Practical Nursing

A Licensed Practical Nurse works under the direct supervision of a registered nurse or physician and performs many procedures, including monitoring vital signs, administering medication, documenting work, and supervising unlicensed personnel. You will be a successful practical nurse if you:

• are detail oriented and able to work on a team
• provide quality care with respect and dignity for the patient and their family
• are able to communicate effectively (both verbal and written)
• anticipate a patient’s needs, making quick decisions without supervision
• calculate safe and accurate dosages of medication, IV rates and solutions
• document and communicate changes in the patient’s condition with other health care providers
• have the ability to multitask
• are a person of character with honesty and integrity

START HERE: Please follow the steps on the Get Started Checklist to complete the program application process.

1. Determine program option best for you.
2. Meet with health sciences advisor – call 402-437-2758 to schedule an appointment in Lincoln and 402-228-8201 in Beatrice.
3. Complete placement testing.
4. Complete program general education requirements.
5. Complete program success plan.
6. Complete digital resume.
7. Complete and submit program application.
8. Complete special program requirements.

If you are admitted into the Practical Nursing program, you are required to submit the following:

• Criminal Background Check: A non-refundable fee of $45 will be assessed during your first term in the Practical Nursing program. Based on the outcome of the CBC, you may be prevented from taking certain courses, accessing certain laboratory experiences, or completing the program.
• Drug and Alcohol Testing: You will be required to submit an initial drug and alcohol testing prior to your first clinical rotation at a contracted healthcare facility. This will be completed in the first term of the Practical Nursing program.

Admissions Resources:

• Admission Checklist
• Student Health Statement and TB Documentation
• Professional Awareness
• Online Program Application
• Digital Resume
• Essential Functions
• CPR Training

As a Practical Nursing student, you are responsible for:

1. All tuition, fees, books and related costs.
2. If you are taking the part time track (online), you must attend clinical and lab in one of our locations in Lincoln, Beatrice, Geneva/Milford or Falls City.

At the end of the program, you will be prepared to:

1. Participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the plan of care using the nursing process to meet the physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs of the individual.
2. Communicate (oral and written) effectively to establish relationships with the patient, families, significant others, health care team members and the community.
3. Practice entry level nursing under the direction of a registered nurse or a licensed practitioner.
4. Assess the health status and culture of individuals throughout the lifespan, identifying their needs and contributing to formation of the nursing diagnosis/patient problems.
5. Provide safe, evidence based care by creating a caring environment conducive to safety and health.
6. Direct and assign nursing interventions that may be performed by others.
7. Accept accountability for nursing actions by functioning within one’s educational preparation, the state’s scope of practice, and the nursing code of ethics.
8. Accept responsibility for personal and professional growth integrating evidence based practice.

You picked a career in a growing field as the Nebraska Department of Labor expects 25% growth during the next 10 years in nursing. Most graduates are hired into an acute care specialty at hospitals, clinics, offices and long-term care facilities. Recent SCC graduates report an average annual starting salary of $37,336. Career options include:

• Licensed practical nurse (LPN)
• LPN, Charge Nurse
• LPN, Quality Improvement
• LPN, Quality Management
• Charge Nurse
• Collection Charge Nurse

Federal regulations [34CFR 668.8(k) and (l)] mandate that programs not leading to a degree, and all the courses within the program are not fully transferable to a higher degree, can only partially be paid by federal student aid. A specific federal formula determines the number of credits allowed to be paid by financial aid. At SCC, those programs and the number of credits eligible for federal financial aid are:

Based on federal regulations, the Practical Nursing program has determined the following courses are not eligible for financial aid:
General Education Requirement – Speech or Written Communications (3 credits)
HLTH 1030 - Structure and Function of the Human Body (4 credits)
HLTH 1011 - Introduction to Nursing as a Career (2 credits)
LPNS1118 – Holistic Nursing I (4 credits)

So, what does this mean?

If you enroll in one of the above-mentioned diploma programs, federal financial aid will not pay for the entire program. You will be responsible for the tuition and fees for the number of credits listed in the “Number of Credits Not Paid” column.

Please refer to the SCC catalog for current program requirements.

SCC’s Practical Nursing program is approved by the Nebraska State Board of Nursing and accredited by:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
Phone 404-975-5000
www.acenursing.org.

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

Program Outcomes

Southeast Community College is a State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement Institution. As a State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement Institution, we are unable to offer online or distance courses to students in the following states/areas: California and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

States where licensure or certification requirements are met by this program’s curriculum – Nebraska

Graduates of this program are eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-PN exam. Nebraska belongs to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) compact.  Any student passing the NCLEX-PN exam in Nebraska may also practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in any of the other compact states without reapplying for a license in that state. Click on the following link to access all compact states: https://www.ncsbn.org/compacts.htm.

SCC has made no determination of any non-compact State as to whether the program’s curriculum does or does not meet licensure or certification requirements.

Beatrice Campus

Learning Center at Falls City

Lincoln Campus

Milford Campus