PRACTICAL
NURSING
HANDBOOK
Program Director
Jill Kirk RN ext. 153
Contacts
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Telephone: (215) 898-5000
Instructor
Cheryl Webb
Clinical Instructor
Dawn Gardner Ext 128
All employee emails are:
Revised Dresden 2019, Revised Camden 2025
1
,TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE NUMBER
Mission Statement, Objectives, and Program Philosophy 3
Policies and Procedures 3
Admission Policies 3
Advance Standing, Late Admittance, Transfer 4
Withdrawal and Re-Admission 4
Nurse Aid Examination Challenge 5
Conduct Code 5
Conduct in the Clinical Area 6
Uniforms and Personal Appearance for Health Care 7
Curriculum and Course Description 9
Evaluation Criteria and Grading Scale 84
Counseling 85
Worker Characteristics 86
Expense 86
Financial Assistance 86
Health Requirements, Library, Attendance, Graduation 86-87
Miscellaneous Policies 88
Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen 89
Nursing Rules 90
Qualifications of Practical Nursing 91
Appendixes
Counseling/Probation Form 92
Honor Graduate Award Program 93-94
Student Agreement 95
HESI Progression Policy 96
Worker Characteristic 97
2
,MISSION STATEMENT
The practical nursing faculty supports the mission and goals outlined by the Tennessee
College of Applied Technology as reflected in the student handbook.
The mission of the Practical Nursing Program is to prepare individuals for successful mastery
of the competencies required of the practical nurse and for successful completion of the
national licensure exam.
PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY
Education of the practical nurse is characterized by its emphasis on clinical-practical
experiences necessary to meet common nursing problems. The curriculum is based on
concepts from the biological and behavioral sciences in a planned sequence of correlated
theory and clinical experience. This is achieved through selected learning experiences
progressing from simple to complex. These experiences are provided to offer the practical
nurse students the opportunity to develop knowledge skills and attitudes that are essential
for the practice of practical nursing and for providing the foundation for continuing
personal and professional growth and development.
Education is an ongoing process of learning. Each individual is afforded the realization of his
potential in a changing society enabling him to become progressively self-directed and self
disciplined.
B. OBJECTIVES
Based on the school’s philosophy, we aim to provide a practical nurse educational program
that will prepare qualified candidates to become competent, entry-level, practical nurses.
Upon completion of this course, the graduate will be able to:
1. Recognize the individuality of the patient.
2. Provide nursing care in a safe and organized manner.
3. Demonstrate sound technical skills reflecting current nursing standards.
4. Identify and fulfill the duties and responsibilities of a practical nurse as a member
of the health care team.
5. Participate in the promotion of health in the hospital and the community
6. Recognize the influence of a physical, psychosocial, and cultural milieu of health
7. Identify and implement basic scientific principles in giving nursing care.
8. Recognize the need for continued self-direction in personal and professional
growth.
C. POLICIES and PROCEDURES
1. ADMISSION POLICIES
The school’s policy for admission to the Practical Nursing Program is as follows:
A. Complete an online application.
B. Be a high school graduate or have a G.E.D.
3
, D. Pass the HESI entrance exam with a minimum score of 70 in both math and
reading. A fee is charged for this exam. Test scores will be held for no more than two
years.
E. Students who are reapplying after failure of the course will schedule a meeting
with the Director of Nursing and Student Services Coordinator before being
accepted into a class.
F. If accepted into the program, a physical examination must be performed by a
licensed physician, or otherwise qualified person, before entering the program.
The student is also required to provide a negative ten-panel drug screen and
background check before the first day of class. The student must provide proof of (2)
MMR, (2) Varicella, (3) Hepatitis B vaccines or proof of positive titer, and a TB Skin
test before the first day of class. If the skin test is positive the student must have a
Chest x-ray to show no presence of the disease.
G. An annual flu shot while in the program is mandatory. Students refusing to
receive a flu shot will not be allowed in the clinical setting. This will result in failure
of clinical and dismissal due to failure to progress.
Class size is limited by clinical and classroom space and faculty availability. Applicants will
be notified by letter whether or not they are accepted into the Nursing Program Applicants
not accepted for the class for which they applied may be considered for a later class.
2. ADVANCED STANDING, LATE ADMITTANCE, & TRANSFER STUDENTS
Students must meet all admission requirements of the Tennessee College of Applied
Technology. This includes taking the HESI A2 test. In addition to the admission requirements,
the student must provide a transcript from all previous schools. The transcript will be
reviewed by the Allied Health Coordinator, Student Services Coordinator, and Student
Records Coordinator. Following this review, the applicant may be admitted into the
program, which is already underway, provided the required criteria are met. To receive any
previous credit, the course work must have occurred within five years of admission to the
Nursing Program and the applicant must have received a grade of “C” or above.
Prior to admission, the student must pass a HESI exam in each subject in which a previous
passing grade has been obtained. The student must pay for the testing and pass each test
before receiving advanced standing placement. The student must also show competency in
skills prior to performing procedures in the clinical setting.
3. WITHDRAWAL AND READMISSION POLICIES
If a student is absent for some time and unable to make up class assignments, he/she may
be permitted to withdraw and be considered for reinstatement in a later class if
performance is satisfactory and if those concerned recommend it.
To officially withdraw from the nursing program the student must:
1. Notify the primary instructor and program coordinator in writing of the intent to
withdraw.
