LPN Program Information

Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College Evening/Weekend LPN Program

Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College Nursing Program prepares students to fill a critical role in the health care industry with a career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Due to new trends in health care, nursing is seen as the greatest untapped resource in our nation as we strive for quality health care. A career in Nursing offers vast opportunities. Graduates are eligible to apply for the NCLEX PN exam. The Licensed Practical Nursing Program can be completed in 2-3 semesters.

The Licensed Practical Nursing Program at SKCTC prepares graduates to use their skill and knowledge to fulfill the role of the nurse: enhance human flourishing, demonstrate sound nursing judgment, continually develop professional identity, and possess a spirit of inquiry to improve the quality of patient care. Encompassed within these roles are six core components of nursing practice: context and environment, knowledge and science, personal/professional development, quality and safety, relationship-centered care and teamwork. These core components are introduced, developed and built upon throughout the curriculum.

The curriculum combines general education and nursing courses that correlate classroom and clinical instruction in a variety of community agencies. The LPN graduate, having achieved the graduate and student learning outcomes, is prepared to practice in a variety of settings within the parameters of individual knowledge and experience according to the standards of practice and successful completion of the NCLEX PN national exam. 
Acceptance into the Licensed Practical Nursing Program is based on a selective admissions process, there is no waiting list. In order to be considered for admission, applicants must comply with college and program admission requirements prior to March 1 for admission to the fall NRS 101 Course. 

Admission Requirements for August 2018

Apply to the program

• Attend a pre-admission nursing conference with the nursing program coordinator or designee.
• Submit the following documentation by March 1, 2019 to:
  • Admission Office
  • Attn: Shana Lewis
  • Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College
  • 700 College Road
  • Cumberland, KY. 40823
• Current application of admission to the college. This is on the college website southeast.kctcs.eduIf you have been out of school a semester or more, please complete a new application. (If you are currently enrolled at another KCTCS Community College please do a paper application, only for SKCTC, if you are admitted the application will then be processed to change home school).
• Application for admission to the nursing program.
• Unofficial High School Transcript or indication that the applicant has or will complete a high school course of study or a passing GED official score report.
• Unofficial transcripts for KCTCS colleges and Official transcripts for all other colleges, universities and/or vocational schools attended since high school.
• Proof of Nurse Aid via transcript, or KBN certified list.
• Results of the ACT, and NLN pre-admission (PAX) PN Exam Scores.
• All above required information and forms must be submitted by the applicant at one time in one packet.

*If you wish to have consideration regarding college GPA, a letter must be in the application packet stating reason for request including grades, year and explanation.

* If you have not taken the NAA (NURSE AID) by March 1, please put in the packet anticipated date for the class.

You may be admitted to the program before completing the pre-requisite classes, but the courses must be successfully completed before enrolling in the NRS 101 course.

Admission is open to all qualified students regardless of economic or social status, and without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, marital status, beliefs, age, national origin, or handicap.

PRE- Admission Exams (Required)

An ACT, and (PAX) NLN Pre-admission PN Exam score is required for admission to the PN Program. For information on the NLN exam, download the NLN brochure for test dates, exam content and the registration process.https://ondemand.questionmark.com/400030/ext/nlntesting (PAX must be taken within the last 3 years of admission date)

Students at SKCTC may not take the exam more than once in a 12 month period. You may take the exam at SKCTC or other college or University and submit a copy of the results in your application packet.

Pre-requisites

The following must be completed before entering the first nursing course, however these courses are not required to be completed before applying: (students may be in the process of taking courses or plan to take over the summer)

• Quantitative reasoning course that meet AA or AS requirements, with a grade of C or better.
• General Psychology (PSY 110)
• Anatomy & Physiology (BIO 137), with a grade of C or better.
• Prior to enrolling in Nursing 101, students must provide documentation of successful completion of MNA/NAA 100 or a minimum 75 hour nursing assistant course or its equivalent (if not on the registry course must have been taken within past 3 years of admission to verify currency of essential skills)
• Documentation of computer literacy as defined by KCTCS.
• If accepted into the program, before enrolling students:

• Will be required to provide documentation of all required immunizations and CPR for the Health Care Provider. This is not due until after acceptance into the Program.

• Will be required to provide documentation of all required immunizations and CPR for the Health Care Provider.

