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

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 March for the next fall semester.

1. High school diploma or equivalency diploma.
2. A minimum overall high school average of 80 percent or a minimum 2.75 for the last 5 year 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, ENG 099 or ENG 088
   	Mathematics		MAT 012*

   *MAT 023 can be substituted for MAT 012 if student elects.
   Note:  These academic foundations courses do not count toward the certificate/degree.
5. Current applicants with less than 12-college credits will have their overall high school GPA used for ranking.
6. Those applicants who have 12-college credits or more will be ranked by a cumulative GPA for the last 5 years that includes all colleges attended. The GPA for the applicant must meet the minimum 2.75.  
7. Students who have had a grade of less than passing (C grade) in any two nursing courses at SUNY Niagara or other institutions are not eligible.
8. Students who have had a grade of less than passing (C grade) in two of the same required BIO courses at SUNY Niagara or other institutions are not eligible.
9. Based on the nursing admissions ranking system, meeting program admission requirements does NOT guarantee acceptance into the nursing program.
10. Admission is based on the academic qualifications of the student and space availability.
11. Completion of all admission criteria are required prior to the preferred deadline date of February 1st at 5:00 p.m. EST in order to be given priority to be considered for the designated term.
12. Those who complete the requirements after February 1st will be considered in ranking order as seats become available.
13. If you apply after the deadline date or if you did not receive a seat due to space availability, you must resubmit a Practical Nursing application between September 1 and February 1 for the following fall to be reconsidered.
14. Applicants who have questions regarding their qualifications should contact the Admissions Office at 614-6200.
15. Persons who would like to apply to the Practical Nursing program should contact the Admissions Office. 

Applications for the Practical Nursing program open on the first day of classes each fall semester for the following fall.  New students looking to apply to the program will be able to fill out an application to the college for this program at that time.  Students currently attending SUNY Niagara in a different program can fill out a change of major application for the following fall on the first day of classes.  If a student is currently taking courses to meet prerequisite requirements, they are encouraged to wait until their grades post for the semester so their courses can count towards their eligibility when they apply.  Applying before those courses are completed (if needed for eligibility) could result in an ineligible decision for their application.

Applications and waitlists for the Practical Nursing program expire every year on August 31^st.  Applicants who were on the waitlist and did not receive a seat by August 31^st will need to reapply when the new application opens on the first day of classes for the following fall semester. Applicants who applied late or did not complete their application will have to reapply when the next application opens if they are still interested in the program.

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 may require the COVID-19 vaccination.
5. A background check and drug screening may be required by SUNY Niagara prior to a nursing clinical. Students must pay for their own background checks and drug screening prior to entering any nursing clinical course if required by the clinical site. 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. 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 MAT 113.

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 re-apply to the college (if applicable) and the Nursing Department by April 1st for PN 3 (NUR 113), PN 4 (NUR 114), and Nursing 3 (NUR 211) or by October 1st for PN 2 (NUR 101), Nursing 2 (NUR 112) and Nursing 4 (NUR 212) 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.