copyright © Franklin Tech 2010. All Rights Reserved.

Practical Nursing

Deadline for accepting Practical Nursing applications - April 30, 2012 at 3:00 p.m.

Definition of Practical Nursing as described in the Nurse Practice Act:

The performance for compensation of selected acts for the promotion of health and in the care of persons who are ill, injured, or experiencing alterations in normal health processes. Such performance requires substantial specialized skill, judgment, and knowledge. All such nursing care shall be

given under the direction of a person licensed by the state regulatory board to prescribe
 medications and treatments or under the direction of a registered professional nurse.

Organized in September 1957, the FTC Practical Nursing Program is the second oldest program in Missouri. Quality classroom instruction combined with sound clinical laboratory experience, emphasizing "hands on" learning, is provided through the 10 month course starting in August of each year and graduating the end of May.

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) care for the sick, injured, convalescing, and handicapped, under the direction of physicians and registered nurses. Practical nursing graduates are highly sought after and upon successful completion of licensure exam are recruited nationwide. Achieving LPN status initiates a nursing career for many graduates, and for others may represent the first step to an advanced nursing career.

Franklin Technology Center - School of Practical Nursing is approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing

Accredited through the North Central Association, HC 88 Box 21; Cedar Lake Drive, Ripley, WV 25271

You may contact the Missouri State Board of Nursing at

P.O. Box 656, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0656 – Telephone (573) 751-0080

The Practical Nursing Program is a 10 month program beginning in August of each year. Classes are held Monday – Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The program is an intense, accelerated program that requires the student to attend class and stay up-to-date with assignments and lecture material. Attendance is monitored closely as success is directly related to student’s participation.

The goal of the program is to prepare the student for the NCLEX-PN licensing exam which is scheduled upon successful completion of the course. The Missouri State Board of Nursing determines eligibility for testing.

Admission criteria include: Completion of an application with $50 fee submitted, official GED or high school transcripts, ACT scores, signed drug screen consent form, submission of criminal record check form, completion of entrance exam (TEAS), and attendance at orientation session.

Applicants for whom English is a second language must take the TOEFL test of English proficiency or Michigan Test and obtain a passing score. Applicants are responsible for making their own arrangements for testing.

Once accepted into the program, the applicant must provide documentation for required immunizations (Hepatitis B, TB or chest x-ray, and MMR) and present with a negative drug screen, an acceptable criminal background check, and caregiver background screening.

COMPETENCIES AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
12/13

Students who wish to qualify for admission and progression in the practical nursing program must meet both academic and performance requirements.

Academic requirements are described in the student handbook policies. In addition, the student must satisfy performance standards. These performance standards include motor skills, physical stamina, mobility, hearing, visual tactile, reading, arithmetic competence, emotional stability, analytical thinking, interpersonal skills, and communication skills.

Students must satisfy the following competencies and performance standards:

Motor skills: Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective nursing care.

• Examples: Positioning clients; obtaining and processing specimens, calibrating and properly using equipment; insert catheters; administer injections; use a computer; twist or squeeze with fingers; stand and maintain balance; reach and bend; move within confined spaces.

Physical strength and endurance: Physical stamina sufficient to perform full range of required client care activities for entire length of work role.

• Examples: Sustain repetitive movements; maintain physical tolerance; lift; push and pull; support 25 pounds; move heavy objects weighing 10-50 pounds; defend self against combative client; carry equipment; use upper body strength.

Mobility: Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces.

• Examples: Twist, bend, stoop/squat, move quickly, climb and walk.

Hearing: Auditory ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in providing nursing care in a timely manner.

• Examples: Ability to detect auditory alarms, cries for help, and auscultatory sounds; ability to hear in situations when not able to see lips of speaker; ability to hear sounds of a normal or faint volume level.

Visual: Ability sufficient for accurate observation and assessment necessary for nursing care.

• Examples: Read graphs, scales, computer screens, oscilloscopes, or microscopes; distinguish colors and intensity; prepare and administer medications; observe client responses.

Tactile: Ability sufficient for physical monitoring and assessment of health care needs.

• Examples: Perform palpation; detect heat and cold; ability to perform functions of physical exam and/or those activities related to therapeutic interventions such as catheter insertion.

Reading: Ability to read and understand written documents.

• Examples: Read and understand policies, procedures, patient charts and medication administration records (MARs).

Arithmetic: Ability to perform computations at a minimum of an eighth grade level.

• Examples: Counting, measuring, and performing mathematical calculations.

Emotional stability: Able to assume responsibility and accountability for own actions.

• Examples: Establish therapeutic boundaries; provide client with emotional support; adapt to stress; deal with the unexpected; perform multiple responsibilities concurrently; handle strong emotion.

Analytical thinking: Reasoning skills sufficient to perform deductive/inductive thinking for nursing decisions.

• Examples: Process information; evaluate outcomes; problem-solve; prioritize tasks; use short and long term memory.

Interpersonal skills: Able to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.

• Examples: Negotiate interpersonal conflict; respect differences in clients; establish rapport with clients and co-workers; respect the cultural diversity of clients and co-workers.

Communication: Abilities sufficient for interaction with others in both verbal and written English; ability to operate information technology systems.

• Examples: Teach client and family; explain procedures; give oral reports; interact with others; speak on telephone; influence people; direct activities of others; convey information through writing.

PLEASE REVIEW THE ABOVE COMPETENCIES AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS. PLEASE DISCUSS ANY CONCERNS WITH THE PROGRAM COORDINATOR OR FACULTY.