Practical Nursing Certificate

Suggested GRCC Program:

Certificate

The Practical Nursing Program at GRCC consists of three semesters and one pre-nursing semester. This program is approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing and accredited by the NLNAC, 3343 Peachtree Rd. NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, GA 30326. The new applicant for licensure will be asked about substance abuse and/or felony conviction. According to public statute, previous felonies or misdemeanors for substance abuse, physical abuse, and/or criminal sexual conduct are likely to prevent an applicant from completing the program, taking the licensure exam NCLEX-PN and/or employment. Upon request, the Nursing Director will provide a list of rules and regulations governing licensure and employment in Michigan.

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) care for the physically or mentally ill. Under the direction of registered nurses, physicians or dentists, they provide nursing care that requires considerable specialized knowledge. Job opportunities for  LPNs are expected to be very good in the years ahead.

Program Requirements

In order to be eligible for admission into the Practical Nursing program, students must:

1. Be high school graduates or have passed the high school equivalency GED (General Educational Development) Test.
2. Have a high school GPA of at least 2.0.
3. Have a negative urine drug screen and complete the criminal background check process. Students will not be allowed to enter the program until cleared by GRCC police. This is a requirement of the Nursing Programs as clinical facilities are required to follow Michigan Public Acts 27, 28, and 29 of 2006. Without a clear criminal background, it is possible a student would not be allowed to participate in clinical activities and thus, be unable to complete the GRCC Nursing Programs. For additional information, refer to the Health Programs general information page.
4. Score at least 70% on the HESI test (fee). This test assesses knowledge in reading, vocabulary, grammar, and math.

To be eligible for the program completion certificate, Practical Nursing students must earn a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0. In addition, once in the program, students must achieve at least 80% in each of the required Practical Nursing courses to be eligible for graduation. GH 125  and GH 126  must be successfully completed within two attempts with a grade of “C-” or higher. Students who fail to complete GH 125  and/or GH 126  in two attempts will be withdrawn from the ready list and unable to reapply to the practical nursing program until successfully completing both GH 125  and GH 126 .

At GRCC, opportunities exist for graduates of the Practical Nursing program to enter the Associate Degree Nursing program with advanced standing. Students interested in following this path should contact the Director of Nursing Programs or view the Nursing Programs Web site (www.grcc.edu/nursing) for additional information.

Pre-Nursing Semester

• GH 125 - Intro to the Structure and Function of the Human Body (3/3) (11 wks) **+ (MT 4)
• GH 126 - Microbiology for Health Care (1/1) (3 wks) **++ (MT 4)
• NUR 100 - Perspectives in Nursing (2/2) ** (MT 2)  
• PY 201 - General Psychology (3/3) ** (MT 3)
• EN 101 - English Composition 1 (3/3) ** (MT 3)

First Semester

• NUR 101 - Medical-Surgical Nursing I (3/5) (7 wks) (MT 4/6)
• NUR 102 - Psychosocial Nursing Foundations (3/5 ) (7 wks) (MT 4/6)
• NUR 103 - Medical-Surgical Nursing II (3/5) (7 wks) (MT 4/6)

Second Semester

• PN 132 - Medical - Surgical Nursing (6/10) (7 wks) (MT 8/12)
• PN 135 - Family Nursing (6/10) (7 wks) (MT 8/12)

Third Semester

• PN 141 - Medical-Surgical Nursing IV (6/10) (7 wks) (MT 8/12)
• PN 143 - Role Adjustment (5/8) (next 3.5 wks) (MT 8/24)

Total Credits: 44

* CR = Credit Hours

CH = Contact Hours: The number of class hours of attendance required per week.

MT = Meeting Time: The number of 60-minute class hours of attendance required per week. A virgule (/) separates “lecture” hours (listed first) from “laboratory” or “clinical” hours. Break time is not include in this total.

** Courses are pre-requisite to NUR 101  or NUR 102 .

+  BI 121  and BI 122  or BI 117  are accepted for GH 125

++ BI 126  or BI 127  are accepted for GH 126 .

A grade of C- or higher is required in GH 125 , GH 126 , BI 117 , BI 121 , BI 122 , BI 126  or BI 127 .

Transfer Opportunities:

The Transfer Guide for many bachelor’s degree majors offered at Michigan colleges and universities is available at the Counseling and Career Center and online at www.grcc.edu.