Nashville – Certificate in Licensed Practical Nursing
Program Quick Facts
| Duration | 12 months (full-time) |
| Start Dates | January/April/June/October |
| Format | On-campus |
| Accreditation | ACEN |
Discover
In our Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) certificate program in Nashville, you’ll work to complete academic and clinical practice opportunities to build the knowledge and skills essential for the demands of today’s healthcare environment. The LPN program offers a challenging curriculum that cultivates your ability to apply knowledge, think critically, and communicate effectively. In our courses, you’ll focus on proper procedures to collect and organize healthcare data, coordinate with other nurses and healthcare providers to provide patient care, contribute to the care plan, and identify and understand common health problems in patients. Courses cover medical surgical, mental health, pediatric, geriatric, and maternal infant nursing, including hands-on practice in nursing simulation labs and clinical sites. As a graduate, you’ll be eligible to take the LPN licensure examination (NCLEX-PN).
Learn more about preparing for the TEAS Test, required for Admission to the program on Episode 31 of the LIVE From South College Podcast including Tips & Tricks to studying!
Develop Essential Skills In
- Evidence-based, patient-centered care
- Critical thinking and clinical judgment
- Communication and teamwork
- Patient education
- Cultural sensitivity and competence
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Student Learning Outcomes of the PN Program
Upon completion of the Nashville PN program, the graduate will meet the following student learning outcomes:
- Display responsibility and accountability for personal and professional development with the application of legal and ethical principles and compliance with the standards of nursing practice.
- Utilize effective communication with interacting with patients, families, and members of the interdisciplinary health care team.
- Provide safe and effective nursing care to diverse patient populations.
- Demonstrate appropriate clinical decision making based on an evolving patient situation.
- Contribute to the interprofessional team using therapeutic communication to promote patient safety and continuity of care.
These End of Program Student Learning Outcomes are based on the ANA Code for Ethics for Nurses (ANA, 2015), National League for Nursing Core Values (NLN, 2021), Quality & Safety Education for Nurses competencies and essential concepts (QSEN, 2007).
Student Outcomes and Program Effectiveness – Nashville Campus
Licensure
Upon completion of certificate requirements, each student enrolled in the Nashville PN program must make application to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN). Practical/Vocational nurses are prohibited in all states from practicing nursing until the examination is successfully completed and licensure has been granted. Specific information regarding licensure will be provided to the student during the last quarter of the nursing program. Background Check: Students are required to sign an acknowledgment form that they understand that our school background check may not revel potential barriers to licensure in each state. Each Board of Nursing conducts extensive background checks upon application for licensure with that state. Graduation from this program, does not specifically guarantee licensure in each state.
Minimum Academic Requirements for Admission
Cohorts will begin depending upon enrollment and approvals from the associated state board of nursing. All applicants must meet the requirements for general admission to South College. General admission to South College does not guarantee admission to the Nashville Campus School of Nursing. Application deadlines are available in the School of Nursing and the Admissions Department.
Applicants must meet the following requirements to be admitted without stipulation:
- Submit a School of Nursing application by the applicable deadline.
- Entrance Exam:
- Achieve a minimum ATI TEAS Assessment score at the academic preparedness level of BASIC or equivalent score on the HESI A2*.
- Scores below this threshold will not be considered for admission.
* HESI A2 Entrance Exam will be accepted at as an equivalent passing score.
In addition to the above academic requirements, Atlanta LPN applicants must successfully complete College Algebra (MAT 1100), English Composition (ENG 1201), General Psychology (PSY 1811), and Medical Terminology (AHS 1010) with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher. Students may transfer one or more of these courses into South College if they meet the existing South College transfer requirements. The combined GPA of all four courses must be a 2.50 GPA. Courses may be in progress at time of application, but to be admitted without stipulation they must be completed.
Applicants who are not in good academic standing from a previous nursing or allied health program (e.g. Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, EMT, etc.) or who have been dismissed from such a program must submit the required School of Nursing Mitigating Circumstances Form and provide supporting documentation of the mitigating circumstances to be considered eligible to apply to the South College School of Nursing. Admission is not guaranteed, and the School of Nursing may require a letter from the former program explaining the circumstances.
Applicants who are not in good academic standing from two previous nursing or allied health programs (e.g. Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, EMT, etc.) or who have been dismissed from two such programs will not be considered for admission or readmission to the South College Nursing program.
TEAS Assessment
TEAS Assessment requirements and procedures:
- Applicants are required to take the ATI TEAS Assessment as part of the application process. The TEAS Assessment schedule and additional information is available in the Admissions Department, Student Services Department, and/or School of Nursing.
- Applicants have three attempts within 12 months to achieve the required score of BASIC or higher on the ATI TEAS entrance exam.
Readmission:
- For applicants seeking readmission, a retake of the entrance exam is not required.
