Practical Nursing

Diploma – Practical Nursing
 

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Diploma – Practical Nursing

The Practical Nursing Program consists of four semesters, which include both classroom instruction and supervised clinical activities in accredited hospitals, nursing homes and other health care agencies. The program is approved by Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners (LSBPNE). The curriculum is based upon specific requirements as set forth by LSBPNE. A class is admitted each January and August.

Purpose
The Practical Nursing Program prepares students for employment in health care facilities, agencies, and hospitals where basic bedside nursing care is needed. The Licensed Practical Nurse works under the direction of a licensed physician, optometrist or dentist acting individually or as a part of a health care team under the direction of a registered nurse.

The curriculum has been developed utilizing the nursing process and incorporating the concepts of holistic nursing, hierarchy of needs, stress and adaptation, creative problem-solving and psychosocial development. The program is based on the career ladder concept, allowing students who choose to become certified nurse assistants at the completion of the first semester. Thirteen of the required arts and sciences credits are in the PN diploma program and 25 credits in the PN program is in preparation for the LPN-RN Program.

Objectives
Upon completion of the Practical Nursing Program the student will be able to:

1. Describe the role of the LPN as specified by the nursing practice act and function within this scope.
2. Integrate spiritual, socioeconomic, and developmental concepts and values in providing individualized care for patients, families and groups experiencing common health problems.
3. Apply knowledge from psychosocial and nursing sciences as the basics for beginning practice as a practical nurse.
4. Utilize the specialized knowledge and skills within the framework of the nursing process to meet the health needs of people in a variety of settings under the direction of qualified health professionals.
5. Safeguard the confidential information acquired, from any source about the patient and her/his family or significant other.
6. Communicate with clients, families, significant others and other health team members in the delivery of healthcare.
7. Practice within the profession's legal scope and ethical boundaries to meet the healthcare needs of individuals, families and groups in a variety of health care settings.
8. Collaborate with other health team members to provide care for individuals in a variety of healthcare settings.
9. Assume responsibility for continuing the life long process of personal, professional and educational development.
10. Utilize appropriate knowledge, skills and abilities in providing safe, competent care in performing nursing functions.

Curriculum Plan
The Practical Nursing Program diploma curricula include the following arts and sciences courses:

In addition to the above the student may include the following arts and science courses (25 credits) in preparation for the LPN-RN Program:

These courses may be taken prior to starting the nursing sequence, or may be accepted as transfer credit if they are equivalent to OLOL College courses. These courses may be taken concurrently with the nursing curriculum. All course work must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.

The Practical Nursing Program is a 16-month (4-semester program). Upon satisfactory completion of the program, the student is prepared to sit for the national licensure exam for Licensed Practical Nursing.

Admission Requirements

1. Completion of an application and payment of an application fee; The application form is available at the OLOL College Health Career Institute, 5220 Essen Lane or from the Office of Admissions, 5414 Brittany Drive
2. Graduation from high school with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or better; OR completion of a high school equivalency diploma (General Education Development-GED) with an average score of 500 or better
3. Submission of ACT scores
4. Completion of letter of application describing the student's unique attributes and reasons for seeking this educational program
5. Provide a certified copy of birth certificate or possess a valid United States passport

Information about the individuality of the applicant and past academic performance will be considered by the admissions committee. The College may also consider program demand and availability of clinical resources when making admission decisions.

Once accepted into the PN Program, the student must complete the following requirements before the start of the first semester:

1. Completion of new clinical student Health and Safety Packet. Students will not be allowed to attend class until this requirement is met.
2. Fingerprint and criminal background check by Louisiana State Police. The Louisiana State board of Practical Nurse Examiners reserves the right to deny a student admission to clinical nursing courses based upon results of a preliminary criminal record check. Students will not be allowed to attend class until this requirement is met.
3. Applicant must not be currently serving under any court imposed order of supervised probation, work-release or parole in connection with any felony conviction(s), plea agreement or any agreement pursuant to the Louisiana Code of Criminal procedure, Article 893.

Additional Information related to the Admission Process

1. A high school transcript can be obtained from the student’s high school. A student should contact her/his high school to obtain an official transcript and to have it sent to OLOL College Admissions at 5414 Brittany Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808. Alternatively, GED certificate can be obtained from the school district in which the student tested.
2. ACT website: www.act.org to request scores or register for exam; use school code 1621.
3. A certified copy of a Louisiana birth certificate can be obtained in person. Students may submit a written request to Vital Records Registry, P O Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160. The fee for each birth certificate is $15.00; information required is full name, date of birth, name of parents, and location of birth.

