Practical Nursing Program (D45660)
Curriculum Description:
The Practical Nursing (PN) curriculum allows students to begin their career in nursing in as little as 13 months. There are both daytime, and evening/weekend options for completion. The Practical Nursing curriculum provides knowledge and skills to integrate safety and quality into nursing care to meet the needs of the holistic individual which impact health, quality of life, and achievement of potential. Students will participate in data collection, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care under the supervision of the Registered Nurse. Upon program completion, the student is eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN examination and earn their license to practice as an LPN. Employment opportunities include hospitals, rehabilitation/long-term care/home health facilities, clinics, and physician’s offices.
Clinical Background Check and Drug Screening
Students are assigned clinical rotations in several participating agencies in the nursing program.
Before practicing in the agency, the clinical agencies may require that students undergo a criminal
background check and/or drug screening. The drug screening may be done once before the student
reports to the clinical agency or randomly during the clinical experience. If the student has a criminal
conviction, tests positive for illicit drugs, or drugs for which the student cannot produce a valid
prescription, the agency may refuse to allow the student to participate in the clinical experience.
Halifax Community College recognizes and fully supports the clinical agencies that choose to perform
drug tests and/or criminal background checks on nursing students. The decision made by the clinical
agencies are final.
If a nursing student is prohibited from participating in any clinical agency based on a criminal
background or positive drug screening the student will be dismissed from the nursing program due to
the inability to progress and complete the nursing curriculum. Students are responsible for all costs
associated with criminal background checks and drug screening required by the clinical agency . If a
student cannot attend the clinical experience in one agency, the student will not be assigned to another
clinical agency
ADMISSION PROCEDURE
Admission for Practical Nursing Education
Students are admitted to the HCC Practical Nursing Program in accordance with policies approved by the HCC president and board of trustees. HCC does not guarantee admission to all students that apply to the nursing program. Completion of the nursing curriculum does not guarantee success in passing the licensure exam.
A nursing student must be admitted to the nursing program in order to take courses for credit in any nursing (NUR) course. Curriculum courses other than NUR courses may be taken before admission in the program or after admission in the sequence offered.
Admission to the practical nursing program is limited. The deadline to complete the application process is posted yearly on the HCC Nursing webpage at https://halifaxcc.edu/what-we-offer/programs-training/nursing-adn-lpn-nurse-aid-nfp/
Each step of the admission procedure must be completed before moving to the next step. HCC may contact students by mail, telephone, and/or e-mail during any step of the application process and encourages students to update the admission’s department if any of this information changes. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all requirements are met by the established deadline and to ensure accurate information is on file with the Admissions Office.
The Nursing (NUR) program is considered a limited-enrollment program since it receives more applications than it has available space. Acceptance is based on a competitive process with a point system, not a waiting list, and applicants are ranked based on grades earned in the general education classes required for the Nursing program, such as ENG-111, PSY-150, and BIO-168 and BIO 169. Only students who have submitted the Nursing program application and are accepted through the competitive process can register for NUR classes.
Before applying to the Practical Nursing program students must attend an information session at which the student will receive detailed information regarding the application process, course requirements, admission criteria, and placement testing. HESI A2 is the required placement test and a minimum score of 65% is required for consideration.
Application packets can be found online on the HCC Nursing webpage https://halifaxcc.edu/what-we-offer/programs-training/nursing-adn-lpn-nurse-aid-nfp/
NOTE: Priority consideration is given to students who have earned a B or higher in BIO 168 and BIO 169 and a timeframe for completion is required.
Students in the PN program must complete a designated number of clinical hours as required by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. Clinical sites, both on and off campus, require documentation of criminal background checks, drug testing and health and immunization information. Students must also provide proof of current AHA Basic Life Support Provider Certification upon admission to the program. Fees associated with these requirements are the responsibility of the student.
Clinical facilities are located in Halifax, Warren, Northampton, Nash, Edgecombe, Pitt, and other surrounding areas (this is not an all-inclusive list). Any expenses incurred-fees for parking or use of public transportation, etc. are the responsibility of the student. Clinical days and hours vary depending upon course. Students will be given a clinical schedule at the beginning of the semester. Requests for placement at specific sites are not considered until the student is in their final semester.
Nursing Admission Testing
HESI Admission Assessment (A2) Exam is open to candidates applying for the Nursing Program at Halifax Community College. It is a requirement for each of the pathways within the Nursing Department and applicants must score a minimum of 65% for consideration.
The HESI A2 exam may be taken at HCC’s testing site up to two times once per admission cycle (test dates will be posted on the Halifax Community College website). Attendance at a nursing information session is required prior to registering for the HESI A2 exam.
- HESI A2 results are considered acceptable for up to three years.
- HCC will accept HESI A2 results from other institutions if taken within the past three years. Students must provide documentation of test results. Results are verified by the Program Director of Nursing.
