Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) Immediate Impact

Program Information

The Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) Immediate Impact Program powered by Baptist Health was developed as an institutional collaboration between Trenholm State Community College and Baptist Health. This is a Stand-Alone Practical Nursing program and will follow the established nursing curriculum. Cohorts enrolled in the LPN Immediate Impact program will receive didactic instruction and clinical education within the Institute for Patient Safety and Medical Simulation Building and other affiliated Baptist Health facilities.

The Stand-Alone Practical Nursing program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and proficiencies to provide safe and effective bedside nursing care within the scope of practice of licensed practical nurses. Students are instructed in providing nursing care for clients throughout their lifespan. Clinical experiences are provided at area hospitals and healthcare agencies in adult health, maternal health, child health, orthopedics, geriatrics, psychiatry, and other areas of nursing practice.

The Stand-Alone Practical Nursing program is open to men and women; few careers match the versatility, satisfaction, and longevity of a nursing career. Students who have satisfactorily completed the program when meeting eligibility requirements by a licensure board may sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN). The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing. The Stand-Alone Practical Nursing program has a competitive admissions process.

Occupational Choices

Employment of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is projected to grow 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 54,400 openings for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Source:  Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 14, 2024

Average Full-Time Wage

In 2023, the median annual wages of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses were $59,730. Consequently, the highest 10 percent earned approximately $ 77,870, with the lowest 10 percent earning less than $51,820.

Source: of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, May 14, 2024

Admission Criteria

Admission Requirements and procedures may change without prior notice. Please check with the Health Sciences Division and/or website for updates.

Applicants should complete and submit the LPN Immediate Impact Program powered by Baptist Health Application and request copies of college and high school transcripts sent directly to the College’s Admission Office.

Minimum admission standards include:

1. Unconditional admission to the college (must complete college application).
2. Receipt of the completed application for the nursing program by the established deadline for admission.
3. Minimum of 2.50 cumulative GPA for required academic core courses
4. Minimum of 2.50 high school GPA for students without prior college work (GED acceptable in lieu of high school transcript).
5. Math and Science courses must be within a 5-year time frame of application to the nursing program for eligibility requirements.
6. Good standing with college, including a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 2.50.
7. Meeting the essential functions.
8. An official score on ACT National or Residual with a minimum composite score of 18 OR a minimum score of 58 on the TEAS test is the minimum requirement for application to the LPN Immediate Impact Program, and there are no exceptions. The ACT composite score has no time limit. The TEAS test score must be 3 years or less from the application deadline date. ACT Superscores are not accepted by the Nursing program.
9. Take the ACCUPLACER placement examination as indicated (exceptions may apply).
10. Pre-requisite courses must be completed prior to entering the nursing program. The completed pre-requisite courses must be on the applicant’s transcript(s). ALL transcripts must be included in the application packet by the final deadline.
    Prerequisites for the program are:
    • English Composition I (ENG101) Not required prior to applying.
    • Speech (SPH106 or 107) Not required prior to applying.
      MTH 100 Intermediate College Algebra (or higher-level math) 
      Anatomy & Physiology I (BIO201)
      Anatomy & Physiology II (BIO202)
    • Human Growth & Development (PSY210) Not required prior to applying.
       

      Prerequisites not taken prior to entering the nursing program:
      ORI 101 (Orientation to College) and *ENG 101 must be taken before the conclusion of the first semester of the Stand-Alone LPN program. SPH 106 or 107 and PSY 210 must be taken before the conclusion of the second semester of the Stand-Alone LPN program. Courses must be completed with a “C” or above to continue in the nursing program.

11. All math (MTH) and science (BIO) pre-requisite courses must be taken within 5 years of application to the Nursing program.
12. All pre-requisite courses, other minimum requirements for application, and additional information can be found on this webpage. All applicants must be unconditionally accepted by TSCC prior to applying to the Nursing program.
13. Transfer students must be in good standing from the transferring institution with a letter from the Program Director and a minimum of 2.50 cumulative GPA with nursing courses no more than one year from the date of application. Acceptance of transfer students into the program is not guaranteed.
14. Applicants choosing the Stand-Alone Practical Nursing Program will conclude after the end of the third semester of study. Students who have satisfactorily completed the program will receive a certificate and, when meeting eligibility requirements by a licensure board, may sit for the NCLEX-PN.

