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Certificates are a great way to explore a subject and build skills in less time and at a lower cost than pursuing a degree program. You can also learn a specific technique and build new career skills. Aims offers several nursing certificates for students interested in exploring healthcare careers.
Practical Nursing Certificate
This optional 4-credit certificate course allows you to transition out of the nursing associate degree program by earning a practical nursing certificate. Study the scope of practice for a practical nurse, including communication, ethical and legal issues, and leadership skills while gaining experience in a clinical setting.
Upon passing this certificate course, you’ll be eligible to take the NCLEX-PN exam to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Students need to be enrolled in or have completed a nursing program to register for this certificate.
General Education Prerequisites
BIO-2101 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab: GT-SC1
Focuses on an integrated study of the human body including the histology, anatomy, and physiology of each system. Examines molecular, cellular, and tissue levels of organization plus integuments, skeletal, articulations, muscular, and nervous systems. Includes a mandatory hands-on laboratory experience covering microscopy, observations, and dissection. This is the first semester of a two-semester sequence. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SC1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.
Course Prerequisites
BIO 1010 or BIO 1111 with a grade of "C" or better. Students who have scored 70% or higher on the BIO 1111 test out exam may be eligible for a prerequisite override.
4
Coursework must be completed within the past seven years.
BIO-2102 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab: GT-SC1
Focuses on the integrated study of the human body and the histology, anatomy, and physiology of the following systems and topics: endocrine, cardiovascular, hematology, lymphatic and immune, urinary, fluid and electrolyte control, digestive, nutrition, respiratory, reproductive, and development. Includes a mandatory hands-on laboratory experience involving microscopy, observations, and dissection. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SC1 category. It is recommended that ENG 1021 and MAT 1340 be completed prior to or be taken concurrently with this course. It is preferred that BIO 2101 be completed prior to taking this course, however, it may be taken concurrently. Course is not repeatable for credit.
Course Prerequisites
Prerequisite: BIO 2101 with a grade of "C" or better
4
Coursework must be completed within the past seven years.
ENG-1021 - English Composition I: GT-CO1
Emphasizes the planning, writing, and revising of compositions, including the development of critical and logical thinking skills. This course includes a wide variety of compositions that stress analytical, evaluative, and persuasive/argumentative writing. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.
3
Or equivalent. Coursework older than 10 years may not transfer unless the student has earned an AA, AS, AAS, BA, or BS degree, or has achieved a score of 110 or higher on the Accuplacer Sentence Skills test.
HWE-1050 - Human Nutrition
Introduces basic principles of nutrition with emphasis on personal nutrition. This course focuses on macro and micro nutrients and their effects on the functions of the human body. Special emphasis is placed on the application of wellness, disease, and lifespan as it pertains to nutrition. Course is not repeatable for credit.
3
Must be completed within seven years of admission, unless the course is part of a completed AA, AS, AAS, BA, or BS degree with HWE 1050, or an equivalent course.
MAT-1260 - Introduction to Statistics: GT-MA1
Introduces descriptive and inferential statistics, with an emphasis on critical thinking and statistical literacy. Topics include methods of data collection, presentation and summarization, introduction to probability concepts and distributions, and statistical inference of one and two populations. This course uses real world data to illustrate applications of a practical nature. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-MA1 category. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Course is not repeatable for credit.
3
Coursework must be completed within the past seven years.
Total Prerequisite Credits 17
Certificate Requirements
Semester 1 (Fall)
BIO-2104 - Microbiology with Lab: GT-SC1
Covers the diversity of microorganisms, their structure, physiology, and the identification process. There is an emphasis on microorganisms that cause infectious disease and the process of infection, host immune responses, and methods to control microorganisms. Laboratory experiences include culturing, identifying, and controlling microorganisms. This course is designed for students pursuing a health science field. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SC1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.
Course Prerequisites
BIO 1111 or BIO 2101 with a grade of "C" or better. Students who have scored 70% or higher on the BIO 1111 test out exam may be eligible for a prerequisite override; however, it is recommended that BIO 1111 be taken as the prerequisite. It is also recommended that CHE 1011 be completed prior to or be taken concurrently with this course.
4
Must be completed within seven years of admission and with a grade of C or higher in order to progress to the second semester of the Nursing Program.
NUR-1009 - Fundamentals of Nursing
Nursing 1009 introduces the fundamental concepts necessary for safe, patient-centered nursing care to a diverse patient population while integrating legal and ethical responsibilities of the nurse. Introduces caring, critical thinking, the nursing process, quality improvement, and communication used when interacting with patients and members of the interdisciplinary team, and relates evidence-based nursing practice. Application of knowledge and skills occurs in the nursing skills laboratory and a variety of clinical settings providing care to stable patients with common health alterations. Differential tuition rates apply. Restricted to Nursing majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.
6-9
NUR-1012 - Basic Concepts of Pharmacology
Overview of the basic principles of pharmacology including major drug classifications and prototypes of commonly used medications. Principles of medication administration include aspects of best practice for safe, quality, patient-centered care. Central points include safety, quality improvement factors in the administration of medications, patient teaching, and variations encountered when administering medications to diverse patient populations across the lifespan. Differential tuition rates apply. Restricted to Nursing majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.
2
PSY-2440 - Human Growth and Development: GT-SS3
Examines human development from conception through death, emphasizing physical, cognitive, emotional, and psychosocial factors. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS3 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.
3
Must be completed within seven years of admission unless included in a completed AA, AS, AAS, BA, or BS degree along with HPR 1010 or an equivalent course.
Semester 2 (Spring)
NUR-1006 - Medical Surgical Nursing Concepts
NUR 1006 is the first medical/surgical nursing course. Building on NUR 1009, this course provides for the acquisition of basic medical/surgical nursing theory, as well as application of mental health concepts, communication, collaboration, caring, and critical thinking/clinical reasoning necessary for safe, patient-centered care to a developmentally and culturally diverse adult patient population experiencing various medical/surgical interventions. Incorporates evidence-based practice, quality improvement, professional standards, and legal and ethical responsibilities of the nurse. Application of knowledge and skills occurs in the nursing skills laboratory and a variety of clinical settings. Differential tuition rates apply. Restricted to Nursing majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.
Course Prerequisites
NUR 1009 and NUR 1012 with grades of "C" or better.
7-9
NUR-1050 - Maternal-Child Nursing
Nursing 1050 provides for the acquisition of maternal/child nursing theory, as well as application of mental health concepts, communication, collaboration, caring, and critical thinking/clinical reasoning necessary for safe, family-centered nursing care to childbearing families and children that is developmentally and culturally appropriate. Incorporates evidence-based practice, standards of practice, quality improvement, and legal and ethical responsibilities of the nurse. Application of knowledge and skills occurs in the nursing skills laboratory and in a variety of maternal/child and pediatric clinical settings. Differential tuition rates apply. Restricted to Nursing majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.
Course Prerequisites
NUR 1009 and NUR 1012 with grades of "C" or better.
6-7
Summer Semester
NUR-1069 - Transition into Practical Nursing
Facilitates the transition into the role of the practical nurse with emphasis on distinguishing the defined practical nurse scope of practice related to clinical practice, communication, nursing process, ethical/legal issues, and leadership skills. The student practices in the role of the practical nurse in the associated clinical experience. Differential tuition rates apply. Restricted to Nursing majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.
Course Prerequisites
NUR 1006, NUR 1009, NUR 1012, and NUR 1050 with grades of "C" or better.
