FAQ

Any questions can be sent to practicalnursing@cscc.edu. 

1. What GPA do I need?

You need to have at least a 2.40 GPA to apply.

2. Is the practical nurse (PN) program full-time or part-time?

The PN program is a part-time program with technical courses being held in the evenings and on weekends. Students are free to take required general education and basic courses whenever it is convenient for them as long as these courses are completed by the term in which they are required.

3. Does CSCC have a full-time practical nurse program?

No, CSCC does not have a full-time curriculum for the PN program.

4.  How long is the part-time PN program?

The PN program takes 21 months to complete. Students beginning the program during the 2013 spring semester will complete in December 2014. Students beginning the program during the 2013 autumn semester will complete in May 2015.

5. When are the courses for the part-time evening practical nurse program?

Practical nurse courses (PNUR) will be scheduled on one or two weeknights each from as early as 5:30pm to as late as 10:30pm. Labs and clinicals may be held on Saturdays or Sundays from as early as 7am to as late as 5pm.

6.  Is the Practical Nursing program offered at a campus other than main campus?

Yes, it is also offered at Tolles Technical School, located in Madison County, 20 miles west of Columbus in Plain City, just west of Hilliard. The technical (PNUR) courses are taught at Tolles.

7.  Can some PNUR classes be taken at Main campus and some at Tolles?

No, if you are accepted at main campus, all of your PNUR classes will be taken on main campus.  If you are accepted at Tolles, all of your PNUR classes will be taken at Tolles.

8. What prerequisite courses do I need to register for before I can apply to the PN program?

There are 3 courses that need to be completed or at least registered for before applying to the PN program:

NURC 1101, Nurse Aide Training.

• If the state-approved course was taken in a long-term care facility, student will need to submit a copy of their certificate of completion or their card from the Ohio Department of Health. Contact Rita Krummen at 614-287-5387.
• MULT 128 is acceptable for Mount Carmel Health employees
• NOTE: In order to register for NURC 1101 at Columbus State, you must complete and submit the required health records to the Health Records Office at least 10 days before registration starts. Complete this early!

MULT 1010, Medical Terminology.

• Students may have prior-learning experience from another program that meets this requirement. Contact Peggy Mayo at 287-2608 for additional information.
• Students may test out of this course. Contact Peggy Mayo at 287-2608 for further information. There is a $50 fee for testing out of a course.

BIO 0100, Intro to Biological Sciences, high school biology in the past 5 years, or a college-level biology properly transferred from a previous college.

9. When are students admitted into the practical nurse program?

Students are admitted into the PN program for Spring and Autumn semesters.

10. Do the practical nurse program courses need to be taken in order?

Yes, the PNUR courses are sequential. If a student has to skip a term because of an emergency or an unforeseen event, the student is considered Out of Sequence and will need to meet with his/her program adviser before rejoining the PN program.

12. When are applications for admission accepted?

The application deadline for 13AU is April 22, 2013, and may continue until the cohorts are full. The deadline for 14SP is September 23, 2013.

13. Is there a waiting list for the PN program?

No, there is no waiting list for the program.

14. When is my completed health record required to be turned in for 14SP? The PN Health Record must be turned in to the Health Records Office by October 11.

15. What is the cost of the PN program, excluding pre-requisite courses?

• Currently, tuition is $122.62 per credit hour for in-state students. The program is 36 semester credit hours. Therefore, tuition is estimated at $4,414 for in-state students. Fees, books, equipment and uniforms are estimated at $2,460 for a total of $7,085.

16. How many hours are required for each course including lecture, lab or clinical hours?

Students will spend the following amount of time, approximately, in each course including lecture, lab, or clinical:

    PNUR 1100  Four hours/week in lecture/ lab x 15 weeks      

    PNUR 1200  Four hours/week in lecture/ lab x 8 weeks

    PNUR 1300  Five hours/week in lecture/ lab x 10 weeks  (This course is only offered

        in summer term.)  PNUR 1766 and 1866 must be taken in the same term.    

    PNUR 1400  Four hours/week in lecture/lab x 15 weeks  This course must be taken

        with PNUR 1767 & 1867.

    PNUR 1765 Two hours/week in lecture/lab x 15 weeks

    PNUR 1865 45 hours per semester in clinical - schedule varies

    PNUR 1766  Two and 1/2 hours x 10 weeks in lecture/ lab (This course is only offered

        in summer term.)   This course must be taken with PNUR 1300 and 1866.

    PNUR 1866  45 hrs per semester in clinical, for an average of 5 hours/week for 9 wks.

    PNUR 1767 hours per semester in lecture/ lab x 15 weeks.  This course must be

        taken with PNUR 1400 and 1867.

    PNUR 1867  90 hours per semester in clinical, for an average of 6 hrs/wk for 15 wks.     

    PNUR 1900  3 hours x 15 weeks in lecture/ lab /seminar

    PNUR 1906 112 hours per semester in practicum (similar to clinical).  Weekly hours

        may vary.

NOTE:  This does not include independent study time.  Nursing curriculum is very challenging.  Plan accordingly. 

17. When should I take the nursing entrance test?

Students should take the nursing entrance test after they take the COMPASS placement test and any needed developmental courses to ensure success on it. 

18. What  scores do I need to attain on either of the nursing entrance tests?

Practical Nursing accepts an average score of 75% minimum on the HESI A2 Admissions Exam. An electronic calculator may be used.

Practical Nursing also accepts the following minimum scores on the TEAS 4 or 5 test: Reading Comprehension-73%; English-63%; and Math-60%. The questions are four-option multiple choice. No calculators are allowed.

19. Should I use a study guide before taking one of these tests?

The HESI A2 Study Guide is available at the DX. It is called the Evolve Reach Testing and Remediation Admission Assessment Exam Review, 2nd Edition by HESI-Elsevier. A copy is also available at the CS library.

The TEAS V Study Guide is available in the DX. We recommend that you browse through it and decide if it will help you. You may also consult the test publisher’s website at atitesting.com where you may purchase practice tests. Click on “On-line Store” and then shop by “TEAS Products.” A copy is also available at the CS library

20. If I have taken MATH 1020 or higher, do I need to take MATH 1000?

No. MATH 1000, Math Skills for Health Professionals, is no longer required by the Practical Nursing program. However, students must have completed DEV 0105, placed into (and completed) DEV 0115 or higher, or completed a different Algebra course higher than DEV 0105.

21. What is Corporate Screening? This is the company that CS uses for drug screening and background checks.Students must pay for and complete a drug screen and background check before they will be allowed to register for the first PNUR course.

22. Where can I receive an application for the PN program?

Go to our "How to Apply" tab for directions and a link for our application form. 

 
23. Will there be an orientation for accepted practical nursing students?  Yes, orientation for students accepted into the13AU program will be held on Friday, June 7, 2013 in the evening. Orientation for 14SP students will be October 7.