Nursing Program Selection Criteria

Points for grades in the following nursing required core general educational courses are as documented:

• A = 3 points, B = 2 points, C = 1 point
• ENG-101 English Composition
• MTH-100 Intermediate College Algebra
• BIO-201 Anatomy & Physiology I  (BIO 103 is a pre-requisite for this course)
• BIO-202 Anatomy & Physiology II
• ORI-101 College Orientation

An additional 10 points may be awarded as determined by the individual college policy and procedure.

A minimum 2.50 GPA is required in the core general educational courses for the nursing program. Not all courses may have been completed at the time of admission to the nursing program; however, students may experience less conflict in scheduling classes if general education classes are completed prior to entering the professional phase of study. Core general educational courses taken in high school as dual enrollment will be used in GPA calculation.

Practical Nursing general education courses:

• ENG-101 English Composition I
• MTH-100 Intermediate College Algebra (or higher-level math - Pre-Cal, Finite Math)
• BIO-201/202 Anatomy & Physiology I & II
• PSY-210 Human Growth & Development
• SPH-106 or 107 Fundamentals of Oral Communication or Public Speaking

Minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA at a current, native institution or cumulative 2.50 GPA at institution from which student is transferring.

ACT- minimum requirement of a composite score of 18 points.

Minimum 2.50 cumulative high school GPA for students without prior college courses (GED as applicable).

Meeting the essential functions of nursing.

Students in the Stand-Alone Practical Nursing Program must meet the following requirements, which will be completed at the student’s expense prior to and throughout enrollment in the program inclusive of:

1. Alabama Community College System Essential Functions
2. Verification of physical and mental capabilities to function as a nurse in diverse settings with or without reasonable accommodations,
3. Absence of use of drugs and alcohol by participation in random and scheduled drug/alcohol testing at the student’s expense,
4. Adherence to policies of affiliated clinical agencies by submitting criminal background check and CPR certification prior to enrollment.

Admission to the Licensed Practical Nursing Immediate Impact Program powered by Baptist Health is competitive and the number of students is limited by the number of faculty and clinical facilities available. Meeting minimal requirements does not guarantee acceptance. If the number of eligible applicants exceeds the space available to new enrollees, applicants are rank ordered using a point system based on:

1. ACT composite score of 18 or higher; TEAS test score of 58 or higher
2. Points for selected college courses (i.e., ENG-101, MTH-100, BIO-201 & 202, PSY-210, SPH-106 or 107).
3. Students may be awarded up to 10 additional points as determined by college policy and procedures.

The applicant’s composite ACT or TEAS test score will encompass points awarded. Applicants must schedule the ACT or TEAS test as stipulated and pay the appropriate fee.

The Practical Nursing Immediate Impact Program Admissions/Selection Committee will review and calculate points for students meeting minimum admissions standards after receiving GPA calculations from the Registrar.

This process may take 4-6 weeks after each deadline before applicants receive notification of acceptance. Calls to the department will slow the process.

Transfer Policy

The transfer policy applies only to students desiring to transfer between Alabama Community College System institutions. It does not apply to students wishing to transfer from other institutions. Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the nursing program director. Acceptance of transfer students into the program at TSCC is not guaranteed.

Awards Available

Certificate
Practical Nursing

Program Contact

Dr. Debra Lett, PhD MSN, MPA, RN
Director of Nursing/Instructor
334-420-4497
Location:  Trenholm Campus - Bldg. B

The College regularly evaluates student learning outcomes for each program as part of ongoing planning and evaluation.

Estimated Program Length & Cost *

* Tax not included. Prices are subject to change without prior notice; the cost of books may vary considerably among suppliers.  The cost of general education books is in addition to the total listed above. The length of the program is based on full-time status of 12-15 credit hours per term. Enrollment in transitional-level general education courses will alter the length of the program.