Practical Nursing Certificate
Health Manpower Shortage Program
This is a selective admissions program. Click here for more information.

*The option to receive a waiver for selected health care skills is available for Certified Nursing Assistants.

**BIOL 110 is a prerequisite for BIOL 220. The option to challenge or receive a waiver for BIOL 110 can be requested through the Biology Department. Students planning to enter the nursing program should address this alternative with an academic advisor, case manager or counselor.

Note: In order to progress through and graduate from the Practical Nursing program, students must successfully complete all science, Psychology 101 or Sociology 101, English 101, and nursing courses with a grade of "C" or better.

Program Description:
 
The Practical Nursing program is a 12-month, 46-credit certificate program designed to provide theoretical and clinical laboratory study in nursing that will enable students to learn to assist other licensed health care professionals, such as registered nurses and physicians, and work as members of a health care team. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN). The program length is intended to take three semesters to complete (one year). The program is accredited by the Maryland Board of Nursing.

Upon successful completion of the Practical Nursing Program, the graduate applies to take the National Licensing Examination (NCLEX-PN). Permission to take the NCLEX-PN is established by law and may be granted only by the Maryland Board of Nursing. The Board may deny a graduate permission for a variety of reasons. These include:

8-6A-10 (a)4
Is convicted of or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or to a crime involving moral turpitude, whether or not any appeal or other proceeding is pending to have the conviction or plea set aside.

[Nurse Practice Act, Annotated Code of Maryland, January 2008]

Admission to this program is a separate process from admission to the college. Admission to the School of Health Professions programs is competitive, selective, and is based on established criteria. Information about admissions processes for the programs in the School of Health Professions and the Selective Admissions Application form are available in the Office of Selective Admissions in Room J-101 on the Essex Campus or by calling 410-780-6112. This information is also available in the Admissions or Records and Registration office on each campus.

Students in the School of Health Professions are expected to conduct themselves according to an honor code, exhibit professional behavior, and communicate effectively in English, both written and oral. All students will be required to complete criminal background checks and may be required to submit to random drug testing.

Admission Criteria

1. High School Diploma or GED
2. Basic math competency
3. Basic reading competency
4. English language proficiency
5. Writing proficiency
6. Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)

Program Directors:

Nursing Program Administrator (Interim)
CCBC Essex
Barbara Netzer
410-455-4447 or bnetzer@ccbcmd.edu

Campus Director
CCBC Dundalk
Carrole Welsh
410-285-9460 or cwelsh@ccbcmd.edu