Practical Nursing Program

     2010-2011 Academic Year

Deadline to Apply: Friday, July 16, 2010

Classes Begin: Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Class Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8:00a.m.-2:30 p.m.

 (Clinical Hours will vary.)

Program Length: 12 months/1296 clock hours

Thank you for your interest in the Practical Nursing Program at the Tennessee Technology Center at Jacksboro. Please read this information guide thoroughly and keep it as a reference tool. Admission to the PN program is competitive. A point system is used to aid in the selection of applicants for each class. Being knowledgeable of the processes and application procedures may enhance your chances of being selected. Please pay special attention to Compass test dates, application deadline dates, and  requirements.

General Information: The Practical Nursing Program is a 12 month intensive program that will prepare you for a rewarding career in health care. The Practical Nursing Program is fully approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing. This approval permits graduates to take the Practical Nursing National Council Exam, which is used to qualify persons for licensure in Tennessee. Strict attendance rules are enforced for the program. 

Practical Nursing Profession:  Practical Nursing is entry-level nursing. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN’s) work under the supervision of Registered Nurses, doctors, dentists, and other health care professionals. Positions are available in hospitals, long-term care centers, physicians’ offices, clinics, home health care agencies, industry, and in private duty.

Admission Requirements:  An applicant for the Practical Nursing Program must meet the following admission requirements:

-          Be at least 18 years of age by Sept. 1, 2010

-          Meet minimum acceptable scores on the Compass Test

-          Be currently certified in CPR/FIRST AID by the American Heart Association

-          Complete application process/packet by July 16, 2010, which includes the following: 
          1. Provide copy of high school transcript or GED scores

         2. Provide three (3) written work/character references (References  

              completed by family members/relatives are invalid.)

         3. Complete a Practical Nursing Questionnaire. (All 6 questions need to

              answered thoroughly and completely by the applicant.)

-          Submit additional documentation for coursework completed, certifications, work or
 volunteer experience so appropriate points can be awarded.

-          Attend scheduled interview session if required (which will be the week of 7/26/10)

                ( Interviews are only scheduled for applicants who have completed the
 packet by the deadline.)

-          Be recommended by the Practical Nursing Advisory Committee

Before you decide to apply for the program, please be aware of the following: The PN Program requires several hours of study time outside of class time. Regular daily attendance in class and clinical is essential for success. All nursing coursework must be completed with a grade of 81 or better. All applicants must pass a physical exam and submit proof of proper immunizations after being selected into the class but before clinical rotations begin. Applying for financial aid early is also highly recommended.

 Application Procedures: 

1. Interested applicants need to complete the regular school application. This supplies the school with contact information on each potential applicant should the need arise to mail additional information or contact by phone.
2. All applicants must meet minimum acceptable scores on the Compass Test. This test has two components: math and reading and it is not a timed test. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review basic math and reading skills prior to testing. Applicants for testing are taken on a first come- first serve basis, with a maximum capacity to test 14 students. Since space is limited for each session, it is best to arrive early. Test rules are as follows:
    

-         Applicants need to arrive 30 minutes prior to testing time and pay the testing fee of $15 to the business office. Payment is to be made with cash or money order only. No checks accepted.

-         State or federal issued photo identification is required for testing.

-         No cell phones allowed in room during testing.

-         Applicants, who do not obtain the acceptable test scores on the first attempt,
 must wait 30 days before re-testing. Applicants can only test twice per
 trimester.

Compass scores are considered current/good for two years. Previous applicants who have successfully passed the NET within the past two years (from 6/08 to present) are not required to take/retake the test. Test scores have to be valid through the application process. However, it is the applicant’s responsibility to notify the Technology Center if they have tested previously so that scores may be located and placed in their file. If the test was taken at another location, the applicant must ensure that the Compass/ NET test scores have been received by Tennessee Technology Center at Jacksboro prior to the deadline date: July 16, 2010.

Resources available to help students study for the Compass test:

-          http://www.act.org/compass/sample/pdf/numerical.pdf

-          http://www.act.org/compass/sample/pdf/reading.pdf

-          www.achievementtech.com

Study guides can be purchased at TTC Jacksboro bookstore as of 11/01/09. Study guides can also be ordered/purchased at www.mo-media.com/compass or by calling  1-800-673-8175. 

