The mission of the Practical Nurse (PN) Program is to prepare students for entry-level practical nursing by offering learning experiences through clinical practice and classroom theory. The PN Program is committed to meeting the educational needs of future professional nurses within the ever changing health care system. This commitment is directed at advancing health care by providing an effective educational program through excellence in teaching, clinical leadership and service to the health care community. Students who successfully complete the required PN and concurrent course work are eligible to take the State Board Practical Nursing Examination leading to licensure as a practical nurse (LPN). Students who are accepted into the Practical Nurse Program at Heritage have the opportunity to complete an Associate of Science degree. Students completing the Associate of Science degree can transfer their credits to the Intercollegiate Center for Nursing/Washington Sate University (ICN/WSU) for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from Washington State University. This program is available in Yakima. Other nursing programs could also be considered.
Courses transferring from another school will be individually inspected with their semester credit equivalency calculated and the number of total hours for each program will be inspected to enable completion of each degree.
The PN/AS program prepares the student for the NCLEX-PN exam while completing the prerequisites for an RN program. A grade of at least 2.0 is expected in each class in the general University classes(C), with a C+ required in Nursing classes,. Students obtaining less then the 2.0 in each class or 2.3 (C+) in Nursing classes will be expected to retake the class and this will be discussed with the student’s advisor.
Proficiency in Algebra is shown by having taken Intermediate Algebra, obtaining a C or higher.
The Heritage University assessment for placement in Math is taken and the level attained will indicate the Math proficiency. An assessment test result of Math 100 will allow a student to enter science and nursing classes. Below Math 100 will necessitate Math classes be taken before starting science and nursing classes.
Students anticipating progression to an RN program are encouraged to participate in writing courses. A writing folder consistent of 4 papers is expected for admission to a
Registered Nurse (RN) program with the 2.3 expectation continued.
DEGREES AND PROGRAMS OFFERED
The Practical Nurse Program offers courses to complete the following degrees and programs:
Associate of Science (A.S.)
1. Major: Practical Nurse (PN) requirements to be eligible for the NCLEX-PN
and
Include prerequisites for an RN program.
Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree
1. Area: Pre-Nursing
Certificate Programs
1. Practical Nurse (PN) requirements to be eligible for the NCLEX-PN
DEGREE AND PROGRAM OPTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Associate of Science degree. Major: Practical Nursing
| 1. Prerequisites for AS/PN Students |
23 credits |
| (Courses required before submitting application to LPN program) |
| (Math 100 needed for students transferring in without 100+ Math class) |
| ENG 101 English Composition I |
3 |
| BIOL 110 General Biology I |
3 |
| BIOL 110S Lab General Biology I |
1 |
| BIOL 111 General Biology II |
3 |
| BIOL 111S Lab General Biology II |
1 |
| CHEM 101 Introduction to Chemistry |
3 |
| CHEM 101S Lab Introduction to Chemistry |
1 |
| BIOL 211 Human Anatomy and Physiology I |
3 |
| BIOL 211 S Lab Human Anatomy and Physiology I |
1 |
| BIOL 212 Human Anatomy and Physiology II |
3 |
| BIOL 212S Lab Human Anatomy and Physiology II |
1 |
| 2. Courses for the AS/PN |
70 credits |
| COMM105 Heritage Core or |
| COMM 305W Heritage Core (for students entering at Junior standing) 3 |
| NURS 101W Practical Nurse Fundamentals |
3 |
| NURS 102 Clinical and Skills Lab |
3 |
| NURS 104 Medical Surgical Nursing |
3 |
| NURS 105 Medical Surgical Clinical/Skills Lab |
3 |
| NURS 250 Maternal/Child Theory |
3 |
| NURS 252 Maternal/Child Clinical/Skills Lab |
|
| NURS 260 Nursing Care of the Patient with Mental Illness Theory |
1 |
| NURS 261 Nursing Care of Patient with Mental Illness Clinical……1 |
| NURS 290W Transition to the PN Graduate and Testing Prep… |
3 |
| NURS 291 Practicum for Transition to Practical Nurse Graduate….3 |
| SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology |
3 |
| PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology |
3 |
| TOTAL CREDITS |
56 |
The following additional courses are required to fulfill the Heritage University Associate of Science Degree.
