The Practical Nursing diploma program is designed to prepare students to write the NCLEX-PN for licensure as practical nurses. The program prepares graduates to give competent nursing care. This is done through a selected number of academic and occupational courses providing a variety of techniques and materials necessary to assist the student in acquiring the needed knowledge and skills to give competent care. A variety of clinical experiences are planned so that theory and practice are integrated under the guidance of the clinical instructor. Program graduates receive a Practical Nursing diploma and have the qualifications of an entry-level practical nurse.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates of the Practical Nursing program are prepared for responsible employment positions in hospitals, nursing homes, health departments, doctors’ offices, and federal, state, and community agencies.
Accreditation/Approval
The Practical Nursing program is regulated by the Georgia Board of Nursing, 237 Coliseum Dr., Macon, GA 31217, Phone 478.207.2440.
Licensure/Certification
The Georgia Board of Nursing has granted full approval to the Practical Nurse Education program at Ogeechee Technical College. The applicant that has successfully completed a Georgia approved practical nursing program before the exam date, and upon proof that the applicant meets the statutory qualifications to become a licensed practical nurse in Georgia, and upon proof of payment of proper fees, the Board will allow the applicant to take such examination. Students are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN licensing exam. However, the Board has the authority to refuse to grant a license to an applicant who has been convicted of a felony or any crime violating a federal or state law. Because of this policy, there may be an inability of the person with a conviction to work in the profession.
Admissions Criteria
- Submit a completed application and application fee;
- Be at least 18 years of age before the first day of the first PNSG course;
- Submit official high school transcript or GED transcript;
- Submit official college transcripts, if applicable;
- PN is a competitive admissions program. Please refer to the Competitive Admission Programs page for more information.
- Meet the following assessment requirements:
| Test |
Reading |
Writing |
Numerical |
Algebra |
| Accuplacer |
55 |
60 |
34 |
NA |
| Accuplacer (Next Gen) |
224 |
236 |
229 |
NA |
| Compass |
70 |
32 |
26 |
NA |
| SAT |
16 |
15 |
18 |
NA |
| SAT |
270 |
280 |
310 |
NA |
| ACT |
14 |
13 |
14 |
NA |
| ASSET |
37 |
38 |
32 |
NA |
| PSAT |
16 |
15 |
18 |
NA |
| GED |
NA |
145 |
145 |
NA |
| TABE |
461 |
NA |
442 |
NA |
Readmission to The Practical Nursing Program
A student who voluntarily leaves or is dropped from the program due to academic reasons, attendance, or having earned a grade less than “C” in any course during the first semester (term A or term B) will be required to re-enter the competitive admissions process and would start the program from the beginning, if re-admitted. A student who successfully completes at least one full semester may apply for re-admission in the next cohort and would be required to repeat the semester that was not completed successfully, if re-admitted. Students are re-admitted on a space-available basis and are limited to a one-time re-entry. Students applying for re-entry to the second or third semester must successfully complete a comprehensive test over previous material and a skills test.
Readmission to a program will be granted on a space available basis within the appropriate course sequence. Students seeking readmission must be readmitted to the program within 12 months of the last successfully completed semester and will be required to complete the curriculum requirements in place at the time of re-enrollment.
Readmission to Competitive Admission Programs
A student who voluntarily leaves or is dropped from a competitive admission program due to academic reasons, attendance, or having received a grade less than “C” in any program course will be limited to a one-time re-entry into the program.
A student seeking readmission to a competitive admission program must understand that readmission is granted on a competitive and space available basis, based on the program’s admission criteria, accreditation agency requirements, and clinical capacity. The student must meet current program admission requirements at the time of the readmission request.
A student who voluntarily leaves or is dismissed from a competitive admission program during the first semester of program classes must re-enter the competitive admissions process in order to be re-admitted.
A student who successfully completed at least one term of program classes must follow the steps below to request re-admission to the program:
- Submit a letter requesting readmission to the Director for Admissions.
- Upon approval from the Director for Admissions and confirmation that there is space available in the class, the student must demonstrate retention of materials/information taught in the last successfully completed semester.
- The student will take a written examination covering materials taught in previously taken coursework. The student must make a grade of 75 or better.
- The student will take skills tests covering competencies in the procedures learned in previously taken coursework. The student must make an 85 or better on the skills test. The number of skills tests will be determined by each Program Director.
