After Program acceptance, before starting classes the accepted applicant must:

• • • be in good physical and mental health as evidenced by recent physical and dental exams and personal interview.
    • provide documentation of up to date immunizations to include Tetanus, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis .
    • submit a recent negative Mantoux or PPD (two step is required) or chest x-ray without findings.
    • demonstrate basic competency in Medical Terminology by achieving a 75% or better score on the Medical Terminology Pre-Admission Challenge Test. If less than a 75% score is achieved, the applicant is required to take a certificate or college credit course. Provide transcript with a course completion minimum grade of C.
    • submit an FBI clearance – any findings must be in compliance with eligibility for PA licensure (see admission packet).
    • submit a Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance. Clearance must allow the student to participate in clinical experiences involving children.
    • submit a negative 10-panel rapid drug screen within 30 days of starting classes, based on clinical facility requirements.
    • agree to abide by all school policies.
    • have a recent American Heart Association CPR Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate. The certificate must not expire while in school.
    • Technology proficiency – demonstrate basic computer skills – use a mouse, type on keyboard accurately and in a timely manner, access the internet and search engines to use databases and complete research, have proficiency with Microsoft Office Word software (free access provided when enrolled), demonstrate ability to save a Word document and send via email attachment/upload on Moodle LMS, practice privacy on a computer and the internet. Able to participate in online conferencing with laptop/laptop camera and microphone.
    • have access to computer with camera/microphone and internet/wifi – provide an email address, agree to check email daily x2, bring laptop computer (not tablet/phone/no Chrome laptop) to the classroom, computer must meet specs of required resources, have access to the internet outside of class/clinical hours to complete assignments. Agree to Terms of Use when accessing wifi via PNP resource. A school email address is created on first day of class.
    • must not be listed on the following : OIG Fraud List, PA Sex Offender list, Medicheck Verification, System for Award Management.

Process for Admission – Applications are accepted daily.

It is highly suggested that you begin the application process 6 months to a year before your ideal start date.

1. Submit an application and $120 application fee (check, money order, cash, or credit card – 3.5% fee applies) – Subject to change due to increased costs for admission test monitoring.
2. Anticipate an email with an admission test date, directions for registering for the test, suggestions for studying for the test, and a pre-entrance questionnaire within one week of receipt of application .
3. Attend an Admission Test Workshop (2 hours) at the PNP.  Optional and no cost to the applicant. Call for next scheduled workshop.
4. Preparation for the Admission Test is strongly recommended. For success, consider purchasing the newest edition of the Kaplan Nursing School Entrance Exams Prep book.  Read the book thoroughly for test taking strategies, diagnostic quizzes,  verbal and language review, science, math and two practice tests.  Calculators provided within the test. Get a good night’s sleep and eat breakfast before taking the exam.  Testing process is subject to change.
5. Request an official high school transcript to be sent to the Program (mailed directly from the high school) and/or provide GED scores and certificate.
   1. Out of state GED or Out of USA high school diploma requires a PA Certificate of Preliminary Education. Instructions for obtaining the CPE are provided by the PNP.
6. Testing and Interview Day
   1. Arrive at the PNP on the date scheduled and on time and submit completed Pre-Entrance Questionnaire.  No entry is allowed in the test session after it begins.
   2. Take the Kaplan Admission Test (cost of test included in application fee).  The 3-hour computerized exam is administered at the Practical Nursing Program building. Call if you are not feeling well or have had exposure to COVID to reschedule the test.
   3. Next, interview with the Nurse Administrator to discuss test results and determine if the PNP is a good fit to meet your professional goals.  Business attire is recommended.
   4. Take the electronic Medical Terminology Challenge exam on the same day after the Admission Test.  Achieve a 75% or better (if scoring below 75% – information about a Med Term course is provided).
   5. The PNP will complete a PA Criminal History Record Check after the Interview (cost included in the application fee). Not lived in PA in the last two years? Required to submit criminal background checks from all states in resided in the past two years.
7. Admissions committee reviews fully completed applicant file.
8. The applicant is notified of admission decision by mail within 30 days.
   1. To accept admission – The applicant will return letter of intent to enroll (included in admission decision letter), and pay the $450 non-refundable Acceptance/Supplies/Technology Fee to secure a position in the class offered. This fee is not refundable.
   2. To reject admission – contact the PNP or email stating that you are not interested in attending.
9. PNP will contact incoming students regarding orientation, financial aid workshops, and additional preparation to begin the Program.

ATTENTION: PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS – LOW MATH OR MED TERM TEST SCORES.

a. Students with low math scores on the Admission test are required to take a math review course prior to starting classes. Math Review Courses are offered periodically. Enrollment is open to any interested applicant. Call for details or to register for the upcoming class.

b. Students not achieving a 75% or better on the Medical Terminology competency test are required to take a Medical Terminology Course.  Call program for options.