- Readmission eligibility will be assessed based on previous academic performance and adherence to the school’s policies.
Competitive Admissions and Ranking Criteria
Admission to the School of Nursing is competitive and dependent upon class size. Applicants will be ranked based on an approved ranking system that includes, but not limited to, GPA and TEAS score.
Transfer Credit from Previous Nursing Programs
For a nursing class (or classes) to be considered for transfer into a South College Nursing program, the class must have been completed within the past 18 months prior to the cohort start date. Only nursing courses with a grade of A or B are considered for transfer and a course description or syllabus may be required to evaluate equivalency. Please refer to the transfer timeframes on the South College website.
Requirements for Admission (Other than Academic)
Prospective students must meet the following requirements to be admitted without stipulation. Stipulations must be met as described below or the offer of admission may be withdrawn:
- Take the required drug test before the 1st day of class*.
- Complete the background check application before the 1st day of class*.
- Attend the nursing orientation on the scheduled date in its entirety.
*Prospective students who fail either the drug test or background check will be cancelled.
In addition, each prospective student must provide proof of ability to perform the skills needed to practice nursing effectively. Health care facilities must meet federal guidelines, and students must also meet these requirements in order to be allowed to gain clinical experience. All nursing students must comply with communicable diseases/blood-borne pathogen requirements that the clinical agencies require. Therefore proof of the following are minimum requirements for the nursing applicant (additional requirements may apply depending on clinical agency requirements):
- Health history and physical exam certifying ability to function in the required capacity prior to admission to upper level courses.
- Common communicable disease immunization or immunity, including MMR (2 in series if born after 1957), TDaP (booster required every 10 years) and Varicella vaccine (2 in series). Some clinical facilities may require titers for MMR, HBV, and Varicella even though you have proof of previous immunization.
- Hepatitis B immunization (3 in series) or the HEPLISAV-B, (2 in a series one month apart) or completed Declination Form for Hepatitis B Vaccination depending on the requirements of the clinical affiliate. The Declination Form must only be used for medical reasons and must be documented by student’s primary care provider. A vaccine titer test showing immunity is also acceptable.
- Annual Flu immunization or completed Declination Form for Influenza Vaccination depending on the requirements of the clinical affiliate. The Declination Form must only be used for medical reasons and must be documented by student’s primary care provider.
- Annual screening for tuberculosis.
- Acceptable drug screen.* Students may be required to obtain more than one acceptance drug screen per year depending on the requirements of the clinical affiliate. In any case where a drug screen is positive and no authorized prescription is produced to validate the presence of the drug in the individual’s system, continuation in the program will be denied. Upon notification of the drug screen results, the student will have 5 working days to provide prescription validation. Students are responsible for costs associated with any required testing.
- Acceptable criminal background check for a minimum of past 15 years. Students may be required to obtain more than one acceptance criminal background check per year depending on the requirements of the clinical affiliate. If the background check reveals previous criminal convictions, admittance into the program will be made on a case-by-case basis. Students who are denied clinical experiences due to past convictions may be unable to progress in the program which will result in failure to complete the required courses for the program.
- Proof of health insurance coverage throughout the entire nursing program.
- Annual training on blood-borne pathogens.
- Valid American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers** Course Completion Card or Certificate.
* Marijuana, or its metabolite, is not an accepted substance in drug screens and will result in a positive drug screen. Prospective students whose drug test results are positive for marijuana, or its metabolite, will be offered one additional opportunity to reapply for admission into the next admission cohort after the initial positive results. Prospective students whose repeat drug test results are positive for marijuana, or its metabolite, will be denied admission indefinitely.
**American Red Cross Course accepted on select campuses based on clinical affiliation guidelines; you can reach out to your Nashville clinical coordinator to make this determination.
Additional immunizations (such as COVID) and or Titers may be required per clinical facility. Students who choose not to meet the requirements of clinical sites will not be able to participate in clinical experiences as a student at those sites. This includes students who have received partial vaccinations but who are not fully immunized or students awaiting action on a clinical facility exemption request, if applicable. This may seriously impact ability to progress, graduate on time, or graduate at all.
Prospective students or students who do not comply with all communicable disease/bloodborne pathogen requirements and accurately maintain their records in the institution’s clinical tracking portal will be cancelled or withdrawn.