- The HESI A2 exam at HCC will consist of the following sections:
- Math
- Reading Comprehension
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
- Science – A&P, Biology, Chemistry
d. The fee for the HESI A2 (currently $61, subject to change) must be paid at the HCC cashier’s window and the receipt presented to the Testing Coordinator on the testing day. A valid picture ID is also required or along with a valid picture ID. tThe student will not be permitted to test before the test may be taken.
- Students will be allowed to register for a specific date/time to take the HESI A2 after attending a mandatory nursing information session. paying this fee. Applicants will register online for the test through the HCC website at https://halifaxcc.edu/services-support/testing-and-tutoring/.
- Instructions for registration will be provided at time of payment.
e. The cumulative score on the HESI A2 will be incorporated into the ranking process for all nursing programs offered. (Practical Nursing, Associate Degree Nursing, LPN to RN Advanced Placement, and Paramedic to RN Advanced Placement).
f. If a student has already taken the exam once during the application cycle, they must inform the testing coordinator that they are a second- time test taker.
Ranking/Conditional Acceptance/Alternate List
- The students who ranked highest in the application process will receive notification to their HCC email within 4-6 weeks of the application deadline. Letters indicating placement on the alternate list will be sent to the HCC email of all other students who met the ranking qualifications, but were not offered seats in the program at that time (all correspondence regarding admission to the nursing program will be sent to students electronically). Candidates not offered a seat in the program will also receive notification by email to their HCC email address.
- Students who do not enter the nursing program in Fall for any reason will need to reapply to be considered for future admission. HCC does not maintain a waiting list. Students will need to complete the entire application process from the beginning (including attending another information session and completing a new Health Sciences Nursing application). may reapply by attending a nursing information session and completing a Health Sciences Admission form.
Determination of Admission Status
**Once an applicant has attended an information session and completed a Health Sciences Application, they are eligible to register for the HESI A2.**
1. Applicants are ranked and selected for admission based on the following criteria:
HESI A2 composite percentage score
90% or above (+15)
80% to 89.9% (+10)
70% to 79.9% (+5)
65% to 69.9% (+0)
<65% not eligible
- **HCC will accept HESI A2 results recorded within the past three years**
- **HCC will accept HESI A2 results taken at another institution if taken within the past three years**
2. Applicants will be notified of their college admission status by the admissions department, utilizing the mailing address on file at the college prior to the extended registration period for fall semester. All additional program correspondence will occur through the Halifax Community College student email. Applicants notified of conditional admission must complete the following steps by established deadlines to be accepted into the ADN or PN program:
- AHA CPR Certification
- Physical Examination within the past year – the form in on the Castle Branch site
- Malpractice/Professional Liability Insurance
- Immunization requirements must be complete in accordance with North Carolina Law as well as recommended or required immunizations for students working in the healthcare environment.
- Two-step TB test results or negative chest x-ray if past positive result
- Criminal Background Check
- Drug Screening Exam
Final acceptance will be complete once the above items have been submitted. Failure to submit the above items by the acceptance due date will result in the student not being admitted to the nursing program for fall semester and being dropped from all NUR- prefix courses for which he/she has pre-registered.
Malpractice insurance is needed and must be renewed yearly. The fee will be paid at the Cashier’s Office at HCC and is required by the first day of classes for fall semester (please bring the receipt on the first day of class).
Readmission Procedure
Halifax Community College does not guarantee readmission to any student. Readmission is always conditional on classroom, lab, and clinical space availability in a given course. Students who are applying for reinstatement/readmission into the nursing program due to extenuating circumstances will be evaluated using the readmission rubric. Reinstatement is not guaranteed to students and each case is evaluated individually. If students are considering a grade appeal that avenue is to be pursued first and is a different process. The readmission policy and rubric can be located at https://halifaxcc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/HCC-Readmission-Policy-and-Procedure-2024-2025.docx-1.pdf
Students must refer to the Halifax Community College Undergraduate Student Handbook and follow the directions/steps found there.
Limits on Readmission
Because of the rapidly changing healthcare environment, students who have been out of any nursing program for more than one year (defined as not enrolled in any NUR-prefix course within the past 12 months) are required to apply as a first- semester student, completing either nursing program from the beginning.
After 3 unsuccessful attempts to complete either one or a combination of the nursing programs at HCC, students will be ineligible for future admission. Unsuccessful attempts include dismissal based upon grades, clinical performance, or lab performance, student-initiated withdrawal, excessive absence withdrawal (overcut), or any other circumstances that cause a student not to complete the course sequence as scheduled.
Reentry of students dismissed from the program for behavioral issues, drug/alcohol use, or clinical misconduct/negligence on any attempt will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and reentry opportunities will depend upon the individual situation and evidence of resolution of the issue(s).