2. Complete an exit interview with student services
4
NURSING
HANDBOOK
Program Director
Jill Kirk RN ext. 153
Contacts
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Telephone: (215) 898-5000
Instructor
Cheryl Webb
Clinical Instructor
Dawn Gardner Ext 128
All employee emails are:
Revised Dresden 2019, Revised Camden 2025
1
,TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE NUMBER
Mission Statement, Objectives, and Program Philosophy 3
Policies and Procedures 3
Admission Policies 3
Advance Standing, Late Admittance, Transfer 4
Withdrawal and Re-Admission 4
Nurse Aid Examination Challenge 5
Conduct Code 5
Conduct in the Clinical Area 6
Uniforms and Personal Appearance for Health Care 7
Curriculum and Course Description 9
Evaluation Criteria and Grading Scale 84
Counseling 85
Worker Characteristics 86
Expense 86
Financial Assistance 86
Health Requirements, Library, Attendance, Graduation 86-87
Miscellaneous Policies 88
Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen 89
Nursing Rules 90
Qualifications of Practical Nursing 91
Appendixes
Counseling/Probation Form 92
Honor Graduate Award Program 93-94
Student Agreement 95
HESI Progression Policy 96
Worker Characteristic 97
2
,MISSION STATEMENT
The practical nursing faculty supports the mission and goals outlined by the Tennessee
College of Applied Technology as reflected in the student handbook.
The mission of the Practical Nursing Program is to prepare individuals for successful mastery
of the competencies required of the practical nurse and for successful completion of the
national licensure exam.
PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY
Education of the practical nurse is characterized by its emphasis on clinical-practical
experiences necessary to meet common nursing problems. The curriculum is based on
concepts from the biological and behavioral sciences in a planned sequence of correlated
theory and clinical experience. This is achieved through selected learning experiences
progressing from simple to complex. These experiences are provided to offer the practical
nurse students the opportunity to develop knowledge skills and attitudes that are essential
for the practice of practical nursing and for providing the foundation for continuing
personal and professional growth and development.
Education is an ongoing process of learning. Each individual is afforded the realization of his
potential in a changing society enabling him to become progressively self-directed and self
disciplined.
B. OBJECTIVES
Based on the school’s philosophy, we aim to provide a practical nurse educational program
that will prepare qualified candidates to become competent, entry-level, practical nurses.
Upon completion of this course, the graduate will be able to:
1. Recognize the individuality of the patient.
2. Provide nursing care in a safe and organized manner.
3. Demonstrate sound technical skills reflecting current nursing standards.
4. Identify and fulfill the duties and responsibilities of a practical nurse as a member
of the health care team.
5. Participate in the promotion of health in the hospital and the community
6. Recognize the influence of a physical, psychosocial, and cultural milieu of health
7. Identify and implement basic scientific principles in giving nursing care.
8. Recognize the need for continued self-direction in personal and professional
growth.
C. POLICIES and PROCEDURES
1. ADMISSION POLICIES
The school’s policy for admission to the Practical Nursing Program is as follows:
A. Complete an online application.
B. Be a high school graduate or have a G.E.D.
3
, D. Pass the HESI entrance exam with a minimum score of 70 in both math and
reading. A fee is charged for this exam. Test scores will be held for no more than two
years.
E. Students who are reapplying after failure of the course will schedule a meeting
with the Director of Nursing and Student Services Coordinator before being
accepted into a class.
F. If accepted into the program, a physical examination must be performed by a
licensed physician, or otherwise qualified person, before entering the program.
The student is also required to provide a negative ten-panel drug screen and
background check before the first day of class. The student must provide proof of (2)
MMR, (2) Varicella, (3) Hepatitis B vaccines or proof of positive titer, and a TB Skin
test before the first day of class. If the skin test is positive the student must have a
Chest x-ray to show no presence of the disease.
G. An annual flu shot while in the program is mandatory. Students refusing to
receive a flu shot will not be allowed in the clinical setting. This will result in failure
of clinical and dismissal due to failure to progress.
Class size is limited by clinical and classroom space and faculty availability. Applicants will
be notified by letter whether or not they are accepted into the Nursing Program Applicants
not accepted for the class for which they applied may be considered for a later class.
2. ADVANCED STANDING, LATE ADMITTANCE, & TRANSFER STUDENTS
Students must meet all admission requirements of the Tennessee College of Applied
Technology. This includes taking the HESI A2 test. In addition to the admission requirements,
the student must provide a transcript from all previous schools. The transcript will be
reviewed by the Allied Health Coordinator, Student Services Coordinator, and Student
Records Coordinator. Following this review, the applicant may be admitted into the
program, which is already underway, provided the required criteria are met. To receive any
previous credit, the course work must have occurred within five years of admission to the
Nursing Program and the applicant must have received a grade of “C” or above.
Prior to admission, the student must pass a HESI exam in each subject in which a previous
passing grade has been obtained. The student must pay for the testing and pass each test
before receiving advanced standing placement. The student must also show competency in
skills prior to performing procedures in the clinical setting.
3. WITHDRAWAL AND READMISSION POLICIES
If a student is absent for some time and unable to make up class assignments, he/she may
be permitted to withdraw and be considered for reinstatement in a later class if
performance is satisfactory and if those concerned recommend it.
To officially withdraw from the nursing program the student must:
1. Notify the primary instructor and program coordinator in writing of the intent to
withdraw.
2. Complete an exit interview with student services
4
