The Practical Nursing curriculum provides knowledge and skills to integrate safety and quality into nursing care to meet the needs of the holistic individual, which impact health, quality of life, and achievement of potential.
Coursework includes and builds upon the domains of healthcare, nursing practice, and the holistic individual. Content emphasizes safe, individualized nursing care and participation in the interdisciplinary team while employing evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and informatics.
Graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) which is required for practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Employment opportunities include hospitals, rehabilitation/long term care/home health facilities, clinics, and physicians' offices.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
The practical nursing program at Cleveland Community College located in Shelby, North Carolina is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the practical nursing program is initial accreditation.
Practical Nursing Program Outcomes
Licensure Pass Rate
|
Year |
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate |
|
2022 |
100% |
|
2023 |
100% |
|
2024 |
93.55% |
Program Completion
|
Admit Year |
Graduation Year |
Number of Newly Admitted Students |
Number Graduated with Cohort |
Completion Rate% |
|
2021 |
2022 |
24 |
19 |
79% |
|
2022 |
2023 |
31 |
25 |
80% |
|
2023 |
2024 |
31 |
29 |
93% |
Job Placement Rates (Employment after Graduation)
|
Graduation Year |
Employment Rate Within 6 Months of Graduation |
|
2022 |
100% |
|
2023 |
100% |
|
2024 |
100% |
Admission and Selection Criteria
CCC has established admissions and selection procedures to ensure students are admitted and selected in a consistent and equitable manner. Completion of these requirements will not guarantee admission to the program. All applicants are encouraged to attend a Health Sciences Symposium, which are held in June and November, to learn more information about the program.
All admissions criteria must be completed and submitted to the Admissions Office prior to the program deadline of January 25.
Admission Requirements
- Application to the College and NC Residency
- Reading/English: Meet one of the following to demonstrate proficiency:
- Completion of prerequisites to be eligible to register for ENG 111 without corequisite (or currently enrolled)
- Completion of ENG 111 or equivalent with a minimum of "C"
- Have a 2.8 or higher unweighted high school GPA
- Provide satisfactory placement test scores
- Provide proof of completion of an associate or bachelor's degree (if applicable)
- TEAS Score of 60 or higher
Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Testing Information
The TEAS is designed specifically to assess the preparedness of students applying to a health sciences program. TEAS scores are good for 5 years, and must have a minimum of 30 days between each test. Students must register for the test through ATI at www.atitesting.com.
TEAS testing information:
- Paper and pencil will be provided
- No smartwatches or any other programmable devices are allowed
- Cell phones must be turned off
- No food or drink allowed, unless medically necessary
- Photo ID required
- ATI login information
Post-Provisional Acceptance Requirements
An email notification of provisional acceptance will be sent by February 20. The following must be completed to satisfy acceptance requirements:
- Attend nursing orientation
- Complete CCC Health Sciences Medical Form
- Criminal background check and 12-panel drug screen obtained through a secure compliance tracking database
- The following immunizations are required (more information will be provided during orientation):
- Complete 2-Step TB Test or IGRA
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza (required between 9/1 - 10/31) or of current Influenza Season
- Varicella
- Td or TDaP
- MMR
- CPR Certification will be offered the first week of class (first fall semester only) and must remain current throughout the program.
- Comply with the Technical Standards outlined for the program
- Highly recommended for all students to have health insurance
Clinical facilities may require criminal background checks, drug screenings, and/or proof of US citizenship prior to or during participation in the clinical portion of the program. A student who is unable to complete the clinical portion of the program will not be able to graduate. Criminal background checks, drug screenings, credit checks, and/or proof of US citizenship may also be required after graduation by examination boards, state licensing boards, and employing agencies.
