Overview
Program Coordinator: Mignonne Ater – mignonneater@cltcc.edu
Program Description
Overview of the Practical Nursing Program
The Practical Nursing (PN) program at CLTCC is meticulously designed to meet the licensure requirements set by the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners. The curriculum is structured to transition students from simple to complex concepts, incorporating classroom instruction, lab practicum, and supervised clinical activities. These take place in accredited hospitals, nursing homes, and healthcare agencies. Learn more about this program:
Program Duration and Structure
- Program Length: Approximately five semesters for full-time students (15+ credit hours per semester).
- Completion Time: Designed to be completed in 18 months.
- Location: Available at all CLTCC campuses.
Curriculum Highlights
- Classroom Instruction: Foundation in nursing theory and practice.
- Lab Practicum: Hands-on training in a controlled environment.
- Clinical Activities: Real-world experience under supervision.
Career Opportunities for Practical Nurses
Graduates from the CLTCC Practical Nursing program find employment in diverse healthcare settings. These include:
- Nursing homes and extended care facilities.
- Hospitals and clinics.
- Physicians' offices.
- Private homes, providing in-home care.
Practical Nurse Requirements
Each course in the PN program must be completed with a minimum score of 80%. Students who successfully complete all the required competencies in the Practical Nursing curriculum as mandated by the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners, CLTCC, and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System are granted technical college diplomas. Upon graduation, the graduates are eligible to apply for licensure with the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners and take the NCLEX-PN examination administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nurses (NCSBN).
Practical Nursing is a limited enrollment program. Students must be admitted to the program to enroll in any of the PN courses.
Admission Requirements: Students must apply to the campus/program of their choice and meet the minimum admission standards, including:
- meet all admission and application requirements set by the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners and CLTCC;
- provide official certification of high school graduation or satisfactory completion of the State Department of Education equivalency examination;
- meet the minimum scores for CLTCC Practical Nursing Program in reading, language, and mathematics on an approved entrance examination;
- provide documentation of 2nd step assessment - WorkKeys Work Readiness Certificate (Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum);
- be admitted with the regularly scheduled class except in the case of admission with advanced standing;
- provide certified copy of birth certificate or possess a valid United States passport;
- provide health certification from a licensed physician; physical examination must be repeated for re-admit, transfer, or advanced standing students if a period of twelve months or more has lapsed since the last physical examination;
- be fingerprinted and complete a college required Office of State Police Right to Review Criminal Background Check;
- not be currently serving under any court imposed order of supervised probation, work-release, school release, or parole in conjunction with any felony conviction(s), plea agreement, or any agreement pursuant to the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 893. Applicants who fall into any of these categories are not eligible for admission;
- participate in and complete the Practical Nursing Pre-Enrollment Success Workshop.
Financial Considerations
Attending the Practical Nursing program at CLTCC involves financial planning and understanding the associated costs.
Tuition and Fees
- Cost per Semester: $2,495 (based on the highest credential available).
- Total Program Cost: $12,475, assuming completion within the standard timeframe.
- Typical Debt: Graduates who complete the program typically incur $8,580.17 in debt.
Additional Costs
Students should also consider living expenses and other potential costs, which may vary over time.
Additional departmental/program policies are included in the Practical Nursing Policy Handbook.
ENTRANCE EXAMINATION RECOMMENDED SCORES FOR PRACTICAL NURSING:
|
Placement Test
|
Reading
|
Language
|
Math
|
|
ACT (sub score)
|
20
|
17
|
18
|
|
COMPASS
|
85
|
70
|
55(Pre-Algebra)
33 (Algebra)
|
|
ACCUPLACER
|
65
|
74
|
48
|
Each nursing and allied health student is required to obtain and continue personal health insurance, at his or her own expense throughout the term of his or her participation in the program. In the event of an accident or injury, the student is responsible for any medical expenses including ambulance service fees.
As documented by a physician on the history & physical exam document, students must demonstrate ability to meet following technical/performance standards (related to ADA compliance) while receiving the instruction as outlined in each course syllabus:
- Read and communicate orally and in writing using the English language.
- Hear with or without auditory aids to understand normal speaking voice without viewing the speakers face.
