Nursing RN - PN Challenge - Northwest Mississippi Community College

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PRACTICAL NURSING PROGRAM - PN CHALLENGE

Dear PN Challenge Applicant:

Thank you for your interest in the Northwest Mississippi Community College School of Nursing. As an PN desiring to upgrade and achieve an Associate Degree in Nursing, you must meet the following requirements for writing the LPN Challenge Exam:

Applicant must have passed NCLEX‑PN as shown by submitting a copy of their LPN License to the NWCC Nursing Division. This license must be active and unrestricted.
Applicant must have completed applications to NWCC and NWCC Nursing Division to include all transcripts. *See Nursing packet for TEAS information and scheduling test date. Applicant must meet all admission criteria to NWCC & NWCC Nursing Division.
Applicant must have completed NWCC LPN Challenge Application.
Applicant must have an enhanced ACT composite score of 19 or above; a TEAS math score AND TEAS reading score within 5 points of the national average; and a GPA of 2.0 or above on courses required in the nursing curriculum to be eligible to take the PN Challenge Exam.
Applicant must submit two written references. One reference must be from their RN Supervisor and must be on agency/company letterhead. The other reference must be from an RN co‑worker.
Applicant must have completed A&P I /Lab and A&P II/ Lab with a “C” or better within the last 5 years. (See admission criteria in Nursing Information Packet).
Applicant must have completed College Algebra with a “C” or better OR have Math ACT score of 19 or above (no time limit on course).
Applicant must be deemed eligible for the PN Challenge by the PN Challenge Committee.

Northwest Community College Division of Nursing offers the PN the opportunity for advanced standing. LPN's who meet the above criteria are eligible to take the PN Challenge Examination. If successful, the PN receives credit for Freshman first semester nursing courses as listed in the nursing curriculum (NRS 1117‑ Fundamentals in Nursing and NRS 1211‑ Pharmacology) and is enrolled in Freshman second semester nursing course as listed in the nursing curriculum (NRS 1129- Medical-Surgical Nursing), space permitting.

The above requirements must be met no later than October 1st for the Spring Semester and no later than March 1st for the Fall Semester. All records must be in the nursing office by this date. The PN Challenge Committee will review all records and notify the applicant in writing regarding eligibility to participate in the PN Challenge. If eligible, the applicant must contact the Nursing Division office at least one week prior to the exam date to reserve a space.

The applicant may write the Division of Nursing at 4975 Hwy. 51 North, Drawer 7009, Senatobia, MS 38668, or call at 662‑562‑3283.

WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS (2 parts):

ATI Computerized Exam - FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING
Pencil/paper Exam- Pharmacology DOSAGE CALCUATIONS
Pass = Applicant Score is at or above current National Average on the ATI FUNDAMENTALS exam and 78 or above (out of a possible 100 points) on the PHARMACOLOGY exam.

*Practice materials for these exams will be provided by the LPN Challenge Committee.
*Applicant must pass BOTH exams in order to successfully complete this portion of the LPN Challenge.

PRACTICUM EXAMINATION:
Once BOTH of the above exams are passed, the applicant must pass the practicum examination. This exam will include fundamental nursing skills that will be demonstrated in the presence of (2) RN Instructors (one Freshman I level instructor and one Freshman II level instructor). Each skill should be demonstrated according to the text, Fundamentals of Nursing, by Potter & Perry (current edition). This and other reference textbooks are available for use in the Division of Nursing Lab. A skills review guide is also available and will be provided to students who progress to the practicum examination.

Required Clinical Skills Practicum Examination
The applicant will have 15 min. to successfully demonstrate each skill. Each skill must be demonstrated satisfactorily in order to pass the practicum exam. If an applicant fails one or more of these skills, he/she will have the opportunity to recheck that skill on another day in the presence of (2) RN Instructors. Failure to pass these skills the second time will result in failure of the LPN Challenge for NRS 1117.

Please note: The Division of Nursing Lab is open Monday—Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for use of reference materials, practice time, and/or viewing films if desired. I am the Lab Coordinator, Monica Williams, and I should be contacted for an appointment prior to coming to the Nursing Lab. I may be reached by calling 562-3289 or by email, mwilliams@northwestms.edu.

FEES:

TEAS Exam - $40 (money order ONLY) paid at the time of scheduling the TEAS Exam (see admission information in the Nursing Information Packet).
LPN Challenge Exam - $100 paid in the NWCC Business Office any time prior to the LPN Challenge Exam (receipt must be presented for entrance to the written challenge exams).

Each applicant will have only one opportunity to participate in the LPN challenge examination. Should the applicant not satisfactorily complete ALL portions of this challenge, the applicant will NOT be able to repeat the LPN Challenge. The applicant’s file would then be submitted to the Nursing Division Admission Committee to be considered with all other qualified applicants. If the applicant is not successful, the writing of this exam does not guarantee admission into the Nursing Program. If you are successful in passing the Challenge exam, you must enter the Nursing Program within one calendar year.

I hope to be hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Monica C. Williams, MSN, RN
Chairperson, PN Challenge Committee

Last Updated Monday, August 01 2011 @ 09:08 AM CDT|1,620 Hits