3. The school will offer Compass testing every month beginning in November. The last testing date available for the Compass to be considered for the Sept. 2010 class is 6/15/10.
4.  The following dates/times have been scheduled for Compass testing:

            Nov. 10^th, 2009 at 12:00 p.m.  
            Nov.  24^th, 2009 at 12:00 p.m.           *Dec. 15^th, 2009 at 12:00 p.m.

            Jan. 12^th, 2010 at 12:00 p.m.              April 6^th, 2010 at 12:00 p.m.
            *Jan. 26^th, 2010 at 12:00p.m.             April 13^th, 2010 at 12:00 p.m.
            Feb. 2^nd, 2010 at 12:00 p.m.              *April 20^th, 2010 at 4:00 p.m.
            Feb. 9^th, 20010 at 12:00 p.m.             April 29^th, 2010 at 12:00 p.m.
            *Feb. 16^th, 2010 at 4:00 p.m.             May 4^th, 2010 at 12:00 p.m.
            Feb, 25^th, 2010 at 12:00 p.m.             May 11^th, 2010 at 12:00 p.m.
            March 2^nd, 2010 at 12:00 p.m.           May 20^th, 2010 at 12:00 p.m.
            March 9^th, 2010 at 12:00 p.m.            *May 25^th, 2010 at 4:00 p.m.
            March 16^th, 2010 at 4:00 p.m.            June 1^st, 2010 at 12:00 p.m.
            March 25^th, 2010 at 12:00 p.m.          *June 8^th, 2010 at 12:00 p.m.
                                                                    *June 15^th, 2010 at 12:00 p.m.

5. Information sessions will be held periodically beginning in December through June.
   Attendance is not mandatory, but highly recommended. This allows interested
   applicants to learn more about the nursing program and allows time for questions, etc.
   Applicants do not need to schedule a time to come, just be present at the school on the
   appropriate date and time. These dates correspond to Compass test dates.
   
   The following dates have been scheduled for information sessions:

            Dec. 15th, 2009 at 10:30 a.m.             April 20th, 2010 at 2:30 p.m.

            January 26th, 2010 at 10:30 a.m.         May 25th, 2010 at 2:30 p.m.

            February 16th, 2010 at 2:30p.m           June 8th, 2010 at 10:30a.m

            March 25th, 2010 at 10:30a.m             June 15th, 2010 at 10:30 a.m.

            * (By scheduling ahead of time, interested applicants can test and attend an
            information session on the same day.)

6. After successfully completing the Compass, applicants must complete an application for the Practical Nursing Program and will be given a nursing application packet. (These packets are available to applicants at any time, but recommended after successful completion of the Compass.) This packet will contain:
    

-Three reference letters that need to be completed by current/previous employers/
supervisors.  For those applicants who have not worked in the last few years, the
reference letter needs to be completed by a teacher, minister, associate, etc.
Reference letters completed by family members WLL NOT be accepted.
 

- Practical Nursing Questionnaire that needs to be completed by the applicant.
All six questions need to be answered thoroughly. (Questions are listed on the front
AND back of the form.) Please put some thought into answering these questions and
answer all questions completely.

- Information on Financial Aid and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA form) Applicants need to apply for financial aid as soon as possible. The Pell Grant application does not commit you to the Tennessee Technology Center. Applicants who will be sponsored by another agency (Workforce Network, Vocational Rehabilitation, etc.) need to communicate with those agencies regarding your application status.

This application packet must be complete and submitted by 4:00p.m. on the deadline date:    July 16, 2010. Additional required documents (other than those listed above) must be included:

-          High school transcript or GED scores (Request this early so it will be in by the
 6/16/10)

-          Current (passing) Compass scores

-          Copy of current CPR Certification

  Documents that are not required but helpful: 

-          Certifications from educational/training sessions

-          College transcripts

-          Documentation of work experience or volunteer experience

-          Certificates/documentation of related coursework (Medical Terminology, CNA,
 Health  Occupations, Phlebotomy, etc.) 