| BIOL 221W Principles of Microbiology |
3 |
| BIOL 221S Lab Principles of Microbiology |
1 |
| CHEM 201 Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry |
3 |
| CHEM 201S Lab Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry |
1 |
| COMM 102 Public Speaking or |
| ENG 102 English Composition II |
3 |
| HIS 101W World Civilization I |
3 |
| HIS 102 World Civilizations II or |
| HIS 201 U.S. History Fundamentals may be taken for either HIS 101W or HIS102 |
3 |
| HPER 210 Nutrition |
3 |
| MATH 221W Introduction to Probability and Statistics |
3 |
| Humanities Elective |
3 |
| American Cultural Studies Elective |
3 |
| TOTAL CREDITS |
29 |
| TOTAL CREDITS PN/AS |
85 |
Associate of Arts degree. Area: Pre-nursing
Heritage University encourages students who wish to become nurses to complete all academic credit requirements before applying to the local clinical programs. For those who live in the Lower Valley and who have home and job responsibilities, this approach increases the probability of success by (1) providing a strong liberal arts foundation and (2) reducing the stress of an academic/clinical overload.
| 1. General University Requirements |
44 credits |
| 2. Pre-Nursing Courses |
40 credits |
| BIOL 110 General Biology I |
3 |
| BIOL 110S Lab General Biology I |
1 |
| BIOL 111 General Biology II |
3 |
| BIOL 111S Lab General Biology I |
1 |
| BIOL 211 Human Anatomy and Physiology I |
3 |
| BIOL 211S Lab Human Anatomy and Physiology I |
1 |
| BIOL 212 Human Anatomy and Physiology II |
3 |
| BIOL 212S Lab Human Anatomy and Physiology II |
1 |
| BIOL 220W Principles of Microbiology |
3 |
| BIOL 220S Principles of Microbiology |
1 |
| CHEM 101 Introduction to Chemistry |
3 |
| CHEM 101S Lab Introduction to Chemistry |
1 |
| CHEM 201 Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry |
3 |
| CHEM 201S Lab Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry |
1 |
| HPER 210 Nutrition |
3 |
| MATH 221W Introduction to Probability and Statistics |
3 |
| PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology |
3 |
| SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology |
3 |
It is highly recommended that the prerequisites of the Nursing Program planned
to attend be consulted to assure appropriate classes attended. Science classes
are agreed upon, differences in General Requirements vary however.
Minimum total credits: 60
Certificate Practical Nurse
Students who complete the following courses are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam and will receive a Practical Nurse (PN) certificate:
| 1. Pre-requisites for admission into LPN certificate program |
23 credits |
| (Math 100 needed fir students transferring in without 100+ Math class) |
| BIOL 110 General Biology I |
3 |
| BIOL 110S Lab General Biology I |
1 |
| BIOL 111 General Biology II |
3 |
| BIOL 111S Lab General Biology II |
1 |
| CHEM 101 Introduction to Chemistry |
3 |
| CHEM 101S Lab Introduction to Chemistry |
1 |
| ENG 101 English Composition I |
3 |
| BIOL 211 Human Anatomy and Physiology I |
3 |
| BIOL 211S Lab Human Anatomy and Physiology I |
1 |
| BIOL 212 Human Anatomy and Physiology II |
3 |
| BIOL 212S Lab Human Anatomy and Physiology I |
1 |
| 2. Courses for the LPN Certificate |
27 credits |
| COMM 105 Heritage Core or |
| COMM 305 Heritage Core |
3 |
| NURS 101W Practical Nurse Fundamentals |
3 |
| NURS 102 Fundamental Skills and Clinical Lab |
3 |
| NURS 250 Maternal/Child Theory |
3 |
| NURS 252 Maternal/Child Clinical Lab |
1 |
| NURS 260 Care of Mentally Ill Patient |
1 |
| NURS 261 Care of Mentally Ill Patient Clinical Lab |
1 |
| NURS 290W Transition to the PN Graduate and Testing Prep |
3 |
| NURS 291 Practicum for Transition to Practical Nurse Graduate |
3 |
| PSY 101 General Psychology |
3 |
| SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology |
3 |
| MINIMUM Total Credits |
50 credits |
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
NURS 101W Practical Nursing Fundamentals (3)
3 credits
This classroom course assists the practical nursing student to develop fundamental knowledge and technical skills as a basis for nursing care. Nursing History and trends are examined. Vocational, legal and ethical responsibilities of the practical nurse are included. An introduction to microbiology and asepsis are examined along with HIV education and essential components. The course further includes an introduction to the nursing process, health, nutrition, behavior, growth and development with special emphasis on the geriatric patient. Pharmacology and applied mathematics for the practical nurse are studied. Offered Fall Semester.
