About the Program

Rogue Community College offers a limited-entry, three-term (33 week) program leading to a certificate in Practical Nursing (PN), which meets the educational requirements for the national exam for PN licensure (NCLEX-PN). The program is located at the Table Rock Campus (TRC). The Practical Nursing program is approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN), 17938 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd., Portland, OR, 971-673-0685, www.oregon.gov/OSBN.

Program Learning Outcomes

The curriculum in RCC courses is derived from a set of identified learning outcomes that are relevant to the discipline. Program learning outcomes for the Practical Nursing Certificate of Completion are:

Demonstrate a personal commitment to service and the profession of nursing.

Demonstrate ethical and legal behavior in nursing practice.

Demonstrate clinical judgment using knowledge and problem-solving skills when contributing to and implementing the plan of care.

Provide culturally sensitive care across the lifespan.

Apply established principles of health promotion and preventive health care.

Use technological resources effectively and appropriately.

Provide clinically competent care through use of established standards and practice guidelines.

Use clear and effective therapeutic communication with clients, families, members of the healthcare team, and others.

Apply concepts of resource utilization to practice cost-effective nursing care.

Functions as a member of the health care team.

Manage and coordinate care within organizational and regulatory constraints.

Entry Requirements

Students are required to complete the Placement Process to determine skill level and readiness in math, reading, and writing. As part of their training, students must begin with the courses within their skill level as determined through the Placement Process.

Program admission occurs once per year in winter term. The deadline for submitting program application material and completing the required program pre-admission test and other requirements is September 8 annually, for winter term admission.

To be eligible, prerequisite classes must have been completed with a grade of “C” or better prior to the application deadline. For courses graded only as pass/no pass, a pass that is equal to a “C” is required. If a course is repeated, only the most recent grade will be considered for the selection process. Applicants must have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA (for all courses completed at RCC, or at a college where anatomy and physiology courses were completed, if applicant is new to RCC) and be in good standing (not on academic warning or probation) at RCC to be eligible.

If an applicant has taken an equivalent course elsewhere which has a course number, title, or credit hour different from the RCC course, she or he must contact Enrollment Services for a transfer credit evaluation as far in advance of the application deadline as possible.

Accepted applicants (notification occurs by mid-November) must have proof of a valid unencumbered OSBN CNA certification current through November 1 annually and have completed required preparatory courses with a “C” or better by the end of fall term to retain acceptance and enter practical nursing courses in winter term.

Accepted students must pass a criminal history background check and urine drug screen (with negative results) to retain acceptance and enter the program in January. Information regarding both can be found on the program website and will be provided to students. Since applicants are or will be CNAs, failed criminal history checks or urine drug screens will be reported to the OSBN. Accepted students must successfully complete an American Heart Association CPR Health Care Provider course (adult/infant/child, one- and two-person, with AED; online courses are not accepted) within one year prior to the September application deadline (and must remain current throughout program). 

CNA work experience is recommended before application but not required. Nursing faculty will evaluate the CNA skills of all students admitted to PN 101 . More information is available by clicking on “enter here” on the program website at www.roguecc.edu/nursing/practicalnursing.

Graduation Requirements

These requirements apply only to students admitted to the Practical Nursing Certificate program courses in January of each year. Students contemplating admission in a later year may have different requirements and must obtain the graduation guide for that year. Successful completion means that students must complete all courses in this program with a grade of “C” or better to continue in and complete the program and receive a certificate. Accepted PN students will forfeit their acceptance unless a complete anatomy and physiology sequence and all other required preparatory courses have been successfully completed, and the criminal history background check and urine drug screen have been passed prior to the start of PN 101  in January.

The OSBN screens all applicants for licensure and may deny licensure to applicants with a criminal offense or with a major physical or mental condition that could affect their ability to practice nursing safely. Licensure applicants with a history of chemical dependence may be required to have an assessment by a drug and alcohol counselor. Contact the OSBN with any questions.

Clinical (inclusive of skills lab) courses are graded on a pass/no pass basis only. A grade of “P” for these courses indicates a student earned the equivalent of a “C” or better grade.

This guide lays out an optimal path to graduate. Where zero credits are listed in the prerequisites, students may place into a higher level(s) based on designated placement. Note: some prerequisites may be required for graduation. Please consult an advisor with any program completion questions.