Practical Nursing Certificate

Practical Nursing Program Admissions Requirement

In order to be eligible for admission into the Practical Nursing (PN) 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 grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0, or a college GPA of at least 2.0, which will be used for students with 12 or more college credits.  

3. Demonstrate math competency all must be within the last five years.  For specific details/scores visit the Nursing Program Requirements.

4. Applicants must have successfully completed all Academic Foundational Courses. This applies to students whose GPA and ACT, SAT, or Placement Test scores place them into Academic Foundational courses. Students with 12 or more college credits are still required to take the Math Placement Test, unless they can demonstrate competency per the math requirements.

5. Score at least 75% on the HESI A2 Admission Assessment (fee). This test assesses knowledge in reading, vocabulary, grammar, and math.

6. 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.

Course/Graduation Requirements

To be eligible for the program completion certificate, Practical Nursing students must earn a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 and be in good academic standing. All General Education courses, including sciences courses, must be successfully completed with a grade of “C” (or Higher) [As with all nursing courses, a grade of “B-” (or Higher) is required in NUR 100 ]. Once in the program, students must achieve at least a “B-” (or Higher) in each of the required Practical Nursing courses to be eligible for graduation.

Practical Nursing Students must pass GH 125  orBI 117  with a grade of C or higher within 2 attempts total (this is not 2 attempts at each course).  In lieu of taking BI 117  or GH 125 , Practical Nursing students may take BI 121  and BI 122 .  Students taking BI 121 and B1 122 for entry in to the Practical Nursing Program are permitted 2 attempts at each course to achieve a grade of C or higher. 

Students, who are unsuccessful on a subsequent attempt in BI 122 , BI 117 , or GH 125 , will not be eligible for the Practical Nursing Program.  Students will be considered eligible to apply for the Practical Nursing Program again in 3 years from the semester of their last unsuccessful Biology or GH 125  course attempt.

A withdrawal from a course, in which the student receives a W, is considered an unsuccessful attempt at that course and is included in the total number of attempts permitted. Equivalent courses taken at other institutions will also be included in the
total course attempts.

Any student placed on Academic Suspension while on the waitlist or while enrolled in the Practical Nursing program, will be withdrawn. Students wishing to pursue nursing after this may re-apply after following GRCC’s academic suspension policy and returning to good academic standing.  For additional Nursing Programs policies and guidelines, please consult the Nursing Student Handbook.

Science Requirements/Attempts

Any student taking BI 121  and BI 122  for admission to the Practical Nursing program and who has not completed both of these courses in 3 total attempts should contact the Nursing Department for additional guidance.

However, the Nursing Department strongly recommends that a Practical Nursing student attempting BI 121  and BI 122 , who has not completed BOTH BI 121 and BI 122 within a combined 3 attempts (a combined 3 attempts is 2 attempts at BI 121 followed by a first attempt at BI 122) enroll in GH 125  or BI 117  to enhance their opportunity for success.

Life science courses (BI 117 , BI 121 , BI 122 , and GH 125 ) must have been completed within eight years of graduation/completion of the Nursing Program at GRCC (This includes Life Science courses that are transferred in from other institutions regardless of the date on which they are transferred).

Students who have had an unsuccessful attempt at a Biology or Life Science course (GH 125 ), or who have questions regarding the Biology requirements and next steps should contact the Nursing Department at 616/234-4238 or via email at nursingprograms@grcc.edu

Advanced Standing (LPN to ADN)

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 Nursing Department or view the Nursing Programs Web site (www.grcc.edu/nursingprograms) for additional information.

Practical Nursing Program Courses

• EN 101 - English Composition I Credit Hours: 3
• GH 125 - Intro to the Structure and Function of the Human Body Credit Hours: 3

• OR

• BI 117 - General Human Anatomy and Physiology Credit Hours: 4

• OR

• BI 121 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credit Hours: 4

• AND

• BI 122 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credit Hours: 4
• NUR 100 - Perspectives in Nursing Credit Hours: 2
• NUR 115 - Application of Basic Nursing Skills Credit Hours: 1
• PN 110 - Introduction to Practical Nursing Concepts Credit Hours: 3
• PN 118 - Health Illness Concepts for the Practical Nurse I Credit Hours: 6
• PN 131 - Family Health Illness Concepts for the Practical Nurse Credit Hours: 5
• PN 140 - Health Illness Concepts for the Practical Nurse II Credit Hours: 5
• PN 150 - Synthesis of Practical Nursing Concepts Credit Hours: 4
• PY 201 - General Psychology Credit Hours: 3

Total Credit Hours

35

Essential Abilities/Technical Standards

Students in health programs must be able to meet certain essential functions and technical standards to successfully participate in academic coursework, clinical education, and future professional practice. These standards are not conditions for admission but are provided to inform students of the skills and abilities typically required in health care environments. Each standard may be met with reasonable accommodations, provided such accommodations do not fundamentally alter the nature of the academic objectives or clinical program outcomes or compromise patient safety.

Interpersonal and Professional Skills (Domain: Affective)

• Develop and maintain self-awareness, respect, demonstrate professional response to feedback and develop effective relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate awareness of self and others in a professional, compassionate, and ethical manner. 
• Demonstrate the ability to manage time effectively.
• Manage potential stressors that may arise when caring for individuals of all ages, cultural backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, and with a wide range of health conditions.

Communication (Domain: Affective)

• Proficient in English, both verbally and in writing to communicate with patients, families, and members of the health care team.
• Accurately read and convey information such as medical instructions, policy and procedure manuals, handwritten chart data, and electronic health records.
• Recognize, interpret, and appropriately respond to nonverbal cues such as body language and facial expressions.

Sensory Abilities (Domain: Psychomotor)

• Hearing (with or without correction): Recognize and respond to soft voices, auditory timers, equipment alarms, call bells, and faint sounds associated with patient assessment (e.g., blood pressure, breath sounds).
• Vision (with or without correction): Recognize fine details, differentiate colors or color changes, interpret movements and facial expressions, read small print and digital displays, and safely navigate varied environments.
• Touch: Palpate pulses and detect changes in skin temperature, body contour, muscle tone, and joint movement.
• Smell: Distinguish between normal and abnormal odors that may indicate health concerns or environmental hazards.

Motor and Physical Abilities (Domain: Psychomotor)

• Coordination and Dexterity: Possess fine and gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and the ability to manipulate instruments, equipment, and materials safely and effectively.
• Mobility: Move independently and safely in clinical and academic environments, including standing, walking, bending, reaching, and assisting patients when needed.
• Strength: Lift, carry, push, or pull; support or transfer patients safely; and handle equipment or materials as required.
• Endurance: Sustain physical activity such as standing for long periods, positioning equipment, or assisting patients without compromising safety.

Critical Thinking Skills (Domain: Cognitive)

• Demonstrate the ability to think critically, apply sound clinical reasoning, and make timely, informed decisions in fast-paced or changing environments.
• Accurately calculate measurements (e.g., medication dosages, technical parameters), analyze data, synthesize information, and evaluate outcomes.
• Interpret and process written, verbal, and electronic information to provide safe, effective care.

Technology and Information Management (Domain: Cognitive)

• Access, collect, and document health-related data using computers and other digital technologies.
• Navigate electronic health records and learning management systems, respond to communications, and follow digital documentation standards.

Teamwork and Independence (Domain: Affective and Cognitive)

• Work effectively and respectfully as part of an interprofessional and intraprofessional team while maintaining the ability to make independent judgments and complete tasks alone when required.
• Adapt to varied roles, responsibilities, and supervision levels across different clinical and educational settings.