Revised February 2014
Frequently Asked Questions – Practical Nursing Program
1.
What are the pre-requisites to the PN program? The applicant must meet the admission requirements listed
below prior to applying for admission to the clinical nursing courses required in PN program (Clinical nursing
courses are: PNE 161, PNE 141/142, PNE 163, PNE 173, PNE 164, PNE 158, PNE 145 and NUR 135*)
*NUR 135 may be taken prior to admission to the PN Program with advisor’s consent
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS (Interested students are encouraged to contact the Nursing Office located in the
Philpott Building Room 109 for academic advising)
1. Be accepted as a student to the college.
2. Graduation from high school or satisfactory completion of the GED.
3. Complete the College Placement test. (See Question #3 on the next page for clarification) Based on
placement test scores, the applicant may be required to successfully complete developmental courses
in English and/or math* before submitting an application to the practical nursing program.
*Developmental Math requirements include competency in Modules 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6
4. Complete one unit of high school science to be selected from college prep level classes in biology or
chemistry with no grade below a "C." Deficiencies can be made up through approved developmental or
college level courses. Deficiencies must be completed prior to submitting an application to the practical
nursing program.
5. Students must demonstrate computer competency equivalent to ITE 95 by either taking the class or
testing out. Please note: If student elects to test out, they will not receive college credit for the class.
To test out please contact Tracy Fields 656-0218 tfields@patrickhenry.edu. Her office is located in West
Hall Room 231.
6. A cumulative college grade point average of 2.5 or better in all related and general education
requirements completed before admission into the nursing program courses.
7. After meeting the above criteria, submit an Application for Nursing Program form along with required
paperwork, i.e. high school transcripts, college transcripts (other than PHCC), etc., during the published
application period. (See Application Process below for details)
8. Pre-PN Admission Examination: The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) test or equivalent test is the
final step in the admission process. Once you have met the above criteria and your application file has
been approved, you will be scheduled for this timed test. Applicants must have satisfactory scores in
reading comprehension, grammar, science and mathematics.
APPLICATION PROCESS
o Applications to the practical nursing program are processed during the specified application period.
Application times are advertised on the PHCC website: www.patrickhenry.edu Click on “Future
Students” then “Academics” & scroll down to “Health Careers.” www.patrickhenry.edu/healthcareers
As soon as the application and all supporting materials are received in the nursing office during the
application period, the application will be considered.
1|Page
Revised February 2014
o Letters will be sent to all applicants at the mailing address listed on their application. Admission testing
will be offered to students who meet the admission requirements. Applicants will be admitted based
on multiple variables including GPA, and admission test scores.
NOTE: When admission must be limited because of the number of qualified applicants exceeding available
space, priority will be given to applicants who are residents in the college service area of Martinsville,
Henry, Patrick and Franklin counties. Applicants who are not accepted will be eligible to re-apply at the next
published application period.
o Applicants are responsible for making certain that all application materials are on file in the nursing
department. The materials needed are:
o The completed nursing application.
o Official high school transcript or GED.
o Official transcripts from all colleges other than PHCC.
 Transcript request forms are available in the Admissions Office.
 Students who have attended other schools within the Virginia Community College
System (VCCS) need to sign a “permission to evaluate” form in the Admissions Office.
2. How long is the Practical Nursing program?
 The Practical Nursing (PN) program is 3 semesters in length. It is not taught during the summer
semester. Courses must be taken Fall-Spring-Fall or a Spring-Fall-Spring semester sequence,
depending on the application cycle. See sample schedule below.
First Semester
PNE 161 Nursing in Health Changes I (6)
NUR 135 – Drug Dosage Calculations (2)
PNE 141 – Nursing Skills I (2)
PNE 142 – Nursing Skills II (2)
NAS 150 – Human Biology (4)
SDV 108 – College Survival Skills (1)
____________________________________18 credit hours
Second Semester
PNE 163 – Nursing in Health Changes III (8)
PNE 173 – Pharmacology for PN (2)
PSY 230 – Developmental Psychology (3)
ENG 111 – College Composition I (3)
___________________________________ 16 credit hours
Total Semester Hours: 48
Third Semester
PNE 164 – Nursing in Health Changes IV (11)
PNE 158 – Mental Health & Psychiatric Nursing (2)
PNE 145 – Trends in Practical Nursing (1)
____________________________________ 14 credit hours
2|Page
Revised February 2014
3. When do classes meet? Can I take evening nursing classes?
 Core Nursing classes are taught in the traditional face-to-face class, primarily during the day,
with some clinical hours in the evening.
 Graduation requirements may be taken during the day, evening or on-line, if offered.
4. What are the general education (graduation) requirements?
 ENG 111 – College Composition
 NAS 150 – Human Biology
 HLT 141 or HLT 143 – Medical Terminology
 PSY 230 – Developmental Psychology
 SDV 108 or SDV 100 – College Survival Skills
5. What is the College Placement test? How is that different from the pre-admission test?
 The College Placement test is a placement test for the college and will need to be taken prior to
enrolling in any PHCC class.*
*If a student has been awarded previous college credit in English and Math or has taken a placement
test at another VCCS school the placement test may not be required. Please see a nursing advisor if
you have questions.
