Practical Nursing Certificate (PNC)
The Cincinnati State Practical Nursing Certificate program offers classes at the Clifton Campus. The program is structured to be completed in three continuous semesters of study.
Licensed practical nurses share in the responsibility for patient care within the established guidelines of the Ohio Nurse Practice Act. The Practical Nursing Certificate prepares students through concurrent classroom education and clinical practice in the areas of basic nursing skills, maternal and infant care, adult and child health, gerontological nursing, mental health concepts, and community health.
Program graduates are eligible to take the national standardized NCLEX-PN exam for licensure as a Practical Nurse.
Admission to the Practical Nursing Certificate program requires completion of Selective Admission requirements. Interested students should speak to an advisor in the Health and Public Safety Division.
Enrollment requirements include:
- Submit written proof of current registration as a State Tested Nurse Aide prior to applying for Selective Admission. Students may complete the Nurse Aide Certificate course (MCH 130) to prepare for the state test.
- Complete a criminal background check, CPR certification, proof of health insurance, and a statement of health form.
- Have a total grade point average (GPA) of 2.50 or higher, and a GPA of 2.00 or higher in math and science courses.
- Complete all application requirements and meet submission deadlines for Selective Admission.
- Email the Selective Admission packet to: PNapplications@cincinnatistate.edu.
Because nursing is a dynamic profession, the program reserves the right to change the curriculum and/or admission requirements as necessary.
The Practical Nursing Certificate Program is approved by The Ohio Board of Nursing, 17 South High Street, Suite 400, Columbus, Ohio, 43215-3413. Phone: (614) 466-3947. Website: http://www.nursing.ohio.gov.
For more information, please contact the Health and Public Safety Division at (513) 569-1670.
To apply for this program at Cincinnati State, visit the Admissions section of the College website.
Practical Nursing Certificate (PNC)
Program Prerequisites: Students seeking admission to the Practical Nursing Certificate program must complete selective enrollment requirements. Students should meet with their academic advisor to discuss eligibility and deadlines for selective enrollment.
| Semester 1 | Lec | Lab | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PN 101 | Practical Nursing Concepts 1 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 
| FYE 1XX First Year Experience Elective | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| BIO 1XX Biology Elective | 3 | 2 | 4 | |
| Semester 2 | ||||
| PN 102 | Practical Nursing Concepts 2 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 
| PSY 110 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | 0 | 3 | 
| Semester 3 | ||||
| PN 103 | Practical Nursing Concepts 3 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 
| MCH 100 | Healthcare Informatics | 2 | 0 | 2 | 
| PN 185 | Practical Nursing Role Transition | 2 | 8 | 2 | 
| ENG 101 | English Composition 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 
| Total Credits: | 30 | 34 | 39 | |
Electives
| First Year Experience Elective | ||
| FYE 100 | Essentials for College Success | 1 | 
| FYE 105 | Skills for College and Personal Success | 2 | 
| FYE 110 | Intensive College Success Strategies | 3 | 
| Biology Elective | ||
| BIO 117 & BIO 127 | Human Body in Health and Disease and Human Body in Health and Disease Laboratory | 4 | 
| BIO 151 & BIO 152 | Anatomy and Physiology 1 and Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 8 | 
Some courses are offered in alternative versions identified with a letter after the course number-- for example, ENG 101 and ENG 101A.
- This curriculum displays only course numbers without the added letter.
- The alternative version, when available, meets the requirements of the course version without the added letter.
Courses
PN 101  Practical Nursing Concepts 1  
8 Credits. 5 Lecture Hours. 9 Lab Hours.
An introduction to the practical nursing  role with applications of basic nursing  skills in lab, simulation, and clinical  settings. Topics include: pharmacology,  safety, nursing process, nursing history  and law, and alterations in health.
Prerequisites: Admitted to the Practical Nursing Certificate program, high school biology and chemistry within the past 7 years, and STNA (minimum grade C for all courses)
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Instructor Consent Required
PN 102  Practical Nursing Concepts 2  
10 Credits. 7 Lecture Hours. 9 Lab Hours.
A continuation of PN 101, with applications  of clinical reasoning and nursing skills  in classroom, lab, simulation, and clinical  settings. Topics include: mental health,  and care of the patient with alterations  in health across the lifespan.
Prerequisites: PN 101
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Instructor Consent Required
PN 103  Practical Nursing Concepts 3  
6 Credits. 4 Lecture Hours. 6 Lab Hours.
A continuation of PN 102 focusing on  preparation for transition to the role  of the practical nurse, with applications  of nursing skills. Topics include: care  of the patient with complex alterations  in health, women?s health/OB, and the  professional role.
Prerequisites: PN 102
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Instructor Consent Required
PN 125  Academic Success Strategies for Practical Nursing  
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on strategies for academic  success in the Practical Nursing Certificate  program. Topics include: building skills  in critical thinking, studying, mathematics,  and test-taking; improving time management  skills; and developing effective communication  and conflict resolution skills.
Prerequisites: Instructor consent
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Instructor Consent Required
PN 185  Practical Nursing Role Transition  
2 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 8 Lab Hours.
Students apply practical nursing knowledge  and skills while working with diverse  groups of patients. Topics include:  professionalism, and transition from  student to practical nurse role. To  pass the course, students must achieve  a predetermined score on a national  standardized exam.
Prerequisites: PN 122 (minimum grade C), and PN 182
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Instructor Consent Required