Practical Nursing Certificate (PN21)  Technical Certificate of Credit


(Stand-Alone Certificate)

Program Description:

The Practical Nursing program is designed to prepare students to sit for the NCLEX-PN for licensure as practical nurses. The program prepares graduates to give competent nursing care. This is done through a selected number of academic and occupational courses providing a variety of techniques and materials necessary to assist the student in acquiring the needed knowledge and skills to give competent care. A variety of clinical experiences is planned so that theory and practice are integrated under the guidance of the clinical instructor. Program graduates receive a Practical Nursing diploma and have the qualifications of an entry-level practical nurse.

Practical Nursing Handbook Practical Nursing Admissions Application (Spring 2025)

Entrance date(s): Fall Semester & Spring Semester

Program admission requirements:

Program Acceptance Capacity: 60 Students (effective Fall 2019)

Minimum Test Scores

ACCUPLACER NEXT GENERATION– Reading 224 ACCUPLACER- Sentence Skills 60
Writing 236 Reading Comprehension 64
Arithmetic 229 Arithmetic 40

Competitive admission criteria will be utilized to determine entry into practical nursing inclusive of Accuplacer scores, Arithmetic scores, and prior certification in specified healthcare fields with active licensee.

High School diploma or equivalent required for admission.

Applicant must be at least 17 years of age.

Submission of an acceptable TEAS score of “58.7” or better is required. The TEAS can be repeated once within a calendar year, and potential students must wait thirty (30) days after the initial test date before retesting. If the potential candidate seeking admission into the program is unsuccessful in passing the TEAS after two (2) attempts, the candidate may retake the test the next calendar year. Acceptable TEAS scores are valid for 2 years.

Applicant must provide documentation of negative tuberculosis skin test or chest X-ray, physical exam, Hepatitis vaccination or declination, flu vaccine (in applicable season) and immunization record are required after acceptance into the program.

Students must attend orientation.

Occupational Courses Timeframe of Expiration:

  • ALL PNSG courses: 2-year expiration

Credits required for graduation: 49

Length of Program: 3 Terms

*Requirements to advance:

TEAS score of “58.7” or greater taken within 2 years of application to the program.

Minimum Accuplacer Test Scores: Competitive admission criteria will be utilized to determine entry into practical nursing inclusive of Accuplacer scores, Arithmetic scores, and prior certification in specified healthcare fields with active licensee.

A Students will be allowed only two (2) failing grades during their enrollment in the program. Upon failing the first class (nursing courses, or nursing practicum courses) the student will attend an appeal hearing with the Chair, and selected nursing faculty. The student will be placed on a probationary status with a prescribed action plan. The student must adhere to the prescribed action plan completely.

If a student fails a second course, that student will be dropped from the program and unable to reenter for three (3) years.

Practical Nursing Program:

Albany Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, GA 30033-4097
Telephone: 404-679-4501

The Practical Nursing Program at Albany Technical College located at the main campus in Albany, Georgia is approved by the:

Georgia Board of Nursing (GBON)
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, Georgia 31217-3858
Phone: 844-753-7825

The Practical Nursing program at Albany Technical College located at the main campus in Albany, Georgia is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
Phone: (404) 975-5000

ACEN Accreditation Information:

  • Accreditation Type: Nursing Education
  • Initial Accreditation: June 23, 2020
  • Most Recent Commission Action: March 2022
  • Current Accreditation Status: Accredited
  • Stipulations: None
  • Date of Last Visit: September 21-23, 2021
  • Next Site Visit: Fall 2026

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate of Science in Nursing program is Initial Accreditation. Click here to view the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program.

Curriculum Outline (49 hours)
Courses 49 credits 49
PNSG 1600

Applies fundamental mathematical concepts and includes basic drug administration. Emphasizes critical thinking skills and introduces pharmacological classes. Topics include systems of measurement, calculating drug problems, resource materials usage, fundamental pharmacology, administering medications in a simulated clinical environment, principles of IV therapy techniques, and client education. After this pharmacology course, students will have completed a minimum of 85 lecture/lab (4250/50min) hours.

3
PNSG 1605

An introduction to the nursing process and clinical practice, normal body system function, and terminology related to healthcare. Topics include: nursing as a profession; scope of practice; ethics and law; client care which is defined as using the nursing process, using critical thinking, and providing client education and includes principles and skills of nursing practice, documentation, history taking, and an introduction to structure, function, terminology associated with healthcare, and physical assessment of body systems; customer/client relationships; standard precautions; activities of daily living; infection control/ blood-borne/ airborne pathogens; hygiene and personal care; mobility and biomechanics; fluid and electrolytes; oxygen care; and perioperative care. At the end of the course, students will have completed a minimum of 66 lecture/lab (3300/50min) hours and 75 clinical (4500/60min) hours.

6
PNSG 1630

Presents concepts within the field of mental health nursing and their application to everyday human behavior, thinking, emotion, and communication. Focuses on health management and maintenance and the prevention of illness, care of the mental health patient as a whole, and deviations from the normal state of health. Emphasis is placed on students understanding mental health principles and their application within the context of family, work and social interactions. Topics include an overview of psychological disorders and their treatments; terminology associated with health care, stress and health; health management and maintenance and prevention of illness; care of the mental health patient as a whole, and deviations from the normal state of health in the mental health client; client care, pharmacology, and diet therapy of the mental health client; and standard precautions. The definition of client care includes using the nursing process, performing assessments, using critical thinking, and providing client education, displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. At completion of this mental health course, students will have completed a minimum of 75 (3750/50) lecture contact hours and 25 (1500/60) clock hours of mental health-related clinical experience.

