Practical Nurse - Advanced Certificate

The PN program of study prepares you to function effectively as a member of the health care team under the direction of the RN and/or the physician. Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive an Advanced Certificate and are eligible to take the Practical Nursing licensure exam. The PN clinical coursework is an intense full-time three semesters (Fall, Winter, Spring/Summer) that requires college-level reading, writing, and applied math skills. This program is approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing. You must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher in the following core courses in order to qualify for validation. This Delta College program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326; ph.: 404-975-5000 (http://acenursing.org) and approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing.

Fall First Year:

Total Semester Credits: 9

Winter First Year:

Total Semester Credits: 9

Fall First Year Clinical:

Total Semester Credits: 9

Winter First Year Clinical:

Total Semester Credits: 9

Spring First Year Clinical:

Total Semester Credits: 8

Total Credits: 44

Notations

  1. Students must complete the Validation Application and receive a "Semester and Year of Validation" to be eligible to enter the program. It is recommended that this application be submitted during the final semester of pre-requisite courses. Validation is a process that allows the Registrar's Office to review and confirm that the student has completed the prerequisite courses and met the requirements of this program.
  2. It is important to review program requirements prior to and following Validation for the nursing program. Nursing Discipline Office 989-686-9500
  3. Validation requirements: 1) completion of prerequisite courses BIO 152W and BIO 153W (or BIO 240 and BIO 241 ), ENG 111 , MTH 117 , HSC 105 , and PHM 285 with a minimum grade of “C” (2.0); 2) Students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher; 3) Completion of BIO 152W and BIO 153W or equivalents within the past five years is required for validation. If this time period is exceeded, an approved biology course must be taken to refresh this content. Please see the nursing program coordinator to determine which course(s) must be taken. 4) During final semester of prerequisite courses students must submit the validation application to the Registrar’s Office.
  4. It is recommended students meet with the program coordinator prior to validation to disclose any previous convictions, felony or misdemeanor, and/or traffic violations involving controlled substances. All students are required to complete a Criminal Background Check with the approved agency following successful clinical entry registration. Results of the background check will be secured and kept confidential, but may be shared with clinical agencies when requested or as otherwise required by law. If results indicate a felony/misdemeanor conviction, the Nursing Program Coordinator will discuss the findings and the process with the student. Clinical sites may restrict students with a criminal record from being placed at the facility which could prohibit course completion and progression in the program. Graduates may be ineligible to sit for the Nursing Licensure examination. Questions regarding licensure can be found at http://www.michigan.gov/healthlicense or be directed to the Michigan Board of Nursing at 517-335-0918.
  5. Once validated, students must waitlist themselves during each Special Clinical Registration Period for their clinical program track to be eligible to begin the program and to remain validated. Failure to complete the waitlist process will result in removal from the validation list. See the validation page on the website for more information and dates.
  6. First semester PNE nursing courses (PNE 121LW & PNE 121W ) are offered each Fall Semester. With successful progression, the student will complete the program the following August.
  7. Students are required to provide documentation of current or prior certification as a Nursing Assistant (CNA) in the State of Michigan or documentation of competency in basic nursing skills, prior to entrance into the first clinical course. These requirements will be discussed at the required orientation along with submission instructions via an electronic storage and clinical placement system. Basic Nursing Skills Requirement available upon request.
  8. Following entry to the program via successful special clinical registration students are required to complete health requirements including, but not limited to 1) physical exam documented on the provided physical form; 2) American Heart Association BLS provider certification which must remain current through graduation or be taken the month prior to beginning the clinical program courses; 3) a successful ten (10) panel drug screen by the approved agency; 4) an annual TB skin test, or chest x-ray if required; 5) immunization records including MMR, Tdap, Varicella, and Hepatitis B or signed waiver; 6) an annual flu shot. These requirements will be discussed at the required orientation along with submission instructions via an electronic storage and clinical placement system. All certifications and immunizations must be up-to-date and remain current throughout the program.
  9. In addition to tuition, fees, and textbook costs students should plan for the following expenses following successful clinical entry: immunizations and BLS certification to meet health requirements, background check, drug screen, ACEMAPP registration, appropriate laboratory and clinic uniforms, shoes, socks/hosiery, watch with second hand, pen light, bandage scissors, and stethoscope. The cost of licensure is the responsibility of the student.
  10. Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from clinical sites and possible parking fees. You must have transportation available, as sites may not be in your community.
  11. The Nursing Student Handbook contains specific program policies, requirements, and information that you are required to comply with while enrolled in the program. All policies must be adhered to for progression in the program.
  12. All clinical program courses require a “C” (2.0) minimum grade.
  13. Students who have a first course failure or withdrawal within the second or subsequent semester of their clinical program may complete a Request for Reentry. Reentry Guidelines are published in the Nursing Student Handbook.
  14. If a student in good standing or has been granted reentry into the program has a period of inactivity within a program track that exceeds 12 months the student will need to revalidate for a program track and complete the entire clinical program.
  15. A student can achieve PNE program completion if NUR 240LW and NUR 240W , or NPT 260ALW and NPT 260AW are successfully completed.
  16. Certificate Requirements: Earn a minimum of two-thirds of program credits or 24 credits at Delta College, whichever is less. Note that the nursing program handbook requires at least two semesters of the clinical program be taken at Delta College in order to graduate from the nursing program.
  17. If a student graduates from the Delta PN program and would like to pursue the transition track of the ADN program, there are two options: 1) the PN graduate must pass the NCLEX-PN exam and work full time as a LPN for a minimum of one year or they must meet the following requirements: 1) complete BIO 203W , ENG 112 or equivalent, LW 222 , and PHL 215W or equivalent; 2) Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher throughout ADN prerequisite courses and PN clinical courses; 3) Successfully pass the NCLEX-PN; 4) submit the validation application for the ADN Transition Track to the Registrar’s Office after graduation from PN program; 5) complete the waitlist process for their clinical program track during each Special Clinical Registration Period.