TYPES OF NURSES
There are two types of nurses: licensed practical nurses (PN) and registered nurses (RN).
- Practical nurses are more skills-based, performing tasks as prescribed.
- Registered nurses are more critical-thinking-based, requiring a deeper involvement in decision-making for patient care.
- Certified nursing assistants (CNA) are not nurses. CNAs assist RNs and PNs in providing nursing care.
DUTIES OF NURSES
Nurses practice in a variety of specialties, from pediatrics to geriatrics. Nurses are continuously assessing, monitoring, and evaluating patients. They must be adaptive, educated, and skilled in critical thinking. Some nursing responsibilities include:
- Performing physical assessments
- Checking patients’ medical histories
- Providing health counseling and education
- Administering medications and treatments
- Interpreting patient information to make critical decisions
- Coordinating and collaborating with doctors and other healthcare professionals
- Directing and supervising other healthcare personnel, such as aides and technicians
- Conducting research to improve health practices and patient outcomes
NURSING WORK HOURS
Nurses work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, physician’s offices, and clinics, among other locations.
In a typical hospital setting, nurses may work between 8 and 12 hours per day.
- Typical nursing work weeks often include three 12-hour shifts
- Nights, weekends, and holidays are usually required.
In a typical physician’s office or clinic, nurses generally work weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
JOB OUTLOOK
| |
CNA |
RN |
LPN |
| PAY |
$30,290/year ($14.56/hour) |
$77,600/year |
$48,070/year ($23.11/hour) |
| JOBS |
1,389,900 |
3,130,600 |
657,200 |
| GROWTH |
5% |
6% |
6% |
Source: Occupational Handbook & Nursing Journal.org
SHOULD I BECOME A NURSE?
Consider the following questions:
- Are you caring and compassionate about others and their health?
- Do you like working with others?
If yes, you are entering the right profession.
If no, you should consider another profession.
WHICH TYPE OF NURSE (PN OR RN) SHOULD I BECOME?
Determining what type of nurse you want to become depends on several factors:
- Your personal goals
- Your professional goals
- Where you want to work
- What type of income you want to earn
- Overall job satisfaction
COURSEWORK AND CLINICAL ROTATIONS
Coursework ranges from lecture classes to lab classes to clinical rotations.
- Registered nursing students take a variety of natural science courses, including anatomy and physiology, and microbiology.
- Practical nursing students take courses such as nutrition and survey of anatomy and physiology.
Students likely will complete clinical rotations in a local hospital, nursing home, school, or other organization with nursing staff positions. Nurses will allow students to work alongside them and will help students learn various nursing skills. Often, students may be rotated or switched to different clinical settings each semester.
ACADEMIC RIGOR
The registered nursing program takes 24 months to complete. The practical nursing program takes 18 months.
- In the registered nursing program, courses are offered in the spring and the Fall. There are no summer nursing courses.
- In the practical nursing program, courses are continuous for 18 months, sometimes with as little as a week’s break between semesters.
Both programs require dedication, strong study skills, and effective time management.
BACKGROUND CHECK
The Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) and the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners (LSBPNE) require all students in the nursing programs to complete background checks.
Applicants who have been charged with, pled guilty or nolo contendere to, been convicted of, or committed criminal offenses that involve either a crime of violence or distribution of drugs may be denied the right to practice nursing as a student in Louisiana.
Both boards of nursing can approve, deny, delay, or otherwise restrict the enrollment of the student. If approval is not granted by the nursing board, the student will not be admitted to the program. Students may enter and complete the program. They may not be permitted to take the licensure exam.
COST
Besides tuition and fees, students should also be prepared to cover additional costs, such as the following:
- Standardized testing (ATI, Accuplacer)
- Background checks
- Fingerprints
- Immunizations
- Books
- Uniforms
LOCATIONS
The registered nursing program is only available at the Lafayette campus. The LPN to RN transition track is offered on the TH Harris campus in Opelousas. However, students will be required to attend clinical rotations at other sites throughout south Louisiana.
Practical nursing programs are offered at several locations and also require clinical rotations at various sites around Louisiana:
- Acadian campus in Crowley
- C.B. Coreil campus in Ville Platte
- Evangeline campus in St. Martinville
- Gulf Area campus in Abbeville
- Lafayette campus
- T.H. Harris campus in Opelousas
- Young Memorial campus in Morgan City
Admission Registered Nursing
Review the admission pages for Registered Nursing or LPN to RN Transition to determine if you meet the minimum requirements. Make sure you thoroughly read the application packets.
