- Practical Nursing Program
- Program Levels
Course of Study Overview
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The Chester County Intermediate Unit Practical Nursing Program consists of 1,635 hours of study with new classes starting a minimum of twice each year. The total hours are broken up into four levels, each equating to 393 to 414 hours in length. Each level consists of individual courses that stress the nursing process of assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation. Each course must be completed successfully and in sequence with any emergency closures (e.g. weather-related closures) made up.
Clinical experience is concurrent and sequential with classroom instruction through the cooperation of local clinical site affiliation agreements held with the following sites amongst others: Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital, Pocopson Home, Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital, Brandywine Hospital, Neighborhood Health Agencies, Department of Veterans Administration Medical Center, Kendal Crosslands and community clinical care experiences. Facilities represent various levels of care including acute care, sub-acute care, skilled care, home care and community based experiences.
Upon completion of the PNP, the graduate will:
- Practice as a novice healthcare team member within the framework established by the Nurse Practice Act of the State of PA.
- Develop a spirit of inquiry to promote personal and professional growth.
- Utilize the nursing process to provide safe, holistic care to diverse populations in a variety of settings.
- Integrate clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice to promote high quality, safe and effective care.
- Demonstrate collaborative communication to advocate for the clients, families and groups.
- Apply leadership and management principles to achieve quality and safety outcomes.
*Revised December 2018
At the beginning of the level, course outlines and objectives for each subject are reviewed. "Pennsylvania State Board Approved and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), formerly known as National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Georgia) 30326 Phone: 404-975-5000; FAX: 404-675-5020 Accredited”
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Success Rates
Pass Rates for program type and location:
TCHS Brandywine FT: 95%
TCHS Brandywine PT: 100%
TCHS Pennock's Bridge: 93%
Aggregate Program pass rate: 95%
Completion Rates at 150% of the program:
TCHS Brandywine FT: 64%
TCHS Brandywine PT: 67%
TCHS Pennock's Bridge: 72%
Aggregated Completion rate: 66%
Disaggregated by program:
Job Placement Rate: 94%
Level 1 (393 Hours)
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Fundamentals of Nursing
Includes the theory of the nursing process and its application to patient care. Focus is on basic nursing skills, elements of microbiology, and nutrition.
Theory: 105 hours | Clinical: 42 hours | Self-Directed Learning: 15 hours | Clinical Lab (Clinical Simulation): 34 hours
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Pharmacology
Includes study of the calculation and administration of medications. Discusses drug classifications and drug actions.
Theory: 38 hours | Self-Directed Learning: 9 hours
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Anatomy and Physiology
Includes the study of the structure and function of the body. Identifies abnormal body function, physiologic changes in aging and applicable medication.
Theory: 92 hours | Self-Directed Learning: 10 hours
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Foundations in Nursing Education
Explores personality development, relationships, and the role of the practical nurse in society and as a member of the health care team.
Theory: 25 hours | Self-Directed Learning: 9 hours
Level 2 (414 hours)
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Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing
Includes classification of diseases; diagnostics and treatment methods. Discusses nursing care of the surgical and oncology patient.
Theory: 55 hours | Clinical: 70 hours | Self-Directed Learning: 6 hours | Clinical Lab (Clinical Simulation): 7 hours
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Medical-Surgical Nursing I
Includes scientific principles in caring for the medical and/or surgical patients with moderately complex health problems with introduction to EKG.
Theory: 105 hours | Clinical: 126 hours | Self-Directed Learning: 10 hours | Clinical Lab (Clinical Simulation): 35 hours
Level 3 (414 hours)
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Medical-Surgical Nursing II
Includes scientific principles in caring for medical and/or surgical patients with moderately complex health problems.
Theory: 49 hours | Clinical: 91 hours | Self-Directed Learning: 8 hours | Clinical Lab (Clinical Simulation): 14 hours
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Maternal and Child Health Nursing
Discusses the normal and abnormal aspects of pregnancy, childbirth and the six-week post-delivery period. Includes a study of growth, development and childhood related illnesses.
Theory: 126 hours | Clinical: 98 hours | Self-Directed Learning: 14 hours | Clinical Lab (Clinical Simulation): 14 hours
Level 4 (414 hours)
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Medical-Surgical Nursing III
Includes scientific principals of nursing for neurological, psychiatric, geriatric and the mentally challenged patient.
Theory: 112 hours | Clinical: 196 hours | Self-Directed Learning: 13 hours | Clinical Lab (Clinical Simulation): 42 hours
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Issues in Nursing Practice
Includes a leadership component, employment preparation, ethics, legal issues, NCLEX and licensing preparation.
Theory: 15 hours
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I.V. Therapy
Includes the scientific principles of I.V. therapy. Includes central lines, phlebotomy, theory and lab practice.
Theory: 22 hours | Clinical Lab (Clinical Simulation): 14 hours