- Visually, with or without corrective lenses, observe changes in client’s condition and actively participate in learning process.
- Utilize stamina, strength and psychomotor coordination necessary to perform routine practical nursing procedures at floor or bed level.
- Demonstrate use of gross and fine motor skills necessary to provide independent, safe and effective practical nursing care.
- Solve problems and apply critical thinking skills while providing safe and efficient client care.
- Interact with individuals/families/groups from various socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
- Adapt and function in a multi stressor environment while adhering to legal/ethical guidelines of the school, Louisiana Practical Nurse (PN) Practice Act and clinical agencies.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge and ability to administer medications safely and accurately based on nursing standards of practice.
- Perform safe and competent nursing care for clients with acute, chronic, or life-threatening physical health condition using the nursing process and standards of care.
- Perform applicable practical nursing skills to provide care for clients experiencing emotional, mental and/or social alterations using the nursing process and standards of care.
- Perform applicable practical nursing skills to provide care for maternal and neonatal clients during the antepartal, intrapartal, and postpartal periods using the nursing process and standards of care.
- Perform applicable practical nursing skills to provide care for pediatric clients using the nursing process and standards of care.
- Demonstrate knowledge of leadership skills, professionalism, and understanding of the scope of practice for the licensed practical nurse including laws, rules and regulations based on state and other regulatory agencies.
Credentials and Exit Points
The credentials and exit points for PN are listed below. Students who pursue the highest credential for this program (Technical Diploma) have the opportunity to finish each semester with a competency certificate.
Credential
AAS - Practical Nursing
Exit Points
CTC - Nursing Assistant
TD - Practical Nursing
Career and Technical Certificate (CTC), Technical Diploma (TD)
Program Curriculum
CURRICULUM (Click to Download Curriculum)
CURRICULUM
|
Course Number
|
Course Name
|
Clock Hours
|
Credit Hours
|
|
LPNU 1203
|
Practical Nursing Perspectives
|
45 Theory
|
3
|
|
LPNU 1214
|
Basic Fundamentals in Practical Nursing
|
45 Theory
20 Skills Lab
40 Clinical
|
4
|
|
|
CTC– Nursing Assistant
|
|
7
|
|
LPNU 1205
|
Anatomy and Physiology for Practical Nurses
|
75 Theory
|
5
|
|
LPNU 1262
|
Nutrition for Practical Nurses
|
30 Theory
|
2
|
|
LPNU 1223
|
Advanced Fundamentals in Practical Nursing
|
30 Theory
30 Skills Lab
|
3
|
|
LPNU 1234
|
Basic Pharmacology
|
45 Theory
15 Skills Lab
|
4
|
|
LPNU 2124
|
Advanced Pharmacology & IV Therapy
|
45 Theory
30 Skills Lab
|
4
|
|
LPNU 2413
|
Mental Health Nursing
|
30 Theory
45 Clinical
|
3
|
|
LPNU 2423
|
Maternal and Women’s Health Nursing
|
30 Theory
30 Clinical
|
3
|
|
LPNU 2433
|
Pediatric Nursing
|
30 Theory
30 Clinical
|
3
|
|
LPNU 2119
|
Medical Surgical Nursing I
|
90 Theory
180 Clinical
|
9
|
|
9LPNU 2229
|
Medical Surgical Nursing II
|
90 Theory
180 Clinical
|
9
|
|
LPNU 2338
|
Medical Surgical Nursing III
|
70 Theory
215 Clinical
|
8
|
|
LPNU 2342
|
Transitions to Professional Practice for the Practical Nurse
|
30 Theory
|
2
|
|
|
TD – PRACTICAL NURSING
|
700 Theory /800 Clinical
|
62
|
|
ENGL 1010
|
English Composition I
|
45 Theory
|
3
|
|
MATH 1100
|
College Algebra OR Contemporary Math
|
45 Theory
|
3
|
|
|
Social Science Elective
|
45 Theory
|
3
|
|
|
Natural Science Elective
|
45 Theory
|
3
|
|
|
Humanities Elective
|
45 Theory
|
3
|
|
|
AAS – PRACTICAL NURSING
|
1725
|
77
|
FALL 2025