Practical Nursing (Diploma)

Program Overview

As a vital member of the healthcare team, the Practical Nursing combines nursing skills with human understanding to care for both chronically and acutely ill patients in a variety of settings. The program combines classroom study with clinical experience in a variety of settings. Upon completion of this program, the graduate will be able to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination–Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN). Registration and certification requirements for taking and passing these examinations are not controlled by Concorde, but by outside agencies, and are subject to change by the agency without notice. Therefore, Concorde cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to take these exams, at all or at any specific time, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment.

Program Mission

Concorde Career College Practical Nursing Program ensures the healthcare community of competent graduates who are capable and productive entry-level practitioners. These individuals espouse professionalism and adhere to established standards of care and ethical practice.

Program Philosophy

The Practical Nursing program is founded on beliefs that are consistent with the parent organization and the community at large. The faculty of the Practical Nursing program hold the following beliefs about the individual, nursing, health, and nursing education.

Skills Proficiency

Certain procedures and skills are required to work as a Practical Nurse. These skills are first practiced in the nursing laboratory and then in the clinical setting under the direct supervision of a licensed nursing instructor. All students must demonstrate these skills with safety and proficiency in order to proceed in the program.

Health Requirements

Due to the nature of clinical work and possible contact with infectious diseases, before going to clinical, students must have documentation of:

• Current negative TB skin test within one month of program start or chest x-ray if history of testing is positive.
• Verification of immunity or vaccination for measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and varicella (chicken pox). If born prior to 1957, you do not need verification.
• Tetanus-diphtheria (Td) immunization within the last 10 years.
• Series of Hepatitis B immunizations or positive Hepatitis B titer or signed declination (waiver form).

The immunization requirements are based on the clinical facility requirements and may change without notice.

Note: The Kansas State Board of Nursing may deny licensure to persons who have been guilty of a misdemeanor involving an illegal drug offense unless the applicant or licensee establishes sufficient rehabilitation to warrant the public trust (KSA 65-1120), except that notwithstanding KSA 74-120 no license, certificate of qualification or authorization to practice nursing as a Licensed Professional Nurse, as a Licensed Practical Nurse, as an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, or Registered Nurse Anesthetist shall be granted to a person with a felony conviction for a crime against persons as specified in article 34 or chapter 21 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated and acts amendatory thereof or supplemental thereto.

End of Program Student Learning Outcomes:

Concorde Practical Nursing graduates will:

1. Provide safe, caring and compassionate nursing care to diverse patients across the lifespan in various healthcare settings using evidenced based practice to improve outcomes.
2. Function as a competent, entry-level healthcare provider applying leadership and management skills and embracing ethical and legal principles in the provision of culturally appropriate nursing care.
3. Collaborate with members of the inter-professional healthcare team to provide optimal care for diverse patients and their families.
4. Communicate effectively through verbal, nonverbal and technological methods with patients, families and members of the inter-professional healthcare team.