Vermont Tech offers a Practical Nursing (PN) certificate program and an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) program. These programs are offered at four locations across the state with campuses in Bennington, Brattleboro, Williston, and Randolph Center. Both programs are also offered in a distance learning format at several locations around Vermont.
The PN program extends over two semesters and one summer session. Students learn PN skills through independent study, lectures, demonstrations, and practice in a nursing arts lab. Under instructor supervision, students also provide patient care in a variety of health care settings in neighboring health care agencies.
Upon completion of the program, PN graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses. The ADN program graduates are awarded an Associate of Science in Nursing and are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. The Vermont State Board of Nursing (VSBN) application requests information regarding past history of substance abuse, prior felony convictions, and failure to pay child support and/or taxes concerning all graduates. Other states may ask similar questions. It is the Board’s responsibility to determine eligibility to sit for the licensure examination and to issue the license to practice. For more information, please refer to the VSBN website: http://vtprofessionals.org/opr1/nurses
After licensure, PN graduates typically find employment in hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care agencies and work under the supervision of a registered nurse, physician, or dentist. With experience, they can assume increasing responsibilities in the nursing field.
The ADN program articulates with the PN program and requires two further semesters of full-time study. The program is selective and rigorous and there is no assurance of admission from the PN program. Additionally, the twelve clinical credits earned in the PN program do not transfer to the ADN program.
Graduates are prepared to work in a health care setting under the supervision of more experienced practitioners. With experience, they can assume increasing responsibilities and may be responsible for supervising others.
Students with a Certificate in Practical Nursing will be able to:
- Employ the nursing process for selected clients to maintain, achieve, or regain their optimal level of self-care
- Integrate knowledge of scientific, behavioral, and cultural principles in the care of clients in a variety of settings
- Establish collaborative relationships with members of the nursing and health team
- Maintain confidentiality in clinical setting
- Support the use of legal and ethical standards
- Assume the role of a member of an interdisciplinary team
- Provide care which maximizes the self-care potential of individuals across the lifespan in a variety of health care settings
- Contribute to the development of a teaching plan for the client with an alteration in basic self-care needs
- Assume responsibility for self-directed, goal-oriented growth
Students with an Associate of Science in Nursing will be able to:
- Evaluate the plan of care to assist clients with complex health care needs to maintain, achieve, or regain their optimal level of self-care
- Select appropriate scientific, behavioral, and cultural principles for the care of clients with complex needs in diverse settings
- Evaluate interpersonal skills in professional practice
- Incorporate behaviors consistent with legal and ethical standards of professional practice
- Assume the role of manager of care within the interdisciplinary team
- Competently deliver nursing care which maximizes the self-care potential of individuals with complex health needs in diverse settings
- Evaluate a comprehensive teaching plan to meet the physical and emotional needs of individuals and groups with common and complex health care needs
- Demonstrate accountability for growth as individuals, as members of society, and as professional nurses
The minimum number of credits required for the certificate 47 and for the associate’s degree is 35.
Certificate in Practical NursingFirst YearFall Courses
| Credits
| Winter Courses
| Credits
| BIO 1030 - Nutrition
| 3
| BIO 2012 - Human Anat/Physio II
| 4
| BIO 2011 - Human Anat/Physio I
| 4
| NUR 0121 – Princ/Pract Nursing II
| 4
| NUR 0111 – Princ/Prac Nursing I
| 4
| NUR 1010 - Pharm for Nursing | 3
| NUR 1020 - Nurse/Client Rltnshp
| 3
| NUR 1121 – Princ/Prac Nursing II
| 5
| NUR 1111 – Princ/Prac Nursing I
| 5
| PSY 1050 - Human Growth/Dev
| 3
|
| 19
|
| 19
|
|
|
|
| Spring 2 Courses
| Credits
|
|
| NUR 0131 – Princ/Prac Nursing III
| 4
|
|
| NUR 1131 – Princ/Prac Nursing III
| 5
|
|
|
| 9
|
|
|
Associate's Degree in NursingSecond YearFall Courses
| Credits
| Spring Courses
| Credits
| BIO 2120 - Elements of Microbio
| 4
| ENG 2080 - Tech Comm
| 3
| ENG 10XX - English*
| 3-4
| MAT 1040 - Math for Allied Health
| 2
| NUR 2010 - Trends in Nursing
| 2
| NUR 2011 - Adv Pharmacology
| 1
| NUR 2030 –Princ/Prac Nursing IV
| 3
| NUR 2130 – Princ/Prac Nursing V
| 5
| NUR 2040 –Princ/Prac Nursing IV
| 2
| NUR 2140 – Princ/Prac Nursing V
| 4
| ELE XXXX – AH elective
| 3
| PSY 1010 - Intro to Psychology
| 3
|
| 17-18
|
| 18
|
*Students who do not place into ENG 1060 or 1061 may take up to three terms to complete English Composition (see English Requirements). This may require summer courses or additional terms.All BIO and NUR courses and PSY-1050 must be completed with a grade of “C” or better to continue in the program.The certificate program includes 495 hours of theory and 630 hours of clinical/lab; the degree program includes 420 hours of theory and 315 hours of clinical/lab.
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