Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) provide care for sick and injured patients under the direction of physicians and registered nurses. They take vital signs, prepare and give medications, apply dressings, observe physical and mental changes in patients, collect samples, maintain patient hygiene, and attend to physical, mental and spiritual needs. MWCC’s Practical Nursing Certificate provides short-term education leading to a rewarding health care career. The college credits earned in this program may be applied toward a nursing degree. The PN Certificate is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Nursing. Graduates take the National Council Licensure Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). See the selective admissions section in the front of the catalog for application requirements.
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Application Deadline: The application deadline is May 1 for the Devens Campus with classes starting in September and August 1 for the Gardner Campus with classes starting in January. This selective
enrollment program requires additional application components. The selection process is competitive and space is limited. (See pages 15-17 of the college catalog.)
Requirements for consideration: Applicants must have completed Math 121/124/126 (C+ or better) and meet certain academic standards. See pages 15-17 of the college catalog for specific details, or refer to the program application available on our website or through the admissions office.
Campus/format: This program is a selective, day only program. All Nursing classes starting in January are held at the Gardner Campus. All Nursing classes starting in September are held at the Devens Campus. Other courses can be completed at different campuses.
Helpful hints: Because of an extensive classroom/clinical
commitment, students are encouraged to complete some of the general
education requirements prior to beginning nursing courses. Limitations
of clinical sites necessitate traveling some distances.
Transfer options: With one-year LPN employment experience, additional courses and acceptance, PNs can matriculate into the second semester of MWCC’s Nursing associate’s degree program. Consult with your academic adviser.
Career options: After passing the licensure exam, graduates
can pursue careers as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in hospitals,
physician’s offices, rehabilitation centers, out-patient
settings, residential care facilities, or in home care.
Earning potential: $36,434 to $43,241 per year.
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*Recommended completion prior to program application
†Note: Students must earn a C+ or better
Special requirements: Applicants must meet all requirements for consideration before entering the program. Students must meet technical standards and additional requirements including mandatory math review (additional fee charged), immunizations, CPR certification, liability insurance, health insurance, and a Criminal/Sexual Offender Records Information (CORI/SORI) check (see pages 15-17). Additional tuition applies for this program (see page 23). Some clinical facilities may require drug testing.
Please note: All BIO (BIO115 or BIO203/204), MAT121/124/126 (prerequisite), and NUR courses require a grade of C+ to be eligible for promotion to the next level. Also, BIO115, BIO203, and BIO204 credits should not be more than five years old. |
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Information about Selective Admissions programs
Technical Standards*
*general information about technical
standards and accommodation.
Students entering these programs must be able to demonstrate the
ability to:
- Comprehend textbook material at the 11th grade level.
- Communicate and assimilate information either in spoken, printed,
signed, or computer voice format.
- Gather, analyze, and draw conclusions from data.
- Stand for a minimum of two hours.
- Walk for a minimum of six hours, not necessarily consecutively.
- Stoop, bend, and twist for a minimum of 30 minutes at a time
and be able to repeat this activity at frequent intervals.
- Lift a 40-pound person or assist with a larger person and
transfer the person from one location to another.
- Determine by touch: hotness/coldness, wetness/dryness, and hardness/softness.
- Use the small muscle dexterity necessary to do such tasks
as gloving, gowning, and operating controls on machinery.
- Respond to spoken words, monitor signals, call bells, and
vital sign assessment equipment.
- Identify behaviors that would endanger a person’s life
or safety and intervene quickly in a crisis situation with an
appropriate solution.
- Remain calm, rational, decisive, and in control at all times,
especially during emergency situations.
- Exhibit social skills appropriate to professional interactions.
- Maintain cleanliness and personal grooming consistent with
close personal contact.
- Function without causing harm to self or others if under
the influence of prescription or over-the-counter medications.
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Program Competencies
Upon graduation from this program, students shall have demonstrated
the ability:
- Use the nursing process in meeting self-care requisites of culturally
diverse groups of clients with defined self-care deficits.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary health team members in meeting
the needs for culturally diverse groups of clients with defined
self-care deficits.
- Modify strategies to advocate for culturally diverse groups
of clients with defined self-care deficits.
- Use knowledge of nursing to deliver safe, individualized care
to culturally diverse groups of clients with defined self-care
deficits.
- Employ health education plans based on the learning needs
of the culturally diverse groups of clients experiencing self-care
deficits.
- Apply principles of therapeutic communication skills in interactions
with culturally diverse populations, and the health care team.
- Practice within the legal and ethical framework of practical
nursing in the management of groups of culturally diverse clients
with defined self-care deficits.
- Assess own actions in meeting the practical nursing program
outcomes as evidenced by journaling and submission of anecdotal
records.
- Demonstrate accountability for personal and professional conduct
within the practical nurse student role.
Information about Selective Admissions programs
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