4
PNSG 1610

Focuses on client care and clinical client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, developing critical thinking, engaging in client education, and displaying cultural competence in the adult population and with attention to special populations. Lecture/lab topics include terminology associated with healthcare, structure and function of body systems, health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole; immunology; as well as pathological diseases, disorders, and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions concerning the cardiovascular, respiratory, and hematological and immunological systems. Clinical topics include but are not limited to hygiene and personal care; mobility and biomechanics; fluid and electrolytes; oxygen care; perioperative care; immunology; mental health; and oncology, and standard precautions about cardiovascular, hematological, immunological, respiratory, neurological, sensory, musculoskeletal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, urinary, integumentary and reproductive systems. This course contains lectures and regular lab 4125/50 =82.5 hours and clinical has 3750/60 =62.5 hours.

6
PNSG 1615

Focuses on client care and clinical client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, developing critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence in the adult population and with attention to special populations. Lecture/lab topics include functions of the human body, terminology associated with healthcare, health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole; immunology; as well as pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to the endocrine, gastrointestinal, and urinary systems. Clinical topics include, but are not limited to: hygiene and personal care; mobility and biomechanics; fluid and electrolytes; oxygen care; perioperative care; immunology; mental health; and oncology, and standard precautions concerning cardiovascular, hematological, immunological, respiratory, neurological, sensory, musculoskeletal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, urinary, integumentary and reproductive systems. This course contains lectures and regular lab 4125/50 =82.5 hours and clinical has 3750/60 =62.5 hours.

6
PNSG 1635

Focuses on maternal and newborn patient care aspects of health management and maintenance and prevention of illness, care of the individual as a whole, and deviations from the normal state of health. The definition of client care includes using the nursing process, performing assessments, using critical thinking, providing client education, displaying cultural competence across the life span, and with attention to special populations. Topics include the function of the human body systems, terminology associated with healthcare, health management and maintenance and prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole; and deviations from the normal state of health in the reproductive system, pathological and nonpathological concerns in obstetric clients, and the newborn; client care, treatment, pharmacology, medication administration, and diet therapy related to the reproductive system, obstetric clients, and the newborn, and standard precautions. After this maternity course, students will have completed a minimum of 1500/50 (30) lecture and lab contact hours and 3000/60 (50) clock hours of reproductive, maternity, and newborn-related clinical experience.

4
PNSG 1640

Focuses on health management and maintenance and the prevention of illness, care of the child as a whole, and deviations from the normal state of health. The definition of client care includes using the nursing process, performing assessments, using critical thinking, and providing client education. Topics include health management and maintenance and prevention of illness, care of the child as a whole, and deviations from the normal state of health in the pediatric client; client, care, treatments, pharmacology, and diet therapy of the pediatric client; growth and development; functions of the human body, terminology associated with healthcare, and standard precautions. After this pediatric course, students will have completed a minimum of 45 (2250/50) lecture/lab contact hours and 25 (1500/60) clock hours of pediatric-related clinical experience.

3
PNSG 1620

Focuses on client care and clinical client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, developing critical thinking, engaging in client education, and displaying cultural competence in the adult population and with attention to special populations. Lecture/lab topics include functions of the human body, terminology associated with healthcare, health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole; immunology; as well as pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to the neurological and sensory systems, disaster preparedness, emergency response, triage, and bioterrorism. Clinical topics include, but are not limited to: hygiene and personal care; mobility and biomechanics; fluid and electrolytes; oxygen care; perioperative care; immunology; mental health; and oncology, and standard precautions concerning cardiovascular, hematological, immunological, respiratory, neurological, sensory, musculoskeletal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, urinary, integumentary and reproductive systems. This course contains lectures and regular lab 4125/50 =82.5 hours and clinical has 3750/60 =62.5 hours.

6
PNSG 1625

Focuses on client care and clinical client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, developing critical thinking, engaging in client education, and displaying cultural competence in the adult population and with attention to special populations. Lecture/lab topics include functions of the human body, terminology associated with healthcare, health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole; immunology; as well as pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to the integumentary and musculoskeletal systems and oncology. Clinical topics include, but are not limited to: hygiene and personal care; mobility and biomechanics; fluid and electrolytes; oxygen care; perioperative care; immunology; mental health; and oncology, and standard precautions with regard to cardiovascular, hematological, immunological, respiratory, neurological, sensory, musculoskeletal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, urinary, integumentary and reproductive systems. After, this adult health course students will have completed a minimum of 4125/50= 82.5 lecture/lab contact hours and 3750/60=62.5 clinical hour.

6
PNSG 1645

Builds on the concepts presented in prior nursing courses and develops the skills necessary for successful performance in the job market. Topics include application of the nursing process, critical thinking, supervisory skills, client education methods, group dynamics, professional oral and written communication, and conflict resolution. At completion of this nursing leadership course, students will have completed a minimum of 54 lecture/lab (2700/50 min) hours and 60 clock (3600/60 min) hours of leadership-related clinical experience.

5
Faculty
Click to view profile for Teresa Darity
Program Chair

Chair/Instructor Practical Nursing
Phoebe LLC, Room 129

Click to view profile for Kaycee Everson
Advisor

Instructor/ Practical Nursing
Phoebe LLC, Room 185

Click to view profile for Annette Holloway
Advisor

Practical Nursing, Instructor
Phoebe LLC, Room 186

Click to view profile for Clarissa Smith
Advisor

Instructor/ Practical Nursing
Phoebe LLC, Room 187

Click to view profile for Ronalda K Butler
Advisor

Instructor/ Practical Nursing
Phoebe LLC, Room 184

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