Print Program Overview and Courses
Technical Diploma: 45 Weeks, 29 Credits
Appleton Campus
Program Description
The Practical Nursing program is 45 weeks in length and includes 29 credits. You receive classroom instruction, laboratory practice and clinical nursing experience in medical, surgical, geriatric and community agencies. Guided learning experiences with patients requiring health care and with other health team members are essential for you. You participate with instructors in selected learning experiences and evaluate your learning. The program requires your concentration and a considerable number of independent study hours in addition to 24 to 30 hours per week of classroom, learning lab and clinical activities.
Note: Licensed practical nurses (LPN) may qualify for entry into the Nursing-Associate Degree program. LPNs who meet admission standards of the Associate Degree Nursing program may enter into the third semester of that program. If students plan on bridging to the Nursing program, they must take the associate degree courses, Gen Anatomy & Physiology and Written Communication, instead of Body Structure and Function and Applied Communication.
Program/Plan Admission Requirements
- Admissions assessment
- Mathematics Skills: ACCUPLACER Arithmetic score of 72 - GOAL Math required if less than 72
- Reading Skills: ACCUPLACER Reading score of 54 - GOAL Reading required if less than 54
- Language Skills: ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills score of 86 - GOAL English required if less than 86
- Two years of high school or equivalent
Note: Students will be required to complete a criminal background check prior to entering occupational specific courses.
Practical Nursing Program Ready Group Requirement
Certified Nursing Assistant with Federal Status on the WI Nurse Aide Directory since 1990 or after (active or inactive) or successful completion (C or better) of a state approved course with transcript.
Practical Nursing Program Occupational Specific Course Requirements
Must meet all Clinical Documentation Policy requirements as stated on the nursing website at www.fvtc.edu/nursing.
Note: Students may be moved to another clinical group to even out the student to instructor ratio.
Program Outcomes
The graduate of the Practical Nursing program:
- Adhere to standards of practice within legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks of the licensed practical nurse.
- Use effective communication skills recognizing lifespan considerations.
- Assist with health assessment of individuals, families, and groups across the lifespan.
- Participate in clinical decision-making within the LPN scope of practice.
- Provide safe caring interventions with diverse populations across the lifespan.
- Work cooperatively with others to provide holistic care.
- Under supervision, manage and direct care within and across health care setting according to established protocols.
- Use principles of teaching and learning processes to reinforce teaching plans recognizing lifespan considerations.
Legal Limitations
All candidates to the Practical Nursing program need to be informed of the legal limitation to Practical Nurse Licensure. Any offense (excluding minor traffic violations) for which one has been convicted or is subject to a pending charge, no matter when it occurred, needs to be reported to the State of Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing at the time application for the NCLEX-PN is made. The department will request detailed information regarding the charges/convictions from the applicant. Pending the outcome of that investigation, the applicant is usually allowed to take the NCLEX-PN, but licensure restrictions may be imposed by the State of Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing.
Licensure
The graduate of the Practical Nursing program is eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical Nurses.
Contact Us
For additional program/admission information, call Enrollment Services at (920) 735-5645 or e-mail us at enrollserv.staff@fvtc.edu or visit our web page at www.fvtc.edu/nursing.
View Program Plan