• Progression in the Associate Degree Nursing program is contingent upon achievement of a grade of "C" or higher in each nursing, biological science, and mathematics course either concurrent or prior to as denoted in program curriculum.
• Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average or higher (on a 4.0 scale).

The Selection Process

All applicants must apply by March 1 to be eligible for the fall nursing class.

Anyone seeking readmission/transfer to the spring semester ONLY must submit their documentation by November 15, each year.

Enrollment in the Licensed Practical Nursing Program may be limited because of available health care facilities in the community, as well as limited faculty and financial resources at the community college.

Admission is based upon a point system. The admission point scale is designed to objectively evaluate applicants for the Licensed Practical Nursing Program. Applicants with the highest total points may be admitted to the program.

Preference may be given to applicants:

• Who demonstrate above average standing in high school or on the GED
• Have an ACT composite standard score of 20 or above or its equivalent and/or
• (PAX) NLN pre-admission RN Exam score of 50 Percentile rank or higher.
• Must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better
• Students with an ACT and/or NLN score below the preference may apply and may be considered depending on the applicant pool, available slots, and individual circumstances.

Selection of students for the Licensed Practical Nursing Program will be made by the President of the college or the President’s designee after considering the recommendations of an admission committee which is to be appointed for this purpose.

Applicants will be notified by letter of acceptance or non-acceptance into the nursing program. Students accepted to the program MUST ATTEND A MANDATORY NURSING INFORMATION SESSION IN MAY in order to retain their slot in the program. (Students will be notified of acceptance into the program by first week of May).

Expenses & Financial Assistance

Students are responsible for necessary books, uniforms, professional liability insurance, criminal background check, drug screening and transportation to school and clinical sites.

Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College offers a variety of financial aid and scholarship opportunities. SCHOLARSHIPS: The deadline to apply for SKCTC scholarships is March 1 each year. Please go to the SKCTC webpage to access information and applications for scholarships, including merit, general, need-based and others.

Students accepted to the nursing program may also apply for the Nursing Incentive Scholarship Fund (NISF). Additional information regarding the NISF program and an application form are found on the Kentucky Board of Nursing web site. www.kbn.org Students may also go onto the College website and under FA, apply for college scholarships. (This should be completed early as possible deadlines are usually during the spring each year for most scholarships.)

Technical Standards

Nursing at the technical level involves the provision of direct care for individuals and is characterized by the application of verified knowledge in the skillful performance of nursing functions. All students should possess:

• Sufficient visual acuity needed for all patient assessment and nursing care:
• Sufficient auditory perception to receive verbal communication from patients and members of the health team and to assess health needs of people through the use of monitoring devices such as cardiac monitors, stethoscopes, IV infusion pumps, Doptones, fire alarms, etc.
• Sufficient gross and fine motor coordination to respond promptly to implement the skills, including the manipulation of equipment required in meeting health needs;
• Sufficient communication skills, (speech, reading, writing) to interact with individuals and to communicate their needs promptly and effectively, as may be necessary in the individual s interest; and
• Sufficient intellectual and emotional functions to plan and implement care for individuals.

Criminal Conviction Background/Drug Screening

The Kentucky Board of Nursing requires that all criminal convictions (misdemeanors and felonies) be reported at the time of application for licensure. The Board has the power to deny the right to take the licensure exam to an individual with a criminal history that involves acts bearing directly on the practice of nursing.

In order to comply with requirements of all affiliating health care agencies, a criminal background check and drug screening will be required of all students once a year. Affiliating agencies may deny the student with a criminal background and/or students who fail the drug screening, the right to participate in clinical learning experiences at their facilities. This will require the student to withdraw from the program.

Employment Opportunities:

According to the US Department of Labor, overall job opportunities are excellent. Nationwide salary average for LPN s is $37,880.00 ($19.72/hr.). The average salary wage for the Commonwealth of Kentucky is $41,540.00, ($21.63/hr.)

Accreditation

Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033, (404)679-4500

The Licensed Practical Nursing Program is approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing: 312 Whittington Parkway, Suite 300, Louisville, KY 40222 (502-429-3300 or 800-305-2042). Nursing Program Benchmark Data

Any further questions may be addressed by calling 606-589-3095 or by emailing Joy Pennington, Nursing Program Coordinator at jpennington0004@kctcs.edu

Revised summer 2018