Practical Nursing GCC requires all students who enter the Associate Degree Nursing or Practical Nursing Certificate program to be and remain up to date with COVID vaccination. According to CDC guidance, that means that you have completed the primary series of vaccine (either both doses of the two-step (Moderna or Pfizer) or the one-time vaccine (Johnson & Johnson) AND have the most recent booster. Because all GCC clinical partners now require full vaccination and testing, participation in our nursing programs is not possible if you are not vaccinated. Vaccines are now readily available at most pharmacies and healthcare facilities Overview In as little as ten months, our program prepares you for a respected career as a licensed practical nurse (LPN), providing direct and competent nursing care to adults and children in nursing homes, doctor’s offices, and out in the community. Consider becoming an LPN if you are interested in being a “bedside nurse” who delivers “hands-on” patient care. What is an LPN? LPNs enjoy a rewarding, meaningful career in today’s healthcare system. LPNs have full responsibility for the quality of health care they provide to patients since they are a graduate of an approved certificate program and licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The LPN implements nursing care for adults and children with common health problems by providing patient care, administering medications and patient treatments, assisting with diagnostic procedures, and generally organizing the care of their patients. LPNs are employed in an exciting variety of health settings including long-term care facilities and ambulatory settings such as doctor’s offices. With 25% of LPNs in Massachusetts age 55-65 in 2013 and an increasingly older general population, employment opportunities are projected to steadily increase by 20-25% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay scales are also steadily increasing in this area of Massachusetts. Employment benefits generally include health insurance, paid vacation and sick leave. Extra pay is earned for working evenings, nights and/or weekends. LPNs enjoy a wide variety of work schedules providing great flexibility when attempting to juggle career and family responsibilities. Interested in our program? Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Practical Nursing Information Packet prior to applying. Most questions related to the admissions process can be answered with these two resources! Practical Nursing is a health occupations program with a special admissions process and health requirements. You must submit a separate application to this program in addition to a general application for admission to GCC. Please review all criteria prior to applying! Download an info packetComplete an applicationView enrollment deadlinesDownload health forms:Physical Exam Form • Immunization Form What You'll StudyCourse Sequencing PNC Students in this program take 43 credits of rigorous liberal arts and clinical nursing courses over a period of 40 weeks between the beginning of September and the end of June. The program prepares students for, but does not guarantee successful passing of, the NCLEX licensure examination. However, our graduates usually pass the examination, with some classes enjoying a 100% success rate. You will take at least 25-35 hours per week of laboratory science classes and clinical practice, with many more hours per week of study and preparation required in order to be successful. Attendance at all scheduled classes, clinical laboratories and clinical practices is expected, with a grade of at least “C” in every course in order to continue in the program. Students must have at least a 2.0 GPA to graduate. Curriculum Documents Practical Nursing (PNC) required courses - from our official academic catalog Degree completion worksheets to track your progress in this program are available from the Registrar's Office. To plan certificate completion, see the course descriptions in the academic catalog which specify the planned semester(s) in which required classes are to be scheduled. Course sequencing is outlined in our Practical Nursing Program Information Packet. Course descriptions are available in the academic catalog. Find courses Program Learning Outcomes Students completing a course of study in this program will be able to: The specific nursing curriculum is organized and based on concepts and principles aspired to by GCC’s Principles of Education. The curriculum design flows from these principles as seen below. Program Outcomes The PNC graduate will: Patient-Centered Care Provides holistic care that recognizes an individual’s and family’s preferences, values, and needs, and respects the client or designee as a full partner in providing compassionate, coordinated, age and culturally appropriate, safe and effective care. Professionalism Deliver standard-based care that is consistent with moral, altruistic, legal, ethical, regulatory and humanistic principles. Leadership Guide the behavior of individuals or groups within their environment in order to facilitate the establishment and achievement