Practical Nursing

The Spring PN 2024 application and HESI exam will open June 1, 2023 through September 29, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) to ensure all students are able to receive the link for HESI and get scheduled.

Notifications of acceptance, alternate, or denial will be sent out by the end of October 2023.

HESI TESTING FOR SPRING 2024 WILL TAKE PLACE OCTOBER 16-17TH FOR OXFORD CAMPUS AND OCTOBER 18TH & 19TH FOR SENATOBIA CAMPUS. YOU MUST TAKE THE HESI EXAM ON THE CAMPUS YOU PLAN TO ATTEND. PLEASE ARRIVE 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE SCHEDULED TEST TIME.

All applicants with healthcare experience MUST print off the letter from the link before, have it completed, and submit with the PN application for credit. Any submissions once application is submitted will not be given credit.

Click here for the Letter of Employment Proof Form

The Practical Nursing Program is designed to provide the student with knowledge and skills necessary to function as a Licensed Practical Nurse. This program prepares the individual to assist in providing general nursing care requiring basic knowledge of the biological, physical, behavioral, psychological and sociological sciences, and of nursing procedures that do not require the skills, judgment, and knowledge required of a registered nurse. This care is performed under the direction of a registered nurse or licensed physician.

Students who successfully complete the program will be eligible to apply for LPN licensure. The State Board of Nursing, to which the student applies for licensure, may deny any individual the right to take the NCLEX-PN based on previous criminal records.

The Day Program is a 12-month program
- Fall start is offered at Senatobia, DeSoto, Oxford and Ashland
  - August to July
- Spring start is offered at Senatobia and Oxford
  - January to December
The Evening/Weekend Program is an 18-month program
- It is offered at DeSoto and Oxford
- Evening/Weekend starts in August on the even years

Program Information

Mission and Values

MISSION
- The mission of the Practical Nursing Program is to provide excellent academic instruction for effective learning and competent nursing care by emphasizing the safety and cultural needs of the client. The faculty seek to educate students on the vital qualities and core values required to meet the needs of the healthcare industry in the community.
VALUES
- Integrity
- Accountability
- Proficiency
- Compassion
- Professionalism

How Do I Get Into This Program?

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

At least 18 years of age.
Have a high school diploma or GED/HiSET equivalency.
Have an enhanced ACT composite score of 16 or greater on file with the Office of Admissions and Records.
Have a NWCC application on file with the Office of Admissions and Records.
Have an NWCC Student ID number.
Have all transcripts including high school and any college courses on file with the Office of Admissions and Records.
Complete the NWCC PN Program checklist.
Complete a Practical Nursing application online.

DO NOT COMPLETE MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS. ONLY REGISTER TO TAKE THE HESI TEST ONE TIME.

Pre-Entry Testing

After completing the PN application online, you will receive information on how to schedule a testing date for the HESI. You are only allowed to register to test for ONE exam. If you register for more than one date, your last score will be deleted. If you fail to meet the application criteria, you will not be allowed to sit for the HESI. You must register to take the HESI in Evolve, so please look over the HESI Resources for more info.

Note: Only the HESI score, obtained by NWCC, will be used to calculate your admission to the Practical Nursing Program. HESI scores taken for entrance to other colleges are not transferable.

How to create, pay, and schedule HESI test

NWCC HESI

Content: Math and Reading
Study Preparation: A study guide is available to purchase from HESI once you create your account, or you may find a used copy on another site.
Location: You may register for a HESI test date after you make your HESI test payment. Go to the HESI resources tab for more information on how to pay for your HESI test and schedule a test date. You will choose the campus that you wish to attend when applying for the program.
Cost set per HESI. NOTE: The fee will be paid online with HESI when you create your account and register for the test. You WILL NOT pay on campus.
Bring: #2 pencil, current photo ID, your HESI account login information, and copy of your receipt for exam. You may not bring anything else into the testing room
Time: Arrive 30 minutes prior to the time on your confirmation sheet to allow check-in time and preparation. The test will start promptly per the instructions. Please be prepared to be in the test for 3 hours. Per guidelines, no student is allowed to exit the room and return.
Score: An average of 65 or higher is required for consideration.

* There is no guarantee that you will have an alternative testing date if you fail to bring your photo ID or miss your scheduled testing date.

PN Rubric For Admission

The following grading scale is completed for each candidate who meets the admission criteria. A score of 11 or greater increases the possibility of acceptance into the program; however, this is not guaranteed.

Students applying for admission to the PN program will be notified via email.
Note: The student is responsible for providing a current email address and frequently checking the email account for communication.

Click here for the Northwest PN Grading Rubric.