NURS 102 Clinical and Skills Lab (3)
3 credits
This skills lab and clinical course provides the student with the opportunity to practice specific nursing techniques and procedures in conjunction with NURS 101. Preparation for the initial clinical rotation will be emphasized along with health care and nursing vocabulary. Offered Fall Semester.
NURS 104 Medical Surgical (3)
3 credits
This classroom course assists the licensed practical nurse to develop knowledge and skill in the care of the patient across the life span with selected medical surgical conditions including cardiovascular, respiratory and endocrine. Promotion of wellness and prevention of illness is stressed in an ecological framework. Nutrition and diet therapy are examined. The course focuses primarily on acute care but includes aspects of home health, clinic, and community based nursing practice. Prerequisites: NURS 101, NURS 102. Offered Spring Semester.
NURS 105 Medical Surgical Clinical (3)
3 credits
This clinical rotation will focus on medical surgical nursing in the acute care and long term care arenas. Pharmacological understanding of classes of drugs and the nursing principles of administration and monitoring of medication are integrated in the nursing process. The skills lab section provides the student with the opportunity to practice specific nursing techniques and procedures in conjunction with NURS 103. Prerequisites: NURS 101, NURS 102. Offered Spring Semester.
NURS 250 Maternal/Child (3)
3 credits
This classroom and clinical/practicum course assists the licensed practical nurse to develop knowledge, skill, and attitudes to provide care in pediatric, maternal, and infant care settings. Pharmacological and nutritional issues will be addressed. This course will survey client assessment beyond pregnancy and the infant to include guidance in the needs, expectations, and behaviors of a multicultural patient and family. Prerequisites: NURS 103, NURS 104. Offered Summer Semester.
NURS 252 Maternal/Child Lab and Clinical (1)
1 credit
This clinical experience will focus on maternal/child health and care along with
labor and delivery. This course taken concurrently with NURS 250. Prerequisites: NURS 103 and 104. Offered Summer Semester.
NURS 260 Nursing Care of the Patient with a Mental Illness (1)
1 credit
This classroom and clinical/practicum course explores the role of the licensed practical nurse as a member of a multidisciplinary team in caring for the client with a mental illness. Special emphasis will be placed on care of the geriatric client, community resources, and mental health education. Prerequisites: NURS 103, NURS 104. Offered Summer Semester.
NURS 261 Nursing Care of the Patient with a Mental Illness Clinical Lab (1)
1 credit
This clinical lab is for the practical nurse working with mental illness in the geriatric patient, community resources and mental health education. This course taken concurrently with NURS 260. Prerequisites: NURS 103, NURS 104.
NURS 290W Transition to Practical Nurse Graduate (3)
3 credits
The final classroom focuses on the transition from student to graduate, including leadership, licensure, and employability issues and the role of the LPN on the Health Care Team. This course is about transition from student to professional nurse. Prior curriculum/clinical knowledge will be integrated and applied to real world experience. Advanced medical surgical nursing is examined. Prerequisites: NURS 250, NURS 252, NURS 260 and NURS 261. Offered Fall Semester.
NURS 291 Practicum for Transition to Practical Nurse Graduate (3)
3 credits
The transition to independence in practice will occur with a mentor in a skilled nursing
Facility along with other experiences as arranged. Specific goals will be developed and
shared with the mentor. Prerequisites: NURS 250, NURS 252, NURS 260 and NURS 261.