The Practical Nursing Certificate Program is a selective admission program. Registration for all Practical Nursing courses (courses that start with PN) requires selective admission based on specific program admission requirements.

 

Registration for all clinical courses requires selective admission based on specific program admission requirements.

1. Complete and submit an HCC enrollment application, if not a current student. 
2. Complete and submit a PN Certificate application and official transcripts, either printed by the issuing institution within the last 12 months prior to application and delivered to Records and Registration or submitted electronically by the transfer school to transcripts@harford.edu by September 15 for admission to spring class. Transcripts through Parchment and the National Student Clearinghouse are acceptable, however, transcripts older than 12 months will not be accepted. 
3. A minimum score of 58.7 on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is a requirement for admission to the HCC Nursing Program. Students who have tested at other schools or locations can request to have their TEAS scores sent to Harford Community College for a fee. The request should be made no later than 5 days prior to the application deadline to ensure the scores will be received at HCC by the deadline. TEAS scores are valid for two (2) years only.  Students are able to test and retest up to three times within a year period.
4. To meet the math requirement to qualify for the nursing program, students must do one of the following:
   • Receive a qualifying score on the HCC math assessment test (score valid for 2 years), or
   • Achieve a 530 score on SAT mathematics or an ACT score of 21 or higher (both SAT and ACT scores valid for two years), or
   • Complete the highest transitional math course at HCC (MATH 025, MATH 026 or MATH 027), or
   • Complete a college-level general education math course (MATH 101, MATH 102, MATH 216, etc.)
5. Complete a minimum of 10 college credits which include:

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credits
   BIO 203	Anatomy and Physiology I (GL) 1	4
   ENG 101	English Composition (GE) 1	3
   PSY 101	General Psychology (GB)	3
   Total Credits		10

   ¹

   A grade of C or better must be earned in these courses. 

6. Must achieve a grade point average (GPA) of 2.50 or higher on the non-nursing courses applicable to the Practical Nursing Certificate program.
7. Meet the essential technical standards that include physical abilities and behavioral and professional characteristics necessary for the student to successfully complete the program.

The program is highly competitive and completion of the admission criteria may not result in admission to the program.

Once a student is admitted into the Practical Nursing Program, the student must complete mandatory education and clinical documents prescribed by the clinical facility. 

1. Submit documentation of physical examination, required tests, and immunizations, a copy of the front and back of the American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR/BLS certification card, and a copy of the front and back of your health insurance card upon admission to the program through an approved vendor.
2. Documents should be submitted to the approved vendor by the specified date; without the required documentation, the student is not allowed to participate in the clinical portion of the nursing program.
3. Notify the Director for Nursing Education for any change in health status.

Our clinical partners require students to meet the strictest health requirements. For example, some clinical agencies may require additional vaccinations, and all nursing program students will be expected to meet that strict standard to facilitate flexibility in clinical placement within the program.

Documentation of students’ pre-clinical health requirements must be by an approved vendor by the designated deadline each semester. Failure to submit pre-clinical health requirements by the program deadline will result in a 15-point deduction on the professionalism rubric and an unsatisfactory evaluation on the clinical evaluation tool and may result in clinical failure.

• CPR certification is required and must be maintained throughout enrollment in the nursing program. It must include both practical and theoretical components. The required CPR certification is Healthcare Provider CPR/BLS by the American Heart Association (offered at Harford Community College).
• Health insurance is required for all of our Harford Community College nursing students and must be maintained through enrollment in the nursing program. Annual updates will be required by the approved vendor.
• PPDs are an ANNUAL requirement and should be repeated prior to the beginning of the semester during which they will expire. (Only 1-step TB skin tests will be accepted)
• Seasonal flu immunization is required of all students and must be updated every September. A waiver is available for students who have a documented medical or religious reason.
• COVID immunization is required of all students for clinical placement within the nursing program. A waiver is available and may be submitted for review and approval for students who have a documented medical or religious reason. Waiver requests must be submitted by the designated due date. Clinical partners that accept waivers are limited. Placements are not guaranteed.

​All students will be required to obtain a criminal background check and drug screen through an approved vendor upon admission to the nursing program.

• Criminal background checks and/or drug screening are required by affiliating clinical agencies and may have a fee involved.
• Clinical agency refusal to accept a student based on the results of a background check or drug screen may impact the student’s ability to complete the nursing program.