Fast Track Practical Nursing
The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Fast Track Practical Nursing prepares students with the foundational knowledge, clinical reasoning abilities, and hands-on skills required for entry-level practical nursing practice. The curriculum integrates classroom instruction, simulation, and supervised clinical experiences across the lifespan to include in-person or simulated clinical learning activities. Students may engage in planned patient-care learning activities in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and a variety of other healthcare agencies to develop competence in safe, evidence-based nursing care. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Licensure as a Practical Nurse (LPN) is regulated by the Arizona State Board of Nursing, which establishes all requirements for eligibility and licensure. The Fast Track Practical Nursing Program is approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing. This program is designed to meet education requirements for licensure or certification in the State of Arizona. Granting licensure and certification is the sole responsibility of the state board or approval agency. This program is only offered and available to students located in the State of Arizona. The Maricopa County Community College District and colleges define student location within Administrative Regulation 2.2.3(7).
Details
Field of Interest
Health Sciences
Academic Plan Code
5114
Total credits required
24 - 28.5
Catalog Year
2027 - 2028
What You'll Learn
- Function effectively in the role of the beginning Practical Nurse under the direction of a Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician's Assistant, or Physician.
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills and evidence-based practice through utilization of the nursing process as a guideline in providing nursing care.
- Assist with data collection and contribute to the established plan of care.
- Implement an established plan of care using appropriate practical nursing knowledge.
- Assist with the evaluation of nursing care based on established outcome criteria.
- Apply therapeutic communication techniques in providing basic nursing care for clients patients throughout the lifespan.
- Apply clinical judgment in providing basic and intermediate nursing care.
- Practice within the defined scope, role, and responsibilities of the Licensed Practical Nurse while upholding the ethical, legal, and regulatory standards that guide practical nursing practice.
- Utilize information technology and documentation systems effectively.
- Demonstrate readiness for entry-level practical nursing practice.
Career Statistics
Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this certificate. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
$57,800
* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCE150 or NUR158 |
Basic Certified Nursing Assistant or Nurse Assisting | OR Current Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) OR Licensed Nurse Assistant (LNA) OR Equivalent OR Waived by Nursing Program Director for Military Veterans demonstrating equivalent work experience |
0–4.5 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NUR160PN | Practical Nursing Theory and Science I | Critical course Gateway course | 12 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NUR180PN or NUR150 |
Practical Nursing Theory and Science II or Practical Nurse Bridge Course | Critical course | 12 |
Course Area Key
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
Official Curriculum Documentation
View catalog page
Catalog page: https://gatewaycc.catalog.maricopa.edu/programs/5114-GWC03
Disclaimer
All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.
Previous Catalog Years
The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.
Previous catalog years for Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Fast Track Practical Nursing