Practical Nursing Program

• Applying for Admissions
  1. Applications are accepted online only. Deadline is 30 days from your application submission date. Note: all parts of the application need to be completed 30 days after your initial application submission to be considered for admission.
     
     
  2. Complete all sections of the online application including the essay and submit your application. 
     
     
  3. An entrance assessment is required for all applicants. This assessment is designed to access the student's preparedness for entering the Health/Science field. This is not a pass or fail assessment. Assessment dates are listed in the application. A photo ID will be required to verify your identity on the day you take the assessment.  view information on the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) and for study guides. Note: Please create a free student account with ATI before taking the assessment. 
     
     
  4. Official transcripts are required from your high school. "Official" format- transcripts and GED must be in a sealed envelope from the granting institution or school district. If you have a GED, a copy of your High School Equivalency grades must be sent with your application. If your records are in any other name, please be sure your current name is on the transcript 
     Request the transcripts to be sent to:
      
                 Isabella Graham Hart School of Practical Nursing 
                 C/O Admissions Coordinator
                 1630 Portland Avenue
                 Rochester, New York 14621
      
  5. References: Give these to people such as employers, clergy, professional acquaintances, health care workers, committee members, teachers and counselors. Completed forms are mailed directly to the school. Do not give reference forms to close friends or relatives. View our reference form.
      
  6. If you scored Basic or higher on the TEAS assessment and your application is complete (all of your documentation has been received, you will be scheduled for a potential on-boarding session.
     
     
  7. After faculty review of all components of your application, you will be notified in writing of either: a decision to admit, placement on the waiting list, or decision to decline admission.  Admission decisions are made by the faculty on a rolling basis.
• Advanced Placement

  IGH is the only practical nursing program in the area to offer advanced placement. Advanced placement provides students who possess fundamental knowledge of nursing and clinical hours from a nursing program with an opportunity to continue their nursing education. Students join the ongoing class in either January or June, in the second semester. 

  More information about advanced placement and requirements
  
  Prerequisites for application are:
  
  

  Step 1: Admission Requirements

  • Call the admissions coordinator at (585) 922-1400
  • Apply online as an advanced placement student at www.rochesterregional.org/IGH
  • Submission of official college transcript showing successful completion with a grade of C or better for all required college courses.
    • Anatomy and Physiology(within five years)
    • Fundamentals of Nursing(within five years)
  • Validation of 185 clinical/lab hours from college or vocational program(within five years)
  • High school transcript
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Essay (included in the application) - in 500 works or more, tell us why you want to be a nurse. 
    - Why are you choosing nursing as a career?  
    - How will Isabella Graham Hart School of Practical Nursing help you achieve your goals? 
    - What life experiences brought you to this decision?

  Step 2: Interview

  • Applicant will be scheduled for an interview with the Associate Director for Advanced Placement approval

  Step 3: Pre-admission Testing Component 

  • Successful completion, with a proficiency level 2 or greater, Assessment Technology Institute(ATI) testing for content of Nursing Fundamentals(There is a $35 fee that is subject to change).
  • Successful completion of a grade of 90% or greater of math calculation exam proctored by IGH.

  Step 4: Clinical Skills Demonstration

  • Upon successful completion of steps 1 and 2, you will be scheduled to demonstrate competence in fundamental skills.

  Upon successful completion of the above steps, the candidate will be accepted into the advanced placement program and will be required to attend an orientation day prior to the first day of classes.

  AP students that will begin classes in June would need to have the completed application, required documentation and testing by the end of March.

  AP students that will begin classes in January would need to have the completed application, required documentation and testing by the end of September.

   

   

Practical Nursing Course Catalog

• Semester I: Practical Nursing I

  Practical Nursing I provides a foundation for nursing practice that the student will continue to build upon throughout the program by utilizing the nursing process, critical thinking and clinical judgments when providing care.

