Practical Nursing Certificate (PN21)
The Practical Nursing 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 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. The nursing program covers all theoretical content areas outlined in Georgia Board Rule 410-9-06 (5a & 5b). A variety of clinical experiences is planned so that theory and practice are integrated under the guidance of the clinical instructor. Program graduates receive a practical nursing certificate and have the qualifications of an entry-level practical nurse. The PN21 program is a certificate program to be implemented with new cohorts of students beginning Fall 2024 and beyond. Students most commonly will have to submit a satisfactory criminal background check as well as a drug screen to be placed in a clinical health care facility to complete the clinical rotations of their educational training.
Career Opportunities
Graduates may find employment as licensed practical nurses in hospitals, physicians’ offices, long-term care, rehabilitation therapy, clinics, and HMOs, or in related employment.
Selection Criteria Process
Admission to West Georgia Technical College’s Health Sciences and Nursing diploma, degree and certificate programs is based on a selection criteria process. There are minimum requirements for admission to individual Health Sciences and Nursing programs, and meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Please refer to the admissions section of the catalog for full details of selection criteria process.
Selection Criteria Deadlines
The Practical Nursing program will admit once each year at the Coweta Campus, LaGrange Campus and Murphy Campus.
- Murphy Campus – June 1st deadline for Fall Semester cohort start date
- Coweta Campus- September 1st deadline for Spring Semester cohort start date
- LaGrange Campus – February 1st deadline for Summer Semester cohort start date
Practical Nursing Occupational and Clinical Courses
Students selected for admission to the Practical Nursing program will complete the occupational and clinical program courses in a prescribed sequence as a cohort.
Credit Required for Graduation: Minimum of 49 credit hours
Curriculum
Occupational Courses