 The Practical Nursing Pre-Admission Test is done ONLY after meeting the pre-requisites to the PN
Program and applying during the published application period.
6. What is my program of study before I am accepted into the nursing program? Students are in the “Health
Science Certificate” program until formally starting core nursing classes.
7. Is there a waiting list?
 There is no waiting, list, students who are not accepted to the program, may re-apply during the next
application period.
8. Why is it important to see an advisor if I am interested in the PN program?
 Admission to the PN program requires specific pre-requisites before a student can apply to the program.
 An advisor can help the student make course choices that will make the best use of his/her time.
 Advising hours & contact information are posted on the Health Career page of the PHCC website.
www.patrickhenry.edu/healthcareers
9. Do I have to repeat Algebra if I had it in high school? If the College placement test scores indicate that content
from Algebra in high school was not retained, the course or courses, depending on placement test scores, will
have to be repeated.
Developmental Math requirements include competency in Modules 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6
10. What degree is awarded from PHCC for the PN program? Graduates earn a Certificate from Patrick Henry
Community College and are eligible to take the State Board Licensing Examination to become a Licensed
Practical Nurse.
3|Page
Revised February 2014
11. Is there a separate application for the PN program?
Yes, see page 1 under “Admission Requirements.”
12. How do I transfer credits from other colleges? Official transcripts should be sent to the Office of Admissions
and Records at the time of application to PHCC. These transcripts will be evaluated by the Coordinator for
Admissions & Records and credit will be awarded based on that evaluation.
 Transcript request forms are available in the Admissions Office.
 Students who have attended other schools within the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) need
to sign a “permission to evaluate” form in the Admissions Office.
13. Can credits from another school of nursing be transferred? Nursing transfer credits will be evaluated on an
individual basis by the Nursing Program Head and faculty AFTER a student has met the admission requirements.
14. Is there a pre-admission test? Can I study for this test?
 Yes, there is a timed pre-admission test.
 Resources for review include, but are not limited to, SAT/ACT Review guides and GED review books.
There is a specific book published by TEAS to help review for the test, but as with any comprehensive
test, it is just a review. The ISBN # for this book is: 1933107-00-6 and it is available for review in the
PHCC Learning Resource Center or can be purchased off-campus.
 Areas tested are: Science, Reading Comprehension, Grammar, and Mathematics.
15. Can I receive financial aid for the program?
Qualified students are eligible for financial aid. You will need to contact the Financial Aid Office located in
Walker Room 245. Phone number is: (276) 656-0317
16. Why is my high school transcript so important?
 Pre-requisites to the PN program include a high school science course (Biology or Chemistry)
 The State Board of Nursing requires that the college have an official high school transcript or GED for
each PN candidate to verify high school pre-requisites and graduation.
17. What if I have a police record – how do I know if I will be able to be employed as a LPN when I finish the
program?
 Nursing courses have a mandatory clinical component and certain clinical facilities will not allow a student with
certain types of convictions to participate in clinical in their facility. This will prohibit the student from completing
the nursing program.
 Criminal Background Checks are required by every student entering the program.
 It is the student’s responsibility to research licensing restrictions with the Virginia Department of Health
Professions – State Board of Nursing; Phone Number (804)367-4515 Web Address:
http://www.dhp.state.va.us/Nursing/
 Any student who has a felony conviction is advised to come to the Nursing Office, Philpott 109, to
speak with the Nursing Program Head, Amy Webster.
4|Page
Revised February 2014
18. What fees are involved other than tuition?
Financial Requirements: In addition to the usual college tuition and fees, this program requires additional
expenses. Approximate costs include:
 $230 – Uniforms
 $100 – Physical Examination
 $400 - $800 – Books
 $132.33 – AHA BCLS CPR Certification
 $97 – Standardized Tests
 $48 (minimum) –Criminal Background Checks
 $38 (minimum) – Drug Screens
 $370 – Application for Licensure fees
 Graduation Pin – cost depends on price of gold or silver
 Transportation to clinical agencies, seminars, etc. as required
19. What is meant by NCLEX- PN Examination? Who pays for this test?
NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) is the state licensing examination to practice as a licensed
practical nurse. It is the student’s responsibility to pay for the exam.
20. What are the NCLEX Examination rates as compared to other schools in Virginia?
 The chart below reflects the NCLEX-PN pass rates for the past 5 years.
 Pass rates are calculated based on the first testing attempt.
NCLEX-PN Pass Rates
Year
National
State
PHCC
2013
84.63%
78.89%
92.31%
2012
84.23%
75.01%
85%
2011
85.95%
79.44%
79.17%
2010
87.06%
77.55%
100%
2009
85.73%
74.47%
85.71%
2008
85.62%
77.31%
100%
5|Page