Admissions Policy
A student must apply to become a NWCC student and obtain the student identification number. Once this number is obtained, the student needs to have their high school and/or college transcripts sent to NWCC admission. The student must have an ACT of 16 or greater. The ACT score must be sent to NWCC admission. Additional requirements include: 18 years of age or older and have a High school diploma or GED. Once the information is reviews, the student will then take the HESI exam. An overall score of 65 qualifies (not guarantees) a student to be considered. Students are then ranked by their points earned (see “PN Rubric for Admission”). Based on ranking from the points, students are either sent an acceptance letter, alternate letter, or denial letter.
Withdrawal Policy
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.
High Risk Student
A student is considered high risk if they have previously been in the Northwest Mississippi Community College Practical Nursing Program and are returning to the program for the second admission. The Practical Nursing Program can only accept 15% of the total number of students being accepted into the Practical Nursing Program that are classified as high risk.
Progression Requirements
A student must obtain an average of 80%/C or greater in all assigned courses to advance to the next semester. The Practical Nursing Program is outlined per semester and is not able to be taken out of sequence. Once a student has complete the Practical Nursing Program, they are eligible to sit for the NCLEX.
Graduation Requirements
In order for a student to graduate from the Practical Nursing Program, the student must have successfully completed the courses as outlined based on which semester and cohort the student started in. The student must maintain an average of 80%/C for all classes.
Legal Limitations for Licensure as a Practical Nurse
Legality is the application of legal codes, laws, rules, and regulations of society to the practice of nursing. Ethics is a set of philosophical principles and values governing the right code of conduct. The Mississippi Board of Nursing defines nursing, levels of nursing, and functions of nursing through these two principles. Ethical and legal principles for the Practical Nursing Program in general are privacy, confidentiality, professionalism, and ramifications of care of clients in various health care settings. These practice principles are required at all times. Students who fail to conform to these principles may be placed on probation, suspended, or dismissed from the program. Graduates of a Practical Nursing Program must apply to the Mississippi Board of Nursing for licensure to practice as a licensed practical nurse. All applicants should be advised that the Mississippi Board of Nursing reserves the right to allow or decline the applicant to test for the NCLEX-PN®. According to MS State Law, an individual may not be eligible for employment in a healthcare agency if the person has ever been convicted of a felony, or plead guilty to, or plead no contend to a felony of possession or sell of drugs, murder, manslaughter, armed robbery, rape, sexual battery, sex offense listed in Section 45-33-23(f), child abuse, arson, grand larceny, burglary, gratification of lust or aggravated assault, or felonious abuse and/or battery of a vulnerable adult.
Credit for Prior Classes Taken
Northwest Mississippi Community College Practical Nursing Program does not give any credit for previously taken courses from another nursing program. Students must start and complete the Practical Nursing Program courses as outlined based on the program and cohort entered.
Notification of Changes
When policies, procedures, syllabi, course outlines, or any additional changes need to be made, the faculty will notify the students verbally as well as post the changes into the student’s course content via canvas.
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 662-562-3207, 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.
Practical Nursing Differences from NWCC
The Practical Nursing (PN) Program has differences in relations to NWCC. The PN Program requires an ACT of 16 or great, 18 years of age, HESI test with overall score >65, and an admission rubric to calculate points with highest points being placed first for seats; high risk students are considered repeaters from the PN Program previously; students must maintain 80%/C in all courses to progress in the program and graduate; the grading system defines passing a course as 80%/C; students must have CPR, a physical noting that student is physically fit for program requirements, and Criminal Background Check via Fingerprinting. Students must be proficient in skills to practice as a practical nursing. Dress code for the class and clinical promotes professional appearance and allows students to be identified easily in the clinical agency.
Dress Policy
The classroom and clinical area dress code are detailed in the NWCC Practical Nursing Student Handbook.
