Practical Nursing, Certificate

Contact Information

Program Requirements

Required Program

Degree/Certificate:   Certificate
HEGIS Code:           5209.20
SUNY Code:            0938
Major Code:            PN

The Career

Practical nurses play a critical role in providing health care to individuals in a variety of health care settings. They are needed in hospitals, nursing homes and community agencies.

Advanced Standing

Graduates of the SUNY Niagara Practical Nursing program are eligible for advanced standing in the Nursing (RN) program. Successful completion of the one-year Practical Nursing program allows students the option of completing a bridge course to rank in the RN program.  Applicants who have questions regarding their qualifications should contact the Admissions Office at 614-6200.  Persons who would like to apply to the Practical Nursing program should contact the Admissions Office.

The SUNY Niagara Approach

The SUNY Niagara Practical Nursing program is committed to the education of practical nurses and the promotion of wellness in the community.

The Practical Nursing program offers clinical experiences at hospitals, health care facilities and community agencies in Niagara, Orleans and Erie counties to provide students with important clinical experiences in all areas of health care.

Graduates of the program are eligible to take the National Council License Examination (NCLEX-PN) for Practical Nurses through the State Education Department.

Program Admission  and Curriculum Requirements

Students admitted for fall class start.  Applicants will be ranked based on overall GPA.

All applicants (first time, readmit, transfer and continuing students) must meet the SUNY Niagara admission application requirements and the following Nursing admission requirements. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling admissions basis with the first acceptances to the program being issued in January for the next fall semester.

1. High school diploma or equivalency diploma
2. An overall high school average of 80 percent or a minimum 2.75 for the last 5 years cumulative GPA of all colleges attended.
3. Successful completion (minimum 80 percent or B) of:
   • High school level biology or chemistry course with a minimum grade of 80% OR a college level biology course with a lab or a college level chemistry course with a lab with minimum grade of C.
4. Satisfactory completion of all academic foundation requirements. To be accepted into the program, applicants must earn the minimum required score on placement assessments or pass the academic foundations course listed below at this or another institution.

   	Reading		AAC 042 or ENG 099 or ENG 088*
   	Mathematics		MAT 012 or MAT 023

5. *MAT 023 can be substituted for MAT 012 if student elects.
   Note:  These academic foundations courses do not count toward the certificate/degree.
6. Current high school students with 12-college credits or less will have their overall high school GPA used for ranking.  Those applicants who have more than 12-college credits (including courses in progress) will have the overall College GPA used for ranking. 
7. Students who have had a grade of less than passing in two nursing courses at SUNY Niagara or other nursing programs are not eligible.        

Requirements to Remain in the Program

Once accepted into the Practical Nursing program, continued matriculation is contingent upon:

1. An acceptable physical examination report. Health records including a physical exam, immunizations or titers proving immunity, and verification by the health care provider that the student may participate in the clinical nursing program with no restrictions must remain current  for the entire period of enrollment.  The student is responsible for all costs related to the physical examination report and entering it on the ViewPoint health portal. See the SUNY Niagara website, Nursing Information Center, for more information. 
2. Certification in Basic Life Support for Professional Rescuer is required and must remain current throughout the entire program. For acceptable certifications, see the SUNY Niagara website, Nursing Information Center.
3. Annual immunization for seasonal flu (influenza) is required.
4. Admission and readmission into the nursing program will require that all nursing students be COVID-19 vaccinated as per the CDC recommendations.
5. A background check and drug screening is required by SUNY Niagara prior to any nursing clinical. Students must pay for their own background checks and drug screening prior to entering any nursing clinical course. Students will be provided with a web site to access this required background check information to complete the background check. See the nursing department for details on requirements. It will be at the discretion of the AVPAA of nursing to determine if students will move forward in nursing clinical courses as per the nursing background check policy once background results are received. The College and nursing program is not responsible for students dismissed due to background checks. 

