Practical Nursing
Program Overview
The Practical Nursing program is designed to prepare students for the NCLEX-PN and licensure as practical nurses. The program prepares graduates to give competent nursing care. This is done through a selected number of academic and occupational courses providing a variety of techniques and materials necessary to assist the student in acquiring the needed knowledge and skills to give competent care. A variety of clinical experiences are planned so that theory and practice are integrated under the guidance of the clinical instructor. Program graduates receive a practical nursing diploma and have the qualifications of an entry-level practical nurse.
A full-time student can complete this program in 5 semesters. To graduate, students must earn a minimum of 60 semester credit hours.
All candidates for the Practical Nursing program will be required to take the TEAS test (Test of Essential Academic Skills).
Offered at the Following Campuses/Delivery Mode
- North Campus (Sandersville)
- South Campus (Dublin)
Salary Potential
$24,000 – $41,267
Program Costs
Tuition & Fees: $7,655.00
Books & Supplies: $1,650.00
Uniform & Supplies: $300.00
Liability Insurance (per year): $11.00
Additional Fees:
Malpractice Insurance: $11.00
Drug Screen: $37.00
Criminal Background Check: $49.50
ATI Testing Fees: $516.00
BLS for Healthcare Provider: $7.00
(Costs are estimated and are subject to change.)
HOPE Career Grant:
The HOPE Career Grant, formerly known as the Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant, is available to HOPE Grant-qualified students who enroll in select majors specifically aligned with one of 12 industries in which there are more jobs available in Georgia than there are skilled workers to fill them.
To qualify, an OFTC student must be fully admitted to the college, enrolled in one of the applicable programs and receiving the HOPE Grant for the same term. The amount of the HOPE Career Grant award is a fixed amount for each term of enrollment:
- 9 or more credit hours – $500/semester
- 3-8 credit hours – $250/semester
- 1-2 credit hours – $125/semester
- Commercial Truck Driving – $1,000 one time award
High School students in dual enrollment and joint enrollment are NOT eligible.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates can find employment at hospitals, doctors’ offices, school nurse clinics, nursing homes, home health, and many other public and health agencies.
Admission Requirements
- Submit a completed application and application fee;
- Be at least 18 years of age;
- Submit official high school transcript or GED transcript;
- Submit official college transcripts, if applicable;
- Meet assessment requirements by taking the entrance placement test. In lieu of the placement test, official scores on COMPASS, ASSET, SAT, ACT, PSAT or GED may be substituted.
Completion of Health Care Assistant Technical Certificate of Credit.
Competitive Admission Requirements
Students must complete an application to compete for their name to be placed on the list of potential program students. Check program pages for entry dates. Students without an application on file will NOT be considered for program courses. Applications signify that the student has completed the designated courses and understand the deadlines for official college transcripts.
Access links and forms for Competitive Admissions Programs.
Course Overview
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSESENGL1010Fundamentals of English I3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: ENGL 0097, READ 0097
Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills.
474MATH1012Foundations of Mathematics3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: MATH 0097 or Appropriate arithmetic placement test score
Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, measurement and conversion, formula manipulation, technical applications, and basic statistics.
235PSYC1010Basic Psychology3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: Provisional Admission
Presents basic concepts within the field of psychology and their application to everyday human behavior, thinking, and emotion. Emphasis is placed on students understanding basic psychological principles and their application within the context of family, work and social interactions. Topics include an overview of psychology as a science, the nervous and sensory systems, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychological disorders and their treatment, stress and health, and social relations.
189OCCUPATIONAL COURSESALHS1011Structure and Function of the Human Body5 credit hours75 contact hoursPrerequisites: Regular Admission
Focuses on basic normal structure and function of the human body. Topics include general plan and function of the human body, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous and sensory systems, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.
232ALHS1060Diet and Nutrition for Allied Health Sciences2 credit hours30 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission
A study of the nutritional needs of the individual. Topics include: nutrients, standard and modified diets, nutrition throughout the lifespan, and client education.
