Description

The Practical Nursing Two-Year Certificate of Completion qualifies students to take the national licensure examination (NCLEX-PN) and to apply for licensure as a practical nurse from a state board of nursing.

Students can exit after successfully completing the first year prepared to be a practical nurse. Students can exit after successfully completing the second year prepared to be a registered nurse. Students who successfully complete the first year of nursing courses may continue into the registered nurse course sequence without additional application requirements.

The program is approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the certificate, students will be able to:

1. Nurse as Health Promoter and Care Provider: Apply all steps of the nursing process in the delivery of patient-centered care for two patients based on established standards of practice.
2. Nurse as Care Manager: Set priorities, organize, and work cooperatively in delivering nursing care to a group of patients.
3. Nurse as Professional Colleague: Model professional behaviors within the scope of practice of the licensed practical nurse.
4. Nurse as Quality Care Advocate: Implement changes in practice that are based on current nursing science utilizing informatics to enhance patient care outcomes.

Entrance Requirements

Academic Entrance Requirements

Required:

• The program has selective admission based on a nursing program application, scores from the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)™, Health Sciences Reasoning test (HSRT), and completion of program prerequisite courses.
  • Applications are accepted annually during Spring term for admission to the program the following Fall term.
• Chemistry, anatomy and physiology, and microbiology courses must have been successfully completed no more than five years before the time of application.
• Students admitted to the nursing program are expected to be computer literate and to use different computer programs in their courses. CIS 120 Computer Concepts is recommended to enhance computer skills and use if needed.
• Prerequisite courses must be completed with a C grade or better with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher:
  • BI 231Z Human Anatomy and Physiology I
  • BI 232Z Human Anatomy and Physiology II
  • BI 233Z Human Anatomy and Physiology III
  • BI 234 Microbiology
  • MTH 105Z Math in Society or choose one course from the foundational requirements math list
  • WR 121Z Composition I

Other Entrance Requirements

Required:

• In-district residency status
• Documentation of completion of immunizations and screenings listed on the program page
• Current healthcare provider American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification (must be maintained throughout program duration)
• Completed criminal history checks as a condition of acceptance into the nursing program (see the program page for details)
• Completed 10-panel urine drug screen with Verified Credentials, Inc.

Additional Costs, Enrollment fees, and licensing Costs (Beyond Standard Tuition/Fees and Textbooks)

• Refer to Nursing (RN) - Associate of Applied Science Entrance Requirements

Course Requirements

Advising Notes

The Practical Nursing Two-Year Certificate of Completion is awarded after completing all prerequisites, acceptance into the Nursing program, and subsequent completion of NUR 106 Nursing I, NUR 107 Nursing II, and NUR 108 Nursing III.

The curriculum for this certificate will be undergoing revisions next academic year to align with the support course requirements of the AAS in Nursing. Please contact the Nursing Department or Nursing advisor for further clarification.

Students seeking transfer admission into the program must meet with the pre-admission nursing advisor to determine eligibility prior to entry. Students transferring to another institution should be advised that often only selected credits from a community college program are considered transferable to public or private baccalaureate institutions.

Upon completion of this certificate program, students may continue to the second year of the program or seek admission or advanced placement at other Oregon community colleges with whom COCC has partnerships. 

Performance Standards

• Academic Requirements:
  • Students must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA to earn a COCC certificate or degree.
  • Options for additional standards:
    • All courses in the program must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
    • Greater than or equal to a 3.0 cumulative GPA for BI 231Z Human Anatomy and Physiology I, BI 232Z Human Anatomy and Physiology II, BI 233Z Human Anatomy and Physiology III, BI 234 Microbiology,WR 121Z Composition I and MTH 105Z Math in Society or higher.
    • Once admitted to the Nursing program, students must pass Nursing Theory greater than or equal to a 76.55 percent or 77 percent to pass the Nursing course and pass practicum (LRC and Clinical) to remain in the Nursing program.
• Additional Requirements:
  • Must adhere to the Nurse Practice Act of the state of Oregon.
  • Additionally, students are required to consistently meet the outcomes, technical standards, policies and/or safety standards of the program and College. Failure to do so may result in probation or removal from the program. It is the COCC student’s responsibility to know and abide by the Nursing Program and College policies including Student Rights and Responsibilities.

Sample Plan