Nursing

Practical Nursing Diploma

The Practical Nursing diploma program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA, 30326; 404-975-5000.

At this time, graduates of the Community College of Rhode Island's Practical Nursing Program are not permitted to take the NCLEX-PN licensure examination in Massachusetts, by order of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (MABON), nor will MABON allow CCRI Practical Nursing graduates to obtain licensure in another state and then apply for a Massachusetts license by endorsement/reciprocity.  

Continuing Accreditation for Practical Nursing: Last evaluation visit: September 27-29, 2011. Substantive change report accepted July 20, 2017. Next evaluation visit: Fall 2019.

Students who complete the Practical Nursing course of study receive a diploma and are eligible to take the examination for licensure as a Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN). Students who complete first semester classes of the Practical Nurse program are eligible to take the examination to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA).

The Practical Nursing program is offered at the Knight (Warwick) campus.

Applicants may earn credits before applying for diploma status, but they must consult with the Office of Enrollment Services. Courses may be taken at the Community College of Rhode Island or at any other accredited college.

Technical Standards: The physical activity (strength) level for a licensed practical nurse (075.374-017) is classified as “medium” by the Department of Labor in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles.

Note: Some courses require prerequisites, co-requisites and/or testing. See course descriptions for details.

GENERAL POLICIES:

See important general policies in the beginning of this section regarding the Performance-Based Health Sciences (PBHS) application process, academic progress, advanced placement, background check, CPR certification, health insurance, health records, reinstatement, transportation, uniforms, and equipment.

Minimum requirements to apply for the Practical Nursing program

1. CCRI Application for Enrollment in General Studies with a pre-practical nursing concentration
2. Official copy of a high school or GED® transcript, or baccalaureate transcript from an accredited institution, including date of graduation or completion
3. If applicable, submit copy of current CNA licensure to the Office of Enrollment Services. Additional admission points will be granted for current CNA licensure.
4. ACCUPLACER test issued by CCRI’s Department of Advising and Counseling
   • Reading Comprehension Requirement:
     • Score of 90 or above in Classic Accuplacer is required in Reading Comprehension OR score of 259 or above in Next Generation Accuplacer is required in Reading Comprehension OR ENGL 0890: Critical Reading with a grade of B- or better
   • Mathematics Requirement: 
     • Score of 80 or above in Classic Accuplacer is required for Math (Arithmetic) OR score of 245 in Next Generation Accuplacer is required in Math (Arithmetic) OR MATH 0100: Fundamentals of Mathematics with a grade of B- or better
     • Entry point into MATH 0100 is MATH 0095
   NOTE: All attempts at MATH 0100 (or MATH 0099 prior to January 1, 2018), including transfers, are considered ONE attempt regardless of the number of times the class was taken. If a student fails to meet the satisfactory grade requirements within two attempts, the student must wait five years from the last attempt to retake the course.
5. HESI A² Test: Score of 70 percent or better on each section. If a student does not achieve a 70 percent on one or more of the HESI A² tests, he or she may retake the necessary test(s) once within the next 12 months. Students are limited to two attempts within the 12-month period from the date the original test was taken. A minimum of two weeks between exams is required. Please note: HESI test scores do not expire.
6. Complete the following prerequisite course: ENGL 1010: Composition I, with a grade of C or better NOTE: This course is limited to two attempts. All attempts prior to Jan 1, 2015, including transfers, are considered ONE attempt regardless of the number of times the class was taken. If a student fails to meet the satisfactory grade requirement within two attempts, the student must wait five years from the last attempt to retake the course.
7. A minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 2.0 is required to apply to the program and must be maintained while enrolled in the Practical Nursing program.
   All above requirements must be met satisfactorily BEFORE submission of the PBHS application and do not guarantee acceptance. Students declining acceptance into the program for the semester must resubmit a PBHS application for the program and meet current requirements.
8. Complete and submit an online PBHS application at www.ccri.edu/oes/admissions/performancebasedapplications.html Deadlines are listed on the form.
9. Conditionally accepted students are required to complete the following:
   1. When notified by the Office of Enrollment Services, submit a background check, by the deadline identified, through CastleBranch.com. Results of BCI may prevent admission due to clinical agencies’ requirements.
   2. Submit all health record requirements to CastleBranch.com by the deadline identified.
   3. If applicable, submit a copy of active CNA certification to CastleBranch.com by the deadline identified.
   4. Final acceptance is based upon completion of the above criteria by the deadlines identified in the conditional acceptance notification.

Program Requirements

• A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 is required for graduation and the awarding of a Practical Nursing diploma.
• Students must maintain a passing status (75 or above) in the theoretical and clinical components of each Practical Nursing course. In the event that a student fails either the theory or the clinical component of a required Practical Nursing course, the course must be repeated in its entirety. Nursing courses are graded using a department specific grading policy (75=C). “C” is considered a passing grade for all nursing courses.
• BIOL 1070: Anatomy and Physiology, is required in semester 1 of the Practical Nursing program. Students must achieve a grade of C or better in the course. If required benchmark for this course is not achieved, student may not progress in the program. Students are limited to two attempts. Note: The requirement of BIOL 1070 will be waived if the student has taken both BIOL 1010 and BIOL 1020 and received a grade of C or better in both of them.
  Note: BIOL 1020 (Human Physiology) grade is valid for five years.
  Note: BIOL 1010 (Human Anatomy) will not be offered as of Fall 2019; BIOL 1020 will not be offered as of Spring 2020.

Reinstatement

• Reinstatement to the Practical Nursing program is based on space availability. Priority is given to students in good academic standing at the time of withdrawal. Students returning to the Practical Nursing program must be approved by the Scholastic Standing Committee and may be required to repeat previous and/or complete additional course work.
• A student is eligible to repeat only one non-clinical Nursing course, with the exception of dropping/failing both Nursing non-clinical courses simultaneously during a Semester 1 (NURS 1015P and NURS 1061P). If only one non-clinical Nursing course is dropped/failed during Semester 1, that single class will be considered their one and only repeat attempt.
• A student is eligible to repeat only one clinical Nursing course. If one clinical Nursing course is dropped/failed during any semester, that single class will be considered their one and only repeat attempt.
• A student requesting to repeat a Nursing course must meet the current admissions criteria.

Suggested course progression reflects full-time status with a minimum of 12 credits for the first two semesters. Students in the Practical Nursing program are required to take only 11 credits in their final semester.

Suggested course progression*

Total Prerequisites Credits 3

Courses below must be completed before beginning Semester 2.

Total SEMESTER 1 Credits 13

Courses below must be completed before beginning Semester 3.

Total SEMESTER 2 Credits 14

Total SEMESTER 3 Credits 11

*Course progression reflects two semesters of full time status with a minimum of 12 credits.