Practical Nursing Diploma Curriculum
The curriculum for the Practical Nursing diploma program is designed for the semester system. A student may enter the program fall or spring semester. To graduate, Practical Nursing diploma-seeking students must earn a minimum of 57 semester credit hours. Students are required to attend the NCLEX review course at the end of the program. The program requires a minimum of 1410 contact hours and generally takes 5 semesters to complete.
Program Courses
Basic Skills Courses (9 Credits)
Occupational Courses (48 Credits)
Program Costs
Tuition ($100 per credit hour): $5,700
Fees ($385 per semester): $1,925
Books/Supplies: $2,175
Uniform Costs: Approximately $150
Liability Insurance: $10 per fiscal year
Health Screening: $130
2-Step PPD Test: $50*
Hepatitis B vaccine series: $265*
MMR vaccine series: $50*
Varicella vaccine series $50* or Titer: $70
Tdap or Tetanus vaccine: $25*
Influenza Vaccine: $25*
BLS (American Red Cross or American Heart Association) certification: $50
Drug Screening: $30
Criminal Background Check: $80
NCLEX-PN Exam: $200
NCLEX Review Course: $400
Georgia Board of Examiners of LPN Application Fee: $40
Fingerprinting: $60**
Course Supply Fee: Nursing (click to find individual course fees)
*Note: Vaccine requirements pricing above reflect the department of public health services. Failure to complete any of the required vaccinations, PPD test, background check, or drug screen will prevent the student from clinical placement. Clinical clearance and placement is a requirement to begin and complete the Practical Nursing program.
**Fingerprinting is required for the NCLEX-PN Exam and is completed in the last semester.
Students may be accepted into a clinical rotation even with a criminal background. Completion of the Nursing Program does not guarantee the student will be eligible to test for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) or receive a nursing license. If the student has a criminal background, it is the student’s responsibility to research their own eligibility for licensure. If a student receives a violation of criminal activity during the course of the program, the clinical facility has the right to request an updated background check. Each clinical facility has the right to suspend privileges at any time during the duration of the program.
Students with a criminal background may send correspondence to the Georgia Board of Nursing at the below address:
Secretary of State
Georgia Professional Licensing
Boards Division 237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, Georgia 31217-3858
(Costs are estimates and are subject to change.)
Clinical Education
Number of Clinical Sites: Varies
General Location of the Clinical Sites: Bulloch, Candler, Chatham, Evans, Effingham, Jenkins and Screven Counties.
Special Requirements of the Clinical Sites
- American Heart Association BLS Healthcare Provider CPR Certification
- 2-Step PPD Test
- Hepatitis B 3-shot series. Students who refuse the Hepatitis B vaccination series must sign a declination form and be aware that clinical sites may refuse to accept them.
- MMR vaccine series (2-shot series) or titer showing immunity
- Tdap vaccine
- Varicella vaccine (2-shot series) or titer showing immunity
- Influenza Vaccine yearly
- Criminal Background Check
- Urine Drug Screen
- Current Health Insurance
- Physical Health Screening
Clinical Education Courses
The Practical Nursing practicums focus on health management and maintenance and the prevention of illness, care of the individual as a whole, and deviations from the normal state of health. The definition of client care includes using the nursing process, performing assessments, using critical thinking, and providing client education. Topics include health management and maintenance and prevention of illness, care of the individual as a whole, and deviations from the normal state of health in the cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, urinary, and gastrointestinal systems; client care, treatments, pharmacology, medication administration, and diet therapy related to the cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, urinary, gastrointestinal systems, musculoskeletal, neurological, integumentary, sensory systems, mental health, oncology; care of the child as a whole, and deviations from the normal state of health in the pediatric client; client care, treatment, pharmacology, medication administration, and diet therapy of the pediatric client; growth and development; obstetric clients, and the newborn; client care, treatment, pharmacology, medication administration, and diet therapy related to the reproductive system, obstetric clients, and the newborn; and standard precautions. The clinical practicums allow the student to become involved in a professional work situation applying technical skills.
Practicum courses require that the student spend a minimum number of hours a week in a supervised work setting. Students may not receive pay from the clinical site for practicum hours.
Clinical Assignments
Practical Nursing students will rotate through the clinical affiliates each semester. Clinical assignments are made during the day shift hours. Occasionally, assignments may include evening or night shift and weekend rotations. Students may not choose which clinical sites they wish to attend. Students are required to adhere to the assigned schedule at all times. No personal adjustments will be made to the clinical schedule. Students are responsible for having reliable transportation to the site. Some sites will require the student to travel outside of Bulloch County.