The Practical Nursing Certificate program provides students with the essential knowledge and skills to become licensed practical nurses (LPNs). The program covers core nursing concepts, including patient care, basic medical procedures, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and nursing ethics.
Students receive both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience, where they learn to perform tasks such as taking vital signs, administering medications, and assisting with patient hygiene and comfort. The program prepares students to work in a variety of healthcare settings, such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, and physicians’ offices.
Minimum Admission Standards
- A minimum GPA of 2.50 (calculated based on grades earned in Pre-Nursing General Education courses)
- A minimum of 2.50 cumulative high school GPA for students without prior collect work (GED acceptable)
- ACT composite score (must include Science section)
- Eligibility for ENG 101 and MTH 100 as determined by College policy
- Unconditional admission to Snead State Community College
- Good standing with the College
- Receipt of completed application packet by May 15 at 4 p.m.
- Ability to meet essential functions/technical standards required for nursing
ACT Exam: No minimum composite score required
Register at www.act.org.
- Writing portion not required
- Score reports without Science section not accepted
- Superscores not accepted
- ACT scores do not expire for Nursing application
- On-Campus ACT is available for current Snead State students. Schedule available in Spring semester.
- ACT prep information: www.snead.edu/act
Practical Nursing Courses
LPN Prerequisite Courses
| BIO 201 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I |
|---|---|
| BIO 202 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II |
| ENG 101 | English Composition I |
| MTH 100 | Intermediate College Algebra (or higher level) |
| PSY 210 | Human Growth and Development |
| SPH 106 or 107 | Fundamentals of Oral Communication or Public Speaking |
*Recommended courses (not required): BIO 103 and PSY 200
Application Ranking
| 1 | BIO 201 BIO 202 ENG 101 MTH 100 (or higher level) | Points Awarded for Letter Grade: A=3 points B=2 points C=1 point CLEP/AP Credit= 2 points |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | ACT Composite Score | Up to 36 points possible |
| 3 | First-Time Nursing Applicant (Not previously enrolled in a nursing program) | 10 points |
Practical Nursing Program (LPN) Certificate
General Education Core (20 credit hours)
| ENG 101 | English Composition I | 3 credits |
|---|---|---|
| MTH 100 (or higher) | Intermediate College Algebra | 3 credits |
| BIO 201 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 credits |
| BIO 202 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 credits |
| SPH 106 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 credits |
| PSY 210 | Human Growth and Development | 3 credits |
Area V – Pre-Professional, Major, and Elective Courses (25 credit hours)
| NUR 112 | Fundamental Concepts of Nursing | 7 credits |
|---|---|---|
| NUR 113 | Nursing Concepts I | 8 credits |
| NUR 114 | Nursing Concepts II | 8 credits |
| NUR 115 | Evidence Based Clinical Reasoning | 2 credits |
TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED FOR CERTIFICATE: 45
Students accepted into the Practical Nursing Program are not allowed to transfer into the traditional RN track when the third semester of the LPN curriculum has been completed. Upon completion of the LPN program and successful completion of the NCLEX-PN, the LPN may apply to the LPN to RN Mobility option to earn the Associate in Applied Science in Registered Nursing.
For more information
Contact:
Department of Health Sciences
nursing@snead.edu
Director Dr. Lisa Brock, (256) 840-4185
Career Tech Specialist Tammy Robison, (256) 840-4149