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 “C” 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.