A student’s application will be acted upon when all information is received.

Deadline for receipt of completed admission forms and documents is July 15^th for August admission and Dec. 1st for Spring. Although applications must be received by the deadline, applicants are encouraged to submit their application and all documentation as soon as possible prior to the deadline to ensure ample time for processing. Once all information has been received, students will be notified of their status.

Admission with Advanced Standing

For students requesting admission to OLOL College Practical Nursing Program with credit from other institutions, it will be necessary to evaluate all credits on an individual basis. An official transcript of all credits requested and a description of the courses must be provided.

Credit will be given for any courses that have the same competencies as courses required in the OLOL College Practical Nursing Program curriculum and for which the student received a passing grade of ‘C’ (80%) or better. The awarding of credit is the responsibility of the receiving institution. A student who has withdrawn from an approved or accredited practical nursing program within the previous two years may be considered for advanced placement. The Practical Nursing Program director and/or the vice-president for career training will review all requests for advanced standing on a case-by-case basis.

Admission requirements for advanced standing:

1. Schedule a meeting with the program director
2. Submit PN application to the Admissions Office
3. Meet all requirements for initial admission to OLOL College Practical Nursing Program
4. Have withdrawn or left the previous Practical Nursing Program or RN program in good standing
5. Provide official transcript from the transferring institution
6. Provide official program description, curriculum pattern, course description, detailed course outline and skills list for all previous courses attempted; These documents are reviewed by faculty in consideration of advanced standing and prior class placement
7. Nursing courses or units considered for transfer credit must have been completed within two years of request for admission with advanced standing, with a minimum grade of 80% or “C”
8. Repeat all content from transferred courses, in which the student has failed or received a grade of 79.99 or less
9. Successfully complete skills verification check off by Practical Nursing Program faculty
10. Basic and advanced math application will be evaluated both didactically and in the lab setting before full credit is given for previous clinical and lab hours
11. In order to meet the requirement for graduation from OLOL College students admitted with advanced standing must: 

a.       Fulfill the residency requirement of OLOL College, which is 16 credit hours for the Practical Nursing Program 

b.      Obtain a minimum grade of “C” (80%) or better in all course work attempted.

Much of the communication between OLOL College and the student will be via mail and email. It is the student's responsibility to notify the College changes in address. 

The decision about whether a student qualifies for advanced standing will depend upon the readiness of the student for entry into the Program, as well as space availability. There is no separate class for students with advanced standing. Placement is made into one of the ongoing classes after review, provided there is a vacancy.

A proposed Advanced Standing Plan is developed following evaluation of the transcript and previous program content; confirmation that a student has successfully met admission requirements for OLOL College; and confirmation that placement is possible. The Plan must meet final approval of Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners before the student may register for courses.

All records of advanced standing, admission tests, course of study and program achievement will be maintained in the student file in addition to those records maintained for students without advanced standing status.

Requirements for Graduation

A Diploma for Practical Nursing is awarded when the following conditions have been met:

1. Completion of minimum of all required courses, with completion of the nursing courses within four years from the time of first admission;
2. Achievement of a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher on all required course work;
3. Completion of all required standardized achievement examinations; 
4. Clearance of all indebtedness to OLOL College including the return of all materials borrowed from the College library; and
5. Fulfillment of OLOL College residency requirements of at least 13 credit hours in the PN curriculum.

Attendance at graduation/pinning is strongly recommended.

Licensure

Upon completion of the program the graduate is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). The examination is designed to test knowledge, skills and abilities essential to the safe and effective practice of practical nursing at the entry level. Upon successful completion of this examination, the graduate becomes licensed to legally practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the Sate of Louisiana. Each graduate must apply to the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners for licensure.

The LSBPNE authorizes candidates to take the NCLEX-PN and provides the NCLEX registration form to the OLOL College Health Career Institute for distribution to students.

The Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners reserves the right to disapprove the taking of the NCLEX-PN by persons having had disciplinary action, arrest or impairment.

Applicants for licensure who have had a disciplinary action, arrest or impairment must provide documentation of the circumstances of the action, arrest or impairment to the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners. Questions regarding eligibility to take the examination should be directed to the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners.

REV: Sept 7, 2001, Feb 2002; July 2002, Sept 2004, Sept 2006, Feb 2009

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Certified Nursing Assistant  
  
Practical Nursing     

Phlebotomy
 

Complementary Therapies / Therapeutic Massage

Patient Services Coordinator / Administrative Medical Assistant
 

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Sunday December 09, 2012