Courses – Curriculum is Current and Rigorous!

Total Length: 192 days / 1,500 hours

Student Schedule: Level I – VI Classroom/Clinical: 06:45 am-3:15 pm Monday through Thursday (Fridays are rare). In Level III and V, to align with various clinical learning experiences clinical hours may start as late as 08:30 am and end as late as 05:00 pm.

The curriculum, courses, and material within the courses are subject to change, elimination or reinforcement to ensure instruction remains current and in accordance with evidenced-based nursing practices.

ATTENTION: PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS — Students with low math scores on the admissions test are required to take a math review course at least one month prior to starting classes.

Level 1

Concepts Basic to Nursing Practice

Clinical experience: Laurel Lakes Rehabilitation and Wellness Center; Menno Haven Brookview, Simulation

Level I focuses on foundational concepts and basic nursing skills necessary for safe, patient-centered nursing care to old adults while integrating ethical, moral, and legal responsibilities of the Practical Nurse. This course introduces critical thinking/nursing judgment applied to nursing practice, the nursing process, cultural diversity, and communication techniques used when interacting with patients and members of the interprofessional team. Other program concepts such as evidence-based care, teamwork/collaboration, and information technology are also introduced. Application of knowledge and skills occurs in the nursing skills laboratory and a variety of clinical settings in the care of older adults.

Anatomy and Physiology I

This course is designed to guide the student in developing an understanding of normal structure and function of the human body basic to nursing.

Level 2

Care of the Adult Patient I

Clinical experience: Chambersburg Hospital, Simulation

Level II incorporates and builds on the concepts and basic nursing skills introduced in Level I, and provides for the acquisition and application of nursing theory when providing safe, patient-centered nursing care to diverse adult patients experiencing various, uncomplicated medical/surgical interventions. The course integrates ethical, moral, and legal responsibilities of the Practical Nurse. This course builds on critical thinking/nursing judgment applied to nursing practice, the nursing process, cultural diversity, and communication techniques used when interacting with patients and members of the interprofessional team. Other program concepts such as evidence-based care, teamwork/collaboration, and information technology are also applied to the care of this patient population. Application of knowledge and skills occurs in the nursing skills laboratory and a variety of clinical settings in the care of adults.

Anatomy and Physiology II

This course is a continuation of A&P I and is designed to guide the student in developing an understanding of normal structure and function of the human body basic to nursing.

Level 3

Family Centered Nursing

Clinical experience: Chambersburg Hospital, Keystone Family Health, Keystone Pediatrics, Keystone Women’s Care, St Paul Children’s Center, Maternity and Pediatric Simulation (Recognized as a Best Practice Simulation), Franklin Learning Center, Chambersburg Area School District School Nurse

Level III incorporates and builds on previously learned concepts for the acquisition and application of nursing theory when providing safe, patient-centered nursing care to diverse childbearing families and to children. The course integrates ethical, moral, and legal responsibilities of the practical nurse. This course builds on critical thinking/nursing judgment applied to nursing practice, the nursing process, cultural diversity, and communication techniques used when interacting with patients and members of the interprofessional team. Other program concepts such as evidence-based care, teamwork/collaboration, and information technology are also applied to the care of families and children. Application of knowledge and skills occurs in the nursing skills laboratory and a variety of clinical settings in the care of childbearing families and children.

Certificate – Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse: Mandated and Permissive Reporting in Pennsylvania.

Level 4

Care of the Adult Patient II

Clinical experience: Chambersburg Hospital – Med Surg Units, Cardiac Cath Lab, Urgent Care, Chambersburg Gastroenterology Associates

Level IV is a continuation of the care of adults, building on previously learned concepts and nursing skills, and provides for the acquisition and application of nursing theory when providing safe, patient-centered nursing care to diverse adult patients experiencing various, uncomplicated medical/surgical interventions. The course integrates ethical, moral, and legal responsibilities of the practical nurse. This course builds on critical thinking/nursing judgment applied to nursing, the nursing process, cultural diversity, and communication techniques used when interacting with patients and members of the interprofessional team. Other program concepts such as evidence-based care, teamwork/collaboration, and information technology are also applied to the care of this patient population. Application of knowledge and skills occurs in the nursing skills laboratory and a variety of clinical settings in the care of adults.

Level 5

Care of the Adult Patient III

Clinical experience: Menno Haven Brookview, Roxbury Treatment Center,  Keystone Health Crisis Intervention, Keystone Behavioral Health, SpiriTrust Life Lutheran, SpiriTrust Home Care and Hospice, Prime Care Medical (Franklin County Prison), Behavioral Health Intervention Simulation

Level V builds on adult nursing theory with a focus on adults and geriatric patients with complex needs and patients with mental health needs. The course provides for the acquisition and application of nursing theory for the practical nurse to use when assisting the professional nurse in complex nursing situations when providing safe, patient-centered nursing care to diverse patients. The course integrates ethical, moral, and legal responsibilities of the practical nurse and builds on critical thinking/nursing judgment, the nursing process, cultural diversity, and communication techniques used when interacting with patients and members of the interprofessional team. Other program concepts such as evidence-based care, teamwork/collaboration, and information technology are also applied to this patient population. Application of knowledge and skills occurs in the nursing skills laboratory and a variety of clinical settings.

Certificate – QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Certification, Naloxone Training Certification

Level 6

Transition to Practical Nursing Practice

Clinical experience: Green Ridge Village, Laurel Lakes Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, Menno Haven Brookview, Menno Haven Chambers Pointe, Providence Place, SpiriTrust Lutheran, The Village at Luther Ridge, Shippensburg Health Center, The Shook Home, The Quarters at the Shook, Quincy Village – Skilled Nursing and Personal Care, Comprehensive Simulation

Level VI incorporates and expands on previously learned concepts for the acquisition and application of safe, patient-centered nursing care to patients with simple, short-term and long-term nursing needs, and to assist the professional nurse in more complex nursing situations. The course incorporates the legal and ethical responsibilities of the practical nurse in the care of patients with a variety of health alterations. In addition, the course facilitates the transition from student to practical nurse through a review and application of concepts as students work to demonstrate achievement of program student learning outcomes. Application of knowledge and skills occurs in the skills laboratory and a variety of clinical settings.

NCLEX-PN Preparation – Review Course, Graduation Requirements

Program Student Learning Outcomes

End-of-Program Student Learning Outcomes

At the end of the Program and upon graduation, the student will be able to:

  1. Provide safe, patient-centered nursing care to patients with simple, short-term, and long term nursing needs, and assist the professional nurse in more complex nursing situations in the care of patients across the life span in a variety of clinical settings.
  2. Collaborate with members of the interprofessional team to provide and improve patient care.
  3. Engage in critical thinking/nursing judgment necessary to provide quality, evidence-based patient care.
  4. Manage care in a variety of healthcare settings for diverse patient populations through the processes of planning, organizing, and directing.
  5. Use information technology to support and communicate the planning and provision of patient care.
  6. Function within the scope of practice of the Practical Nurse incorporating ethical, moral, and legal frameworks of nursing.

Take the Step Towards a Better Future!

Become a Licensed Practical Nurse after graduating from the Franklin County Career and Technology Center Practical Nursing Program and completing the national licensure exam (NCLEX-PN).