Nursing, Practical 6350, C.G.

A One-Year Restricted Admission Program Leading to a Certificate of Graduation

The Practical Nursing Program is accredited by the Indiana State Board of Nursing and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The purpose of the program is to provide an approved educational program to prepare students to be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN).

This program is two semesters and one summer session in length, admitting one class annually in August. Through theory and practice, this program is designed to enable students to develop a knowledge of disease processes and prevention and the ability to provide restorative nursing and assist the individual to maintain an optimum level of wellness. Graduates provide nursing care to clients in situations of varying complexity under the supervision of and in concert with the professional nurse and/or physician.

Students receive laboratory instruction and guidance in college laboratory, acute and long-term care facilities and community agencies. Students are responsible for transportation related to clinical experiences.

Applicants are accepted to the Practical Nursing Program for the fall semester only. The Practical Nursing Program is accredited by the Indiana State Board of Nursing and the National League for  Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). Information on accreditation status may be obtained by contacting the NLNAC. They may be contacted at the following address: NLNAC, Inc., 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Georgia 30326 (1-404-975-5000), or www.nlnac.org).

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the Practical Nursing Program, graduates will be able to:

1. Utilize critical thinking in the implementation of the nursing process in conjunction with other health team members to provide safe, evidence-based and culturally competent care to clients in various settings.
2. Effectively communicate by sharing accurate information through various technologies thus promoting multidisciplinary team and client collaboration to provide effective nursing care.
3. Demonstrate caring in order to foster a therapeutic environment.
4. Provide health education for clients under the direction of a registered nurse to promote adaptation to health changes and achieve optimal levels of wellness.
5. Incorporate legal and ethical guidelines into nursing practice to demonstrate professionalism and adherence to practical nursing practice standards.
6. Communicate a commitment to lifelong learning to maintain professional growth and career mobility.

Admission Requirements

Basic Requirements

All applicants must meet the following basic admission requirements.

1. Meet admission requirements of the University.
2. Possess physical and mental health acceptable for performance in the occupation as evidenced by examination by a licensed physician.

Once all requirements have been met, the student is advised to submit the completed admissions application to the Vincennes University Admissions Office.

The Nursing Admissions Committee will review the completed application. If the student is selected for admission, then the student will be asked to submit a criminal history report*, with the fee paid by the student. Full admission into the Practical Nursing Program is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal history report as determined by the Nursing Admissions Committee.

*Criminal History Report

The Practical Nursing program is intended to provide the education necessary for students to become licensed practical nurses. As part of the licensing process, applicants are required to submit information regarding any criminal history to the Indiana State Board of Nursing. Consequently, all applicants meeting academic requirements must release criminal background information to the Vincennes University Nursing Program prior to admission, per Department of Nursing protocol. The background check will be at the applicant’s expense.

A prior conviction or prior criminal activity will not automatically bar the applicant from admission to the nursing program. The applicant should provide a detailed explanation of the offenses or convictions, including the location, the convictions, the dates, and the court disposition. The Nursing Admissions Committee will review the case and make a determination regarding admission to the Vincennes University Nursing Program. If the committee denies the applicant’s admission into the Nursing Program, the applicant may request in writing an appeal in accordance with the University’s Student Grievance Policy.

Note: Admission to the University does not ensure admission to the Practical Nursing Program. The number of students admitted is limited by the availability of instructional resources and clinical learning sites. In addition to the basic requirements, students must meet either the Direct Admission Requirements or the Alternative Admission Requirements as listed below. Any falsification of application information will result in denial of admission or removal from the program.

Direct Admission Requirements

1. Accredited high school graduation in the top half of the class or achievement of a minimum average standard score of 500 on the General Education Development (GED) Test.
2. Qualify for placement into MATH 102  or higher as determined by the Vincennes University Placement Test (Accuplacer).
3. Qualify for exemption from
   READ 011
     as determined by placement test scores (e.g. SAT, ACT, or other standardized placement tests as accepted by Vincennes University).
4. Qualify for placement into ENGL 101  as determined by placement test scores (e.g. SAT, ACT, or other standardized placement tests as accepted by Vincennes University).
5. Each application is reviewed individually by a review committee of the Nursing Department Admissions Committee.

