licensed physician.

Clinical experiences are provided in a variety of WNY health care settings including hospitals and community health care agencies. (Transportation to and from the College and/or the clinical affiliates is the responsibility of the individual student.)

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification completed through the American Heart Association or a provider who meets the ILCOR standards is accepted. The CPR course may be hybrid (online lecture with in-person hands-on skill demonstration) or face-to-face training. Online only CPR courses are not accepted.

NYSED Office of Professions states, under the Professional Nurse Obligations, NYSED does not permit online CPR courses. CPR cards must be turned into the Wellness Center by the deadline in order participate in mandatory clinical rotations.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurse Licensure.

Licensure: When a Nursing student completes an application for licensure and first registration as a licensed practical nurse or registered professional nurse, questions are asked by the State Education Department about conviction of a crime and pending charges. These questions appear on the application form. If the answers are in the affirmative, there is an automatic referral to the State Education Department, Office of Professional Discipline and the case is assigned to an investigator. Depending upon the results of the investigation, the case may or may not require a hearing. The National Council Licensure Examination may be taken. However, the licensing process and issuance of a license will be held until the process described above is completed.

Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in order to progress in program.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

All students completing this program are expected to achieve the General Education outcomes described in the General Studies section of the catalog as well as the following learning objectives:

• Demonstrate quantitative reasoning in the practice of nursing.

• Demonstrate effective communication in the role of Practical Nurse when interacting with clients and members of the inter-disciplinary inter-professional healthcare team.

• Utilize the nursing process, critical thinking, and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to provide safe and effective nursing care.

• Utilize technology in the provision of safe nursing care.

• Provide culturally competent therapeutic nursing care.

• Collaborate with members of the inter-disciplinary inter professional healthcare team in the role of the practical nurse.

Practical Nursing – Certificate Curriculum

First Year – 1st Semester
Courses

First Year – 2nd Semester
Courses

Second Year – 1st Semester
Courses

Additional Degree Requirements

All courses require a minimum grade of “C” and a Quality Point Average of 2.0.

Program Accreditation

The Practical Nursing Certificate is accredited by the New York State Board of Regents, a specialized accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.

New York State Education Department
89 Washington Avenue
Board of Regents, Room 110 EB
Albany, New York 12234
(518) 474-5889
https://www.regents.nysed.gov/

BIO Course Descriptions
EN Course Descriptions
GS Course Descriptions
NU Course Descriptions
PN Course Descriptions
PSY Course Descriptions
SOC Course Descriptions