526COLL1060Introduction to College and Computers3 credit hours50 contact hoursPrerequisites: Provisional Admission
This course is designed to provide tools to assist students in the acquisition of skills necessary to achieve academic and professional success in their chosen program of study. Topics include: Getting to Know Your College, Learning Styles, Computer Literacy, Time and Financial Management, Stress Management and Wellness, Studying and Test-Taking Skills, and Communication Skills.3741PNSG2010Introduction to Pharmacology and Clinical Calculations2 credit hours60 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission
Applies fundamental mathematical concepts and includes basic drug administration. Emphasizes critical thinking skills. Topics include: systems of measurement
624PNSG2030Nursing Fundamentals6 credit hours165 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission
An introduction to the nursing process. Topics include: nursing as a profession; ethics and law; client care which is defined as using the nursing process, using critical thinking, and providing client education and includes principles and skills of nursing practice, documentation, and an introduction to physical assessment; customer/client relationships; standard precautions; basic life support; infection control/blood-borne/airborne pathogens; and basic emergency care/first aid and triage.3425PNSG2035Nursing Fundamentals Clinical2 credit hours90 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission.
OFTC Co-Requisites: PNSG 2340
An introduction to nursing practice in the clinical setting. Topics include but are not limited to: history taking; physical assessment; nursing process; critical thinking; activities of daily living; documentation; client education; standard precautions; hygiene and personal care; mobility and biomechanics; fluid and electrolytes; oxygen care; and perioperative care.638PNSG2210Medical-Surgical Nursing I4 credit hours75 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission, PNSG 2030, PNSG 2010
Co-Requisite: PNSG 2035
Focuses on client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, using critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole; immunology; as well as pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to the cardiovascular, respiratory, and hematological and immunological systems.3427PNSG2220Medical-Surgical Nursing II4 credit hours75 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission
OFTC Pre-requisites: PNSG 2010, PNSG 2030, PNSG 2210
This second course in a series of four focuses on client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, using critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole; as well as pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to the endocrine, gastrointestinal, and urinary system.3430PNSG2230Medical-Surgical Nursing III4 credit hours75 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission, PNSG 2030, PNSG 2010, PNSG 2210, PNSG 2220
This third course in a series of four focuses on client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, using critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole; mental health; as well as pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to the neurological, sensory, and musculoskeletal systems.3432PNSG2240Medical-Surgical Nursing IV4 credit hours75 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission, PNSG 2030, PNSG 2010, PNSG 2210, PNSG 2220, PNSG 2230
This fourth course in a series of four courses focuses on client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, using critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole, oncology; as well as pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to the integumentary and reproductive systems.3434PNSG2250Maternity Nursing3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: PNSG 2030, PNSG 2010, PNSG 2210, PNSG 2220, PNSG 2230, PNSG 2240
Focuses on health management and maintenance and the prevention of illness, care of the individual as a whole, and deviations from the normal state of health. The definition of client care includes the nursing process, performing assessments, using critical thinking, providing client education, displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. Topics include: heath management and maintenance and prevention of illness, care of the individual as a whole, pathological and nonpathological concerns in obstetric clients and the newborn; client care, treatments, pharmacology, and diet therapy related to obstetric clients and the newborn; and standard precautions.634PNSG2255Maternity Nursing Clinical1 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: PNSG 2030, PNSG 2010, PNSG 2210, PNSG 2220, PNSG 2230, PNSG 2240
Focuses on clinical health management and maintenance and the prevention of illness, care of the individual as a whole, and deviations from the normal state of health. The definition of client care includes using the nursing process, performing assessments, using critical thinking, providing client education, displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. Topics include: health management and maintenance and prevention of illness, care of the individual as a whole, pathological and nonpathological concerns in obstetric clients and the newborn; client care, treatments, pharmacology, and diet therapy related to obstetric clients and the newborn; and standard precautions.635PNSG2310Medical-Surgical Nursing Clinical I2 credit hours90 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission, PNSG 2030, PNSG 2010
Co-Requisite: PNSG 2035
This first clinical course, in a series of four medical-surgical clinical courses, focuses on clinical client care including using the nursing