Steps to Readmission – First Readmission (Second Attempt)
For those students seeking readmission following the first unsuccessful admission attempt, the following steps must be followed:
1. Within 4 weeks of course failure or withdrawal, meet with course faculty and/or nursing advisor to discuss issues related to the failure and begin a discussion for a plan of correction.
2. Submit a letter of intent to the Program Director of Nursing indicating a desire for readmission into the nursing program at Halifax Community College. The letter should include the following:
a. Succinct summary of the circumstances leading to the failure (with enough information to describe the issues but not having to include personal details if not relevant).
b. Identifying specific steps that will be taken to increase the likelihood of future success. c. Include official documents that may be relevant such as medical papers, court documents, etc
3. Develop a readmission plan with the Nursing Faculty, which includes the following:
a. Course/year into which the student will seek readmission. (The point-of-readmission will be based on the student’s previous grades, performance, and needs as identified by the student and faculty.) Students may be required to audit or take for credit any course(s) in the program, regardless of the previous grade in the course. Students may not reenter the final course of either program (NUR 103 or NUR 213 without auditing the prior semester.
b. Discussion of areas for improvement as indicated by faculty completed rubric
c. Identification of campus resources that will aid student’s success during anticipated reentry
Specific requirements for readmission, which may include, but are not limited to:
1. Admissions Application to HCC
2. Completion of the HCC Nursing Application Form
3. All transcripts, placement test scores, valid nursing admission test scores, and Social Security card copy must be on file in the admissions office and information session must have been attended within the previous 12 months
4. Must meet the readmission minimum GPA requirement Students who are not successful in their first semester course (ie: NUR 101, NUR 111, NUR 214, or NUR 215) will be required to have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and will be ranked with first-time applicants Students who successfully completed their first semester course but were unable to pass a subsequent course will be expected to have a minimum GPA of 2.0
5. Referrals to Counseling Department, Student Support Services, and/or any other program as deemed necessary
6. Submission of physical exam form, immunization records, two-step TB test results, drug screen/background check (as required by clinical agency), current CPR, and malpractice insurance receipt prior to the given deadline 7. Students must demonstrate ongoing competency in all audited courses. This will require demonstrating competency in meeting course objectives by completing a course auditing assessment plan and submitting it at the course's end. Detailed instructions are outlined in the Course Auditing Assessment Plan. For clarity and consistency, the Course Auditing Assessment Plan must be signed by the student, course instructor, and the Program Director of Nursing.
8. In addition to the Course Auditing Assessment Plan, students will be required to complete a skills evaluation to include any skills expected to be achieved at the level of reentry (including a medication dosage evaluation) in the presence of a current part-time or full-time clinical instructor
Failure to Complete Readmission Plan
The reentry plan will specify deadlines for completion of each requirement. Students who fail to meet any deadline or who fail the skills competency or dose calculation test will eliminate the option of reentry into the nursing program. Students who are unable to reenter may reapply to the nursing program, meeting all current admission criteria, and be ranked with all other applicants.
Unsuccessful completion of a challenge exam will result in the student’s inability to reenter into the semester planned. The student then has the option to meet with the Department Head of Nursing to evaluate the readmission plan and determine a new point of reentry and/or additional requirements prior to reentry. Depending upon the level of the challenge exam failed, the student may be required to apply as a first-semester student, meet all current admission requirements and deadlines, and be ranked with all other applicants.
Following Readmission
Once a student has reentered the nursing program after successfully completing the reentry plan, the student must take all nursing courses in sequence with a passing grade (“C” or better), and complete all other course requirements to successfully complete the program.
Students reentering any semester of the nursing program will be required to obtain any textbooks, resources, uniforms, or other requirements of the class into which they are entering.
Second Readmission (Third Attempt)
If a student is unsuccessful in the program following the reentry attempt, the same process will be used for the third entry, however, the student may be required to apply as a first-semester student due to repeated inability to complete the program requirements, regardless of the semester in which the student exited the program. This will be determined during the formal interview process with the Department Head and Nursing Faculty.
Transfer Application Process
Students wishing to transfer from another institution will be evaluated for acceptance and course placement on an individual basis. Only students who are in good standing—those who have no documented record of behavioral or disciplinary issues at the department or campus levels-and who have been separated from their program for 1-year or less will be considered. In addition, consideration must be given to the availability of program resources that will allow an increase in class size.
The transfer applicant must complete an application to Halifax Community College which includes all documentation for general admission. This process is coordinated by the Admissions Department.
The applicant is responsible for ensuring that all criteria and documents listed below are received by the appropriate department before the applicant will be considered.
