Practical Nursing Certificate
This program is available at the Beavercreek, Bellefontaine and Springfield - Leffel Lane locations.The 12-month Practical Nursing Certificate is approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing and the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
The program is also offered as a part-time evening-weekend option at the Beavercreek campus.
Technical Standards
Specific attributes, characteristics, and abilities are essential to practice nursing. Professional competency is the summation of many cognitive, affective, and psychomotor skills. Students who enter the nursing program must be able to perform (with or without reasonable accommodations) these Technical Standards, which can be found within the PN informational pages on the Clark State website.
Students who may require accommodations to perform the essential functions should contact the College's Office of Accessibility Services to request reasonable accommodations.
Students are asked to sign a form certifying that they have read, understand, and are able to perform the Technical Standards of the Student Nurse at the program orientation session. Attendance at this session is required for all students who have been accepted to start the nursing program's technical courses.
Licensure
Upon completion of the program, the graduate may apply to the Ohio Board of Nursing to take the NCLEX-PN Examination. Candidates for licensure in Ohio must disclose information related to any prior felony or misdemeanor, any crime involving gross immorality or moral turpitude, any violation of a drug law, and/or recent diagnosis or treatment of a psychotic disorder. The Ohio Board of Nursing will determine whether the candidate may take the licensing exam.
Student Achievement Data
Licensure examination pass rate- Performance on the licensure examination for first-time test-takers.
- 2019 first time-takers from all cohorts (PN Full-time Program and PN Part-time Evening Weekend Program) = 85.95%
- 2019 PN Full-time Day Program (Fall to Spring) = 97.2%
- 2019 PN Full-time (Spring to Fall) = 84.71%
- 2019 PN Part-time Evening Weekend Program (Fall to Fall)= 85.71%
Program Completion Rate - Percentage of students who graduate within a defined period of time.
- 2019 PN Full-time Day Program (Fall-Spring) = 85%
- 2019 PN Full-time Day (Spring to Fall) = 90%
- 2019 PN Part-time Evening Weekend Program (Fall to Fall) = 89.3%
Outcomes and Curriculum
Upon completion of the practical nurse program, the graduate will be able to:
- Contribute to the data collection of the health care client from newborn through aged within prescribed settings.
- Within the legal scope of practice for the Practical Nurse, participate in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care using the nursing process.
- Provide safe nursing care in prescribed situations using nursing skills and principles from the biological and behavioral sciences.
- Clearly and accurately report and document significant findings of the client's condition to the appropriate individual in a timely manner.
- Identify health care learning needs of assigned clients and assist in teaching the health care client.
- Function as an active member of the nursing care team and assume responsibility for continuing growth in nursing knowledge and skills.
- Demonstrate a code of behavior based on ethical principles and an understanding of the legal scope of practice of the Practical Nurse.
Academic Requirements
Program Application (Petition) Requirements
The number of students admitted to the program each year is restricted due to the limited availability of clinical sites. All applicants are considered for admission by the date in which they complete all petitioning prerequisites and file a petition online to be placed on the waiting list.
To be eligible to petition to the Practical Nursing program, the student must meet the following academic requirements:
Writing: Must have met by at least one method
- Compass or Accuplacer writing score that indicates the student has met requirements for ENG 0980.
- ENG 0980 College Writing Essentials with a grade of C or better.
- English scores of greater than or equal to an 18 on the ACT and/or a 450 on the SAT.
- Credit for a college level English composition course with a grade of “C” or better at Clark State.
- Credit for a college level English composition course with a grade of “C” or better taken at another college. The official transcript with the listing of the course must be on file at Clark State when the petition request is submitted.
- High school senior English grade that waived placement testing in accordance with College Policy.
Math / Algebra: Must have met by at least one method.
- Compass or Accuplacer math scores within the past five years that tests a student out of MTH 0500.
- MTh 0500 or STT 2640 with a grade of “C” or better within the past 5 years.
- Math score of greater than or equal to 17 on the ACT or 450 on the SAT within the past five years.
- Credit for a recent (within last five years) Ohio Transfer 36 (TR36) college level math course with a grade of “C” or better at Clark State.
- Credit for a recent (within last five years) TR36 equivalent college level math course with a grade of “C” or better taken at another college. The official transcript with the listing of the course must be on file at Clark State when the petition request is submitted.
- High school Algebra II grade that waived placement testing in accordance with College policy. High school course must be completed within the past five years
Grade point average (GPA): A minimum cumulative Clark State transcript GPA of 2.0 (preparatory courses are not included in the transcript GPA) as well as a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the courses in the practical nursing curriculum.
Program Requirements
Prior to entering the Practical Nursing Program, students must have current professional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) provider status and current state-tested nurse aide credentials and/or have satisfactorily completed MST 1181 or its equivalent within the past two years. Please contact your nursing advisor for further information about these requirements.
Students must also meet health requirements, show proof of health insurance, and meet criminal background check and drug screen requirements before starting the program. Specific information will be presented at orientation after acceptance into the Practical Nursing program.
Students will be billed for liability insurance for the clinical courses.
Progression and Graduation Requirements
To progress in the program and qualify for a certificate in Practical Nursing, students must have a cumulative Clark State College GPA of 2.0 and must have a C as a minimum grade in all courses in the practical nursing program curriculum.
Questions? We're here to help!
Garrett Fisher Director, Nursing Programs