Mar 29, 2024  
2015-2016 Course Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nursing, Practical Diploma


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This Practical Nursing program is not accepting applications for the 2015-16 academic year. This program will be updated for the 2016-17 academic year, to see the new program requirements visit the nursing program website at https://go.dmacc.edu/programs/nursing/Pages/welcome.aspx.

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
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 Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) Inc., 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326, 866-747-9965.

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.

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.

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.

Requirements for the Diploma


Students should take required liberal arts support courses in advance of the PNN courses when possible.

Total Credits Required to Complete This Diploma - 42


* Nurse Aide Certificate awarded upon completion.

** Advanced Nurse Aide Certificate awarded upon completion.

Total Credits Required to Complete the Diploma - 42


Fixed Costs


Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$143.00 per credit

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

Varied Costs


  Semester 1 Semester 2
CertifiedBackground.comImmunization Tracker   20  
Background Check Fee   50  
Nursing Textbooks (approximate) 547 454
Uniforms, Shoes, equipment 400  
Testing Fees & Simulation Supplies   65   25
Curriculum Support, Assessment & Review Course 140 180
History/Physical Exam 240  
BCLS Certification   60  
Licensure Exam Fee   350
Graduation Pin   30-115

Approximate total for the program: $8,567-$ 8,652*

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

What Kind of Work Will You Do?


To learn more about Nursing as an occupation, the kind of work you will do and the skills you need, visit our website at https://go.dmacc.edu/programs/nursing.

What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?


• Accept accountability for own actions.
• Be able to communicate precisely and with empathy/understanding.
• Observe patients, collect data, report progress in meeting care plan goals, and document care.
• Be able to perform required nursing care skills (see attached performance standards).

What Else Should I Consider about this Program or Career Choice?


• 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 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.
• Baccalaureate degree completion is available at four-year colleges/universities.
• 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 $33,345 (LPN), (2010-2011 Placement Report).

Nondiscrimination Policy


Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in or allow discrimination covered by law. This includes harassment based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy and marital status), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability and genetic information. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law. 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 Campus Provost’s office, the Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources. For information about the ADA, the Section 504/ADA Coordinator can be contacted at 515-964-6857. For Title IX questions and concerns contact 515-964-6850.

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