The Technical Diploma (TD) in Practical Nursing is a selective-admission, 60-credit hour program created for students who are interested in working in various settings of the healthcare field. The program curricula is approved by and aligned with the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners (LSBPNE) requirements. Upon completion of the program, students will be eligible to take the NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing). Interested students should note that they must apply and be admitted to this program. Submission of an application does not guarantee admission to the Practical Nursing program. All courses applied to the diploma must be passed with a “C” or better. Developmental courses will not be applied to the degree. Courses are taken as a cohort. Students who do not satisfy the course requirements will not be eligible to progress and will require readmission intothe program. 

Selective Admissions

While RPCC is an open admissions college, certain programs may have additional requirements. To be considered for admission to the Practical Nursing program, prospective students should review the information published on RPCC's Practical Nursing Applications webpage. 

Curriculum

Plan of Study Grid

First Semester		Hours
Fall
HNUR 1211	Nursing Fundamentals	4
HNUR 1212	Geriatric Clinical	1
HNUR 1270	PN Perspectives	3
HNUR 1300	Anatomy&Physiology Hlth Prov.	5
HNUR 1320	Nutritional Aspects	2
HNUR 1361	Basic Pharmacology	3
HNUR 1411	Nursing Fundamentals II	5
	Hours	23
Second Semester
Spring
HNUR 1460	Advanced Pharmacology	2
HNUR 2113	Medical/Surgical I	8
HNUR 2523	Mental Illness/Psychiatric Nur	2.5
HNUR 2713	Obstetrics	2.5
	Hours	15
Third Semester
Summer
HNUR 2123	Medical Surgical II	8
HNUR 2611	IV Therapy	1
	Hours	9
Fourth Semester
Fall
HNUR 2133	Medical Surgical III	8
HNUR 2723	Pediatrics	2.5
HNUR 2813	PN Leadership & Management	2.5
	Hours	13
	Total Hours	60

Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will be able to:

1. Correlate patient signs and symptoms with mental illnesses.
2. Demonstrate the role of an entry-level nurse in a clinical setting.
3. Demonstrate proper basic nurse assisting skills.
4. Uphold the legal and ethical standards of HIPAA.
5. Demonstrate professional behaviors in the workplace.

For additional career-related information and resources, visit the RPCC Career Success webpage.