Practical Nursing Certificate
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Practical Nursing Certificate

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Building the Knowledge, Skills, and Confidence to Care

The Practical Nursing Certificate Program offers a focused and immersive pathway into the nursing profession, designed for individuals seeking to make a meaningful impact in healthcare. This program blends rigorous academic instruction with hands-on clinical experience, preparing students to deliver safe, patient-centered care rooted in evidence-based practices.

Throughout the program, students develop the ability to think critically and act with sound clinical judgment, while learning to collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary healthcare teams, patients, families, and peers. Emphasis is placed on promoting health and wellness across the lifespan, reinforcing environments that support optimal outcomes for individuals and communities.

Students are guided to cultivate a strong professional identity, grounded in ethical and legal standards, and to embrace the responsibilities inherent in the role of the practical nurse. Leadership principles and quality improvement strategies are integrated into the curriculum, empowering students to contribute to holistic care and continuous improvement in healthcare settings. Technical proficiency is developed through simulation and clinical practice, ensuring graduates are confident and competent in essential nursing skills.

Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam and are well-prepared to begin their careers as practical nurses in hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, and other healthcare environments.

Suggested 2-Semester Pathway

The two-semester pathway is intended for the typical college-ready student. Always look at placement scores, AP, and previous college credits to ensure proper placement in the first and subsequent semesters.

Semester Credit Hours: 15-16
Semester 2
Semester 2 Credit Hours
NUR 101: PN Adult Health Nursing 4
NUR 112: PN Nursing Care of Special Populations 4
NUR 121: PN Pharmacology II 1
NUR 130: PN Transition to Practice 1
BIO 252: Anatomy and Physiology 2 4
PSY 133: Introduction to Psychology 3
Semester Credit Hours: 17
 

Lookup Course Description

 

Requirements for Practical Nursing Certificate

Nursing Requirements (37 credit hours)
Nursing Requirements (17 credit hours) Credit Hours
NUR 100: PN Fundamentals 6
NUR 120: PN Pharmacology I 1
NUR 101: PN Adult Health Nursing 4
NUR 112: PN Nursing Care of Special Populations 4
NUR 121: PN Pharmacology II 1
NUR 130: PN Transition to Practice 1
Restricted Elective
Restricted Elective Credit Hours
INT 111: College Foundations OR
ALH 145: Introduction to Medical
Terminology OR
ALH 110: Dosage Calc for HC Providers
1-2
English Requirements (3 credit hours)
English Requirements (3 credit hours) Credit Hours
ENG 101: Research and Composition 3
Social Sciences Requirements (3 credit hours)
Social Sciences Requirements (3 credit hours) Credit Hours
PSY 133: Introduction to Psychology 3
Math and Science (8 credit hours)
Math and Science (8 credit hours) Credit Hours
BIO 251: Anatomy and Physiology 1 4
BIO 252: Anatomy and Physiology 2 4

Total Credit Hours 32

Accreditation 

The Associate Degree nursing program at Jefferson Community College located in Watertown, NY is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
https://www.acenursing.org

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree nursing program is: continuing accreditation.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at https://www.acenursing.org/search-programs.

 

 

Contact Enrollment Services for Application and Admissions Information

Jules Center 6-010 (ground level)
admissions@sunyjefferson.edu
(315) 786-2437, fax (315) 786-2471 or toll free (888) 435-6522

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Friday

 

Program Contacts

Laura Young

Typist
lyoung@sunyjefferson.edu
(315) 786-2319

Kady Hoistion

Director of Nursing
khoistion@sunyjefferson.edu
(315) 786-2322

Donna Stevenson

AVP of STEM, Health Professions, & Business
dstevenson@sunyjefferson.edu
(315) 786-2323