Functional Capacities (Technical Standards)
Prospective students must demonstrate the following functional capacities. Prospective students who believe that they will not be able to meet one or more of these requirements without accommodation or modification must notify the PN Program Director, and a determination will be made on a case-by-case basis whether reasonable accommodation may be made. In no instance will an accommodation be made which will compromise nursing care, or that will put patients or other students at risk. Accommodation granted when a student is generally admitted to South College are not guaranteed to apply to admission to the nursing program.
| Function | Requirement | Examples of Tasks For |
| Vision | Adequate to ensure safety of self and others in classroom and clinical settings. | Patient assessment; response to treatment; medication preparation and administration; reading of patient charts and physician orders. |
| Hearing | Adequate to allow effective communication with patients and others in person and by electronic means, and to ensure safety of self and patients. | Face-to-face communication with patients, families and the healthcare team; telephone consultations; heart tones; breath sounds; bowel sounds and other assessments. |
| Tactile Sensory | Adequate to allow effective evaluation and therapeutic intervention related to nursing care, and to ensure safety of self and others in providing care. | Palpation used in assessment; vital signs; medication administration, IV starts. |
| Gross motor strength and coordination | Adequate to ensure safety of self and others in class and lab sessions and clinical activities. | Patient positioning and transfer; walking, standing, bending, and/or stopping for extended periods involving patient care; moving of equipment/beds. |
| Fine motor strength and coordination | Adequate to allow mastery of activities requiring detailed movements. | Multiple skills in patient care; treatments; medication preparation and administration. |
| Critical thinking ability | Adequate to allow mastery of basic course content and to demonstrate sound judgment in simulated and real-life nursing situations. | Effective use of nursing process; planning and implementation of the nursing care plan; identification of cause and effect relationship in order to modify nursing care plan; determination of unsafe situations; planning course of actions to meet needs of patient, family, community and nursing profession. |
| Interpersonal Skills | Adequate to allow establishment of effective working and/or therapeutic relationship with patients, families and professionals. | Establishing therapeutic relationship with patients and families; working with health care team; collaboration with other disciplines. |
| Communication | Adequate to allow completion of coursework and effective verbal and written communication with patients, families, communities, peers, and others. | Class activities; therapeutic communication; writing/research at the bachelor’s level; documentation of patient care; education of patient/family/community. |
Need to Know More About the CERT LPN Program? Here Are Frequently Asked Questions!
An LPN provides basic nursing care under the supervision of a registered nurse or doctor, including monitoring patient vital signs, administering medications and injections, changing bandages, and assisting with daily activities. LPNs document patient care, report health status, and provide emotional support and patient education within their scope of practice. They work in various settings, from hospitals and long-term care facilities to private practices and medical offices, with specific duties varying by state and employer
The main differences between a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and a Registered Nurse (RN) are their education, scope of practice, and level of responsibility. RNs have a college degree and a broader scope of practice, including developing care plans and complex assessments, while LPNs have a shorter training period and provide basic patient care under the supervision of an RN or doctor.
Education & Licensure
- LPN: Requires completion of an accredited practical nursing program, followed by passing the NCLEX-PN exam to earn licensure.
- RN: Requires a more extensive education, such as an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, followed by passing the NCLEX-RN exam for licensure.
No, you do not need an Associate or Bachelor’s degree to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN); instead, you need to complete a diploma or certificate program in practical nursing from an accredited institution and then pass the NCLEX-PN examination. These practical nursing programs, often found at community colleges or vocational schools, provide foundational knowledge and clinical skills in about one year.
Here are the general steps to becoming an LPN:
- Complete High School or GED: You must have a high school diploma or a GED to begin training for an LPN program.
- Enroll in an LPN Program: Attend an accredited practical nursing program, which can be offered by vocational schools, community colleges, or specialized nursing schools.
- Complete Program Requirements: These programs typically involve coursework in subjects like anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and patient care, along with hands-on clinical practice.
- Pass the NCLEX-PN: After graduating from the program, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) to become licensed and practice.
The Certificate program in Practical Nursing at South College is designed for completion in 12-18 months (full-time). The length is dependent upon the state requirements relating to the location of the chosen campus.
Yes, please scroll up on this page to see more on the financial aid programs available for those that qualify.
Accreditation
State Authorization (Tennessee)
The South College Bachelor of Science in Nursing program offered at the Parkside Learning Site (Knoxville) received initial approval from the Tennessee Board of Nursing in December 2003, with full approval granted in September 2008. Approval for the addition of the Nashville Learning Site was granted in November 2016. The Master of Science in Nursing program received approval in November 2016. The Doctor of Nursing Practice program received approval in February 2020. The Post-Graduate Certificate programs received approval in August 2021.
The South College Associate of Science in Nursing program (Knoxville & Nashville Learning Site) was approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing in November 2022.
The South College Certificate program in Practical Nursing offered at the Parkside Learning Site (Knoxville) received approval from the Tennessee Board of Nursing in February 2018. Approval for the addition of the Nashville Learning Site was granted in November 2018.
Programmatic Accreditation
The Practical Nursing (PN) program at South College – Nashville Campus located in Nashville, Tennessee is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 975-5000. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Practical Nursing (PN) program is initial accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website, www.acenursing.org.