Nursing Program
Practical Nursing

(January start each year)

The Practical Nursing program is designed to prepare men and women for careers as practical nurses. Classroom and clinical instruction are provided concurrently in all nursing courses.

The nursing program is approved by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) (61 Broadway, NY, NY 10006; telephone 1-800-669-1656, ext. 153.). Upon graduation students are prepared to work as entry level members of a multidisciplinary team providing care in a variety of health care settings. Graduates receive a Diploma in Practical Nursing and are eligible to apply for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN® Examination). Graduates may also apply for the LPN-RN Advancement Option after completing the appropriate admissions process and satisfying the specific admission requirements.

All Practical Nursing courses must be completed within two (2) years of the date of entry into the program. Transfer credit for courses equivalent in academic content and credit hours will depend upon the grade obtained, course content, and the length of time since the course was completed. Contact the Admissions Office for information about transfer credit at (603) 271-7134. This program begins in January each year.

Admission to the practical nursing program is very competitive. Selection is determined by a cumulative point system that is based on high school level prerequisite courses and grades, applicable college courses and grades and NHTI placement testing. References are considered critical to the admission process and are evaluated.

Specific Admission Requirements

1. High school Algebra I with a grade of “C” or higher OR NHTI's MT 103 and MT 104 with grades of “C” or higher;
2. High school biology course with lab with a grade of “C” or higher;
3. High school course in English with a grade of “C” or higher;
4. Submit, on NHTI nursing reference forms (PDF or contact the Admissions Office at (603) 271-7134), two references from professionals, supervisors or teachers;
5. Satisfactory completion of the HESI 2A admission test; contact the Learning Center at 603-271-7725 to schedule testing; testing information is available in the Admissions Office at 603-271-7134 or at the NHTI website, www.nhti.edu; waivers may be granted for students who have satisfactorily completed all of the NHTI Placement Tests and/or scored “50 or higher” on all three sections of the National League for Nursing Pre-Admission Exam (NLN) within one year of the start of the program in January 2009; these waivers will be considered ONLY for the Practical Nursing class entering in January 2009. (For additional guidance preparing for the HESI test, click here (Please note: These materials do not replicate the actual tests).
6. Preference will be given to students whose applications are complete and received by the NHTI Admissions Office, including the HESI 2A exam, no later than October 3, 2008 for admission consideration for the program beginning in January 2009.

Health, Character, and Technical Requirements
Applicants must be in good physical and mental health in order to qualify for RN or PN licensure. In addition, State Boards of Nursing may have specific requirements regarding prior convictions of offenses and licensure. Please contact the Board of Nursing in the state in which practice is planned regarding licensure requirements. Satisfactory completion of program does not guarantee RN or PN licensure.

Standards have been established to provide guidance to students as to skills and abilities required to function successfully in the program and ultimately in the profession of nursing. Applicants who think they may not be able to meet one or more of the technical standards should contact department head or faculty to discuss individual cases.

1. Sufficient hearing to assess patient needs and to understand instructions, emergency signals and telephone conversation.
2. Sufficient visual acuity to observe patients, manipulate equipment, and interpret data; visual acuity sufficient to ensure a safe environment, identify color changes, read fine print/writing and calculate fine calibrations.
3. Sufficient verbal ability to express and exchange information and ideas and to interact with patients, family members, physicians, peers and other ancillary medical personnel.
4. Ability to work with frequent interruptions, to respond appropriately in emergencies or unexpected situations and to cope with extreme variations in workload and stress levels.
5. Sufficient strength and motor coordination to perform the following physical activities: manual dexterity in handling and lifting equipment; frequently moving, lifting, and transferring patients; and performing CPR.

Program Comments
All Practical Nursing courses integrate theory and clinical experience. Failure to receive a satisfactory grade in either theory OR the clinical experience portion of the course will result in a failing grade. All practical nursing major field courses must be passed before proceeding to the next level. A grade of “C” or higher is required in the required science courses, BI 108 & BI 109 or BI 195, BI 196 & BI 202, and the math course, MT 129, to enter or progress into the practical nursing courses.

1. Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend a group information session; please call the Admissions Office at 603-271-7134 for details;
2. Prior to the start of the clinical nursing courses, students are required to have on file in the Health Services Office (603-271-7153) documentation of: current medical insurance; a complete physical examination; current immunizations; current CPR certification for one and two person adult, infant and child. Professional liability malpractice insurance is arranged by the College and will automatically be charged to the student's account.
3. Depending on clinical site availability, students may be required to do an alternative clinical rotation (day or evening).
4. All students enrolled in a nursing course will be charged a $350/semester Nursing Clinical Surcharge. The following courses carry this charge: PN 101, PN 102 and PN 103.

Information about transferring to other institutions

* Higher level science courses may be recommended as substitutions for students considering admission to the NHTI RN program in the future.
# Indicates major field courses.

Revised July 23, 2008
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