The Practical Nursing Technical Certificate of Credit is designed to prepare students to write the NCLEX-PN for licensure as practical nurses. The program prepares graduates to give competent nursing care. This is done through a selected number of occupational courses providing a variety of techniques and materials necessary to assist the student in acquiring the needed knowledge and skills to give competent care. The nursing program covers all theoretical content areas outlined in Georgia Board Rule 410-9-06 (5a & 5b). A variety of clinical experiences is planned so that theory and practice are integrated under the guidance of the clinical instructor.
Students enrolled in the Practical Nursing certificate program will have to submit a satisfactory criminal background check as well as a drug screen to be placed in a clinical health care facility to complete the clinical rotations of their educational training.
Students are accepted into the Practical Nursing certificate program every fall and spring semester. A student can complete this program in 3 semesters. To graduate, students must earn a minimum of 49 semester credit hours.
Employment Outlook
Career Traits/Requirements
Individuals wanting to enroll in the Practical Nursing certificate program must have good work ethics, be people oriented and possess great organizational skills.
Employment Opportunities
Students who successfully complete the Practical Nursing certificate program can find employment at hospitals, doctors' offices, school nurse clinics, nursing homes, home health agencies, and other public and healthcare agencies.
Program Costs
Tuition & Fees: $5,673.00
Books & Supplies: $1,000.00
Uniform & Supplies: $300.00
Additional Fees
Malpractice Insurance: $11.00
Drug Screen: $50.00
Criminal Background Check: $62.90
BLS for Healthcare Provider: $7.00
(Costs are estimated and are subject to change.)
Admission Requirements
OFTC may accept a student’s official entrance score on the following validated assessment instruments if the scores meet the required minimums:
- COMPASS/ASSET,
- SAT,
- ACT,
- PSAT,
- PACT,
- Accuplacer/Accuplacer Next Generation/Companion,
- HOPE GPA after completion of 10th grade of 2.6 or higher, or High School GPA of 2.6 (for occupational programs), or 2.0 for Workforce Entry Level programs, or GED.
The College may accept transfer credit for other courses according to the College’s transfer policy.
Additional Admission Requirements
- Current BLS documentation must be provided on the first day of class.
- TEAS score 58.7
Competitive Admission Requirements
Applications to compete must be submitted no later than the specified deadline. Students without an application on file in the Admissions Office will NOT be considered for competition. Applications signify that the student:
1. has registered for and will complete TEAS (nursing, radiologic technology, and diagnostic medical sonography programs) test prior to the published deadline,
2. understands the competitive process including deadlines for work experience forms and official college transcripts.
If additional curriculum/other requirements listed are not completed by the published deadline and/or if the student is not in satisfactory academic standing at OFTC, then the application will not be considered. The student is responsible for the payment of the drug screen fee and criminal background check fee that will be assessed when students register for classes with such requirements. All newly accepted students will be required to attend an orientation session prior to the beginning of the program. No new students will be accepted after program orientation occurs. The updated Guidelines for Entry into Allied Health Programs can be found on the OFTC website under Admissions.
Program Outcomes
Practical Nursing Program Outcomes
NCLEX-PN success rates for first time test takers:
Graduation Year 2020 – 90.91% Pass Rate
Graduation Year 2021 – 94.11% Pass Rate
Graduation Year 2022 – 95.23% Pass Rate
Graduation Year 2023 – 97.14% Pass Rate
Graduation Year 2024 – 100% Pass Rate
Program Completion Rate (3 Semesters):
Year 2020 – 55%
Year 2021 – 42.5%
Year 2022 – 70%
Year 2023 - 75%
Job Placement Rates:
Year 2020 – 98%
Year 2021 – 100%
Year 2022 – 90.47%
Year 2023 - 96.8%
Curriculum
Occupational Courses
Program Pathway Fall Semester
Semester 1
Semester 2
Semester 3
Program Pathway Spring Semester
Semester 1
Semester 2
Semester 3