Practical Nursing Certificate (PNC)
Practical Nursing Certificate (PNC)
The Cincinnati State Practical Nursing Certificate program offers classes at the Clifton Campus and the Great Oaks' Scarlet Oaks Campus. The program is structured to be completed in three continuous semesters of day or evening classes.
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. Passing a nationally standardized comprehensive exam is part of the requirements for the final course in the certificate program.
Admission to the Practical Nursing Certificate program requires completion of Selective Admission requirements. Interested students should speak to an advisor and attend an information session.
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, 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.
For more information, please contact the Health and Public Safety Division at (513) 569-1670.
To apply for this program at Cincinnati State, visit our Admissions Page
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 | College Survival Skills | 1 |
| FYE 105 | College Success Strategies | 2 |
| FYE 110 | Community College Experience | 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 |
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)
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
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
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
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
Instructor Consent Required
PN 198 First Year Special Topics in Practical Nursing
1-9 Credits. 0 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on selected topics related to Practical Nursing, which gives students opportunities to study information not currently covered in other courses. Grades issued are A, B, C, D, or F.
Prerequisites: None
PN 199 First Year Independent Project in Practical Nursing
1-9 Credits. 0 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.
A project related to Practical Nursing that is completed by one or more students to meet specific educational goals. Projects must have prior approval and supervision by Practical Nursing faculty. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: Vary by section
PN 298 Second Year Special Topics in Practical Nursing
1-9 Credits. 0 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on selected topics related to Practical Nursing, which gives students opportunities to study information not currently covered in other courses. Grades issued are A, B, C, D, or F.
Prerequisites: None
PN 299 Second Year Independent Project in Practical Nursing
1-9 Credits. 0 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.
A project related to Practical Nursing that is completed by one or more students to meet specific educational goals. Projects must have prior approval and supervision by Practical Nursing faculty. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: Vary by section
Faculty
Program Chair
Barbara Ratliff, RN, MSN
barbara.ratliff@cincinnatistate.edu