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 program, 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-V)™, 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.
• Must be completed with a C grade or better with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher:

• BI 231 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
• BI 232 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
• BI 233 Human Anatomy and Physiology III
• BI 234 Microbiology
• Choose one course from the following human relations courses:
  • AH 115 Cultural Responsiveness in Health Sciences
  • COMM 115 Introduction to Intercultural Communication
  • COMM 218Z Interpersonal Communication
  • COMM 219 Small Group Communication
• MTH 105Z Math in Society or course from the foundational requirements math list
• WR 121Z Composition I
• PSY 215 Developmental Psychology 
• 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 Conceptsis recommended to enhance computer skills and use if needed.

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 Program Costs (Beyond Standard Tuition/Fees and Textbooks)

• Nursing textbooks and software: $2,000
• Specialized clothing or uniform: $175
• Tools and equipment: $175
• My Clinical Exchange (mCE): $37.00
• Verified Credentials, Inc. background check, drug screen, immunization tracking (does not include cost of immunizations and/or titers if needed): $120
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification: approximately $90

Enrollment Fees

• Nursing program fee: $450 per term

Licensing Costs to Oregon State Board of Nursing

• State exam/licensure fee: $360 ($160 LPN-OR, $200 NCLEX exam cost)
• State fingerprinting fee: $64.50

Course Requirements

Advising Notes

Students seeking transfer admission into the program must meet with the pre-admission nursing advisor and advanced placement program coordinator 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 231 Human Anatomy and Physiology I, BI 232 Human Anatomy and Physiology II, BI 233 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