Practical Nursing

The basic mission of the Four Rivers Regional Practical Nursing Program is that every citizen should have the privilege and  opportunity to reach as high a station in life as he/she is capable of reaching or desires to reach.  The mission is further subscribed to in that the mere development of specific skills and knowledge in an individual is not sufficient.  Desirable worker characteristics are emphasized to enhance character development, good work habits, reliability, honesty, and the respect for authority needed for a productive society.

 A Practical Nurse cares for ill, injured, convalescing or disabled persons in hospitals, clinics, private homes, mental health facilities, or similar health care settings.  Some skills required of a practical nurse are:  taking a patient’s vital signs, preparing a patient for surgery, assisting with examinations or diagnostic testing and clinical competencies such as catheters, tracheotomy tubes, oxygen, assisting a patient with personal hygiene and nutrition, administering prescribed medication and maintaining a clean and healthy patient environment.  Upon completion of this course a student will be prepared for entrance into one of the many challenging and profitable areas of nursing, like home health, hospitals, doctor’s clinics, or nursing homes

 The program qualifies the graduate to be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination.  Licensure (L.P.N.) may be awarded to qualified applicants by the Tennessee Board of Nursing after obtaining a passing score on the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

Topics of study include vocational relationships, basic science and anatomy, nutrition and diet therapy, nursing principles and skills, basic pharmacology and administration of medicines, medical and surgical nursing, common emergencies, obstetrics, pediatrics, geriatric nursing, psychiatric and mental health concept and worker ethics.

 In order to graduate from the Practical Nursing Program, a student must meet the following requirements:

· Progress through the required courses of the nursing curriculum.

· Maintain a grade of “C” (81) or above in each of the required courses in the curriculum.

· Maintain clinical performances as outlined in the clinical evaluation tool.

· Maintain attendance record according to the requirements of the nursing program.

· Other requirements found in the Four Rivers Nursing handbook.

After completing graduation requirements a diploma will be issued resulting in a graduate practical nurse.  The TN State Board of Nursing will issue a license after satisfactorily passing the NCLEX-PN.

Class Requirements:

In order to be placed on the waiting list for this class, all prospective students must be High School or GED graduates, and successfully pass the Compass exam. Testing dates can be confirmed through the Student Services office.

Program Length: 12 months (1296 hours)

Current Openings: Compass scores are being accepted for the January 2013 class at our Ripley  campus

Instructors:

Beth Street (Ripley) &  Candace Stallings (Bells)