Alternative Admission Requirements (for applicants not meeting Direct Admission Requirements)

Applicants not meeting the above selected criteria for direct admission may be advised to enroll in 100 level or above general studies to meet these requirements using the following guidelines:

1. A practical nursing faculty advisor will recommend courses.
2. Applicants must complete nine hours of college courses (100 level or above) with a 2.3 grade point average (GPA), with no grade lower than a C, to be considered for admission. These nine hours must include ENGL 101 .
3. Applicants may repeat an academic course one time in order to raise the grade to a C or better and to maintain a GPA of a minimum of 2.3. A current semester GPA less than 2.0 will exclude a candidate from admission.
4. Each application of the general studies candidates will be reviewed following the completion of the recommended course work with a grade of C or better. Only grades for completed courses will be considered for admission eligibility.
5. The registrar will determine if credit is to be granted for courses taken at other institutions of higher education.
6. Only MATH; BIOL 111 /BIOL 111L  Anatomy and Physiology I; BIOL 112 /BIOL 112L  Anatomy and Physiology II; and BIOL 107 /BIOL 107L  Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology taken less than seven years prior to admission to the Practical Nursing Program will be considered for credit.
   1. Students seeking credit for a math course that was taken longer than seven years prior to admission to the Practical Nursing Program may elect to take the University math placement test and receive cut scores of EA 74 or greater.
   2. Students seeking credit for a math course; BIOL 111 /BIOL 111L  Anatomy and Physiology I; BIOL 112 /BIOL 112L Anatomy and Physiology II; or BIOL 107 /BIOL 107L  Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology that was taken longer than seven years prior to admission to the nursing program may elect to enroll in the course and seek early completion. Exceptions will be made for applicants with a previous college degree.
7. Only General Psychology taken less than fifteen years prior to admission to the Practical Nursing Program will be considered for credit.
8. Each application is reviewed individually by a review committee of the nursing faculty members.
9. Applicants failing to meet the above criteria will be advised into another curriculum.

Admission Procedure

1. Applicants are to follow regular college admission procedure.
2. Results of the application data, transcripts, and pre-entrance test scores will be reviewed by the Nursing Admissions Committee. All applicants will be notified regarding their admission standing.

Requirements for Practical Nursing Students

1. Students must possess current certification in Basic Life Support (American Red Cross, CPR Professional Rescue/AED or American Heart Association Healthcare Provider level).
2. Students must possess current immunizations, annual TB (PPD) test, and provide verification of Hepatitis B inoculation or refusal thereof.
3. Prior to the beginning of the fall semester, students must complete and have on file with the University Health Service Office a medical/physical form, immunization records form, and the Hepatitis vaccination form.
4. A fee for the required liability insurance will be charged through the University Bursar’s Office.
5. Any costs for necessary health care will be the responsibility of the student. Therefore, students are strongly urged to maintain health insurance coverage.

Standards for Progression and Graduation

1. Practical nursing students must achieve a minimum grade of C in each course for the current semester as a prerequisite for continuance in the program. Failure to meet this requirement will result in withdrawal from the Practical Nursing Program.
2. Clinical experience is evaluated as to “satisfactory” or “unsatisfactory” performance based on the criteria established by the program. If clinical laboratory performance is “unsatisfactory,” a grade of F will be received in the course requiring the laboratory.
3. No students are admitted on probation. Students may be placed on probation within the current semester if academic and/or clinical performance is not satisfactory. No students will be allowed to enter the spring semester or summer session on probation.
4. An application for readmission following withdrawal from the program will be evaluated individually by the Nursing Department Admissions Committee.
5. Students who receive a grade of F in a required practical nursing course will not be eligible for readmission to the program regardless of GPA.
6. All required courses must be completed with a C or better concurrently or prior to the recommended course sequence.
7. Anatomy and Physiology I and II and Laboratories may be substituted for Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology and Laboratory; however, they must be completed with a C or better by the end of Semester I.
8. When students are enrolled in a nursing course that has a corequisite and withdraws from the nursing course, this results in withdrawal from the Practical Nursing Program and the student may not complete the remaining nursing corequisite during the current semester.

Readmission Standards

Each application is reviewed individually by a review committee of the Practical Nursing (PN) faculty members. All qualified applicants will be readmitted on a space available basis. Students have only one opportunity to be readmitted. Students may be readmitted to the program within one year. Students who believe they have extenuating circumstances may petition the Nursing Department Admissions Committee to seek readmission. In addition, applications for readmission must be completed and sent to the Admissions Office one semester prior to readmission.