Only those applicants with a completed file will be scheduled for an interview the
week of July 26-30^th, should interviews be conducted. Each qualified applicant will
be interviewed by a team and will be given a score. This score will be included in
the total point accumulation for the selection process. You will be contacted by the
school when to call and schedule an interview date and time.

Applicant Selection Process: Admission to the Practical Nursing Program is not automatic
even though applicants have submitted the required documents and may be academically
qualified. Applicants are selected by the use of a point system, which awards points for
academic and health-related work/volunteer activities. Final approval for admission is based
upon attending a mandatory orientation 3-4 weeks prior to the class start date and receipt of
the physical exam form signed by a physician on the first day of class. (When acceptance letters are mailed, included will be the date/time of the mandatory orientation and a physical form. All physicals
have to be completed on our form.)

 Points will be awarded in the following categories:

         Category:                                                                         Possible Points:

         Compass Test scores                                                       4-20 Points (depending on
                                                                                                              test results)
         Related Work or Volunteer Experience*                           Up to 20 Points
         Related coursework (within last 5 years;                           Up to 20 Points
         must have passed course with “B” average)
         Completion of Medical Terminology Class @TTCJ            15 Points
         Attendance of (1) Information Session at TTCJ                 10 Points
         Interview score                                                               Up to15 Points
                    TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS                             100

 * Applicants must provide documentation (certifications, transcripts, and letters).
Include documentation even if classes were taken at this center.

Applicants with the highest total points are selected in descending order until all available
student spaces are filled. All applicants will be notified by mail of acceptance status the week
of Aug. 2, 2010.

Please keep the school notified of any address/phone # changes. Please do not call the
 school to get acceptance information.

 Before you decide

Before you make your decision to apply for admission to the Practical Nursing Program, you should consider the following:

Attendance requirements:  Regular attendance in class and clinical is essential to successful completion of the program. The Center maintains strict attendance requirements that must be followed. Excessive absenteeism/tardiness can and will result in termination from the program. Each applicant needs to have dependable childcare (if applicable) as well as reliable transportation. The program moves at a very fast pace, so any time missed will place the student behind.

Academic requirements:  All nursing coursework must be completed with a grade of 81 or above. The student must pass each subject, as well as clinicals, in order to progress in the program. Theory grades and clinical grades are not averaged together.  A final grade below 81 in any area/subject will result in termination from the program. According to the Tennessee Board of Nursing, each applicant is only allowed two attempts at successfully completing the program. 

Financial aid:  Students should apply as early as possible for financial assistance, if needed. The student services office can be of assistance with all financial aid questions or concerns. The FAFSA form needs to be completed to determine eligilibility for federal assistance as well as for lottery scholarships. Early completion of this form may allow for additional funding to qualified applicants.

The nursing program has additional required items- such as nursing packs/supplies, uniforms, malpractice insurance, drug screens, background checks, etc.

Clinical Requirements:  Each student is required by the clinical agencies to complete a thorough criminal background check and undergo a random drug screen prior to the start of any clinical rotations. If either/both result with a positive finding, it is the clinical site’s right to refuse a student access to their facility for training purposes. This would result with a clinical failure.

Personal commitment:  Students enrolling in the nursing program need to be aware of the amount of time outside of class that will be required to be successful. It is very common for nursing students to spend 3- 5 hours of study time every night for the first several months of class. Most nursing applicants have to sacrifice family activities and/or social activities while enrolled in the program. All interested applicants are instructed that the academic portion determines 50% of success and the personal commitment/motivation makes up the other 50%.

Physical Job Requirements:  All applicants must pass a physical and show proof of adequate immunizations before beginning the nursing program. This physical form will be mailed out with acceptance letters. Applicants must be physically able to bend, stoop, squat, carry/lift from 10-24 lbs., assist with patient transfers, possess good verbal and written skills, be exposed to blood/body fluids, etc.

 This packet serves to provide potential applicants with baseline knowledge of the Practical Nursing Program and the admission process. Please review all information thoroughly and follow all instructions as they are written. Also, please keep the school informed of any address or phone number changes, should the school need to contact you for additional information. If, after reading this you have any questions, please contact the school at (423) 566-9629.

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The Tennessee Technology Center at Jacksboro is a Tennessee Board of Regents institution and an Affirmative Action / Equal Employment Opportunity institution.