Practical Nursing, TD

Program Description: The Practical Nursing Diploma Program consists of five semesters of classroom instruction, service-learning opportunities, and supervised clinical activities in accredited hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care agencies including the learning community at Fletcher Technical Community College. The Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners (LSBPNE) has approved this competency-based program. The program content utilizes the nursing process and incorporates the concepts of holistic nursing, hierarchy of needs, prioritization of care, stress and adaptation, creative problem-solving and optimal psychosocial development. Classroom instruction includes, but is not limited to, an in-depth knowledge of anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, nutrition and diet therapy, nursing care of the individual across the lifespan, safety and infection control, therapeutic communication intervention, documentation, mental health, and health promotion and wellness. The curriculum encourages the student to become self-directed, accountable, and responsible for lifelong learning.

Program Accreditation: The Practical Nursing Program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30326, 404-975-5000.

Program Coordinator: Crystal Hatch, BSN, RN

Program Instructor(s): Stacey Luna, BSN, RN; Lindsey Henry, BSN, RN; Olivia Walker, MSN, RN, FNP; Mindy Self, BSN, RN; Crystal Hatch BSN, RN; Brittany Toups, RN, BSN; Joanna Menard, BSN, RN; Christy Champagne, BSN, RN; Kimberly Hebert, BSN RN; Derika Gray, BSN, RN

Special Comments: Students are accepted into the program each year in the fall. Additional information for the PN clinical application and selection process is included in the current PN Admission Guide found on the Fletchers website. All courses in this program must be completed with a grade of 80/C or higher. Students who make less than an 80/C in a course are required to repeat the course before progressing to the next semester of the curriculum.

Overall Grade Point Average: 2.0 or higher

Course Grade Requirements: Program requirements must be completed with an 80% or better in each course. All nursing courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher on a 7-point grading scale.

Student Learning Outcomes: Students who successfully complete the Practical Nursing Program will be able to:

1. Identify actions that promote positive client outcomes and protects clients and all healthcare personnel (Safe and Effective Care Environment)
2. Plan care which incorporates knowledge of expected growth and development; prevention of illness; and promote optimal health. (Health Promotion and Maintenance)
3. Recommend nursing care which supports the emotional, mental, and social wellbeing of the client experiencing acute and/or chronic mental illnesses. (Psychosocial Integrity)
4. Prioritize nursing care that promotes physical health and wellness while providing comfort, reducing risk potential, and managing a variety of health alterations. (Physiological Integrity)
5. Demonstrate clinical performance at the standard of a new LPN (Clinical Performance)
6. Practice the nursing profession in a professional manner (Professional Attitude)

CIP Code: 513901