Advanced Standing

Graduates of the SUNY Niagara Practical Nursing program are eligible for advanced standing in the Nursing (RN) program. Successful completion of the one-year Practical Nursing program allows students the option of completing a bridge course to rank in the RN program. Applicants who have questions regarding their qualifications should contact the Admissions Office at 614-6200. Persons who would like to apply to the Practical Nursing program should contact the Admissions Office.

Policies

Grading Policy for Practical Nursing Courses: The major Nursing clinical courses have three components: lecture (theory), college laboratory and clinical. A student must earn a minimum C grade in lecture (theory) and a passing evaluation in college laboratory and clinical. The student must be successful in each component to earn a passing grade of C. If a student is unsuccessful in any of the three (3) components, a grade of F will be earned. Minimum passing grade in all NUR courses is C.  To continue to progress in NUR 100, students must achieve a C grade in NUR 105.

Minimum Grade in Anatomy & Physiology Courses for Nursing Students: A minimum grade of C in BIO 213 E and L (Human Anatomy and Physiology I) and BIO 214 E and L (Human Anatomy and Physiology II) must be earned to progress in the Practical Nursing curriculum.

Repeat Policy: A student enrolled in any nursing curricula (RN Nursing or Practical Nursing) and who fails a major (clinical, lecture or lab) nursing course (NUR 100, 101, 111, 112, 113, 114, 211, 212) (F grade), withdraws from or leaves a (clinical, lecture or lab) nursing course in a failing state (W grade or repeated non-attendance), or withdraws from the college after failing a nursing course (X grade), may be considered for re-admittance, and is limited to one opportunity to repeat the incomplete or failed course.  It should be noted that a student who changes his/her curriculum from one nursing program to another is still limited to one course failure in any other clinical nursing course.  All other (clinical, lecture or lab) nursing courses must be passed on the first attempt. After two unsuccessful attempts in (clinical, lecture or lab) nursing courses, the student is ineligible to return to any nursing program.  This does not affect a student who is passing a nursing course at the time of withdrawing from the course or the college. All prerequisite Nursing courses must be successfully completed before progressing to the next sequential Nursing course.

Students must apply to the college (if applicable) and the Nursing Department by the stated deadline to be considered for return and submit a letter requesting re-admittance to the program.  Acceptance is based on meeting the eligibility requirements for admission to the program, academic history, ranking by program GPA and space availability.  There is no guarantee of re-admittance for students who were unsuccessful in completing a clinical nursing course.  Contact the Nursing Department for more information.

Unsafe Clinical Practice: When a student is unable to provide safe nursing care at an off-campus facility, the Nursing Education Department Head, upon recommendation from the clinical nurse faculty, will remove said student from the clinical laboratory component of the course. Unsafe practice is defined as “placing the patient in clear and present danger.” The student is not eligible for re-admission into the Nursing program.

Five-Year-Course Policy: If a student has taken any course with a NUR or BIO prefix five or more years before enrolling in a subsequent NUR or BIO course, the NUR/BIO course(s) must be repeated. 

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the Practical Nursing program, the graduates will be reported by the New York State Education Department to have passed the NCLEX-PN licensure exam at a rate equal to or exceeding the mean for New York State, be employed in a position for which the program prepared them and report satisfaction with the Nursing program. Students are expected to complete the program in six semesters. Employers will express satisfaction with the competence level of the graduates.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate of the Practical Nursing program at SUNY Niagara is prepared to:

• Apply basic principles from the biological and behavioral sciences and nursing theory to determine nursing actions for individuals and their families in a variety of health care settings and participate as a mid-level member of a nursing team assigned to complete patient data gathering, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care to assist clients of all ages to meet their functional needs.
• Demonstrate concern for sociocultural and spiritual values when interacting with clients and health team members in a variety of settings
• Use effective communication skills with clients, family members, and health team members            
• Safely implement evidence-based psychomotor skills within the LPN scope of practice
• Reinforce health education for individuals, families, and peers within the LPN scope of practice 
• Display responsibility and accountability for his/her nursing care utilizing ethical and legal principles within the LPN scope of practice.
• Follow best practices based on evidence in the delivery of health care within the scope of practice
• Select appropriate goals for continued self-growth and vocational mobility to achieve his/her full potential.