Essential Functions and Technical Standards
Purpose Statement
The provided text outlines the essential standards and expectations for students in a clinical program. It emphasizes the need for students to demonstrate cognitive, critical thinking, interpersonal, behavioral, physical, and communication skills required for high-quality patient care. Reasonable accommodations for documented disabilities are considered, but students must independently meet performance standards set by clinical sites and the college. Failure to meet these standards may prevent program completion. The standards reflect job requirements for entry-level professionals and ensure patient safety. Examples are illustrative but not exhaustive.
| Capability | Standard | Examples of Technical Standard Found in the Program and Related to Industry |
| Cognitive Ability/Critical Thinking Skills | Nursing students will be involved in acquiring knowledge, processing information, and making decisions. They include analyzing, evaluating, and synthesizing data to solve problems, form judgments, and create solutions. | Gather information, analyze cause-effect relationships, monitor health changes, and set goals with interventions. |
| Tactile Skills | Sense of touch sufficient to discern information | Perform a physical assessment, palpation, monitor skin temperature |
| Mobility/Motor Skills | Demonstrate dexterity, coordination, and strength to perform nursing tasks safely, including handling up to 50 pounds. | Ability to lift, transfer, or adjust patients safely—the ability to walk, bend, stretch, and stand for extended periods. |
| Auditory Skills | Hearing ability to monitor and assess health needs. | Hear equipment/emergency alarms and calls for assistance. Listen to heart, lung, and blood pressure sounds. |
| Visual Skills | Visual ability to monitor and assess patient care needs. | Observe patient responses to treatment. Detect changes in skin color. Read sphygmomanometer. |
| Interpersonal and Behavioral Skills | Interact effectively with diverse groups, maintain emotional stability under stress, adapt to change, and build professional relationships. | Demonstrate sound judgment, timely care, accountability, adaptability to feedback, respect for patients, teamwork, and professionalism. |
| Communication Skills | Communicate effectively in English using verbal, nonverbal, and written formats with others. | Answer questions, document patient data accurately, use proper terminology, interpret orders, record responses, and practice active listening. |
| Occupational Exposure | Manage multiple roles under stress while ensuring safety through proper precautions against hazards and infectious materials. | To encounter harmful substances - bloodborne pathogens, infectious diseases, hazardous chemicals. Potentially harmful needlestick injuries, exposure to bodily fluids, and exposure to airborne contaminants while caring for patients. Legal/ethical dilemmas. Liability issues. |
Estimated Total Cost for Program
| Fee Description | Cost |
| Tuition (NUR Courses) | $2280.00 |
| Program Fee (ATI) | $1240.00 |
| Lab Fees | $72.00 |
| Background, Drug Screen, & Immunization Tracker | $144.00 |
| Clinical Tracker | $40.00 |
| Health Sciences Fee (Uniforms Included) | $200.00 |
| Malpractice Insurance | $16.00 |
| Pinning Fee | $75.00 |
| CPR Card | $10.00 |
| Textbooks (NUR Courses Only) | $400.00 |
| Estimated Total | $4477.00 |
Understanding the Ranking Process
When all admissions requirements have been met, qualified applicants are ranked using a point system. Enrollment in related courses is not required for acceptance; however, extra points will be awarded for each related course, completed by the deadline, based on the grade earned in the course. If the course is repeated, the highest grade earned will be used in the ranking.
- A = 4 points
- B = 3 points
- C = 2 points (no points are awarded for grades lower than C)
AP credit is based on individual scores:
- 5 = 4 points
- 4 = 3 points
- 3 = 2 points (no points are awarded for scores lower than 3)
Related course points will be added to the total TEAS score for the ranking. Applicants with the highest-ranked scores will be accepted. In the event of a tie, the highest science score on the TEAS will be ranked higher. An alternate list will be maintained in ranking order. Alternates will only be accepted if a space becomes available. Applicants not admitted to the program must reapply. The chart below can be used to track related course points.
Related courses for Traditional Pathway:
| Course | Grade | Points Earned |
| BIO 168 | ||
| BIO 169 | ||
| CNA (with clinical experience) | ||
| ENG 111 | ||
| PSY 150 |
Reentry Process
- All requests for reentry must be approved by the Admissions Office and the Nursing Director prior to implementation.
- Only one reentry will be considered.
Applied and Not Accepted
Students not selected to the program may reapply for the next year by completing a new health sciences application. All applications for admission must be updated annually.
Grading Policy
All NUR courses must receive a grade of B or higher and all other courses in the program must receive a grade of C or higher.