Practical Nursing Program of Study at Iowa Lakes Community College

Nursing education at Iowa Lakes Community College is based on a “ladder concept”, offering both Practical and Associate Degree Nursing. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX licensure exam at the end of the corresponding program.

The Iowa Lakes Community College Practical Nursing program prepares graduates for entry-level practical nursing. Upon graduation, licensed practical nurses provide nursing care under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician in hospitals, long term care facilities, doctors’ offices, and home health care agencies. Completion of the Iowa Lakes Community College nursing program will provide new graduate nurses with the skills necessary for success and growth within the profession of nursing. However, nursing education only begins at Iowa Lakes Community College. Nursing is a lifelong process of developing knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes that are needed for a challenging and rewarding profession.

The Practical Nursing program is offered as a full-time daytime program at the Emmetsburg Campus. Iowa Lakes Community College values the challenges of the non-traditional, working student, and strives to provide an accommodating learning environment. Therefore, students have the option of attending part-time in the Evening/Weekend program at either the Algona or Spirit Lake campuses.

The nursing program is approved by the Iowa Lakes Community College Board of Trustees, the State Board of Education and the Iowa Board of Nursing.

Picture of Nursing student taking blood pressure

Practical Nursing Admission Requirements:


1.	Complete the Iowa Lakes Application for Admission
2.	Submit official high school/GED scores, demonstrating a minimum GPA of 2.5 or GED mean score of 550, and transcripts from any prior college(s)
3.	Submit results of the American College Testing (ACT) composite score of 17 or SAT score of 830.
4.	Attend an academic advising session.

Program Schedule

Click on the course numbers to view the catalog course descriptions. Use your browser's back button to return. Courses listed in parentheses are suggested courses to meet that requirement.

The following are considered prerequisites & must be taken BEFORE enrolling in any Nursing (PNN or ADN courses).
CHM-151	College Chemistry OR	4
	2 semesters of High School Chemistry (C or better)
HSC-172	NURSE AIDE NEW FOR THOSE ENTERING PROGRAM IN FALL 2009	3
MAT-110	MATH FOR LIBERAL ARTS OR NEW FOR THOSE ENTERING PROGRAM IN FALL 2009	3
	1 YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL ALGEBRA


Freshman (First) Semester
PNN-101	Mathematics for Health Professionals	1
PNN-722	Fundamentals of Nursing Clinical	2
HSC-186	Human Growth & Development OR	3
PSY-121	Developmental Psychology
HSC-163	Nutrition OR	3
BIO-151	Nutrition
PNN-141	Fundamentals of Nursing Skills Lab	4
BIO-168	Human Anatomy & Physiology I	4
SDV-090	College 101	0
	Total Credits - First Semester Freshman	17

Freshman (Second) Semester
PNN-421	Maternal & Newborn Nursing	2
PNN-631	Adult and Child Health Nursing	9
PNN-632	Nursing Care Lifespan - Clinical	3
BIO-173	Human Anatomy & Physiology II	4
	Total Credits - Second Semester Freshman	18

Freshman (Third) Semester
ENG-105	Composition I	3
Complete 1 of the 2 options listed below:
Option 1 : For those completing Practical Nursing diploma program
PNN-345	Dimensions of Practical Nursing AND	2
PNN-721	Dimensions of Practical Nursing Clinical	3
Option 2: For those accepted to the A.D.N. program
PSY-111	Intro to Psychology	3
SOC-110	Intro to Sociology	3
BIO-186	Microbiology	4
	Total Credits - Third Semester Freshman	8-13

Other recommended courses
HSC-114	Medical Terminology	3
CSC-110	Introduction to Computers OR	3
CSC-101	Computer Familiarization	1
SDV-103	Successful Learning	1

Core Requirement

Concentration Area Requirement

General Education Requirement

Elective

Unique Characteristics of Program:

1.	Arts and Science courses may be taken prior to beginning nursing program core courses. Each semester of nursing track/core courses must be taken in sequence. These courses must be completed with at least a "C" or “P” in classroom/clinical courses to advance to the next semester of core nursing courses.
2.	If a student fails to successfully complete a classroom or clinical course, the failed course and corresponding classroom/clinical course must be repeated. The exception to this is the Maternal & Newborn Nursing course in the second semester Practical Nursing curriculum.
3.	In the evening/weekend PN option the core curriculum will extend over four semesters.
4.	The third semester listed above is for students completing the PN program. Students who have been accepted to the ADN program must take courses outlined in the third semester of the core ADN curriculum.

Practical Nursing Outcomes:

The graduate of the practical nursing program is prepared to carry out three interrelated roles in nursing: provider of care, manager of care, and member within the discipline of nursing.

Provider of Care

1.	Provides holistic care for individuals with non-complex needs in structured health care settings under supervision of a licensed health care member.
2.	Utilizes basic critical thinking skills and evidence based practice in application of the nursing process to an established plan of care.
3.	Demonstrates effective communication skills.
4.	Displays caring behavior by recognizing and respecting all people and their individual differences.
5.	Implements established teaching plans.

Manager of Care

1.	Promotes and maintains a safe, cost-effective practice and environment for clients, self, and health team members.
2.	Collaborates interdependently with health care team to facilitate effective client care and promote a positive organizational environment.
3.	Displays accountable and responsible professional behavior.
4.	Actively participates as a client advocate.

Member of the Profession of Nursing

1.	Applies knowledge and skills within the scope of practical nursing practice.
2.	Uses legible, well-organized, and comprehensible written communication skills.
3.	Demonstrates academic achievement of the practical nursing curriculum.
4.	Participates in professional activities and organizations to facilitate life-long learning.