process, performing assessments, applying critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life
span and with attention to special populations. At the completion of the four part sequence of these medical-surgical clinical courses students
will have completed a minimum of 375 hours of clinical experience including 300 hours of comprehensive medical-surgical, 37.5 pediatric and
37.5 mental health experiences. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole;
hygiene and personal care; mobility and biomechanics; fluid and electrolytes; oxygen care; perioperative care; immunology; mental health;
and oncology. In addition pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment,
pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to cardiovascular, hematological, immunological, respiratory, neurological,
sensory, musculoskeletal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, urinary, integumentary and reproductive systems.630PNSG2320Medical-Surgical Nursing Clinical II2 credit hours90 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission, PNSG 2030, PNSG 2010, PNSG 2210, PNSG 2310
Co-Requisite: PNSG 2310
This second clinical course, in a series of four medical-surgical clinical courses, focuses on clinical client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, applying critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. At the completion of the four part sequence of these medical-surgical clinical courses students will have completed a minimum of 375 hours of clinical experience including 300 hours of comprehensive medical-surgical, 37.5 pediatric and 37.5 mental health experiences. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole;
hygiene and personal care; mobility and biomechanics; fluid and electrolytes; oxygen care; perioperative care; immunology; mental health; and oncology. In addition pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment,
pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to cardiovascular, hematological, immunological, respiratory, neurological, sensory, musculoskeletal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, urinary, integumentary and reproductive systems.631PNSG2330Medical-Surgical Nursing Clinical III2 credit hours90 contact hoursPrerequisites: PNSG 2030, PNSG 2010, PNSG 2210, PNSG 2220, PNSG 2310, PNSG 2320
Co-Requisite: PNSG 2320
This third clinical course, in a series of four medical-surgical clinical courses, focuses on clinical client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, applying critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. At the completion of the four part sequence of these medical-surgical clinical courses students will have completed a minimum of 375 hours of clinical experience including 300 hours of comprehensive medical-surgical, 37.5 pediatric and 37.5 mental health experiences. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole;
hygiene and personal care; mobility and biomechanics; fluid and electrolytes; oxygen care; perioperative care; immunology; mental health; and oncology. In addition pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to cardiovascular, hematological, immunological, respiratory, neurological, sensory, musculoskeletal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, urinary, integumentary and reproductive systems.632PNSG2340Medical-Surgical Nursing Clinical IV2 credit hours90 contact hoursPrerequisites: PNSG 2030, PNSG 2010, PNSG 2210, PNSG 2220, PNSG 2230,
Co-Requisite: PNSG 2330
This fourth clinical course, in a series of four medical-surgical clinical courses, focuses on clinical client care including using the nursing process, performing assessments, applying critical thinking, engaging in client education and displaying cultural competence across the life span and with attention to special populations. At the completion of the four part sequence of these medical-surgical clinical courses students will have completed a minimum of 375 hours of clinical experience including 300 hours of comprehensive medical-surgical, 37.5 pediatric and 37.5 mental health experiences. Topics include: health management and maintenance; prevention of illness; care of the individual as a whole;
hygiene and personal care; mobility and biomechanics; fluid and electrolytes; oxygen care; perioperative care; immunology; mental health; and oncology. In addition pathological diseases, disorders and deviations from the normal state of health, client care, treatment, pharmacology, nutrition and standard precautions with regard to cardiovascular, hematological, immunological, respiratory, neurological, sensory, musculoskeletal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, urinary, integumentary and reproductive systems.633PNSG2410Nursing Leadership1 credit hours15 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission. OFTC Pre-requisites: PNSG 2010, PNSG 2030, PNSG 2210, PNSG 2230
Builds on the concepts presented in prior nursing courses and develops the skills necessary for successful performance in the job market. Topics include: application of the nursing process, supervisory skills, client education methods, group dynamics, and conflict resolution.4722PNSG2415Nursing Leadership Clinical2 credit hours90 contact hoursPrerequisites: None. OFTC Pre-Requisites: Program Admission
Builds on the concepts presented in prior nursing courses and develops the clinical skills necessary for successful performance in the job market, focusing on practical applications. Topics include: application of the nursing process, critical thinking, supervisory skills, client education methods, and group dynamics.637Credit Hours: 60
