Practical Nursing, Diploma

Program Standard and Course Guide

Table of Contents

ADMISSIONS

Standard Number: PN04-02-01 (Admission Requirements)

Standard Statement

Statewide admission requirements are implemented for the Practical Nursing, Diploma program.

Explanatory Comment

Admission refers to regular admission into a Diploma program.

Statewide program admission requirements consider state and national occupational licensing and certifying requirements, where applicable. The institution develops and implements clearly stated Diploma program admissions policies and procedures.

Admission requirements are related to the functions of the Practical Nursing profession.

Evaluative Criteria

The institution develops, implements, and publishes clearly stated Practical Nursing, Diploma program admission and advanced placement policies and procedures.

The requirements for admission to the Practical Nursing, Diploma program are:

1. attainment of 17 years of age;

2. documentation of high school graduation or satisfaction of High School Equivalency Certificate requirements;

3. achievement of minimum regular admission scores on tests of reading, language, and math as specified in GDTAE document Minimum Program Entrance Scores; and

4. completion of application and related procedures.

Admission of transfer students to the Practical Nursing, Diploma program is contingent upon their meeting the following requirements:

1. regular admission and good standing at a regionally accredited diploma or degree granting institution; and

2. proper completion of application and related procedures.

Standard Number: PN04-02-04 (Provisional Admission Requirements)

Standard Statement

Statewide provisional admission requirements are implemented for the Practical Nursing, Diploma program.

Explanatory Comment

Provisional admission is granted to qualified students who do not meet the regular admission requirements of the program.

Provisionally admitted students are allowed to take developmental studies courses and/or certain occupational courses as designated in the course sequence standard.

The institution develops, implements, and publishes clearly stated policies and procedures for entry into programs on a provisional basis.

Evaluative Criteria

Provisional admission to the Practical Nursing, Diploma program is afforded those students who do not meet program requirements but do meet provisional admission requirements.

The requirements for provisional admission to the Practical Nursing, Diploma program are:

1. attainment of 17 years of age;

2. achievement of minimum provisional admission scores on tests of reading, language, and math as specified in GDTAE document Minimum Program Entrance Scores; or recommendation by program faculty and designated admissions personnel on the basis of interview and assessment of student potential; and

3. completion of application and related procedures.

All Practical Nursing, Diploma program students initially admitted on a provisional basis meet regular admission requirements prior to graduation.

Provisionally admitted students whose English, math, and/or reading achievement levels do not meet regular program admission requirements are required to enroll in developmental studies courses approved by the State Board of Technical and Adult Education.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

Standard Number: PN04-03-02 (Program Numbering System)

Standard Statement

A Major Code of PN04 and a CIP Code of 51.161304 are applied to the Practical Nursing, Diploma program.

Explanatory Comment

Assignment of a statewide Major Code PN04 and CIP Code 51.161304 to the Diploma program is the basis from which statewide programmatic consistency is developed.

Each degree/diploma/certificate program complies with the assigned Major Code(s) established in the relevant program-specific standards of the State Board of Technical and Adult Education.

Evaluative Criteria

Each authorized degree/diploma/certificate program is assigned a Major Code and CIP Code.

Each degree/diploma/certificate program having a given Major Code is consistent with all other programs throughout the state that have the same Major Code.

Degree/diploma/certificate programs having multiple specializations are assigned a specialization Major Code for each option.

Standard Number: PN04-03-03 (Program Consistency and Sequence)

Standard Statement

The Practical Nursing, Diploma program utilizes essential course components consistent with statewide program requirements. Specific course alphanumeric identification Codes are assigned to each course. Students are required to progress through two course categories in a developmentally valid sequence.

Explanatory Comment

Programs are assigned an identical Major Code PN04 and are consistent statewide. Each specific course is assigned an alphanumeric descriptor that serves as a statewide course identification code.

Evaluative Criteria

The Practical Nursing, Diploma program is assigned a Major Code of PN04 and utilizes essential components designated for that program number statewide. Program components include, but are not limited to:

Program Title

Practical Nursing, Diploma

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 academic and 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. 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 diploma and have the qualifications of an entry-level practical nurse.

Program Final Exit Point

Practical Nursing, Diploma

95 minimum quarter hours credit required for graduation

APPENDIX A

Accreditation and Certification

The Practical Nursing, Diploma program must conform to the institutional accreditation requirements of the Council on Occupational Education (COE) or the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (COC).

