Nursing - Practical, Diploma

Pathway: Health Science & Fitness

More information on this Pathway.

Select courses may be offered on other campuses.

Students start Spring semester.

The program will alternate years between the Boone Campus and the Urban Campus.

Program Entry Requirements

1. Complete an application for admission to the Practical Nursing program.
2. Submit proof of high school graduation or HiSET (formerly GED) or equivalent.
3. Attend Practical Nursing information session, registration meetings, and a nursing orientation for PN levels.
4. Complete DMACC’s assessment requirements.
5. Complete required Nursing program ATI TEAS admissions testing with a minimum adjusted individual total score 41.3% in all four assessment areas: reading, mathematics, english and language usage, and science. Only 3 attempts permitted to achieve the required ATI TEAS composite score. A wait time of 30 days between attempts is required.
6. Successfully complete HSC 172  plus HSC 182  or an equivalent 120 hour (or more) Submit proof of completion HSC 172  plus HSC 182  or an equivalent 120-hour State of Iowa approved Certified Nurse Aide Program.
7. Submit proof of successful completion of Nurse Aide written (NRAO858) and skills tests (NRAO859) for placement on the Direct Care Worker Registry. A transcript indicating you passed both tests, or a Registry card will serve as verification.
8. Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25 in program required support courses and cannot be on Academic Probation.
9. For English Second Language students: Current DMACC Policy for International Students and the Admissions department for the TOEFL and/or the ESL COMPASS required scores.
10. The following courses are Entry Requirements:

• PSY 111  : General Psychology
• BIO 168  : Anatomy and Physiology I

The following conditions apply:
a. A grade of C or better (not C-) is required for all courses.
b. Course work in the A&P I must be recent; that is no more than 5 years old.
c. Before an applicant can be accepted, the Registrar will evaluate recentness of science course work to determine eligibility.
d. Science credits earned more than 5 years prior to acceptance to PN program will need to be repeated, unless a score of 50% or higher is achieved on the Science portion of the ATI TEAS. In this case, the 5 year rule will be waived.

Additional Requirements:

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 founded abuse warrants prohibition from clinical education experience. Students unable to participate in clinical education will be unable to complete the Nursing program.

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 and Healthcare Provider) are required prior to beginning Term 1 of the program. Proof of a current seasonal flu vaccination is required of all Nursing students prior to the start of the clinical agencies set deadline.

The Nursing program utilizes www.castlebranch.com to perform criminal background checks, 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 requesting their background check and uploading their CPR and health records. Students are responsible for the cost of this service and any related expenses.

*In accordance with DMACC’s contract with affiliated agencies, student immunization records; results of the criminal record/child and adult abuse registry checks; and other related information may be released to contracted agencies upon their request.

Graduation Requirements

To earn a Practical Nursing diploma, a student must complete all coursework as prescribed with a “C” or above in all Nursing and support courses in the curriculum. In order to progress to the next semester, these courses must be successfully completed in the semester identified or in a previous semester.