Practical Nursing, Diploma

Offered at Main and Centerville Campuses

The full-time Practical Nursing program is a 12-month (four-term) program that begins in the Fall term on both the Ottumwa and Centerville Campuses. This program is designed to prepare the student to function as a practical nurse in a variety of health care settings. Practical nurses are responsible for providing nursing care to stable patients under the direct supervision of a registered nurse. Required clinical experiences are offered at area hospitals and long term care facilities.

To be considered for admission to the Practical Nursing program, prospective students must: 1) complete an application; 2) submit a high school transcript or High School Equivalency Diploma scores and college transcripts; and 3) take one of the following tests: ACT, SAT, ACCUPLACER. 4) take the ATI TEAS examination; and 5) submit an active Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry card. 

Criminal background, drug screening, and dependent adult and child abuse record checks are required prior to beginning any clinical courses.  We use Viewpoint for our background check, drug screen, and clinical requirement tracking company. The cost for that account is $156, payable prior to the start of the program.

Graduates receive a diploma in Practical Nursing upon successful completion of this program and are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses.

The Practical Nursing program is approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing, Riverpoint Business Park, 400 SW Eighth Street, Suite B, Des Moines, IA 50309-4685, (515) 281-3255.

NOTE: Students completing any course with a prefix of ADN, BIO and PNN must receive a “C” or higher to progress to the next term of classes. If needed, students may retake these courses once to receive a satisfactory grade and remain eligible for the program. PSY 111 Introduction to Psychology must be taken before enrolling in Term III of the student’s first year.  Any science course older than five years will need to be repeated.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Provide basic nursing care under supervision to promote, maintain, or restore self-care status.
2. Possess knowledge from the physiological, psychological and social sciences that provides a foundation for the provision of holistic client care.
3. Utilize the nursing process to provide nursing theory-based client care.
4. Possess effective oral and written communication skills.
5. Engage in therapeutic communication with clients and families.
6. Know the ethical and legal parameters of his/her scope of practice and operate within these parameters.
7. Recognize the need for continuing education to maintain competency.

Program Total: 47 Credits