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2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Practical Nursing, Technical Certificate of Credit

Overview

Offered at the Piedmont Summerville, Thomson, and Waynesboro Sites.

Entrance Dates: Fall, Summer
Length of Program: Three Terms
Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 49
 

Program Description: The Practical Nursing program is a selective program. Students who meet the College criteria for admission will be admitted to the College. Students are REQUIRED to attend an informational session during the ranking cycle prior to consideration for acceptance into the program.  Information Sessions will be held for one month to allow those students interested to apply. Students will be required to complete an application with a 250-word essay. Applications are not considered complete with an essay less than 250 words. An incomplete application will not be selected.

Students who are not selected for admission may consider another program or resubmit a new selective application by the next selection cycle deadline. High school graduation or GED is required for admission to this program. For more information regarding this process, please contact the Admissions Office at (706) 771-4028. Refer to program related deadlines.

Program Description:  The Practical Nursing program is designed to prepare students to write the NCLEX-PN for licensure as practical nurses. The program prepares graduates to give competent nursing care. This is done through a selected number of occupational courses providing a variety of techniques and materials necessary to assist the student in acquiring the needed knowledge and skills to give competent care. The nursing program covers all theoretical content areas outlined in Georgia Board Rule 410-9-06. A variety of clinical experiences is planned so that theory and practice are integrated under the guidance of the clinical instructor. Program graduates receive a practical nursing certificate and have the qualifications of an entry-level practical nurse.

The PN21 program is a certificate program to be implemented with new cohorts of students beginning Summer 2024 and beyond. Students will have to submit a satisfactory criminal background check as well as a drug screen to be placed in a clinical health care facility to complete the clinical rotations of their educational training. 

The Practical Nursing Program is approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing (GBON) and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. The address and phone number is: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30326, 404-975-5000. The web site is https://www.acenursing.org/search-programs.

 

Employment Opportunities:  Graduates are in high demand for employment in nursing homes, health centers, convalescent homes, hospitals, schools, doctor’s offices, and prisons.

Credentialing (Required):  Satisfactory completion of all program courses entitles students to sit for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) examination.

Curriculum Outline

Occupational Courses, 49 credits

PNSG 1600INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACOLOGY AND CLINICAL CALCULATIONS

3

PNSG 1605FUNDAMENTALS

6

PNSG 1610ADULT HEALTH NURSING I

6

PNSG 1615ADULT HEALTH NURSING II

6

PNSG 1620ADULT HEALTH NURSING III

6

PNSG 1625ADULT HEALTH NURSING IV

6

PNSG 1630MENTAL HEALTH NURSING

4

PNSG 1635MATERNAL NURSING

4

PNSG 1640PEDIATRIC NURSING

3

PNSG 1645PRACTICAL NURSING CAPSTONE

5

Notes:

  • A grade of “C” or higher is required for all courses listed in the curriculum outline.

  • Students who do not earn a grade of “C” or higher in any one course with the PNSG prefix will be allowed to reenter the program. For reentry the student must complete an individualized remedial program assigned by the Nursing Program. A student who does not earn a grade of “C” or higher in any two courses with the PNSG prefix will not be allowed to reenter the program for 5 years.

  • A student who is not enrolled in the program for more than one year will be required to reenter the first semester of the program.

  • Practical Nursing students must submit completed medical and dental examination forms prior to participation in lab activities. Separate documentation will be required for Hepatitis B, TB testing, and all immunizations and titers. Students who refuse to take the Hepatitis B vaccination series must sign a declination form and be aware that clinical practicum sites may refuse them an opportunity to gain clinical experience. Some facilities may require the COVID-19 vaccination.

  • Conviction of a felony or gross misdemeanor may prohibit employment in field and may make a student ineligible to take the licensing exam required for the profession. A background check and/or drug screen will be required by all agencies before a student attends a clinical practicum. For more information, contact the Department Chair.

  • Student activities associated with the curriculum, especially while students are completing his or her clinical rotations, will be educational in nature. Students will not be receiving monetary remuneration during this educational experience, nor will he or she be substituted for hired staff personnel within the clinical institution in the capacity of a practical nurse.

  • Prior to participation in campus/clinical labs, students are required to show proof of current health insurance. Students who cannot show proof of health insurance need to be aware that clinical practicum sites may refuse to allow them the opportunity to gain clinical experience at their facility.

Guided Pathway

You may click on any course below to view the course description and prerequisite information.

Students who do not follow the Course Sequence listed below may not be able to complete the program in the number of semesters shown.

Piedmont Summerville Day Program, Summer Entry

PROGRAM NAME: Practical Nursing

AWARD: Diploma

CAMPUS: Piedmont Summerville Day Program

Year 1 Summer Semester

PNSG 1600INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACOLOGY AND CLINICAL CALCULATIONS

3

PNSG 1605FUNDAMENTALS

6

PNSG 1630MENTAL HEALTH NURSING

4

Year 1 Fall Semester

 
PNSG 1610ADULT HEALTH NURSING I

6

PNSG 1615ADULT HEALTH NURSING II

6

PNSG 1620ADULT HEALTH NURSING III

6

PNSG 1640PEDIATRIC NURSING

3

Year 1 Spring Semester

PNSG 1625ADULT HEALTH NURSING IV

6

PNSG 1635MATERNAL NURSING

4

PNSG 1645PRACTICAL NURSING CAPSTONE

5

Piedmont Summerville, Thomson, and Waynesboro Day Program, Fall Entry

PROGRAM NAME: Practical Nursing

AWARD: Diploma

CAMPUS: Piedmont Summerville, Thomson, and Waynesboro Day Program

Year 1 Fall Semester

PNSG 1600INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACOLOGY AND CLINICAL CALCULATIONS

3

PNSG 1605FUNDAMENTALS

6

PNSG 1630MENTAL HEALTH NURSING

4

Year 1 Spring Semester

 
PNSG 1610ADULT HEALTH NURSING I

6

PNSG 1615ADULT HEALTH NURSING II

6

PNSG 1620ADULT HEALTH NURSING III

6

PNSG 1640PEDIATRIC NURSING

3

Year 1 Summer Semester

PNSG 1625ADULT HEALTH NURSING IV

6

PNSG 1635MATERNAL NURSING

4

PNSG 1645PRACTICAL NURSING CAPSTONE

5

Accreditation

The Practical Nursing program at Augusta Technical College at the Augusta Campus, Waynesboro, and Thomson Sites located in Augusta, Waynesboro, and Thomson Georgia is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000.

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the practical nursing program is continuing accreditation.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm

 


Student Achievement Data is available on the program's student achievement data page.