Practical Nursing Certificate
Award: Certificate in Practical Nursing
No. of credits required: 41 credits
For more information: Visit http://www.harford.edu/academics/programs-courses/nursing.php or contact the Program Coordinator, Stephanie Watkins, 443-412-2385, swatkins@harford.edu; or Admissions, 443-412-2109.
Program Description
The Practical Nursing certificate program is a 12 month, 41-credit certificate program designed to provide both theory and clinical experience in nursing in which students learn to work as members of the health care team under the supervision of the registered nurse and to assist other licensed health care professionals. The certificate prepares students for the licensure examination for practical nurses, and graduates of the program are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). The program also provides opportunities to plan for career mobility through articulation with Harford Community College’s associate degree nursing program as well as other associate degree nursing programs in the state of Maryland. The Practical Nursing Certificate Nursing Program is approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing.
Program Goals
With the guidance of the Mission, Philosophy & Core Concepts, the graduate of the Practical Nursing Certificate Program at Harford Community College will:
- Practice nursing in a caring manner.
- Collaborate with clients and other members of the health-care team.
- Use the nursing process to contribute to the development of the nursing plan of care.
- Demonstrate professional performance within legal, ethical, and regulatory standards of the Practical Nurse.
- Under the supervision of the Registered Nurse, use safe practices and processes to promote high quality outcomes.
Selected Admission
Practical Nursing Certificate Admission Requirements
Registration for all clinical courses require selective admission based on specific program admission requirements.
- Complete and submit an HCC enrollment application, if not a current student.
- 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.
- 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 score are valid for two (2) years only. Students are able to test and retest up to three times within a year period.
- 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 or 21 or higher (both SAT and ACT scores valid for two years), or
- Complete the highest transitional math course at HCC (MATH 023, MATH 025, MATH 026 or MATH 027), or
- Complete a college-level general education math course (MATH 101, MATH 102, MATH 216, etc.)
- 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) 1 3 Total Credits 10 - 1
A grade of C or better must be earned in these courses.
- Submit satisfactory health requirements and vaccinations (annual PPD and flu, COVID) as well as healthcare provider level CPR and first aid certifications by the American Heart Association, including obtaining annual background check and drug screening through Castlebranch, upon acceptance into the Practical Nursing certificate program.
- Meet the essential technical standards that include physical abilities and behavioral and professional characteristics necessary for the student to successfully complete the program.
Employment Information
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects growth for practical nurses as faster than average at 5%. BLS anticipates a need for 34,900 additional practical nurses this decade. The median hourly wage of practical nurses in April 2022 was $26.26 per hour, and the annual median pay was $54,620. The Maryland Department of Labor projects that the annual growth rate for practical nurses in Harford County and the surrounding area to be 0.8% with a ten-year growth rate of 8.1%.
Transfer Information
The program also provides opportunities to plan for career mobility through articulation with Harford Community College’s associate degree nursing program as well as other associate degree nursing programs in the state of Maryland.
Certificate Requirements
In order to earn a certificate from Harford Community College, students must demonstrate basic competencies in English, reading, and mathematics by completing: ENG 018 Integrated Reading and Writing, MATH 020 Pre-Algebra I, and/or a qualifying exam must be passed.
Practical Nursing Certificate Requirements
Required Non-Clinical Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 203 | Anatomy and Physiology I (GL) 1,2 | 4 |
| BIO 204 | Anatomy and Physiology II (GL) 1 | 4 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition (GE) 1,2 | 3 |
| PSY 101 | General Psychology (GB) 1,2 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 14 | |
- 1
A grade of C or better must be earned in these courses.
- 2
Students must successfully complete these courses to be considered for admission to the Practical Nursing certificate program.
Required Practical Nursing Course Sequence
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PN 101 | Fundamentals of Practical Nursing | 6 |
| PN 103 | Contemporary Practical Nursing | 1 |
| PN 107 | Medical-Surgical Practical Nursing 1 | 6 |
| PN 111 | Mental Health Practical Nursing | 3 |
| PN 113 | Maternal-Pediatric Practical Nursing | 5 |
| PN 117 | Medical-Surgical Practical Nursing 2 | 6 |
| Total Credits | 27 | |
Recommended Course Sequence for a Four (4) Semester Plan
Prerequisite Semester
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 203 | Anatomy and Physiology I (GL) 1 | 4 |
| PSY 101 | General Psychology (GB) 1 | 3 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition (GE) 1 | 3 |
- 1
A grade of C or better must be earned in these courses. Students must successfully complete these courses to be considered for admission to the Practical Nursing certificate program.
| First Semester | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| PN 101 | Fundamentals of Practical Nursing | 6 |
| PN 103 | Contemporary Practical Nursing | 1 |
| BIO 204 | Anatomy and Physiology II (GL) | 4 |
| Credits | 11 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PN 107 | Medical-Surgical Practical Nursing 1 | 6 |
| PN 111 | Mental Health Practical Nursing | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| PN 113 | Maternal-Pediatric Practical Nursing | 5 |
| PN 117 | Medical-Surgical Practical Nursing 2 | 6 |
| Credits | 11 | |
| Total Credits | 31 | |
- 1
The Practical Nursing certificate program has one semester of prerequisite coursework. All prerequisite courses are general education courses. Students must successfully complete these courses to be considered for admission to the Practical Nursing certificate program.
- 2
A grade of C or better must be earned in these courses.