of shared goals. Systems Based-Practice Demonstrate the ability to effectively apply work unit resources to provide care that is of optimal quality and value while maintaining awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context of the healthcare system. Informatics and Technology Use technology and information to analyze as well as synthesize information to make decisions that optimize patient outcomes. Communication Interact effectively with patients, families, and colleagues, fostering mutual respect and shared decision making, to enhance patient satisfaction and health outcomes. Teamwork and Collaboration Function effectively within nursing and interprofessional teams, fostering open communication, mutual respect, shared decision-making, team development. Safety Minimize risk of harm to patients and providers through individual performance within health care systems. Quality Improvement Uses data to monitor the outcomes of care processes, and recommend improvement methods to design changes to continuously improve the quality and safety of the health care systems. Evidenced Based Practice Integrate the best current evidence coupled with clinical expertise for the delivery of optimal health care. Expected Level of Achievement for Approval 80% of students will pass the NCLEX PN exam within 12 months after completion of the program. 85% of students will complete the program within 36 months of enrollment in the first nursing course. 80% of students who respond to the post-graduation employment survey will be employed 16 hours or more within 6 months after graduation. 100% of students enrolled on the first day of classes are filled by qualified applicants meeting the PN nursing admission requirements. 0% of complaints to the MA Board of Registration in Nursing. What's Next Take the LPN licensure examination and enter the LPN work force. Generally, an LPN can expect to find employment caring for patients in structured settings such as long-term care facilities as well as in ambulatory settings such as doctor’s offices. However, there are a variety of options available to the practical nurse, especially if they have previous experience in related fields. In summary, the LPN is usually characterized as the “bedside nurse” who delivers hands-on patient care. Philosophy The GCC Practical Nursing Program aspires to be an agent for a more equitable, just, vibrant, and resilient world through education and development of a diverse and inclusive workforce. Our vision is to prepare practical nurses who are capable of meeting the basic psychosocial and physical needs of all individuals and their families with common, well-defined health problems in a manner in which personal preferences and beliefs are honored. The GCC Practical Nursing Certificate Program is committed to providing individuals the education necessary to become an integral part of the health-care team and assume positions as practical nurses in structured health-care settings. Practical nursing education is a planned sequence of teaching-learning activities utilizing the nursing process and clinical judgment as clinical reasoning and problem-solving techniques. A graduate of the Practical Nursing Certificate Program will be prepared to practice basic therapeutic, restorative, and preventive nursing in a safe, caring and competent manner. We believe that nursing is an art and science that assists, guides and supports individuals and their families in adaptive responses that promote well-being. Individuals and their families are by nature whole, complex, multidimensional systems. Holistic health is the state of well being of the whole person. Adaptive responses between the individual and their internal and external environment promotes health, improves the quality of life and allows for dignity in death. Our faculty appreciates the diversity and individuality of our students. We encourage them to actively participate in their own learning which we view as a life-long process in an ever-changing health-care environment. Concept of Nursing Education Nursing: The faculty views nursing as an art and a science. The art of nursing is the expression of nurturing, caring, and comforting. Science is the application of relevant theory, practice, and principles. The nurse uses professional communication to integrate the application of knowledge and the maintenance of individuality and culture in providing services to individuals and families. Humanity: Persons are physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual beings. The faculty teaches this holistic approach to the person throughout the curriculum. Nursing courses emphasize assessment of individuals and their potential for growth. Liberal arts courses and the biological sciences provide the student with a foundation to understand the dimensions of the individual. Environment: Environment includes internal and external elements that affect the individual. Nursing focuses on the person(s) in relation to their total environment. There is constant interaction between internal and external environments; it is impossible to separate the person