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Practical Nursing Certificate (PNR)

Type: Career, Certificate (C2)

Special admissions requirement

Division: Health 

The Practical Nursing Program provides the education necessary for the practice of practical nursing and the awarding of a certificate from the College upon completion of the ten-month program. Student learning occurs through a curriculum based on accepted nursing concepts with emphasis on the development of technical competencies, communication skills, and critical thinking facilitated by faculty guidance and selection of relevant learning experiences in classroom, virtual spaces, seminar, laboratory, and clinical settings. Upon completion of the PN Program, the graduate will be prepared to function within the Standards of Practice, demonstrating safe, competent, ethical nursing practice. Employment as an LPN is available in numerous settings that include subacute, acute, chronic, rehabilitation, and community health care settings.

The PN Program is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN Licensure Examination. Graduates seeking licensure in Massachusetts must meet the licensure requirements outlined by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing, including being of "good moral character." Individuals with a court record or a criminal conviction should contact the Board(s) of Registration in Nursing in any state in which they plan to work for guidelines in determining "good moral character," prior to program entry.

Individuals may contact the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing at 1-617-973-0800 or at www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-in-nursing for a myriad of information that among other topics includes nursing education, statues, rules and regulations, licensing, and complaint resolution.

Students interested in participating in an academic program that involves working with children, the disabled, or the elderly, or which includes a clinical affiliation, internship, or field placement with a private or public healthcare provider, may be required to undergo criminal background checks, including a federal, national and local check (i.e. Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Record Information (SORI)).

Depending on the contents of these criminal background check(s), a student's participation in an academic program that involves working with children, the disabled, or the elderly or which includes a clinical affiliation, internship or field placement with a private or public healthcare provider may not be allowed, and therefore may impact a student's ability to complete program requirements. Furthermore, please note that eligibility to participate in the program and/or clinical affiliation, internship or field placement as a result of screening requirements, such as criminal background checks, is not a guarantee of eligibility to sit for professional credentialing examination(s) or employment upon graduation.

Drug screening and fingerprinting is required to participate in clinical affiliation experiences, internships or field placements.

The PN Program is a selective admissions program. Further information about the program, application process, and admission requirements can be found on the academic department web page at www.northshore.edu\academics\programs\pnr

 

Department of Children and Families (DCF) Requirement for NCLEX - RN eligbility:

Candidates who have had substantiated reports with DCF will need to meet with the MABORN to determine eligibility to take the licensing exam. 

There is no process at this time to have a review of  DCF reports prior to application to take NCLEX.

A social security number is required to apply for a Registered Nurse License in Massachusetts. 

Admission Information: Candidates for the Practical Nursing Program must complete the following requirements: submit evidence of graduation from high school or Equivalency (GED);
achieve the required minimum scores on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS);
obtain 3 references: (a) immediate supervisor (b) employer or teacher (c) friend of at least 2 years duration; complete the Practical Nursing Admissions Questionnaire; obtain official transcripts from all colleges previously attended and attend an informational meeting offered throughout the Fall and Spring semesters at scheduled times listed in the application packet.

Following acceptance into the PN Program, candidates must: submit a completed immunization record documented by a licensed health care provider. This includes:
Immunization Requirements
1. Covid-19 vaccine (initial series & booster), Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis: (TdaP) vaccination required within the past 10 years, then a Td booster every 10 years
2. Measles- evidence of two live vaccinations or immune titer results required
3. Mumps- evidence of two live vaccinations or immune titer results required
4. Rubella- evidence of two live vaccinations or immune titer results required
5. Hepatitis B- Evidence of a positive titer or Evidence of a completed two or three part series followed by titer with positive results
6. Varicella (chickenpox) - evidence of two vaccinations or immune titer results required
7. Meningitis- Menveo or Menactra dose required after 16th birthday for all newly enrolled students between 16-21 years old (these vaccines are known as MenACWY, formerly listed as MCV4) or a waiver.
8. Two Step Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) upon admission or IGRA- serology (T-SPOT or Quantiferon GOLD). One step annual TST test for subsequent years of enrollment.
9. A Health Provider symptom screening with chest x-ray report in the last 5 years is required for individuals with positive TST results. The College will provide a screening form.
10. Annual flu vaccine or signed waiver
A completed Health Immunization Form must be completed and signed by a Health Care Provider and submitted to the Health Compliance Nurse in the month of July for Fall admission and in December for January admission.

Candidates must self- verify ability to meet technical standards: physical, tactile, communication, auditory and mental/ cognitive required in professional nursing practice settings, be BLS certified from the American Heart Association; and present evidence of health insurance.

The Practical Nursing Program in accredited by:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
404-975-5000
www.acenursing.org
and approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (MABORN)

The recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the North Shore Community College Nurse Education Program is  Continuing Accreditation.

 

If you have questions related to program admissions or applications, please contact info@northshore.edu or call 978-762-4188.

