Practical Nursing Diploma (Summer Start)

The Practical Nursing Diploma (Summer Start) at Southeastern Community College prepares students for employment as an LPN and positions them for entry into the Associate Degree Nursing program. Students learn practical nursing care skills for lower level nursing jobs through course work that includes physical assessment, medication administration, safety and infection control, data collection, patient care and comfort, and team communication.

The program includes classes such as Introduction to Nursing, Pharmacology I, Nursing I, and Nursing II, and it also follows a curriculum sequence that includes Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, and Microbiology, plus Summer Semester courses including Composition I, Introduction to Nursing Practice, and Developmental Psychology. Classes meet in the mornings or afternoons on campuses in West Burlington and Keokuk. It leads to work as a practical nurse in settings including long-term care, clinics, hospital units, and medical offices.

Modules

• Introduction to Nursing
• Pharmacology I
• Nursing I
• Nursing II
• Physical assessment
• Medication administration
• Safety and infection control
• Data collection
• Patient care and comfort
• Team communication
• BIO-168 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
• BIO-173 Human Anatomy and Physiology II

• High school diploma or equivalency.
• Current Iowa Certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant**.
• Complete and attain minimums in standardized scores within 24 months of review for acceptance into the program: ACT Reading: 19; Math: 19; English: 17; OR Composite of 20; SAT Reading/Writing: 330; Math: 510; OR Composite of 1040; Next-Gen ACCUPLACER: Reading: 248 or greater; Writing: 260 or greater; ALEKS: Math: 14 or greater.
• Complete the following classes with a grade of C or higher: BIO-168 Human Anatomy and Physiology I; BIO-173 Human Anatomy and Physiology II; BIO-186 Microbiology.
• Attend nursing orientation and complete requirements once admitted to the program, including a mandatory background check.
• Submit (at their own expense) a completed physical examination form and immunizations for health care providers.
• Current certification in CPR-Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers**.
• Current certification in Mandatory Reporter-Adult & Child Abuse**.
• Signed Confidentiality Agreement.
• Current HIPAA Certification.
• Current Blood Borne Pathogen certification.
• All health career programs require students to earn a grade of "C" (2.0) or above in all coursework within the program. All other eligibility requirements must be met.

• Practical nurse in multiple settings including long-term care, clinics, hospital units, and medical offices.