Process for Readmission – Applications are accepted throughout the year.

Process for Readmission

1. Request for Readmission – Students who withdrew from the Program after starting courses may request to return to the Program.
2. Readmission Process
   1. Call the PNP Office to discuss readmission process.
   2. Interview with the Nurse Administrator to review changes in personal goals, circumstances, support systems, other… that support success with a second admission. Discussion will include the appropriate level for readmission, any required testing or skills competency demonstration, readmission costs, financial aid eligibility, orientation, and a review indepth readmission details. Business attire is recommended. Mask required.
   3. Submit letter to Nurse Administrator detailing discussion details from interview (discussed in #2 above).
   4. An Admission Application is required if initial application was submitted more than one year ago.
   5. A PA Criminal History Record Check is required unless completed in the last six months.  Applicants who have not lived in PA in the last two years are required to submit criminal background checks from all states in which he/she resided.
   6. The student’s prior admission file (with current application if required) is reviewed by the Admissions Committee.  The applicant is notified of readmission decision by mail within 30 days.
      1. To accept admission – The applicant will return letter of intent to enroll (included in admission decision letter), and pay the $450 non-refundable Acceptance/Supplies/Technology Fee to secure a position in the class offered. This fee is not refundable.
      2. To reject admission – contact the PNP or email stating that you are not interested in attending.
   7. PNP will arrange for any Final Exam Challenges and/or Skills Competency demonstrations required for readmission if joining a cohort in Level II or later.
   8. PNP will contact readmitted students of orientation, financial aid workshops, and additional preparation to begin the Program.
   9. Readmitted student agrees to comply with policies to include any changes with textbooks/resources/tuition and fees/uniforms, and other changes in Program from previous enrollment.

Transfer Process/Transfer of Credits

• • • Students who attended a Practical Nursing or Registered Nursing Program or have taken prerequisites for a nursing program may request to transfer to the Program.
    • Call the PNP Office to discuss the Transfer process.
    • Start the Admission Process – see above – complete application and request transfer on the application.
    • Interview (by appointment) with the Nurse Administrator to review official transcripts from past schools attended, discuss reason for transfer request, and admission details. Business attire is recommended. Mask required.
    • Applicants who have not lived in PA in the last two years are required to submit criminal background checks from all states in which he/she resided.

The applicant’s file is presented to the Admissions committee.  The applicant is notified of admission decision by mail within 30 days.  All procedures/policies for admission are the same.

Transfer of Credit

Criteria:

1. It is preferred that the applicant’s courses are completed at a school with recognized US Dept of Education accrediting institution.
2. Provide official transcript from prior school, sent directly to the PNP
3. Non- nursing courses must be completed within 3 years of joining a cohort
4. Nursing courses must be completed within 12 months of joining a cohort
5. Nursing course acceptance also requires letter from course clinical instructor or nursing program director, on official school letterhead, attesting to student’s clinical performance.
6. Minimum course grade of “C” or 75% or better
7. Provide prior school’s course catalog or syllabus to determine comparability and relevance to the Practical Nursing Program’s courses.
8. The credit or clock hours will be transferred equivalent to the course approved clock hours of the Practical Nursing Program.
9. The grade earned at the prior school will be given credit for the course with an * on the student’s Practical Nursing Program transcript and will not be calculated in the final Grade Point Average.

The Practical Nursing Program will document in the permanent student record the basis on which the transfer credit was accepted and identification of the school from which the credit was transferred.  The Practical Nursing Program will publish its transfer-of-credit policy including clear communication of the criteria and process for evaluating and accepting credit for transfer earned at other schools in all documents (paper and electronic) that serve to inform the public.

The process for evaluating and accepting credit:

1. The applicant may request advanced standing on the initial application or at any time during the admission process prior to 30 days of starting the first course of the Program.
2. The Nurse Administrator will meet with the applicant to determine the specific request for transfer of credits, review the official transcript, any additional documentation, and determine possible eligibility for non-nursing and nursing course credits.
3. The request will be presented to the Admissions Committee to determine eligibility and approval.
4. The applicant will be notified of the decision and will be documented in the student’s admission file.

08/2022

NonDiscrimination Policy

• • • It is the policy of the FCCTC-PNP not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, marital status, age, gender, sexual orientation, or disability or because a person is a veteran in its admission, educational programs, activities or employment policies. Publication of this policy is in accordance with state and federal laws including the American with Disabilities Act, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Campus Safety and Security

• • • To comply with Jeanne Cleary Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Violence Against Women Act, the FCCTC-PNP publishes an annual security report by October 1 of each year. This report contains descriptions of the PNP’s safety and security policies; the procedures for emergency response, timely warnings, the reporting of a crime; and how the PNP responds to sexual assault and drug and alcohol violations. The report also contains three years of campus crime statistics for the occurrence of certain crimes. A report is available upon request in the PNP office.

Social Media Policy

Download the policy document.