The State of Georgia requires that the Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed Practical Nurses license all Practical Nurses. To become licensed, applicants must complete a state-approved program in Practical Nursing and pass a national written examination.

An optional accrediting agency for the Practical Nursing program is the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

APPENDIX B

General Information

Practical Nursing, Diploma Program Curriculum Model

Suggested Course Sequence

The standard curriculum for the Practical Nursing, Diploma program is set up on the quarter system. A suggested sequence for the program is given below with area of specialization. Technical colleges may implement the Practical Nursing, Diploma program by using the sequences listed below or by using a locally developed sequence designed to reflect course prerequisites and/or corequisites.

Suggested Sequence

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

Fifth Quarter

APPENDIX C

Practical Nursing, Diploma

Suggested Equipment List

Abdominal binder

Air rings/donuts

Airway

Alcohol

Alcohol sponges

Ambu bag

Ampule of drug

Anti‑embolic stockings

Asepto syringe

Autoclave

Bandage scissors

Bandages

Basin

Bedpan and cover

Bedside commode

Binder

Blanket

Blood pressure cuff

Braces, arm and leg

Brush

Cane

Cardiac monitor

Catheter #14 and Catheter tray

Cervical collar

Chair (bedside ‑ wheel)

Chart form (for imprints)

Chest bottle w/tube (Emerson and disposable)

Clamp‑c

Cleaning supplies

Cleansing solution

Colostomy drainage bag

Comb

Compresses

Connecting tube

Cotton

Crutches

Defibrillator

Denture brush

Denture cleanser

Denture cup

Detergent

Diaper or towel

Disposable sitz bath

Distilled water

Doppler

Drawsheet

Dressing forceps

Electrocardiograph machine

Emesis basis

Enema bag

Enema kit

Examination table

Eye chart

Flashlight

Foley catheter

Fracture pan

Food tray

Foot board

Footstool

Germicide solution

Gown

Graduated cylinder

Heart model

Hemo vac

Hemostats

Hospital bed, manual and electrical

Hydrogen peroxide

Ice packs

Infant crib

Infant scales

Infant size bulb syringe

Isolation bags

IV AC flow meter

IV standard

K‑pad

Kardex

Labels, IV

Lancets

Laryngoscope

Laundry hamper

Leg brace

Lotion lubricant

Male urinal

Mannequin

Mannequin with N/G tube

Masks

Mattress pad

Mayo stand

Mechanical lift

Medication records

Medications, simulated

Medicine cart

Montgomery straps

Multi‑dose vials

Nail brush

Nasal speculum

Nebulizer

Neck brace

Needles (various gauges)

"No smoking" sign

Ophthalmoscope

Otoscope

Oxygen cannula

Oxygen flow meter

Oxygen mask

Oxygen nasal cannula and/or catheter

Oxygen tank and regulator

Paper towels

Pediatric urine collector

Percussion hammer

Peri bottle

Peri pad

Pillowcase

Pillows

Pins, safety

Practice IV set arm

Razor

Rectal tube

Restraints

Resusi‑mannequins, adult, child, and infant

Sandbags

Scales

Shampoo

Shaving brush

Shaving soap or cream

Sheets

Siderails

Single‑dose vial

Sitz bath

Soap

Souffle cups (for pills and liquids)

Specimen container

Sphygmomanometer

Sponges

Sterile bowl

Sterile culture tube

Sterile dressings

Sterile dropper

Sterile gloves

Sterile irrigating syringe

Sterile package

Sterile specimen containers

Sterile solution

Sterile swab

Sterile towels

Stethoscope

Stockinet

Straight catheter

Stretcher

Suppository, simulated

Suture and suture needles

Syringe and needle

Tape

Telfa

Thermometer containers

Thermometers (bath, rectal, oral, tympanic)

Tissue

Tongue blades

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Tourniquet

Towel

Trachea cannula

Trach cleaning tray

Traction bars and frames

Traction cord

Traction devices

Traction weights

Urinal urine strainer

Vaginal speculum

Walker

Wash cloth

Waste can

Watch w/second hand

Kling bandage

Weights

Wheelchair

Whirlpool bath

Sterile tray

Yanker suction