IMPORTANT NOTE: Changes to the Practical Nursing Certificate are in process. Please contact Emily Schaeffer (309.341.5253 or eschaeffer@sandburg.edu) or Margaret Kidd (309.341.5248 or mkidd@sandburg.edu) for more information.
Carl Sandburg College offers a certificate in Practical Nursing. The Practical Nursing program prepares the student for basic nursing practice per the scope of practice. As a member of the health care team, the Licensed Practical Nurse works under the direction of a registered professional nurse or an advanced practice registered nurse or as directed by a physician assistant, physician, dentist, or podiatric physician in a variety of health care settings. The LPN collaborates with assessing conditions and interventions, developing a plan of care, provides teaching and counseling to patients, provides bedside care with skills of taking vital signs, prepares and administers medication and treatments, and therapeutic communication.
Practical Nursing Program Goals
The graduate will integrate a safe environment for patients, self, and others. Collaborate in situations that require knowledge or action beyond the scope of practice for the practical nurse to provide safe, quality care.
The graduate will create a patient-centered environment with consideration for patient values, preferences, and needs by being culturally competent while evaluating physiological, psychological, and spiritual needs throughout the lifespan in a variety of healthcare settings.
The graduate will collaborate within nursing and with the inter-professional team to promote continuity of patient care through mutual respect and share decision making.
- Critical Thinking/Clinical Judgement
The graduate will use critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate clinical responses, using clinical judgement to competently make decisions on appropriate patient care within the legal and ethical scope of practice for the practical nurse.
The graduate will validate the best current evidence from research and other credible sources as a basis for nursing practice and clinical decision making with considering patient and family preferences and values for delivery of optimal health care.
The graduate will competently use information and technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error and support decision making.
Working Conditions
Most health care facilities provide a safe and comfortable working environment. Working hours may include various shifts; including 8 or 12 hours, weekends, and holidays. Schools, offices, and clinics may offer more traditional hours. The Licensed Practical Nurse provides direct patient care and must be able to obtain knowledge (cognitive function), skills (psychomotor function), and demonstrate professionalism (affective function). Please refer to the Essential Skills & Abilities of LPN to determine if you are able to meet these functions with or without reasonable accommodations.
Employment
Employment opportunities include, but are not limited to hospitals, long-term care/rehabilitation facilities, clinics and physician offices, schools, home health agencies, and dialysis centers. It is projected that employment of LPNs will grow 9% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. As the baby-boom population ages, the overall need for healthcare services is expected to increase. There will be an increased need for LPNs in residential care facilities and in home health environments to care for older patients. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.
Accreditation/Approval
The Practical Nursing program at Carl Sandburg College located Galesburg, Illinois, is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Practical Nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
Illinois State Board of Nursing (ISBN) and Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) has approved the Practical Nursing program.
Licensure
Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX-PN). Upon successful completion of this exam, the student is eligible to apply for Practical Nurse licensure. Graduates will need to complete a criminal background check at time of licensure application and will be evaluated by ISBN before licensure is granted or denied. Please be advised that the Illinois State Board of Nursing (ISBN) can deny nursing licensure and discipline those that are licensed. You can access all licensing and nursing scope of practice regulations at www.idfpr.com.
Admission to the Program: Selective
The Practical Nursing Program has limited enrollment and a selection process for admission into the program. Applicants need to refer to the Eligibility & Admission Requirements for this program to determine eligibility criteria and selection process. Students interested in this program must attend a Health Professions Informational Session prior to applying to the program. Students can apply online to the Practical Nursing Program October 1 - March 1. The application deadline date is March 1 for Fall enrollment. The applicant will be notified approximately two weeks after the application deadline date whether or not they have been accepted into the program. Applicants accepted into the Practical Nursing program must attend the program orientation session.
Students accepted will be required to possess Health Care Provider Basic Life Support CPR certification throughout the program, show proof of immunizations and required titers, TB test, physical examination, criminal background check, and drug screen. Students are responsible for all fees incurred, in addition to tuition. Please refer to the Practical Nursing Program Cost Sheet. Please note findings on the criminal background check and drug screen may void conditional admission and prevent entrance to the program. Findings on the physical examination and drug screen may prevent placement at the clinical sites.
Department of Health Professions
2400 Tom L. Wilson Blvd.
Galesburg, IL 61401
Phone: 309.341.5299
For Additional Information Contact:
The Welcome Center
Phone: 309.345.3500
welcomecenter@sandburg.edu
For Graduation Requirements:
See the graduation policies and procedures page for details .
Note: Students must apply for admission to this program. Please click here to view the program’s page for admission requirements including coursework and prerequisites prior to applying.
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