Diploma in Health Science - Major In Nursing (PN)

48 Semester Hours

The Practical Nursing Diploma is designed to provide a sound educational background to those individuals interested in providing direct client care. The curriculum is planned to prepare practical nurses to give basic nursing care in structured healthcare settings such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, and medical offices. Throughout the curriculum the student has planned clinical and laboratory experiences to complement classroom learning and to enhance skills in the application of nursing principles and associated technology. The practical nurse functions under the direction of a registered nurse, licensed physician or licensed dentist.

The nursing curriculum prepares graduates to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) and is approved by the South Carolina Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation (LLR) Board of Nursing. The program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).

Requirements for the program are subject to change without notice in order to meet requirements of the South Carolina Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation (LLR) Board of Nursing and/or State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education and/or The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).

The South Carolina Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation (LLR) Board of Nursing may deny a graduate the right to take the NCLEX-PN if the applicant has any of the following criminal convictions or pending criminal charges:

  • Crimes of violence against a person including but not limited to the following: murder, manslaughter, use of deadly force, assault and battery, sex crimes, abuse of children or the elderly, abduction, robbery
  • Crimes occurring within 5 years of the application date involving the distribution of drugs.
  • Crimes within 5 years of application involving illegal use or possession of weapons including but not limited to guns, knives, explosives, or other dangerous objects
  • Crimes occurring within 5 years of the application date involving dishonesty or moral turpitude including but not limited to fraud, deception, embezzlement, or financial exploitation (but not including, shoplifting, petit larceny, bad checks)
  • Any other crime or pattern of criminal behavior which, in the facility’s opinion, warrants exclusion or dismissal from clinical rotation.

Questions should be directed to the South Carolina Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation (LLR) Board of Nursing at 110 Centerview Drive, P. O. Box 12367, Columbia, SC 29211-2367.

Admission Requirements - Competitive Admission Process

  • Must meet all admission and graduation requirements for Health Sciences students listed at the beginning of the Health Sciences program section.
  • The PN Program has a limited enrollment and students must apply for admission. The applicant must:
  • Obtain the PN Admission Eligibility Verification and Application form from his/her advisor.
  • Submit the application with documentation of completion of program admission requirements no later than March 15 (Fall Admission).

Note: All official transcripts must be in the office of the Registrar (includes high school and all regionally accredited institutions for desired course transfer).

  • Applicants will be numerically ranked according to the following criteria:
    - SAT (minimum Verbal 470 and Math 460) or ACT (minimum 19 composite)
    - Completion and grade of C or higher in high school or college prep courses in biology and chemistry
    - GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale in Health Sciences Preparatory certificate (must complete Biology 210, (Anatomy and Physiology I), English 101, (English Composition I), and Math 101, (Beginning Algebra) with a "C" or higher PRIOR to admission application to clinical nursing courses (NUR 101, 106).

Progression Standards - After Program Entry
Failure to meet progression standards results in suspension from the program.

  • After admission, students must maintain a minimum 2.0 program GPA on program curriculum courses at Central Carolina Technical College in order to progress.
  • Must earn a minimum of a "C" or higher in each required curriculum course for the program. Students may retake courses completed with less than a "C" one time only.
  • Must successfully complete all components of a course (theory, clinical, and drug calculation proficiency) in order to pass the course. Students who fail to complete a component will receive a grade of "F" for the course regardless of the time in the semester and are not eligible to receive a "W" through the withdrawal process.
  • Students must complete all course requirements within two years of starting date of first nursing course (NUR 101, 106).
  • Students are limited to two attempts at successful completion of any nursing program (including Central Carolina Technical College). A withdrawal "W" constitutes an attempt at a Health Sciences (NUR/PNR) course and will count as one attempt to complete the program.
  • Students must maintain annual CPR (Health Care Provider) and tuberculosis test (PPD) to remain in the program.

Transfers or Readmissions

  • Students who have withdrawn or have been suspended from a nursing program at Central Carolina Technical College or any other educational institution must request admission/readmission to the program.
  • Students must have a cumulative program GPA of 2.0 for readmission or transfer.
  • Students, who have withdrawn or have been dismissed more than once from any nursing program, including the Central Carolina Technical College PN Program, are ineligible for admission or readmission. However, students may petition the Nursing Admission and Transfer Committee for special consideration if they have withdrawn from the program due to extenuating circumstances. The final decision for an exception rests with the Admission and Transfer Committee.
  • Students seeking transfer must meet all nursing admission requirements and submit syllabi, course outlines, and catalogs from the former institution to the department for review. Transfer evaluations are considered on an individual basis.
  • Students seeking transfer or readmission are reviewed on an individual basis by the Nursing Admission and Transfer Committee and must follow specific guidelines outlined by the Admission and Transfer Committee to assure theoretical knowledge and clinical competencies are current.

To complete this program, courses should be taken in the following sequence.

Class *Lab Credit
Initial Core Courses
BIO 210 Anatomy and Physiology I 3 3 4
ENG 101 English Composition I 3 0 3
MAT 101 Beginning Algebra 3 0 3
Total Semester Credits 9 3 10
Fall Semester
BIO 211 Anatomy and Physiology II 3 3 4
NUR 101 Fundamentals of Nursing 3.5 7.5 6
NUR 106 Pharmacologic Basics in Nursing Practice 2 0 2
PSY 201 General Psychology 3 0 3
Total Semester Credits 11.5 10.5 15
Spring Semester
PNR 128 Medical-Surgical Nursing I** 4.5 7.5 7
PNR 138 Medical-Surgical Nursing II** 4.5 7.5 7
Total Semester Credits 9 15 14
Summer Semester
PNR 155 Maternal/Infant/Child Nursing 5 6 7
PNR 170 Nursing of the Older Adult 1 3 2
Total Semester Credits 6 9 9


* 3 Lab hours equals 1 credit hour

** These courses are offered one-half semester