from the environment. Health/Illness: Health and illness are dynamic and ever changing throughout the lifespan. They are separate but may co-exist as is represented by a continuous line called the health-illness continuum. This continuum spans highlevel wellness, common health problems, and severe illness and death. We support the GCC Principles of Education in that we value the process of learning as much as the knowledge gained. Nursing education is a life-long learning process which continually provides for the acquisition and application of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The faculty affirms the individuality of each student, the complexity of their life experiences, and their ability to actively participate in the learning process. We believe that each encounter with students in the learning environment should engage compassion and concern. Faculty The PNC Program faculty and staff work hard to help our students succeed. If you have specific questions or concerns about the PNC Program, please contact us! Melanie Ames Zamojski MS, RN, CHSEDean of NursingAcademic AffairsA.S., Greenfield Community College B.S.N., University of Phoenix M.S.N., Western Governor's University E120C 1-413-775-1763 ZamojskiM@gcc.mass.edu Melanie Ames Zamojski is the Dean of Nursing at Greenfield Community College. She oversees the Associate Degree and Practical Nursing Certificate Programs. Melanie has been with GCC since 2011 instructing in Fundamentals, Pediatrics, and clinicals. She has more recently coordinated the simulation and skills lab. Her experience is primarily in prehospital, critical and emergency care. Melanie is a proud graduate of the GCC Nursing Program! She lives locally with her husband, David and has 2 adult children, Meghan and Brian, and one grandchild due in 2023!Melissa Davis CMTAdministrative Assistant IAcademic AffairsE120D 1-413-775-1753 DavisM@gcc.mass.edu Lisa JanovskyFacultyNursingA.S., Greenfield Community College B.S.N., M.S.N., Elms College JanovskyL@gcc.mass.edu Crista Klein MSNFacultyNursingA.S., Greenfield Community College B.S.N., California State University M.S.N., St. Joseph's College of Maine E121H 1-413-775-1620 KleinC@gcc.mass.edu Rachel Porter InstructorAcademic AffairsA.S., Greenfield Community College B.S.N., Elms College E121J 1-413-775-1630 porterr@gcc.mass.edu Rebecca Wolf Faculty / Practical Nursing Program CoordinatorNursingA.A., A.S., Greenfield Community College B.S.N., M.S.N., Southern New Hampshire University E120A 1-413-775-1623 wolfr@gcc.mass.edu Classes Required coursesSample schedule The following courses must be completed in a sequential order which is outlined in our Practical Nursing Program Information Packet. PSY 101 Principles of Psychology - 3 credits Introduction to the field of psychology. The student considers topics pertaining to mental processes and behavior, such as theoretical perspectives, research methods, biopsychology, states of consciousness, sensation and perception, learning, cognition, memory, development, motivation, personality, and mental disorders. Prereq: ENG 090 and ENG 094, or satisfactory placement (Offered: Every Term) PSY 217 Human Growth and Development - 3 credits A survey of human physical, psychological, and social development from birth through death. Framework for the study of the individual's cumulative, integrative growth experience. Theories of development and their applications. Prereq: PSY 101 or permission of instructor (Offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer) BIO 194 Comprehensive Anatomy and Physiology - 4 credits A one semester survey of human anatomy and physiology. Students learn basic concepts of chemistry and cytology in order to understand human systems as well as the structure and function of organs, organ systems and their interactions. This course may involve dissection. NOTE: Students may receive credit for only one of the following: BIO 105 or BIO 107 or BIO 117 or BIO 194 or BIO 215 (BIO 195). Students may receive credit for BIO 106 or BIO 216 (BIO 196), but not for both. Prereq: ENG 090 and ENG 094, or satisfactory placement (Offered: Every Fall, Every Spring) NUR 103A Fundamentals of Practical Nursing - 10 credits Introduces the nursing process and clinical judgment framework as holistic approaches to studying physiological and psychosocial adaptations common to individuals and families experiencing health problems across the lifespan. The course explores foundational concepts underlying practical nursing practice such as patient-centered care, professionalism, leadership, systems-based practice, informatics and technology, communication, teamwork and collaboration, safety, quality improvement, and evidence-based practice. The course presents knowledge fundamental to safe and effective nursing practice including physical assessment techniques, health promotion across the lifespan including and introduction to pediatric nursing, safety and infection control, medication administration and pharmacodynamics, wound and ostomy care, nutrition and therapeutic diets, implications for the patient undergoing surgery, pain management, therapeutic