School of Science

PN CERTIFICATE IN PRACTICAL NURSING (CPN)

The Practical Nursing Certificate Program is eighteen (18) months in length. It consists of three (3) semesters. Medgar Evers College provides an opportunity to eligible applicants for entry into a College-based Practical Nurse Program. The Practical Nurse Program of study is an upward mobility opportunity for selected applicants to achieve a Certificate in Nursing. Upon completion, the graduate of the PN program is eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN.

The PN Certificate Program is a day program and requires full-time attendance upon admission into the clinical phase.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants to the Certificate in Practical Nurse Program at Medgar Evers College must:

Hold a High School Diploma or a General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
Complete all basic skills course work prior to admission into the Nursing major.
Take and pass all three (3) areas of the CUNY Skills Assessment Examinations (Reading, Writing, Mathematics) prior to entry into the CPN Program of study.
Take NLN Pre-entrance Examination (given in October or November).
Participate in an interview/information session with the Department of Nursing – AAS/PN Admission Retention and Progression Committee
Science courses must be 5 years old or less at the time of admission.

Admission Requirements

Provide current medical clearance to include occupational exposure health requirements.
Provide current medical clearance to include New York State Department of Health requirements.
Pass clinical, skills lab, and theory portions of each NUR course.
Possess current Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR Certification from the American Heart Association.
Have a satisfactory Physical Examination record on file which include Hepatitis B testing.
Purchase of Student Malpractice Liability Insurance.
Purchase of MEC Nursing student uniform upon admission into the first Nursing course.
Meet all requirements as outlined by the Department.

RETENTION/PROGRESSION THROUGH THE CERTIFICATE IN PRACTICAL NURSING (PN) PROGRAM

All students must meet the following requirements for retention and progression through the practical nursing courses:

Students who fail to receive a satisfactory grade of “B-” or better in a nursing course will be given an opportunity to repeat a nursing course only once. A failure in any nursing course will result in the student not advancing to the next course. Sequential completion of all pre-requisite and required nursing courses with a grade of “B-” or better in each course is required. Students who do not maintain a “B-” or better (minimum 2.7 G.P.A.) will be required to withdraw from the Program.

Readmission is not automatic. Students, who have not been in attendance for one (1) or more semesters, must apply for readmission, and meet all program requirements in effect at the time of readmission. Assessment of ability to meet program requirements is necessary. Students will not automatically enter into last course failed. Available seats may be a factor, therefore students are not guaranteed permission to return at time of request.

Medgar Evers College will award a Certificate in Practical Nursing upon the student's successful completion of all thirty-nine (39) Practical Nursing Program credits. Graduates are then eligible to apply to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN). Students are expected to complete the Program in no more than three (3) years.

College Affiliations

Kings County Hospital Center, Coney Island Hospital, Interfaith Medical Center,

Susan Smith McKinney Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Woodhull Medical Center

The PN Program is Registered by the:

New York State Education Department
Albany New York 11230
(518) 486-2967
Email: OPPROGS@mail.NYSED.gov