Practical Nursing

Students interested in Associate Degree Nurse Associate in Applied Science will find information here.

Overview

College Admission

Review BSC's How to Apply page and complete the college admission requirements.

Program Admission

Pre-Application Requirements

Prior to applying to the Practical Nursing program students should:

• Be 18 years of age by December 31st of the year they start the program.
• Possess High School Diploma or GED Certificate.
• Show a required minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
  • High School GPA of 2.5 or greater. If a student has completed 12 credits of college level classes, the college GPA will be considered instead of the HS GPA.
• Show a required minimum program GPA of 2.75
  • This is made up of any course that is required for completion of the PN Certificate
• Provide transcripts indicating a grade of a 2.0 (C) for any required college courses completed prior to admission, the grade in that course must be a "C" or higher or "T" (test credit) or "S" (satisfactory), and nursing GPA for all completed required nursing courses must be 2.75 or higher.
  • Required College courses include:
    • Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
    • Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab (A & P II must be taken within the last 7 years)
    • Introduction to Pharmacology (must be taken within the last 7 years)
    • Developmental Psychology
    • Introduction to Psychology
    • College Composition I
  • Nursing-specific courses include:
    • NURS 120 Fundamentals of Nursing
  • Note: If a student takes this course before they are accepted into the nursing program, it is valid for completion of the nursing program for four years. If the course was taken more than four years before the student is accepted into the nursing program, the course must be retaken.

​Note: Additional GPA guidelines for approval.

• If a student repeats a required science course or previous nursing course, a grade of "C" or higher must be obtained in the first repeat (A & P I and II, Microbiology and Pharmacology). An appeal process may be sought if the student has failed science courses more than 2 times.
• Provide proof of Math Skill Readiness.
  • ​Student must have completed at minimum one of the following:
    • The developmental math course (ASC 93 or other prerequisite math course that would qualify a student to take MATH 103) with a grade of Satisfactory or "C" or a higher-level math course (such as MATH 103 College Algebra).
    • Equivalent scores for ACT/SAT and/or Accuplacer as listed below and taken within the past 2 years:
      • Next-Generation Accuplacer - QR, Algebra, and Statistics 255
      • Next-Generation Accuplacer - Advanced Algebra 237
      • ACT - Math Subtest 21
      • SAT - Math 530
• Complete the Essential Academic Skills Test: Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) administered by Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) Nursing Education.
• Show valid American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS-Healthcare Provider) CPR certification.
  • Note: CPR Certification must remain valid through the entire Program.
• Proven experience working in a health care environment is encouraged, but not required, before making application to the nursing program. For example, Nursing Assistant (CNA), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Medical Assistant, Direct Support Professional (DSP), etc.
• Nursing students for whom English is not their native language must complete an English Language Proficiency Test
  • Note: A certain level of English proficiency is necessary for academic success as well as for patient safety. In addition to general college English proficiency requirements, all applicants for whom English is not their native language (including International and/or U.S. residents) and have not attended 4 years of U.S. high school and achieved a HS GPA of 3.0 or higher must meet additional language proficiency requirements for admission to the Practical Nursing (PN/LPN) Program.
  • To be considered for admission to the PN Program, English Language Learners (ELL) applicants must achieve minimum scores.
    • Minimum TOEFL internet-based test (TOEFL iBT) test scores of:
      • Minimum cumulative score of 86 combined AND minimum individual scores of:
        • 26 in Speaking
        • 20 in Writing
        • 20 in Reading
        • 20 in Listening
    • ​Minimum Duolingo English Test (DET) test scores of:
      • Minimum Overall Score of 115.
      • It is expected that the applicant reaches a content score (variation as determined by the admission and progression committee) of 90 in the following four areas: 
        • Literacy (Reading)
        • Comprehension (Listening)
        • Conversation (Speaking)
        • Production (Writing)
  • Note: Students for whom English is not their native language should be aware that they may not be able to complete the program of study within the described time frame. Students are encouraged to consult the nursing advisor before submitting the nursing program application. This gives the opportunity to discuss requirements and arrange to either take the English proficiency exam (TOEFL or DET) if applicable or seek assistance to be successful on the English proficiency exam in the future. 

Application

Admission occurs in the Fall.  Applications will be accepted between December 1st – March 5th for the following Fall.

• Submit Practical Nursing application.

Pre-Acceptance

Application Receipt: Upon receipt of all application materials, the Practical Nursing (PN/LPN) program will evaluate the applicant's file for completeness.

Application Scoring: Applicants will be scored on past academic performance, TEAS results, narrative statement, previous experience, and overall quality of application.

Note: Students that have successfully completed, or are in the process of completing, any of the following college courses: human anatomy and physiology, psychology, pharmacology, and communication courses such as composition and public speaking may have a higher application score.

Post-Acceptance

Once accepted into the program, students will be required to successfully complete a background check, provide proof of immunizations required by clinical affiliations, and drug screen at their own cost.

Note: Clinical affiliates maintain sole discretion as to the student's ability to participate Clinical rotations and Preceptorship experience.

Program Completion

• Students are required to earn "C" or higher or "T" (test credit) or "S" (satisfactory) in all designated courses for successful completion of the program.
• A grade of "C" or higher must be earned in all prescribed technical program requirement courses to continue in the program.
• Upon successful completion of the curriculum, the student will receive a Program Certificate in Practical Nursing and is eligible to apply to take the NCLEX PN®.  

Degree Plans

• Practical Nursing Program Certificate

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation, Practical Nursing students will be able to demonstrate:

• Teamwork and communication: Participate as a member of the interdisciplinary health care team through effective communication in the delivery and management of client care.
• Professionalism and leadership: Incorporate professional standards and scope of practice as a certificate practical nurse while pursuing professional growth within legal, ethical and regulatory frameworks.
• Client-centered care: Provide culturally competent care for clients while promoting their self-determination and integrity.
• Evidence-based practice and nursing judgment: Utilize the nursing process, science, and clinical reasoning to provide quality evidenced-based client care.
• Quality improvement and safety: Employ evidence based decision making to deliver safe and effective client care and to evaluate client outcomes.
• Informatics: Utilize appropriate technology to communicate effectively and manage information in the delivery of client care.