Students wishing to transfer from another institution will be evaluated for acceptance and course placement on an individual basis. Students must apply for transfer to the HCC Nursing Program within one semester of leaving the previous nursing program. After this point, a student is no longer eligible for transfer, and must apply as a first-semester student and meet all general admission requirements and deadlines. Only students who are in good standing—those who have no documented record of behavioral or disciplinary issues at the department or campus level, and who have been separated from their program for 1 year or less, will be considered. Halifax Community College Nursing program will accept transfer students, in good standing, into ADN courses NUR 112, NUR 113, NUR 114, NUR 211 or NUR 212 or into PN course NUR 102 only
Applicants will be required to:
1. Apply to Halifax Community College admissions. The student must submit all required documents including a copy of signed social security card, official high school and college transcripts. The student must also complete their Residency Determination Status online @ https://www.halifaxcc.edu/Admissions/
2. Have a minimum GPA of 2.5
3. Attend HCC Nursing Information Session
4. Submit HCC Nursing Application
5. Submit a letter to the Director of Nursing Programs outlining request for transfer admission including the reasons for the transfer request
6. Demonstrate eligibility to return to any institution of higher learning previously attended. In addition to the letter of intent, the student must demonstrate eligibility by submitting a letter from the Director of Nursing Programs or Dean of the institution of higher learning previously attended.
7. Submit official scores from pre-entrance nursing examinations from previous school. If school did not require an entrance test, the student must take the HCC nursing required test, and meet the minimum scoring criteria to be considered for transfer. If the school that the student transfers from offers TEAS or Kaplan as an entrance test, the TEAS or Kaplan score will be accepted for transfer status only.
8. Submit official college transcript(s) for credits earned in all other colleges attended. The Registrar will verify all non-NUR courses. The Program Director of Nursing will verify all NUR courses.
9. Complete the following required courses with a grade of “C” or higher:
Practical Nursing
ENG 111
PSY 150
Bio 168 and Bio169 courses with a grade of “B” or higher (preferred to have been completed within prior 3 years)
10. Provide documentation of all NUR courses completed with a minimum letter grade of C, or numerical grade of 77 or above:
Satisfactory completion of the clinical component of all courses attempted (students who received a grade of either unsatisfactory or failed in the clinical component of any NUR course are ineligible for transfer into the HCC nursing program)
11. Once it is determined that the transfer applicant meets all initial criteria, he/she will meet with the lead faculty member of the course they are transferring into and will be scheduled for a Skills Competency Assessment (SCA).
Skills for the SCA will be shared by the lead instructor of the course into which the student will be transferring. Students must achieve a “Pass” on the SCA prior to acceptance. The SCA will include a dose calculation evaluation of competency.
In addition, consideration must be given to the availability of program resources that will allow an increase in class size.
Acceptance of a transfer student into the nursing program is not a guarantee. Students seeking transfer will be selected using the point system from the admissions policy if there are more applicants than space available. Students desiring transfer must demonstrate a 2.5 cumulative GPA or higher on the most recent transcript with at least 12 non-developmental college credits.
Limits on Transfer
Students who have failed to complete a nursing course at another college due attendance or behavioral issues are not eligible to transfer to HCC. These students must apply as new applicants, and are subject to all admission requirements in place at the time of application.
*Students from a community college outside of North Carolina or from the university system are not eligible to transfer into the nursing program due to differences in course content across systems. The registrar will review general education courses from these colleges, and may award transfer credit for these.
Full Acceptance
Full acceptance is contingent upon the student successfully meeting additional requirements as set forth by clinical agencies that include, but are not limited to, a health screening and immunizations, drug screening, and criminal background check within 30 days of acceptance.
Faculty reserve the right to change or add criteria at any time.
Transfer Credit
A transfer student is a student pursuing a degree at Halifax Community College who has earned credits at another institution and wishes to apply these credits toward a Halifax Community College certificate, diploma, or degree. In addition to submitting all other application materials, a student desiring to receive transfer credit must have an official transcript sent to Halifax Community College by each institution that originally granted the credits. For degree completion, at least 25 percent of semester credit hours curriculum course requirements must be completed at Halifax Community College.
Audit Guidelines
Students who audit a nursing course must have credit for that course or the equivalent coursework. Students who audit a nursing course will not be allowed to attend the clinical portion of the course. In order for students to audit, there must be adequate classroom/lab space available. If there is not adequate space available, the students who are requesting to audit will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
When auditing a course, students will be expected to follow the policies of Halifax Community College and the HCC nursing programs. Classroom and lab attendance will be an expectation in addition to taking tests, exams, and per- forming clinical competencies. If a student exceeds the allowed number of absences, the student will be dropped from the course.
*Students must maintain a “C” or better in all prerequisite and NUR courses to progress in the nursing program.
Academic Plan
First Year
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
| BIO 169 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| ENG 111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3 |
| NUR 102 | Practical Nursing II | 10 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Summer Semester
| NUR 103 | Practical Nursing III | 9 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Total Credit Hours: 46