communication, end of life care and grieving. Students may receive credit for NUR 103 or NUR 103A but not for both. This course is limited to Practical Nursing majors only. Special Requirement: Concurrent enrollment in NUR 103C required. Prereq: ENG 101 with a C or better. MAT 095S or MAT 105 or equivalent or a higher level Math course with a C+ or better within seven (7) years of program start date. Concurrent enrollment in either BIO 194 or BIO 216, or a C or better in BIO 194 taken within the last seven (7) years; or a C or better in BIO 215 AND BIO 216 within the last seven (7) years. PSY101 with a C or better or concurrent enrollment in PSY 101. Recomm: PSY 217 with a C or better (Offered: Every Fall) NUR 103C Fundamentals of Practical Nursing Clinical - 2 credits Provides clinical learning opportunities in long-term care settings. The course emphasizes interview techniques and nursing assessment of older adults. Clinical experience provides the opportunity to practice fundamental nursing skills that facilitate safe, and effective patient-centered care. Students may receive credit for NUR 103 or NUR 103C but not for both. Special Requirement: Students need to arrange travel to and from clinical sites and observation sites. Prereq: ENG 101 with a C or better. Either a C or better in BIO 194 taken within the last 5 years or concurrent enrollment in BIO 194; or a C or better in BIO 216 within the last 5 years, or concurrent enrollment in BIO 216. PSY 101 with a C or better or concurrent enrollment in PSY 101. Concurrent enrollment in NUR103A. This course is limited to Practical Nursing majors only. (Offered: Every Fall) NUR 107A Nursing Care of Patients and Families - 10 credits Focuses on the role of the practical nurse in the delivery of basic preventative, therapeutic, and restorative nursing care in subacute, acute, and/or office settings. The course emphasizes patients and their families as holistic beings adapting to common well-defined health problems. The student uses the nursing process and clinical judgment as frameworks to study physiological and psychosocial responses to actual and potential health problems in patients of all ages. The course provides instruction on pathophysiology across the lifespan, nursing assessment, diagnosis and interventions, diagnostic and patient education for each body system. This course includes mental health content as well as care of the sick child. Special Requirement: Concurrent enrollment in NUR 107C. Prereq: Successful completion of NUR 105C. Concurrent enrollment in PSY 217 with a C or better within the last seven (7) years. This course is limited to Practical Nursing majors only. (Offered: Every Spring) NUR 109A Advanced Concepts in Practical Nursing - 3 credits Continues to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for utilizing the nursing process and clinical judgment framework to deliver holistic nursing care to individuals and their families as they adapt to common, well-defined health problems. Course topics include maternal/newborn care, leadership, entry into practice, and community/public health. Special Requirements: Concurrent enrollment in NUR 109C. Prereq: NUR 107A with a C or better and successful completion NUR107C. This course is limited to Practical Nursing majors only. (Offered: Every Spring) NUR 109C Advanced Concepts in Practical Nursing Clinical - 2 credits Focuses on the integration and application of the nursing process in the final clinical course of the program with opportunities to practice leadership and delegation skills in the subacute, acute, and/or office clinical areas. The course emphasizes consistent utilization of the nursing process and clinical judgment and the implementation of clinical reasoning skills. Special Requirement: Students need to arrange travel to and from clinical sites. Prereq: NUR 107A with a C or better and successful completion NUR 107C. Concurrent enrollment in NUR 109A. This course is limited to Practical Nursing majors only. (Offered: Every Spring) Students in this full-time program take 43 credits of rigorous liberal arts and sciences as well as clinical nursing courses over a period of 40 weeks, from the beginning of September through the end of June. Sample schedule only, subject to change. Fall Class: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 8-11am Skills Lab: Monday or Tuesday, 12-3pm Clinical: Thursday or Friday, 7am-3pm January Intersession Clinical: Tuesday-Thursday 7:30am-9:30pm Spring Class/Lab: Monday & Thursday, 8am-2pm Clinical: 12 hours of clinical, either two (2) 6-hour days or one (1) 12-hour day, including Sundays May/June Monday & Tuesday, 8am-1:30pm Clinical: Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 6:30am-2:30pm or Thursday & Friday, 6:30am-6:30pm Outcomes Graduating Class 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 First-time pass rate on National Council Licensure Exam for Nurses (NCLEX-PN) 90% 77% 100% 79% 82% PN program completion rate within 36 months 85% 63% 83% 76% — Graduates employed as PNs within 6 months 100% — — — — Handbook View the Practical Nursing Student Handbook