Practical Nursing, Advanced Certificate

Practical Nursing is a one-year certificate program designed to prepare individuals to assume the roles and responsibilities of the practical nurse. Consult a KCC advisor or the “Information on Health Career Programs” handout for program entry requirements. Upon successful completion of the program, the individual is eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses. The NCLEX-PN pass rate is 100% every year 2013-2019. The program completion is approximately 60% and job placement is 100%.

Program eligibility standards apply; consult a KCC advisor.

Students in health career programs are advised to consult the Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations, section 11.4. This regulation concerns completion of all courses in health career curricula being completed with a grade of C or better.

Additional Program Information

Each student in this program must have a physical exam, criminal background check without any disqualifying convictions, a negative drug screen, and current CPR certification from the American Heart Association (BLS for Healthcare Provider) or American Red Cross (Professional Rescuer: adult, child & infant or AED).

The curriculum of record for students applying to, but not yet accepted into, competitive entry health careers programs will be the Associate in General Studies.

The practical nursing certificate program at Kankakee Community College located in Kankakee, 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 certificate program is: Initial Accreditation.
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm.

The Practical Nursing program at Kankakee Community College meets the state education requirements for a practical nursing license in the state of Illinois. KCC has not determined if the practical nursing program at KCC meets the state education requirements in any other state, any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) has resources that may be helpful.

The following achievement data is provided to demonstrate the preparedness of KCC's Practical Nursing graduates:

  • NCLEX-PN pass rate: 100% (2013-19)
  • Program completion average: Approximately 60%
  • Current job placement: 100%

PNUR.CRT.C73

Outcomes

Examine practices within the definition of a Licensed Practical Nurse as contained in the Nurse Practice Act.

Implement effective verbal, nonverbal, and written communication with clients, families and health care team members.

Utilize the nursing process to deliver safe and effective care to clients throughout the life span.

Relate evidenced-based research findings to nursing care and clinical decision making.

Organize a caring, person-centered environment where client choices related to cultural values, beliefs, and lifestyle are respected.

Demonstrate effective utilization of resources to meet client needs.

Program Eligibility

Program eligibility/application process - Consult this information for steps to apply and enroll in a health program, deadlines, eligibility worksheets, and essential physical capabilities and functions.

Program Requirements

Major Courses

PNUR 1138Practical Nursing I

8 Credits

PNUR 1241Practical Nursing Pharmacology I

1 Credit

PNUR 1140Practical Nursing II

10 Credits

PNUR 1262Practical Nursing Pharmacology II

2 Credits

PNUR 1316Practical Nursing III

6 Credits

PNUR 1491Practical Nursing Seminar

1 Credit

General education

BIOL 1564Intro to Anatomy & Physiology

4 Credits

or

BIOL 2644Anatomy & Physiology I

4 Credits

and

BIOL 2654Anatomy & Physiology II

4 Credits

COMM 1553Introductory Speech

3 Credits

ENGL 1613English I

3 Credits

The biology course(s) must be completed prior to PNUR 1140.

Total Credit Hours: 38

Suggested Course Sequence

0-15 credit hours

PNUR 1138Practical Nursing I

8 Credits

PNUR 1241Practical Nursing Pharmacology I

1 Credit

 

BIOL 1564Intro to Anatomy & Physiology

4 Credits

or

BIOL 2644Anatomy & Physiology I

4 Credits

and

BIOL 2654Anatomy & Physiology II

4 Credits

ENGL 1613English I

3 Credits

16-30 credit hours

PNUR 1140Practical Nursing II

10 Credits

PNUR 1262Practical Nursing Pharmacology II

2 Credits

COMM 1553Introductory Speech

3 Credits

31-45 credit hours

PNUR 1316Practical Nursing III

6 Credits

PNUR 1491Practical Nursing Seminar

1 Credit

Suggested Course Sequence (by Semester)

Gen eds prior to program acceptance

BIOL 1564Intro to Anatomy & Physiology

4 Credits

or

BIOL 2644Anatomy & Physiology I

4 Credits

and

BIOL 2654Anatomy & Physiology II

4 Credits

COMM 1553Introductory Speech

3 Credits

ENGL 1613English I

3 Credits

Fall semester

PNUR 1138Practical Nursing I

8 Credits

PNUR 1241Practical Nursing Pharmacology I

1 Credit

Summer term

PNUR 1316Practical Nursing III

6 Credits

PNUR 1491Practical Nursing Seminar

1 Credit

Spring semester

PNUR 1140Practical Nursing II

10 Credits

PNUR 1262Practical Nursing Pharmacology II

2 Credits

DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students

DAISY Award partner video

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students is designed to remind students, even on the hardest days in nursing school, why you want to be a nurse. By recognizing nursing students for the above-and-beyond care and compassion shown to patients and their families, we celebrate what it truly means to be a nurse. We honor the nurse-patient connection that makes all the difference to patients and their families in their healthcare experience and that makes great nurses truly great.

KCC is proud to be a DAISY Award Partner, recognizing one of our Student Nurses with this special honor at pinning ceremonies in May, July and December each year. Each DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students Honoree will be recognized at a public ceremony in her/his school and will receive: a beautiful certificate, a DAISY Award pin, and a hand-carved stone sculpture entitled A Healer’s Touch.

DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students Nomination

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact:

Mary Kyrouac, MSN, RN
Nursing professor
815-802-8818 or mkyrouac@kcc.edu

Jenny Rogers, MSN, RN, CMSRN
Clinical coordinator/nursing professor
815-802-8812 or jrogers@kcc.edu

About The DAISY Foundation

An acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System, The DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 in memory of J. Patrick Barnes who died (at the age of 33) from complications of the auto-immune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). Patrick’s family was very touched by the remarkable compassion and clinical skill demonstrated by Patrick’s nurses during his illness, so they created DAISY to recognize exceptional nurses everywhere. The DAISY Foundation is dedicated to saying Thank You to Nurses and is now proud to recognize Nursing Students for their care of patients and their families.

Learn more about The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses and The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Faculty at DAISYfoundation.org.

Get Started Now

Ready to take the first step? Applying to KCC is quick and easy. Get started today!

Apply Request Info Visit

Speak to an Advisor
Advisors are available to assist you with general information about KCC’s programs and services.

Call: 815-802-8500
Email: advising@kcc.edu

Total Credit Hours: 38