After completion of the Practical Nurse Certificate program (LPN training) at Maria College, the graduate will be able to:

• Demonstrate clinical competency by applying principles to meet the basic physical and psychological needs of clients through the lifespan with primary focus on activities of daily living (ADL), caring interventions, technical skills, and safety needs of clients.
• Demonstrate knowledge of data gathering and Nursing Care Concepts of the human system, with consideration of how the environment, cultural and ethnic diversity affect client care in various environments to promote, maintain and manage health.
• Teach basic health promotion/maintenance and self-care to an individual using a designed teaching tool to promote teaching and learning.
• Communicate in a collaborative manner with the client, significant support persons, members of the health care team, and with community resources.
• Incorporate critical thinking into clinical decision making when advocating care for clients, families, significant support persons or groups in a variety of environments.
• Demonstrate professional behavior in an accountable, responsible manner within the legal scope of LPN practice, as a member of the profession of nursing.

* BIO 209 or BIO 210 may be substituted

• High School graduate or GED with a minimum GPA: 80 (high school graduates); 2.0 GPA (transfer students)
• A physical examination, including tuberculosis testing, required immunizations and basic life support (BLS) are required before the student will be allowed to take clinical courses.
• Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS VI): The TEAS VI is a multiple-choice assessment of basic academic knowledge in reading, mathematics, science and English and language usage. Applicants will be admitted on the basis of meeting the minimum requirements for entry and their TEAS test scores. Admissions decisions will be based on space availability. For more information including registering for the exam, please visit the Testing Requirement page.

• Earn a minimum grade of “C+” in all nursing courses required in the PNC Program.  The student must pass both theoretical, lab, and clinical components of a nursing course.
• Each state and/or profession has procedures for certification and licensure including, among others, consideration of felony convictions, pending criminal charges and professional misconduct. As a result, completion of a program does not guarantee licensure or certification.

Maria College PNC graduates may be eligible for advance placement in the Associate degree in Nursing program at Maria College. Successful candidates will receive transfer credit for the first two semesters and enter the second year of the Associate degree program in nursing.

Advance Placement nursing applicants must meet all nursing admission and program requirements. For consideration, candidates will require the following:

• Successful completion of the NCLEX-PN® and a copy of a current PNC license must be submitted at the time of application.
• Proof of a minimum of six months work experience as a licensed practical nurse, a letter of employment verification, and a resume of work experience must be submitted at time of application.
• Completion of all Associate degree program required liberal arts credits with the exception of microbiology (BIO 203). This may be completed upon advance placement.

Please note that advance placement is dependent on seat availability and is at the discretion of the Associate Dean.

• Graduates of Nursing Assistant program at Capital District EOC with license to practice as Nursing Assistant to Practical Nurse Certificate program at Maria College
• Fulton-Montgomery Community College graduates with Certified Nurse Assistant to Practical Nurse Certificate program at Maria College
• Fulton-Montgomery Community College graduates with Home Health Aid Certificate to Practical Nurse Certificate program at Maria College
• Fulton-Montgomery Community College graduates with Home Health Aid Certificate to Practical Nurse Certificate program at Maria College
• Fulton-Montgomery Community College graduates with AAS in Human Services to Practical Nurse Certificate program at Maria College
• Fulton-Montgomery Community College graduates with AAS in Health Studies to Practical Nurse Certificate program at Maria College
• Fulton-Montgomery Community College graduates with General Education Certificate to Practical Nurse Certificate program at Maria College
• Schenectady County Community College graduates with Nurse Aide certificate or Home Health Aide certificate to Practical Nurse Certificate program at Maria College