Practical Nursing

Practical Nursing involves the performance of selected nursing acts in the care of the ill, injured, and infirmed clients across the life span. The performance of selected nursing acts are performed under the supervision of a professional nurse, licensed physician, or licensed dentist, which do not require the specialized skill, judgment, or knowledge required in professional nursing.

The practical nurse is prepared to function as a member of the health-care team by exercising sound nursing judgment based on preparation, knowledge, skills, understandings, and past experiences in nursing situations. The practical nurse participates in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care in settings where nursing takes place.

The practical nurse administers medications, carries out therapeutic treatments, administers immunizations, performs skin testing, performs venipuncture, and administers approved intravenous fluids, and takes verbal orders from the physician. The practical nurse also participates in the development, revision and implementation of policies and procedures designed to ensure comfort and safety of patients in collaboration of other health care personnel.

A practical nurse shall adhere to the Standards of Nursing Conduct. The practical nurse will not undertake a specific practice unless the practical nurse has the necessary knowledge preparation, experience, and competence to properly execute the practice. While providing nursing care, the practical nurse will respect the individual’s right to freedom from psychological and physical abuse, will safeguard the patient from incompetent, abusive, or illegal practices. The practical nurse will safeguard the patient’s dignity, right to privacy and the confidentiality
of patient information.

Grading and Attendance
In order to be promoted at the end of each term a student must have a grade of 83% in PNG 101, 102, 103 and 104 or higher in theory and pass clinical.

Additional program policies are addressed in the Practical Nursing Student Handbook which is distributed to the students on admission. Standardized testing is scheduled across the curriculum. A level two or three score demonstrates mastery.

Advanced Placement and Transfer
Transfer students from other practical nursing programs will be accepted into terms II, III or IV and must complete at least two terms of the program. Transfer students must meet all of the regular admission requirements plus have successfully completed the first term of an approved program of practical nursing with a GPA of 2.0 or higher and a letter grade of C or higher in each course. In order to transfer into the Mercyhurst North East Practical Nursing Program an official transcript and a letter of recommendation from the program Director must be submitted.

The applicant shall be accepted as a transfer student only if the practical nursing faculty believes such a decision is educationally sound for the applicant. Students currently enrolled at Mercyhurst North East may apply for admission. Students transferring internally must meet the admission requirements to the program, and must have a GPA of 2.0 and a grade of C or higher in all previous courses.

Requirements for Admissions
Requirements for admission include a G.E.D. or high school graduate. High school graduates must have a minimum of 16 units, including 4 units of English, 3 units of Social Studies, 2 units of Mathematics, and 2 units of Science. The university will administer the TEAS test to evaluate reading comprehension, writing, science and math skills. A personal interview will be scheduled once an applicant has submitted all necessary credentials and has been determined a candidate. Acceptance into the practical nursing program is conditional until receipt and review of required physical examination records, criminal record check, child abuse clearance, Act 73 and drug test.

Upon completion of the practical nursing program graduates are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination PN (NCLEX-PN) for Licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Graduates are prepared to work in various health care settings such as acute care hospitals, long-term care centers, physician offices, and home health. The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing will not issue a license or certificate to an applicant who has been convicted of a felonious act as identified in the Act of April 14, 1972 (P.L. 233, No. 64) known as the “Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act.” This program is a non-credit program.