NURSING

Practical Nurse Education Modified Career Ladder

Certificate Program (NUR.PNE.APP)

   Oakland Community College Highland Lakes Campus Department of Nursing offers a one-year Modified Career Ladder Practical Nursing Education (PNE) Certificate Program at the Southfield Campus effective March 1996. The Associate Degree Nurse (ADN) Program serves as the base for the PNE program. The program is designed to prepare graduates to give supervised direct nursing care in a variety of health care settings. Successful completion of the program requirements qualifies the students to apply to write the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Satisfactory achievement on this examination qualifies the graduates for licensure as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). Anyone who has been convicted of a felony may not be eligible for licensure.

   The course of study combines education in the biological, behavioral and social sciences with instruction in the theory and practice of nursing. Graduates of the modified career ladder PNE Program can apply for admission to the second year of the generic ADN Program and complete the required courses for the ADN Program in one additional year.

   Students must first be admitted to the College and designate (PNE) as their curriculum. Registration in the nursing courses is possible only after the student is admitted to the nursing program through a selection process based on a system of priorities.

Basic admission requirements include:

• Graduation from high school or GED
• Completion of the following with an average of "C" or better: One year of High School (HS) algebra or MAT 1100; One year of HS biology or BIO 1530 or BIO 1511; One year of HS chemistry or CHE 1000
• Passing the arithmetic proficiency examination at 90 percent or higher
• Attending a nursing information session
• Completion of BIO 1570 or 2710, BIO 2630 and BIO 2640 with 2.0 or better grade point within five years of the start of the fall nursing courses. The five-year period dates from the session during which the course was taken and closes at the first session in which the student is enrolled in the nursing program.
• PNE designation

   Requirements and procedures for admission are outlined in a nursing program brochure, during the nursing information sessions, and at the nursing website: www.oaklandcc.edu/nursing. All requirements must be completed by JULY 1 of the year in which the student is intending to enroll in the nursing program. Applicants will be notified in writing no later than SEPTEMBER 15.

   Students must obtain a 2.0 or better grade point in all currently required college courses in order to be certified as eligible to write the NCLEX-PNE. The policies and regulations regarding admission, progression and retention in the nursing program, as well as certification, licensure qualifications and legal limitations of license are outlined in the Nursing Student Handbook which is provided to each student enrolled in the nursing program. All these provisions are also explained in the information sessions prior to admission to the program. In addition to the regular tuition, nursing students incur extra costs such as liability insurance, pre-admission health examination, uniforms, supplies, travel, pins and licensure application.

   The PNE program is fully approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing, Nursing Accrediting Commission. Note: Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor may preclude eligibility for licensure. For more information contact the Michigan Board of Nursing (ph: 517.335.0918).
   The Nursing program is designed as a full-time study. However, students may elect part-time study by completing the majority of the required supportive and general education courses prior to selection.
   A mandatory criminal history check including fingerprints will be conducted on all students selected to the Nursing program prior to the start of the program, at the student’s cost. 1) Conviction of a felony or any attempt to commit a felony within the 15 years immediately preceding the date of the criminal history check; or 2) conviction of a misdemeanor within the 10 years immediately preceding the criminal history check, will preclude eligibility for admission. In addition, all selected students must have a drug screen test prior to the start of the program. For details contact the Nursing Department at 248.942.3334.