Nightingale College’s Practical Nurse (PN) Diploma Program

Nursing is one of the most in-demand professions in the healthcare industry. It is a noble and rewarding career that requires a combination of knowledge, skills, and compassion. Nightingale College’s Practical Nurse (PN) Diploma Program is designed to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or licensed vocational nurse (LVN). In this article, we will take a closer look at the Nightingale College PN Diploma Program, its curriculum, admission requirements, and career opportunities.

Overview of Nightingale College

Nightingale College is a private, for-profit institution of higher learning that was founded in 2010. It is based in Salt Lake City, Utah, and offers online and on-campus nursing programs. The college is named after Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, who is renowned for her contributions to the nursing profession during the Crimean War.

Nightingale College is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and is approved by the Utah State Board of Nursing. The college’s mission is to empower students to advance the nursing profession through innovative, high-quality, and accessible education.

The Practical Nurse (PN) Diploma Program

The Nightingale College PN Diploma Program is a comprehensive nursing program that is designed to prepare students to become licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or licensed vocational nurses (LVNs). The program is offered online and on-campus and is designed to be completed in as little as 12 months.

The curriculum of the PN Diploma Program is designed to cover a wide range of nursing topics and skills. Some of the courses that students will take during the program include:

1. Nursing Fundamentals: This course covers the basics of nursing practice, including patient care, vital signs, infection control, and medication administration.
2. Medical-Surgical Nursing: This course covers the nursing care of patients with medical and surgical conditions, including cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal disorders.
3. Maternal-Child Nursing: This course covers the nursing care of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, as well as the care of newborns and infants.
4. Mental Health Nursing: This course covers the nursing care of patients with mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia.
5. Pharmacology: This course covers the principles of pharmacology, including drug classifications, dosages, and administration.
6. Leadership and Management: This course covers the principles of leadership and management in healthcare settings, including communication, delegation, and decision-making.

In addition to the above courses, students will also participate in clinical rotations where they will gain hands-on experience in real-world healthcare settings. Clinical rotations are an essential component of the PN Diploma Program and provide students with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in the classroom to actual patient care.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Nightingale College PN Diploma Program, students must meet the following requirements:

1. High School Diploma or Equivalent: Students must have a high school diploma or equivalent, such as a GED.
2. GPA: Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
3. Prerequisite Courses: Students must have completed prerequisite courses in anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and human growth and development.
4. Background Check: Students must pass a criminal background check and drug screening.
5. Immunizations: Students must have up-to-date immunizations and a negative tuberculosis (TB) test.
6. English Language Proficiency: Students whose primary language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency by achieving a minimum score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam.

Career Opportunities

After completing the Nightingale College PN Diploma Program, graduates can pursue a variety of career opportunities in the nursing field. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) are in high demand in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies.

Some of the job titles that PN Diploma Program graduates may pursue include:

1. LPN/LVN: Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) provide basic nursing care under the direction of registered nurses (RNs) and physicians.
2. Medical Assistant: Medical assistants work in healthcare settings and perform administrative and clinical tasks, such as taking vital signs, administering medications, and scheduling appointments.
3. Home Health Aide: Home health aides provide personal care and assistance to individuals who are elderly, disabled, or chronically ill in their homes.
4. Phlebotomist: Phlebotomists are responsible for drawing blood from patients for diagnostic tests, transfusions, and donations.
5. Medical Records Technician: Medical records technicians manage patient records and ensure that they are accurate and up-to-date.
6. Hospice Nurse: Hospice nurses provide care and support to patients who are terminally ill and their families.

Conclusion

Nightingale College’s Practical Nurse (PN) Diploma Program is a comprehensive nursing program that is designed to prepare students to become licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or licensed vocational nurses (LVNs). The program covers a wide range of nursing topics and skills and includes clinical rotations where students gain hands-on experience in real-world healthcare settings. Graduates of the program can pursue a variety of career opportunities in the nursing field, including LPN/LVN, medical assistant, home health aide, phlebotomist, medical records technician, and hospice nurse. If you are interested in pursuing a career in nursing, Nightingale College’s PN Diploma Program may be the perfect fit for you.

Nightingale College’s Practical Nurse (PN) Diploma Program