Practical Nursing Diploma

The Nursing program is designed as a career ladder program. The first two semesters provide a common core of nursing theory and skills for both the Practical Nursing and Associate degree Nursing students.

The student who completes Semesters 1 and 2 of the Practical Nursing program is prepared to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). LPNs provide nursing care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or a physician. The LPN is prepared to provide basic therapeutic, rehabilitative and preventive care for individuals of all ages, primarily in a structured care setting such as a hospital, long-term care facility or clinic.

Upon successful completion of two semesters, the student earns a diploma and is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Exam for Practical Nurse Licensure (NCLEX-PN).

An Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Nursing and a career as a Registered Nurse are available to students who are eligible to continue in the program and successfully complete Semesters 3, 4 and 5. As members of the nursing profession, registered nurses are accountable for their own nursing practice. The Associate Degree Nurse (ADN) utilizes more complex nursing knowledge and skills to assess, plan, provide, evaluate and manage nursing care for patients in hospitals, long-term care facilities and a variety of other community-based healthcare settings.

Upon successful completion of Semesters 1-5 of the nursing curriculum, the student is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurse Licensure (NCLEX-RN).

For more information about the Practical Nursing and Associate Degree Nursing program, please visit our website at www.dmacc.edu/programs/nursing.

Locations: Ankeny, Boone, Carroll,
Newton-Practical Nursing; Associate Degree Nursing pilot program Fall 2013
Urban-Evening (part-time) option (requires summer attendance)

Selected liberal arts courses in this program are offered at other campuses.

The Practical Nursing program is approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing. The Associate Degree Nursing program (ADN) is approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing and, in addition, is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), Inc., 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326, 866-747-9965.

Program Entry Requirements

1. Complete an application for admission to the Nursing program.
2. Attend Nursing information session, registration meetings and a Nursing program orientation for PN and ADN levels.
3. Complete DMACC’s Assessment Requirement.
4. Complete required Nursing program admissions testing with satisfactory minimum scores in reading, mathematics and English and language usage.
5. Successfully complete HSC 172 plus HSC 182 or an equivalent 120-hour (or more) Certified Nurse Assistant course from an approved program- January 1992 or after.
6. Submit proof of successful completion of Nurse Aide written (NRAO 858) and skills (NRAO 859) tests for placement on the Direct Care Worker Registry.
7. Complete the following courses with a grade of “C” or better in each:
   BIO 733 - Health Science Anatomy 
   PSY 111 - Introduction to Psychology 
8. Proof of high school graduation or GED completion.

Criminal background checks must be completed by each student. Criminal convictions or documented history of abuse may delay or prevent students from participating in clinical education experiences. Results of the criminal record/child and adult abuse registry checks will be released to the Department of Human Services, which will determine if the crime or abuse warrants prohibition from clinical education experience. Students unable to participate in clinical education will be unable to complete the Nursing program. In accordance with DMACC’s contract with affiliated agencies, results of the criminal record/child and adult abuse registry checks will be released to contracted agencies only upon their request.

Proof of immunizations and annual TB testing are required of all Nursing students. A physical exam must be completed within one year prior to program entry. Completion of the Student Health and Immunization Record form and current certification by either the American Heart Association (CPR for the Healthcare Provider) or American Red Cross (CPR for the Professional Rescuer) are required prior to beginning clinical rotations. Proof of a current seasonal flu vaccination is required of all Nursing students by January of each year.

The Nursing program utilizes www.CertifiedBackground.com to track immunizations, health records and CPR certification of each student after their acceptance into the program. Students must wait for directions, which will be provided at the required Nursing Registration meeting, before uploading their CPR and health records. Students are responsible for the cost of this service and any related expenses.

First-year nursing students are in a new program of study and are considered to be freshmen by the Federal Direct Student Loan Program, regardless of prior credit accumulation. Freshman loan limits will apply.

Practical Nursing starts:

Ankeny, Boone-Fall and Spring semesters

Carroll-Fall semester only

Newton-Fall semester only

Urban-Evening option, Fall semester only in even-numbered years

Associate Degree Nursing starts:

Ankeny, Boone-Summer term and Fall semesters

Carroll-Summer term only

Urban-Evening option, Spring semester only in even-numbered years

Newton-Fall semester 2013

Students who start a program on one campus will not be permitted to transfer to another campus mid-program. For example, a student starting the Practical Nursing (PN) program in Boone must complete the program in Boone. Students who successfully complete the Practical Nursing program and satisfy the progression requirements may apply to special start into the ADN program on a different campus pending space available. There are no guarantees.

In both the Practical and Associate degree levels of the program, all nursing and liberal arts support courses must be successfully completed with a grade of “C” or above. In order to progress to the next semester, these courses must be successfully completed in the semester identified or in a previous semester.

Students who complete the PN program must satisfy grade/assessment requirements to be eligible to be admitted to the ADN program. Continuation in the Associate degree program at the Ankeny, Boone, Carroll, Urban and Newton campuses requires successful completion of the following progression requirements: Semester 1 courses (PNN 151 , PNN 153 , PNN 152 ) at 78% or better and successful completion of all Semester 2 courses (PNN 605 , PNN 606  and PNN 351 ) at 80% or better OR successful completion of the required standardized progression exam taken during Semester 2.

Graduation Requirements

To earn a Practical Nursing diploma, a student must complete all coursework as prescribed in Semesters 1 and 2 and have “C” or above in all Nursing and support courses in the curriculum and complete the standardized exit exam taken upon completion of PN coursework.

To earn an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Nursing, a student must complete all coursework as prescribed in Semesters 1-5, meet the progression requirements and have a grade of “C” or above in all PNN, ADN, support courses in the curriculum and successfully complete the required standardized exit exam taken during Semester 5 of the curriculum.