 

First Year

Fall

HLS102Anatomy & Physiology for Allied Health

4
HLS104Overview of Microbiology

1
HLS115Human Development and Health Promotion

2
PNR101Fundamentals of Practical Nursing

9
HLS103Nutrition for Practical Nursing 1

1
PNR114Pharmacology for Practical Nursing

2
Total Credit Hours:19

Intersession

PNR107Life Continuum Nursing

2
Total Credit Hours:2

Spring

PNR103Medical-Surgical Nursing

7
PNR105Maternal Child Health

7
HLS105Nutrition for Practical Nursing 2

1
PNR118Contemporary Trends and Issues in Practical Nursing

1
Total Credit Hours:16

Summer

PNR117Advanced Life Continuum Nursing

6
Total Credit Hours:6

Requirement Notes

HLS102 May be fulfilled by substituting BIO211 and BIO212.

HLS104 May be fulfilled by substituting BIO214.

HLS115 May be fulfilled by substituting PSY204.

HLS103 and HLS105 may be fulfilled by substituting SCI104 or previously offered IDS106.

Program Note
Communication and Mathematics proficiency required to graduate.
See guided pathway sheets for advising information specific to your area of focus.

 

Total Credit Hours: 43


Program Student Learner Outcomes
  • Perform safe, effective, culturally competent nursing care across the life span.
  • Implement safety measures minimizing the risk of harm to patients and providers.
  • Utilize systems based practices to plan and deliver care in the context of the patient, work unit, and available resources.
  • Utilize information, technology and evidence based knowledge to support nursing practice and provide nursing care.
  • Use effective communication skills to interact with patients, families, and colleagues.
  • Employ leadership skills to influence teamwork and collaboration of individual and groups.
  • Employ professional behaviors within the scope of practice of the Licensed Practical Nurse.

Occupational Skills required
  • Lift patients and equipment up to 25 pounds safely
  • Carry and move equipment and objects up to 25 pounds safely
  • Kneel to perform CPR, work with patients, and assist patients who fall
  • Stoop, bend and twist to assist in ADL, perform transfers and operate low level equipment
  • Safely maintain balance while assisting patients in ambulation and transfer
  • Crouch to locate and plug in equipment
  • Reach to adjust equipment, to guard patient and to reach supplies
  • Walk for extended periods of time and distances over an eight hour period
  • Stand for extended periods of time over an eight hour period
  • Ability to handle equipment such as syringes, blood pressure cuffs, IV infusions, buttons, switches and touch pads
  • Dexterity to perform fine motor skills, manipulate and fine-tune knobs, dials, blood pressure cuffs, equipment, scales, and stretchers; don and remove protective clothing; safely handle sterile supplies to prevent contamination
  • Push and pull wheelchairs, stretchers, patients and Hoyer lifts
  • Palpate pulses, skin texture and bony landmarks
  • Differentiate between temperature and pressure variations
  • Accurately read numbers, letters, cursive writing in fine and other print in varying light levels
  • Detect changes in skin color, pateint's facial expressions, swelling, atrophy and forms of non-verbal communication (gestures)
  • Observe patient and environment in order to assess conditions or needs
  • See BP monometer, small print on vials, syringes, dials, gauges and computer screens
  • Speak in English language in a clear, concise manner to communicate with patients, families, significant others and the health care team
  • Respond to patient with communication disorders (aphasia or hearing loss), or those who use ELL
  • Comprehend oral and written language, including health care terminology in order to communicate with patients, families, significant others, healthcare providers and community
  • Write and word process in English, clearly and legibly for charts and computer input of data
  • Hear heart sounds, breath sounds, patient distress sounds, machine timer bells and alarms; verbal directions and requests from health care team and patients
  • Function safely, effectively and calmly under stressful situations
  • Remain alert to surroundings and potential emergencies, and respond to patient situations, i.e. falls, pain, or change in physical status
  • Integrate information and make decisions based on pertinent data, in a collborative manner
  • Interact effectively, appropriately and exhibit respect for cultural and ethnic differences of clients, peers and individuals in the classroom setting
  • Interact effectively and appropriately with patients, families, supervisors and co-workers of the same or different cultures with respect, politeness, tact, collaboration, teamwork and discretion in both the clinical and classroom settings
  • Communicate an understanding of basic principles of supervision, ethics and confidentiality
  • Display effective interpersonal skills necessary to interact in situations requiring close, personal contact
  • Display attitudes and actions consistent with the ethical standards of the profession
  • Maintain personal hygiene consistent with the close, personal contact associated with patient care
  • Maintain composure while managing multiple tasks simultaneously
  • Prioritize multiple tasks
  • Remain free from alcohol and/or chemical impairment in the clinical and classroom settings
 
 
Most Common Linked Occupation Title – All Education Levels
  • Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

Most Common Linked Occupation Title – Associate’s or Less
  • Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

Top Transfer Institutions
  • Salem State University
  • Regis College
  • University of New Hampshire- Durham
  • Merrimack College
  • University of Massachusetts Boston
  • University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth