Practical Nursing Diploma

General Education Courses Required

All students must receive a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 in required courses before acceptance in Practical Nursing program courses.

Take one course from each of the General Education Categories (GELOs)  below: 

• GELO #2: Written Communication - 3 Credits
• GELO #3: Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - 4 Credits
  • BIOS 1140 Human Anatomy
    OR
    
  • BIOS 2250 Human Anatomy & Physiology I
• GELO #5: Analytical, Quantitative, & Scientific Reasoning - 4 Credits
  • BIOS 2130 Human Physiology
    (Other courses may also apply for GELO #5 with approval.  Contact an SCC Advisor to help make your best selections.)
    
    

Additional Required Courses

• ACFS 1015 - Success@SCC Credits: 1

Practical Nursing Diploma Courses

• NURS 1100 - Foundations of Nursing Practice Credits: 3
• NURS 1110 - Essentials of Patient Care 1 Credits: 4
• NURS 1130 - Nursing Assessment Credits: 2
• NURS 1150 - Nursing Lab 1 Credits: 2
• NURS 1160 - Nursing Clinical 1 Credits: 2
• NURS 1500 - Professional Nursing Credits: 2
• NURS 1510 - Essentials of Patient Care 2 Credits: 3
• NURS 1530 - Lifecycle Nursing Care Credits: 3
• NURS 1550 - Nursing Lab 2 Credits: 1.5
• NURS 1560 - Nursing Clinical 2 Credits: 4

Total: 38.5 hours

Special Program Requirements

1. All NURS program courses must be completed with a grade of 75% (C+) or higher to progress through the program.
2. A computer is required for students in this program. Please ensure your computer meets the following computer system requirements:

• Age: <3 years old
• Laptop models: Windows Laptops or MS Surface Tablet Pro (Windows 11 Pro or home version)
  • NOT Recommended: Android Tablets, Apple Tablets/iPads, Windows 10 S Mode, Chromebooks
• Processor: Intel Core i5 or higher
• Ram (Memory): 4GB minimum
• Hard Drive: Solid State hard drive preferred 128 GB or higher
• Peripherals: Webcam, Headphones with Microphone
• Wireless: All laptops should have wireless​​​​​​​ internet capabilties

3. Once accepted in the program, and all requirements are submitted students will be approved for program enrollment and to complete required program orientation. Failure to complete the requirements for enrollment and orientation will result in their spot will be given to an alternate. The Program Chair will notify approved students of date, time, and location of orientation via their SCC email address. Failure to attend and/or complete the orientation, will prevent the student from continuing in the program and their spot will be given to an alternate.
4. At the required program orientation, a criminal background check will be required of each student in the program. Based on the background check, a student may be prevented from completing the program. A non-refundable fee of $50 will be assessed for the CBC. Misdemeanor or felony convictions may prevent a graduate from acquiring a state license.
5. Students accepted to an SCC Health Sciences program requiring a clinical/practicum rotation at a contracted healthcare facility will submit to a 10-panel drug test prior to the first clinical/practicum experience. The Program Director will provide testing instruction and a non-refundable fee of $50 will be assessed for the drug test.

Program Admission Requirements

SCC Health Sciences utilizes a selection process of all complete applications to determine acceptance into the program. Applications should be submitted once all requirements are completed.

• Applications will be reviewed when ALL requirements are submitted. 
• Applications with incomplete or missing requirements at the time of selection will not be reviewed.
• Applicants with courses in progress will not be reviewed for acceptance until the end of the term AND after the submission of all requirements.
• If an applicant is re-applying for the program, they MUST resubmit all documentation during each application period.

Selection Process Requirements:

All of following requirements must be submitted prior to a student’s application being reviewed:

1. Demonstrate Appropriate Level of Proficiency in Reading and/or Math
   • Reading: Place into ENGL 1010  or higher
   • Math: Place into MATH 1150 or higher

Proficiency can be demonstrated with placement test scores OR course completion. For details related to placement testing and to schedule a placement test go to https://www.southeast.edu/nextgenerationaccuplacer/.

2. Complete the program pre-requisite courses.  
   • If pre-requisite courses were completed at another college/university, submit official transcripts to SCC Registration Office.
3. Complete an SCC Application for the program during the application period.
4. Complete Professional Awareness

Application Period:

This program admits new students every Spring and Fall semester.

Lincoln & Beatrice Locations:

• Fall Semester:   
  • Apply February 1^st - February 28^th OR until program is full.
• Spring Semester:  
  • Apply September 1^st - September 30^th OR until program is full.
• The online application for the program will remain open until the end of the application period OR until the program spots are filled.

Notification of Acceptance:

Fall Semester: After April 1^st 
Spring Semester: After November 1^st 

Submit Active CNA status on the Nebraska Nurse Aide Registry (submit DHHS documentation) or proof of NA class completion and other current healthcare certification or registration. Submit to the Health Sciences Division via email (healthsciences@southeast.edu)

Upon notification of acceptance, program students will have 15 days to submit the following requirements to the Health Sciences Division via email (healthsciences@southeast.edu) to be eligible to attend program orientation AND enroll in program courses.

Failure to submit the following requirements within 15 days of notification of acceptance will result in a student being unable to enroll in the program and their program spot will be given to an alternate. 

• It is highly recommended students complete the following requirements and documentation prior to notification of acceptance. Additional time will not be granted to complete them.

1. Copy of current American Heart Association Basic Life Support CPR card.
2. Completed SCC Student Health Statement. Please note a number of immunizations take more than 15 days to obtain so beginning the health statement prior to acceptance is important. Additional time will not be granted to complete them.