Oct 03, 2024  
2024-2025 Course Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Course Catalog

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Nursing - Practical, Diploma

Location(s): Boone, Urban/Des Moines



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The student who completes 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 hospitals, long-term care facilities or clinics. Upon successful completion of three terms, the student earns a diploma and is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Exam for Practical Nurse Licensure (NCLEX-PN).

In both the terms of the practical nursing 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.

Program Details


Locations: Ankeny, Boone Carroll, Newton, and Urban/Des Moines


Pathway: Health Science & Fitness


More information on this Pathway.

Select courses may be offered on other campuses.


Students start:


Ankeny, Boone - Fall and Spring semesters

Carroll, Newton - Fall Semester only

Urban - Spring Semester

Program Entry Requirements


ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

 

1.

Complete an online DMACC application and select “Nursing (RN), AAS” as your major. (Notify DMACC immediately if your name, address, or phone number changes after you apply.)  

 

2.

Attend a required Nursing Information Session.

 

3.

Provide proof of placement on Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry OR a transcript indicating you passed both Nurse Aide written (NRAO858) and skills (NRAO859) tests. 

Although not required, DMACC strongly recommends that in addition to the above item, students also complete a 120-hour state-approved Certified Nurse Aide program or the equivalent.  At DMACC students would be take HSC172: Basic Nurse Aide, followed by HSC182: Advanced Nurse Aide. DMACC Nurse Aide information.

4.

Satisfy proof of math competency by one of the following

A score of 30 or greater on the ALEKS math assessment-OR-Completion of MAT064: College Prep Math with a grade of C- or better  -OR- A minimum grade of “C” or higher in MAT 156: Statistics or higher level statistics

 

COURSEWORK REQUIREMENTS

  • Courses may be in progress when an application is submitted
  • It is recommended that science courses be taken within the last 5 years
  • Courses listed in #5-8 must be for college credit
  • If you have completed college coursework elsewhere, you must have official transcripts sent for transfer evaluation.  Send to:  Des Moines Area Community College, Admissions Office-Building 1, 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny, IA, 50023

 

 

 

5.

A minimum grade of “B” or higher in college level Anatomy & Physiology I (BIO 168) or equivalent 

 

 

6.

A minimum grade of “B” or higher in college level Anatomy & Physiology II (BIO 173) or equivalent 

 

 

7.

A minimum grade of “B” or higher in college level Developmental Psychology (PSY 121) or equivalent

 

 

8.

A minimum grade of “C” or higher in college level Composition I (ENG 105) or equivalent

 

 

         

TESTING REQUIREMENT

 

9.

ATI TEAS: Nursing Program Admissions Test.  Adjusted Individual Total Score of 55% or higher is required. *Must be taken in person at a DMACC Testing Center

https://internal.dmacc.edu/programs/nursing/Pages/atiteas.aspx

 

I’VE COMPLETED MY ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS, WHAT’S NEXT?

When all entry requirements (items 1 - 9) are met:

  • DMACC Admissions will notify you that you have been placed on “standby.” Standby simply means you have met the admission requirements and are waiting to be admitted.
  • When a seat becomes available for you, you will be notified by Admissions. DMACC accepts students 4-6 months prior to the start of the cohort: Fall start cohort(s) are accepted in February, and Spring start cohort(s) are accepted in September.
  • You do not have to be enrolled at DMACC to maintain your place on the standby list.
  • If your contact information changes, change your information in Banner Self-Service or notify DMACC Admissions immediately.

Graduation Requirements


To earn a Practical Nursing diploma, a student must complete all coursework as prescribed with a “C” (not 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.

Total Credits Required to Complete the Diploma - 41


Fixed Costs


Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$193.00 per credit

The costs for each program are estimates and subject to change.

Varied Costs


Costs Semester 1 Semester 2 Other
Medical Document Manager  20    
Background Check 45    
Nursing Textbooks (approximate) 1000    
Curriculum Support 825 825  
Physical Exam & Immunizations (approximate)     240
Healthcare Provider CPR     90
Licensure Exam Board  of Nursing     143
Licensure Exam-PearsonVue Testing     200

Approximate total for the program: $11,301**

**Program entry requirements are not included in the total approximate cost.

What Kind of Work Will You Do?


To learn more about Practical Nursing as an occupation, the kind of work you will do and the skills you need, visit the Nursing Pathways webpage

What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?


  • Make decisions and accept accountability for own actions and the actions of others.
  • Be able to perform required nursing care skills (see attached performance standards).
  • Use judgment and problem-solving skills to plan, supervise and provide care to patients.
  • Be self-directive in identifying and pursuing learning needs.
  • Be flexible and have ability to prioritize and change from one task to another rapidly.
  • Demonstrate leadership skills through participation and student organizations and other professional activities.

What Else Should I Consider about this Diploma program?


  • Take required liberal arts support courses in advance when possible.
  • Strengthen study and academic skills prior to entry (math ability, speed and level of reading, problem-solving skills, ability to manage and organize large amounts of information from multiple sources, test-taking skills).
  • Plan ahead to have own transportation and to resolve conflicts between personal responsibilities (family, finances, etc.) and Nursing program demands.
  • Family support is important.
  • Restrict work; homework and required class preparation/activities are demanding.
  • Clinical rotations while in the program may be days or evenings.
  • Criminal background checks will be completed on each student. Criminal convictions or documented history of abuse may delay or prevent students from participating in clinical education experiences. Students unable to participate in clinical education will be unable to complete the Nursing program.
  • Average starting salary $54,620 (US Department of Labor, 2022).

Program Competencies


  1. Utilize clinical judgment to manage and provide care to diverse client populations through acute, chronic and life-threatening conditions. 
  2. Demonstrate nursing values and ethics, knowledge, leadership, and communication.
  3. Incorporate the client’s body, mind, spirit, age, culture, socioeconomic background, and environment when delivering care.
  4. Provide effective and collaborative nursing care that promotes positive client outcomes, while protecting the client and health care personnel from harm.
  5. Demonstrate collaborative and therapeutic communication with clients, families, and members of the healthcare team.

Nondiscrimination Statement


Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in nor allow discrimination covered by law against any person, group or organization. This includes in its programs, activities, employment practices, or hiring practices, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information (in employment) and actual or potential parental, family or marital status. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law. Lack of English language proficiency will not be a barrier to admission and participation in career and technical education programs.

Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Complaint forms may be obtained from the Executive Campus Dean’s office, the Executive Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources. ADA questions and concerns may be directed to the Section 504/ADA Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 6, Ankeny, IA 50023, phone 515/964-6857, dso@dmacc.edu. Title IX questions and concerns may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 1, Ankeny, IA 50023, phone 515/964-6216, Title9@dmacc.edu. Questions or complaints about this policy may be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, John C. Kluczysnki Federal Building, 230 S. Dearborn Street, 37th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604-7204, phone 312/730-1560, fax 312/730-1576, TDD 800-877-8339 Email OCR.Chicago@ed.gov.

DMACC offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:
Agriculture, Natural and Environmental Science
Architecture, Engineering, and Construction
Arts, Design, and Visual Communication
Business, Management, and Marketing
Education, Public, and Human Services
Health Science
Hospitality and Culinary
Information Technology
Manufacturing
Transportation & Logistics

Entrance requirements for specific programs can be found at Academic Pathway website.(2024)

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