2020-2021 Catalog 
    
    Nov 24, 2024  
2020-2021 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Practical Nursing Certificate


Practical Nursing Program learning outcomes are built upon the educational experience in which students learn to develop critical thinking skills, apply acquired knowledge, and become a valuable member of the health care industry. Providing a safe, effective, competent client care is significant in obtaining positive driven client-care goals. Achievement of sequential development occurs through instruction, practice, and clinical experiences. The students will learn the essential skills to deliver basic care of clients according to the variation of health care needs under the supervision of a registered nurse, licensed physician, and/or licensed dentist. Offering students outstanding educational opportunities that focus on client’s physical and psychosocial needs; therefore, supporting the program learning outcomes. Ownership, professionalism, teamwork, and being responsible are characteristics woven throughout the program curriculum that support the achievement of the Practical Nursing Program Learning Outcomes.

The Northwest Mississippi Community College Practical Nursing Program follows the 2020 Mississippi Community College Standards for Practical Nursing Accreditation for program learning outcomes achievement.

Graduates of the program receive a Career Certificate and meet the requirements for application to the Mississippi Board of Nursing to take the National Council Licensure Examination-PN (NCLEX-PN®) for licensure. Students applying to the Practical Nursing Program must complete a criminal affidavit and in some cases a criminal background check.

Students may attend the Practical Nursing Program at any of our four locations:

Senatobia Campus-Fall Start Class
Northwest Mississippi Community College
4975 Highway 51 N.
NWCC Box 5432
Senatobia, MS 38668

Benton County Career-Technical Center (Ashland)-Fall Start Class
25 Industrial Drive
Ashland, MS 38603

DeSoto Campus-Fall Start Class & Evening/Weekend Program
DeSoto Center
5197 W.E. Ross Parkway
Southaven, MS 38671

Oxford Campus-Fall Start Class, January Start Class & Evening/Weekend Program
Lafayette-Yalobusha Technical Center
1310 Belk Drive
Oxford, MS 38655

Admission into the Practical Nursing Program is limited. Applicants therefore must complete a special application process and meet all the program requirements in order for applicant consideration. Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to the Practical Nursing Program.

Applications for fall enrollment for Senatobia, Ashland, DeSoto, and Oxford will occur from January through April 30 of each year. Testing for the TEAS test will begin in February.

Applications for fall enrollment for the Evening/Weekend Program at DeSoto Center and at the Oxford campus will occur from January through April 30 of every even year.

Applications for spring enrollment for January-December class at the Oxford campus will occur from June through September, with TEAS testing to begin in July.

Students should visit www.northwestms.edu/PN for Practical Nursing Program application information, online application and contact information for each campus.

Application Requirements: Students must meet the following admission requirements to be considered for admission to the Practical Nursing Program:

  • Applicants must be at least 18 years of age..
  • Applicants must have an enhanced ACT composite score of 16 or greater.
  • Applicants must have a Practical Nursing application completed online.
  • After completing the online application and meeting the criteria, the student can then schedule a TEAS test date online with the Career-Technical Division at the appropriate campus.

Applicants will be ranked utilizing the program approval ranking system. This can be found at the Northwest Practical Nursing webpage.

Refer to the admission procedure and point calculation information in the Practical Nursing Student Handbook.

Once accepted into the program, applicants must complete the following:

  • Student Health Record
  • TB Skin test
  • Negative 10-panel drug screen (completed at NWCC campus)
  • Copy of immunization records
  • Completed Hepatitis B vaccine or waiver form
  • Provide certificate of liability insurance for a health provider
  • Complete a background affidavit or background check with a statement as to whether he/she has been arrested, charged with, convicted of, plead guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or misdemeanor offense. The applicant may be fingerprinted at any time for a criminal background check as required by clinical agencies. The cost of fingerprinting will be $50, and each student is responsible for this cost.

All students must achieve an average of 80% in each class/lab/clinical in the Practical Nursing Program for progression.

A=94-100 C=80-86
B=87-93 F=79 or below

Fall Enrollment - All Campuses


Spring Enrollment-Oxford Campus Day Program


Fall Enrollment-Desoto Center & Oxford Campus Evening and Weekend Program


This five-semester curriculum is designed to allow students who cannot attend during regular academic sessions a part-time option. The Practical Nursing program at DeSoto Center and at the Oxford campus accepts applications for this evening and weekend program from mid-January through April 30 of each even year. Testing begins in February.

Semester I-Fall


Total Credit Hours: 3


Total Credit Hours: 13


Semester III-Summer


Total Credit Hours: 4


Total Credit Hours: 12


Total Credit Hours: 12


Note(s):


For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at www.northwestms.edu.