Practical Nursing Certificate

Day Program on the Steubenville Campus and Youngstown Campus

The one-year certificate in practical nursing is designed to meet the need in nursing services for a worker who will share in direct patient care. The program graduate is prepared to give safe, competent nursing care within a select range of patient care situations at the direction of the registered nurse and/or licensed physician.

Practical Nursing Program application/admissions criteria are identified in the Admissions section in this catalog.

The individual who successfully completes all program requirements is awarded a certificate in practical nursing and is eligible to sit for the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX- PN). Successful passing of this exam merits the graduate the right to apply for state licensure as a licensed practical nurse and use the initials LPN.

Upon successful completion of the certificate in practical nursing, the graduate will be able to:

• Use effective communication skills with clients and health team members.
• Utilize the nursing process when delivering nursing care to meet the client’s physical and psychosocial needs while adhering to the ethical principles and legal framework inherent to practical nursing.
• Demonstrate technical proficiency in the nursing skills necessary to fulfill the role of an entry-level practical nurse.
• Provide the client with a safe, effective environment while utilizing concepts from the conceptual framework of the school of nursing when assisting clients to deal with their health status.
• Meet requirements for the NCLEX- PN.

Practical Nursing Admission Requirements:

• Provide the EGCC Records Office with an official, final high school transcript or an official GED Score Report.
• ENG 101  with a grade of “C” or better.
• Demonstrate proficiency in introductory algebra as evidenced by Accuplacer Next Generation score in QAS (Quantitative Reasoning Algebra and Statistics) of 263 or higher, or an ACT math score of 18 or higher in the last 5 years. If proficiency is not met, then successful completion of math remediation with a grade of “C” or better. Remediation is available through Aspire with zero credit, tuition free courses offered as an 8-week session or 16-week session in both fall, spring and 8-week summer term. The course can be taken online or in seat.  
• Successful completion of a Nursing Entrance Exam: TEAS Test (may be taken a maximum of two times in a 12-month period). A student must wait one month to retake if unsuccessful on first attempt. The student must meet the benchmark score in place at the time the TEAS is taken. Contact an academic advisor for information and to schedule the online test. The cost of the test is to be paid at the time of testing. Books and a practice test are available for purchase at www.atitesting.com or at testing@egcc.edu
• Complete current FBI and Ohio BCI background checks.
• There is a 5-year limit on all required science courses.
• BIO 102 and HSC 101 are recommended to be taken in seat and not online.
• Prior to admission, submit a current CPR Card: American Heart Association Basic Life Support for the Health Care Provider. Submit copy to PN Program Director and EGCC medical records specialist.
• Prior to admission, Ohio STNA or successful completion of a nurse aide course within the last 5 years (certification not required) or show proof of working at least 6 months as a nursing assistant in an inpatient setting in the last 5 years. Submit a copy of a current Ohio STNA card, transcript showing successful completion of nurse aide course, or proof of employment to the medical records specialist. HSC102 and HSC108 are offered each semester at EGCC. For those with nurse aide certificate in another state, contact the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry at 1-800-582-5908.