Practical Nursing Certificate

Program Description

The nursing program is a partner in the Oregon Consortium for the Nursing Education (OCNE) and offers a competency-based curriculum jointly developed by nursing faculties from the consortium schools. Acceptance to the program allows for co-admission to the community college and Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) nursing programs. The program is designed as four years of full-time study, with the first year devoted to prerequisites and/or preparatory courses required for admission to the restricted (limited) admission nursing program. Successful completion of the second year allows students to sit for the PN-NCLEX and obtain licensure in the state of Oregon as a Practical Nurse. The third years leads to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) offered by the community college. The program continues for one additional year leading to a Bachelor of Science, Nursing (BS, N) offered by the Oregon Health & Science University. The full program may be completed at the partner school campus. The first five terms after admission to the nursing program are identical for the associate and bachelor’s work. Term six offers’ students the ability to complete the AAS degree and provides the eligibility for NCLEX testing to obtain RN licensure. Following completion of the UCC Program, students have the option to complete the upper division nursing courses from OHSU and continue with the curriculum for the final three quarters, culminating with a Bachelor of Science, degree in Nursing. Both the AAS and BS, N degrees meet the educational requirement for the national licensure examination for RN licensure.

Program Outcomes

  1. Bases personal and professional actions on a set of shared core nursing values utilizing Practical Nursing scope of practice
  2. Uses reflection, self-analysis, and self-care to develop insight
  3. Engages in intentional learning
  4. Demonstrates leadership in nursing and healthcare
  5. Collaborates as part of a health care team as a practical nurse
  6. Practice within, utilizes, and contributes to all health care systems
  7. Practices relationship-centered approach
  8. Communicates effectively
  9. Makes sound clinical judgements
  10. Locates, evaluates, and uses the best available evidence

Program Course Requirements

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First TermCredits
NRS 110 Found of Nrsg-Health Promotion 9
NRS 232 Pathophysiological Proc I 3
 Credits12
Second Term
NRS 111 Found of Nrsg-Chronic Illness 6
NRS 230 Clinical Pharmacology I 3
NRS 233 Pathophysiological Proc II 3
 Credits12
Third Term
NRS 112 Found of Nrsg-Acute Care 6
NRS 231 Clinical Pharmacology II 3
 Credits9
 Total Minimum Credits33

Program Prerequisites

BI 222Intro to Genetics3
BI 231Anatomy and Physiology4
BI 232Anatomy and Physiology4
BI 233Anatomy and Physiology4
BI 234Microbiology4
FN 225Human Nutrition4
HDFS 201Ind-Family Development3
MTH 095Intermediate Algebra (or higher)4
PSY 101Psychology of Human Relations3
WR 121ZComposition I4
WR 122ZComposition II4
WR 227ZTechnical Writing4

Advising Notes

  • All Required Prerequisite Courses credits must be completed before starting the Nursing (NRS) courses. Total credits: 47-48
  • All nursing students must successfully pass a drug screening test at the time of admission into the Nursing Program and are subject to random drug screening throughout the program
  • All accepted nursing students will be required to undergo a background check prior to entering the program
  • All accepted nursing students will be required to have current BLS card via the American Heart Association
  • All accepted nursing students will be required to provide evidence of their current immunization status for Hep B, MMR, Tdap, Varicella, TB, COVID, and influenza. Additional requirements may be needed for clinical placement
  • Reliable Internet Access
  • PC with MS Word 2013 or newer