Practical Nursing - Diploma

Practical Nurse Core Organizing Concepts

• Patient-centered Care
• Nursing Judgment (Evidence-based Practice)
• Safety & Quality Improvement
• Professional Identity
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Informatics and Technology

Nursing is an art and science reflective of and responsive to an ever-changing healthcare environment. Nursing professionals utilize clinical judgment, quality improvement, informatics, teamwork and collaboration to provide safe, culturally-competent, patient-centered care. The goal of the LPN is to protect, promote, and restore comfort and health throughout the lifespan.

Education as a life-long, interactive process that provides the opportunity for the adult learner to develop personally, socially, and intellectually. The adult learner’s previous life experiences and knowledge provide a foundation for acquiring new knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

Practical Nursing (PN) prepares the graduate for entry into nursing practice. As a PN generalist, the PN graduate leads, manages, and provides direct care to individuals, families, and groups across various healthcare environments.

The Practical nursing program at the Community College of Rhode Island at the Knight campus located in Warwick, Rhode Island, is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000 https://www.acenursing.org/

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Practical nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm

Last evaluation visit: October 22-24, 2019; Next evaluation visit: Fall 2027.

Q: How should I complete the CCRI Application for Enrollment?
A: Please select General Studies as your first choice, then pre-practical nursing as your concentration. If you have already submitted an application, you are not required to submit a new one to apply to the Practical Nurse program.

Q: When should I apply to the Practical Nurse program?
A: The Practical Nurse program only enrolls students for the Fall semester. Students who wish to enter the program can apply in May.

Q: When and where are the programs offered?
A: The Practical Nurse program only offers day courses at the Knight (Warwick) campus.

Q: What amount of time should I prepare to spend on the Nursing program once accepted?
A: Students who enter the program can expect to spend 55-60 hours per week focused on the Practical Nurse program between class time, clinical rotations, and studying.

Q: What if I have a bachelor’s degree? Will you only a accept high school transcript (or its equivalent)?
A: Students with an advanced degree may choose to submit their college transcripts for consideration.

Q; What if I do not get the required score on the HESI A2 Test?
A: Students are limited to two (2) attempts. Students who do not meet the benchmark after the second attempt can retest after three (3) months from the second attempt. 

Q: What if I do not meet the minimum grade in the ENGL 1010?
A: Students are allowed to repeat the ENGL 1010 only ONE additional time. If a student does not achieve the required grades (in a maximum of two attempts) he or she will not be eligible to apply to the Practical Nurse program.

Q: What if I do not meet the minimum grade in BIOL 2201?
A: Students are allowed to repeat the BIOL 2201 only ONE additional time. If a student does not achieve the required grades (in a maximum of two attempts) he or she will not be eligible to apply to the Practical Nurse program.

Q: I have taken a required in-program course such as BIOL 2202 or PSYC 2010 prior to admission and did not achieve the required grade. May I still be accepted to the program?
A: Students will be given ONE additional opportunity to take the course while in the program. If in this SECOND attempt, the student does not achieve the required grade (“C” or better in BIOL 2201 and/or “C” or better in PSYC 2010), the result will be dismissal from the Practical Nurse program.

Q: I have taken a required, in-program course like BIOL 2202 or PSYC 2010 TWICE prior to admission and did not achieve the required grade. Can I still be accepted to the program?
A: We recognize that this could be a possibility. Students will again be given ONE FINAL opportunity to attempt the course while in the program. If in this FINAL attempt, the student does not achieve the required grade (“C” or better in BIOL 2202 and/or “C” or better in PSYC 2010), the result will be dismissal from the Practical Nurse program.

Q: I am interested in completing the Practical Nurse program and then looking to complete the Associate Degree Nurse program. What do I need to be aware of?
A: We realize students may be interested in moving to the Associate Degree Nursing program after completing the Practical Nurse program. That’s great and we wish you the best! Please be aware that students must meet all the requirements of the LPN-to-RN Admission Guidelines and that seats are provided on a space available basis. 

PLEASE NOTE: Students will be expected to achieve a higher grade point average than minimally required in the Practical Nurse program to be eligible for the Associate Degree Nurse program.

Q: I’ve been conditionally accepted into the Practical Nurse program. What if I have questions about getting a background check (BCI) and submitting my health care requirements?
A: Please email [email protected].

Q: I received a BCI within the past year for work or for reasons unrelated to the Practical Nurse program. Do I need a new one?
A: Yes. All students conditionally accepted into the Practical Nurse program will need a background check through CastleBranch.com

Q: I wasn’t conditionally accepted into the Practical Nurse program. Now what?
A: That is unfortunate news. Students who are not accepted into the program are eligible to reapply during the next application period. Academic Advisors in the Office of One Stop Student Services are available to help you review your application.

1. Patient-Centered Care: Provide safe, evidence-based patient-centered nursing care to a diverse population in a variety of health care settings.
2. Nursing Judgment: Provide a rationale for judgments used in the provision of safe, quality care and for decisions that promote health of patients and their families within their community.
3. Safety and Quality Improvement: Implement established quality measures to improve desired health outcomes from an individual, unit and systems perspective.
4. Professional Identity: Demonstrate accountability for the delivery of standard-based nursing care that is consistent with legal and ethical principles.
5. Teamwork and Collaboration: Function effectively in collaborative relationships within the healthcare team.
6. Informatics: Utilize information management systems and patient care technologies to implement best nursing practices.