Practical Nursing, Certificate of Completion

This is an archived copy of the 2022-2023 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://ecatalog.socc.edu.

Are you great at remembering fine details and solving difficult problems? A career in nursing could be right for you! The First year of our Nursing Program will train you for a position as a Practical Nurse. Nursing is the largest occupation in healthcare! You will learn the skills necessary to manage the physical and emotional care of patients through relationship-centered care. You’ll experience many healthcare settings from hospitals, to home health care, doctor’s offices, and nursing homes. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to demonstrate leadership in the field and sit for the national licensure examination (PN-NCLEX). Making a positive, long-lasting impact on the lives of others is what nursing is all about!

Contact Jade Stalcup at jstalcup@socc.edu for further application requirements or click here for forms and information. The Practical Nursing Certificate prepares graduates to become licensed as a Practical Nurse. Successful completion of three quarters qualifies students for meeting the academic requirements to take the PN-NCLEX exam for licensure in the state of Oregon. The license is transferable across the nation. Once admitted, the student is required to take all curriculum courses as they appear in the catalog or before. This is a restricted entry program, and students must submit a separate application along with their college admission application.

Southwestern Oregon Community College is an OCNE consortium school.

Entry Requirements

Acceptance into the Nursing Program. 

Graduation Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 85 credit hours with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or better. All courses must be completed with a grade of ‘C’ or better. Twenty-four (24) credits must be completed at Southwestern before the degree is awarded.

Student must complete the graduation application process one term prior to the term of completion (e.g., spring term graduates must apply during winter term).

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • Act personally and professionally based on a set of shared core nursing values.
  • Develop insight through reflection, self-analysis, and self-care.
  • Engage in ongoing intentional learning.
  • Demonstrate leadership in nursing and health care.
  • Collaborate as part of a health care team.
  • Practice within, utilize, and contribute to the broader health care system.
  • Practice relationship-centered care.
  • Communicate effectively.
  • Make sound clinical judgments.
  • Locate, evaluate and use the best available evidence in making practice decisions.