Contact

Director: Betty Ginn, bginn@northwestms.edu, (662)560-1119

Senatobia Campus
Mailing Address: 4975 Hwy 51 North | P.O Box 5432, Senatobia, MS 38668
Senatobia actual location: 103 Porter Street, Senatobia, MS 38668
Lead Contact: Jessica Barham, jesbarham@northwestms.edu, (662)562-3232
Contact: Jessica Barham, BSN RN, jesbarham@northwestms.edu, (662) 562-3232

Ashland Campus
Benton County Career Tech Building | 25 Industrial Rd, Ashland, MS 38603
PN Lead Faculty: Stephanie Richardson, MSN RN, strichardson@northwestms.edu

DeSoto Center
5197 W.E. Ross Parkway, Southaven, MS 38671
PN Lead Faculty: Tamara Pittman BSN RN, tpittman@northwestms.edu (662) 280-6128

Lafayette-Yalobusha Technical Center (Oxford)
1310 Belk Drive, Oxford, MS 38655
PN Lead Faculty: Katina Johnson BSN RN, kajohnson@northwestms.edu (662) 238-7947

Senatobia Campus Contact:
Jessica Barham
jesbarham@northwestms.edu
(662) 562-3232

Oxford Campus Contact:
Katina Johnson
kajohnson@northwestms.edu
662.238.7947

DeSoto Campus Contact:
Tamara Pittman
tpittman@northwestms.edu
662.280.6218

Ashland Campus Contact:
Stephanie Richardson
strichardson@northwestms.edu

Course Curriculum

Program Policies

Program Withdrawal
If a student finds it necessary to withdraw from the program for any reason, the official steps as outlined in the NWCC Bulletin must be followed. A Student who properly and officially withdraws will receive a grade of “W” (official withdrawal) in all classes. Withdrawal must be made prior to exam week. An unofficial withdrawal is attributed to a student who leaves the program without going through the published withdrawal procedures. This unofficial withdrawal will result in the student receiving “F” grades in all classes.

Readmission Policy
Any student who is dismissed from the Practical Nursing Program (regardless of how far along they are in the program) will not be given any credit for work that has been completed before the dismissal. Upon re-admittance, the student will start over completely as if they are beginning the program for the first time. A grade of 80% or above is required in all courses in order to progress. The student who does not achieve these criteria will be allowed one chance to reenter the Practical Nursing Program.

Non-Discrimination Policy
Northwest Mississippi Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, gender identity, age, or status as a veteran or disabled veteran in all its programs and activities. Northwest Mississippi Community College prohibits sexual harassment and all forms of sexual violence, regardless of sex, gender identity or sexual orientation. The following have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990/Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973: Disability Support Services Coordinator, Tate Hall, P.O. Box 5555, 4975 Highway 51 North, Senatobia, MS 38668, telephone number 662-562-3309, e-mail address gbeard@northwestms.edu; Title II of the Age Discrimination Act: Vice President for Finance, James P. McCormick Administration Building, P.O. Box 7017, 4975 Highway 51 North, Senatobia, MS 38668, telephone number 662-562-3216, e-mail address gtmosley@northwestms.edu; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972/Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: Vice President for Student Services, Tate Hall, P.O. Box 7010, 4975 Highway 51 North, Senatobia, MS 38668, telephone number 662-562-3997, e-mail address dsmith@northwestms.edu.

The Practical Nursing Program has differences which are related to selection and admission, progression, grading CPR, health requirements and a criminal affidavit form. Some clinical sites may require a criminal background check. If requested, payment will be the student’s responsibility. The program also requires an 80 final average to be successful in each course. These requirements are in place to assist with student success and to provide the student with the baseline competencies needed for the practice of practical nursing. Differences related to health requirements, CPR certification and criminal affidavit are in place to meet the requirements of the clinical agencies.

Practical Nursing Licensure
Students who complete the program requirements, as identified by the Mississippi Department of Education, will be eligible to apply to the Mississippi Board of Nursing for licensure to practice as a licensed practical nurse. All applicants should be advised that according to the Mississippi Nursing Practice Laws and Rules and Regulations an individual’s application to write the licensing exam may be refused if the applicant has been convicted of a criminal offense under any provision of Title 97 of the Mississippi Code of 1972.

Policy for Credit Transfer
Previous credit hours are not transferable to the Practical Nursing Program. There are no required prerequisites.

Dress Policy
The classroom and clinical area dress code are detailed in the NWCC Practical Nursing Student Handbook.

Suggested Courses

Entrance into the Practical Nursing Program is very competitive.

There are no required pre-requisite courses; however, there are course offerings at NWCC that are very beneficial to student success.

Suggested Classes for Preparation into Healthcare Program.

These are not required for entry into the PN program but may help increase HESI score and preparation for course work in the Practical Nursing Program.

BIO 1533 Survey of Anatomy and Physiology with BIO 1531 Lab
BIO 2513 Anatomy and Physiology with BIO 2511 Lab
BOT 1613 Medial Office Terminology 1
BOT 1623 Medical Office Terminology 2
BOT 1643 Pathophysiology
BOT 1763 Communication Essentials
BOT 2183 Career Readiness
Health Care Assistant Program (HCA)
Medical Office Technology Program

Program Resources

The NWCC Associate Degree Nursing program has not made a determination on whether the degree meets the state requirements for other US States, Territories, or District of Columbia. Professional license requirements for Mississippi, other states, and jurisdictions may be found on the Board of Nursing Professional Licensure Requirements website.