PREREQUISITE COURSES FOR THE REGISTERED NURSING PROGRAM
Applicants for the registered nursing program must complete the following prerequisite courses:
- ENGL 1010
- MATH 1105
- BIOL 2022 and BIOL 2023
- PSYC 2010
- Fine Arts Elective (art, music, theater) or Humanities Elective (communications, English literature, history)
ADMISSION EXAM FOR THE REGISTERED NURSING PROGRAM
Applicants for the registered nursing program are required to complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).
- TEAS is a multiple-choice standardized exam of basic skills in the academic content areas of reading, math, science, English, and language usage.
- Minimum composite and subsection scores are required for admission to the registered nursing program.
- TEAS scores are valid for two years.
- TEAS testing dates are listed on the SLCC testing center webpage.
- Testing fees apply.
- Repeating the TEAS is permitted up to 4 times in a 2-year period. Regardless of the result, the most-recent score will be used for admission purposes.
- NOTE: Only applicants for the registered nursing program are required to complete the TEAS. Applicants for the practical nursing program are NOT REQUIRED to complete the TEAS.
DIFFICULTY OF ACCEPTANCE TO REGISTERED NURSING PROGRAM
Admission into the registered nursing program is highly competitive.
- Only 40 students are admitted each year from hundreds of applicants.
- In 2022, the lowest GPA admitted to the registered nursing program was 3.56
- The minimum passing score on the TEAS test is 62. In 2022, the lowest TEAS score admitted to the registered nursing program was a 71.
- Students who have earned 4.0 GPAs have been denied admission to the registered nursing program.
REPEATING CLASSES TO RAISE GPA OR TEAS TO RAISE SCORE
The nursing department recommends studying and preparing for courses and tests to achieve the optimal grade or score on the first attempt. It is a personal decision for student whether to repeat classes or standardized tests to improve standing in either.
Admission Practical Nursing
Visit the SLCC admissions webpage for the practical nursing application packet. Thoroughly review the packet to determine if you meet the minimum requirements.
HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO BE ADMITTED INTO THE PRACTICAL NURSING PROGRAM?
- SLCC accepts a limited number of practical nursing applications.
- In 2022, over 200 students applied for admission to our various campuses.
OTHER OPTIONS IF NURSING IS NOT FOR YOU
SLCC offers a variety of healthcare programs. Both credit and non-credit options include the following:
NURSING AND ALLIED HEALTH FAQS
On what criteria are admissions based for the RN program?
Admissions criteria are based on GPA, TEAS scores, number of courses completed at SLCC, and previous experience in a related field (i.e., LPN for RN admission).
Why are there two anatomy & physiology courses?
Anatomy and physiology (A&P) is a prerequisite for the RN program. However, space is limited, and applicability of the course for degree requirements expires after 2 years. Further, though general biology (BIOL 1010) is not a prerequisite for A&P, A&P instructors strongly recommend it. A&P requires a strong foundation in biology.
SLCC offers two separate A&P courses. Survey of Human Anatomy and Physiology (BIOL 2017) is required for PN students. Human Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 2022) and Human Anatomy and Physiology II (BIOL 2023) are required for RN students. PN students may apply the RN anatomy and physiology courses (BIOL 2022 and BIOL 2023) to their degree plans. The reverse is not permitted, however. RN students may NOT apply the PN anatomy and physiology course (BIOL 2017) to their degree plans.
Do I need to take general biology (BIOL 1010) as a prerequisite for microbiology (BIOL 2100) for the RN program?
If you have been accepted into the RN program, BIOL 1010 will be waived as a requirement for BIOL 2100. If you have not been accepted into the RN program, then BIOL 1010 is required prior to BIOL 2100. Beginning in Fall 2018, you may use an ACT science score of 22 or a TEAS science score of 60 to satisfy the prerequisite.
When can a student apply?
The RN Traditional Track accepts applications every spring. The LPN to RN Transition Track accepts applications every Fall. The application process begins in January and ends in April. The PN program accepts applications every semester but not on every campus. Review the SLCC admissions webpage for more information.
Do I have to be enrolled at SLCC to apply to the RN or PN program?
No. Once a student completes an SLCC admission application, they may apply directly to either program as long as the program is accepting applications.
What should I do in the meantime if I am applying for admission to the RN program?
Completing prerequisite non-nursing courses should be your primary focus, along with preparing for the TEAS.
Can I apply for the PN and RN program at the same time?
No, you cannot. The first submitted application will be your program selection; the second application will be discarded. Make sure you apply for only one program at a time.
What do I do if I am not selected for my preferred nursing program, or I decide nursing is not for me?
SLCC offers a variety of healthcare programs, including medical assistant, medical laboratory science, and paramedic. Many students choose to work with their academic advisers to transition to a non-health degree.
I am interested in the RN program, and I have already taken some of the coursework at another institution. Can I have my credits evaluated before I apply to SLCC or to the PN or RN program?
If you have already applied to SLCC, send an official transcript to the registrar’s office.
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