  Anatomy and Physiology

  Introduction to anatomy and physiology has three unifying themes the relationship between physiology and anatomy, the interrelationship among organs and systems and the relationship of each organ system and homeostasis. The course also introduces the student to the concepts of pathophysiology and is organized by body systems in a sequence to facilitate understanding as well as to correlate with other courses. Theory is presented to promote a sound foundation for application to nursing courses and serves as the basis for further study in nursing.

  Fundamentals of Nursing Practice

  This course provides an introduction to nursing and roles of the nurse. Emphasis is placed on the knowledge and skills needed to provide safe, quality care. The theoretical foundation for basic assessment and nursing skills is presented, and the student is given an opportunity to demonstrate these skills in a laboratory setting. An introduction to the nursing process provides the student with a beginning framework for decision making.

• Semester II: Practical Nursing II

  Practical Nursing II focuses on building essential knowledge of concepts, theories and clinical practice necessary to make sound clinical judgments when providing nursing care to persons across the lifespan with chronic conditions, their families, and caregivers and in a variety of settings.

  Medical Surgical Nursing Care

  This course focuses on the care of adult and older adult clients with common medical/surgical health problems. Emphasis is placed on physiological disorders that require management in an acute care facility. Clinical experiences provide the student an opportunity to apply theoretical concepts and implement safe client care in selected acute care settings.

  Geriatrics

  This course provides an introduction to the care of older adults with a focus on health promotion and safety. Emphasis is placed on common health problems of the older adult in restorative and residential facilities as well as safety and end-of-life care. Clinical experiences provide the student an opportunity to apply theoretical concepts and implement safe client care to older adults in selected settings.

  Pediatrics

  This course provides an integrative, family-centered approach to the care of children. Emphasis is placed on normal growth and development, and common pediatric disorders. Clinical experiences provide the student an opportunity to apply theoretical concepts and implement safe client care to children in selected settings.

  Community Health Nursing

  Overview of the concepts of public health and healthcare financing Focus on community health agencies and their roles in meeting the needs of the public. Explore the role of the nurse in community settings.

  Nursing Care of Clients with Mental/Behavioral Disorders

  This course focuses on the care of clients across the lifespan facing psychological and emotional stressors. Emphasis is placed on common mental health disorders as well as promoting and maintaining the mental health of individuals and families. Clinical experiences provide the student an opportunity to apply theoretical concepts and implement safe care to clients in selected mental health settings.

  Maternity

  This course provides an integrative, family-centered approach to the care of childbearing women and newborns. Emphasis is placed on normal and high-risk pregnancies, normal growth and development. Clinical experiences provide the student an opportunity to apply theoretical concepts and implement safe client care to childbearing women and newborns in selected settings.

• Semester III: Practical Nursing III

  Practical Nursing III represents the student’s acquisition of knowledge and skills of critical thinking, teamwork, and professional nursing skills. This course is designed to prepare the student for the graduate role. Trends in nursing, leadership skills, graduate employment opportunities, ethical legal issues, and advanced medical-surgical skills are presented. Students work and study collaboratively as group presentations are prepared and presented to faculty and peers. The use of advanced theory and skills is incorporated.

  Employment

  This course is designed to prepare the student for the graduate role. Employment opportunities and workforce projections will be explored. Effective strategies for job searching, resume writing and interviewing are included.

  Leadership and Management

  This course facilitates the transition of the student to the role of an LPN/LVN. Emphasis is placed on issues related to nursing and health care as well as skills necessary to provide care to multiple clients and assign tasks to other LPNs/LVNs and unlicensed personnel. Concepts related to leadership and management are presented as well as career development options that enhance career mobility. Standards of practice and the importance of practicing according to state regulations and statutes are examined. Clinical experiences provide the student the opportunity to apply theoretical concepts while functioning in a leadership role.

  Legal and Ethical

  This course introduces the student to the many ethical and legal issues directly related to nursing practice. The student will discover the ethical dilemma and the how to make a decision in several situations in contemporary nursing. Legal concepts will be introduced and the student will learn what is meant by “safe practice” and “scope of practice”.