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Practical Nursing (CER-LPN)

Program Location: Atmore, Bay Minette and Thomasville Campuses

Nursing and Allied Health Division

Length: Three Semesters

This is a full-time day program designed to prepare students to practice as competent Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) after passing the licensure exam. Students who successfully complete the three semesters (45 credit hours) are awarded a Practical Nursing (PN) Certificate and are eligible to take the licensure exam to become an LPN. Licensure by the Boards of Nursing may be denied if an applicant has been convicted of a criminal offense of a felony, has abused drugs or alcohol, has a history of chemical dependency or mental illness, has been placed on the federal abuse registry, or has been administratively discharged from the armed services.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

1. Unconditional admission to the College and active student in good standing (minimum, cumulative 2.0 GPA).
2. Submit original transcripts from all schools attended to the Registrar or Admissions by application deadline.
3. Submit a completed Practical Nursing Program Application by stated deadline.
4. Hold a minimum GPA of 2.5 for the academic core courses in the program or cumulative 2.5 GPA if a high school student without prior college coursework.
5. Be eligible for ENG101, MTH116, and BIO 201.
6. Meet essential eligibility criteria.

Completion of the above requirements does not guarantee admission into the program.  Prospective students are rank ordered using a point system to determine acceptance into the program.

Students are selected based on the following point system:                                  

  1. Score on ACT (no minimum composite score required)
  2. Three points are awarded for an A, two for a B, and one for a C in ENG 101, MTH 116 or higher level math, BIO  201, and BIO 202           
  3. One point each is awarded for completion of PSY 210, SPH 106 or 107, BIO 220, and a Humanities course with a C or higher (BIO 220 and a Humanities elective are not required for the PN Certificate)
  4. Three points may be awarded if the student is currently certified in a health occupation that requires direct contact with patients, such as Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Certified Medical Assistant, Licensed Basic or Advanced EMT, Certified Dental Assistant, Certified Veterinary Technician, Certified Phlebotomist, or Certified Surgical Technologist.  Proof (Copy of the Certificate of completion) must be submitted with the application in order to receive extra points.  Alternatively, applicants who have completed a chemistry or higher-level math (such as MTH 110, 112, or 265) with a grade of ā€œCā€ or higher may be awarded 3 extra points.  Applicants may receive up to 3 extra points total for this section.  Example:  Applicants will NOT receive 3 points for a higher-level math and 3 points for being a CNA. 
  5. Three points are awarded for completion of all six general education courses required in the practical nursing program with a C or higher.

Once selected for the program, students are required to provide the following: drug screen, background check, physical exam showing ability to meet essential functions, record of immunizations, proof of medical insurance and American Heart CPR. All nursing courses must be passed with a minimum of 75 (C) in order to progress in the program. A nursing testing fee is assessed each semester.

It is highly recommended that students take the biology courses and other general education courses prior to beginning the nursing coursework. This is a career program designed for students to go directly into the labor market upon completion. Although some of the courses in this program will transfer to four-year institutions, this program is not designed to be a transfer program of study; therefore, it is not subject to the terms and conditions of STARS.

Suggested Prior to Program Admission

It is suggested that students complete the general education courses required for the practical nursing program prior to program admission. Please note that Math 116, Mathematical Application, or a higher level math such as MTH 100, Intermediate College Algebra, fulfills the Math requirement. SPH 106 or 107 fulfills the Speech requirement.  ORI 101, Orientation to College, will be required of first time college students.

Item # Title Credits
ENG 101 English Composition I 3
BIO 103 or BIO 201 + 4
MTH 116 or more advanced + 3
SPH 106 or SPH 107 + 3
ORI 101 Orientation to College 1
Sub-total Credits 14

Suggested Prior to Program Admission

Item # Title Credits
PSY 210 Human Growth and Development 3
BIO 201 or BIO 202 + 4
Math or Chem Elective + 0
Humanities and Fine Arts Elective + 3
Sub-total Credits 10

Suggested Prior to Program Admission

It is suggested students complete BIO 202, Anatomy and Physiology II, and BIO 220, Microbiology, prior to program admission if possible.  Microbiology is not a requirement of the practical nursing program, but is awarded a point in the selection process.

Item # Title Credits
BIO 202 Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4
BIO 220 General Microbiology 4
Sub-total Credits 8

Semester One

MTH 116, or more advanced Math, and BIO 201, Anatomy and Physiology I, are required if not already completed with a C or higher.  

Item # Title Credits
BIO 201 Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4
NUR 112 Fundamental Concepts of Nursing 7
MTH 116 or more advanced + 3
Sub-total Credits 14

Semester Two

ENG 101, PSY 210, and BIO 202 are required if not already completed with a C or higher.

Item # Title Credits
BIO 202 Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4
ENG 101 English Composition I 3
PSY 210 Human Growth and Development 3
NUR 113 Nursing Concepts I 8
Sub-total Credits 18

Semester Three

SPH 106 or 107 is required if not already completed with a C or higher. 

Item # Title Credits
NUR 114 Nursing Concepts II 8
NUR 115 Evidence Based Clinical Reasoning 2
SPH 106 or SPH 107 + 3
Sub-total Credits 13

GRAND TOTAL CREDITS 45

*Depending on the program or course, a student may also be required to purchase certain necessary tools and supplies.

Program Statistics ADN Program

  Bay Minette & Fairhope Brewton Monroeville & Thomasville
Licensure Pass Rate
(First Attempt)
*PN 2022 100% *PN 2022 88.8% *PN 2022 89.5%
  ADN 2022  94.4%
Including Mobility
ADN 2022  85.7%
Including Mobility
ADN 2022  88.6%
Including Mobility
*Completion Rates *PN 2022 46% *PN 2022 30% *PN 2022 32%
  ADN 2022 Graduates 88%
Including Mobility
ADN 2022 Graduates 64%
Including Mobility
ADN 2022 Graduates 87%
Including Mobility
Employment *PN – 100% of those seeking employment *PN – 100% of those seeking employment *PN – 100% of those seeking employment
  ADN 2022 100% ADN 2022 100% ADN 2022 99%

 

Program Statistics PN Stand Alone

  Bay Minette & Fairhope Brewton Monroeville & Thomasville
Licensure Pass Rate
(First Attempt)
*PN 2022 93.3% *PN 2022 100% *PN Starting Spring 2023
*Completion Rates *PN 2022 42% *PN 2022 26% N/A
Employment *PN – 100% of those seeking employment *PN – 100% of those seeking employment N/A

*PN class is composed of those students who successfully complete the first three semesters of the ADN program.

*ADN class is composed of those students who successfully complete the fourth and fifth semesters of the ADN program.

Nursing

Nursing Files
Name File Type
Mobility Nursing Program Application
Nursing Program Application
Nursing Program Reinstatement Application
Nursing Program Transfer Application
Nursing Student Handbook

Practical Nursing Estimated Expenses

The following is an approximation of expenses for completion of the nursing program. Keep in mind that these expenses are estimates only and may vary (immunizations, physical, etc.) 

Item Cost
Uniforms and Shoes NUR 112 $500
Lab Fee NUR 112 $150
Lab Fee NUR 113 $150
Drug Screen $50
Graduation Fee (Optional) $25
ATI Testing ($658 each semester) $1975
Additional Testing Fees NUR 114/115 (tends to increase each year) $74
Tuition (In-state = $164.00/credit hour) $7,380
Books (estimate) $975
PN Estimated Total $11,279

 

Other

Item Cost
CPR Certification NUR 112 $45
Background Screen NUR 112  $71
Immunizations and Physical NUR 112 Up to $800 (depending on individual needs)
PN Licensure $300
Pin/Lamp (pinning ceremony; price varies) (optional) $70 
Student Nurses Association (optional) $20

Accreditation

The Associate Degree and Practical Nursing programs of Coastal Alabama Community College located at the Atmore, Bay Minette, Brewton, Fairhope, Monroeville, and Thomasville Campuses are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
404 975-5000

ABN APPROVAL

All of the Coastal Alabama Community College nursing programs are approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing (ABN).

SIMULATION

Coastal Alabama Community College's Simulation Program has been awarded provisional accreditation by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. This provisional status has been granted from October 27, 2021, through December 31, 2023.

Locations:

Thomasville Campus

30755 Highway 43 South
Thomasville, AL 36784

Atmore Campus

6574 AL Hwy 21
Atmore, AL 36502