Practical Nursing
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The Practical Nursing program at TCAT Chattanooga is a full-time, three-semester diploma program totaling 1,296 clock hours, designed to prepare students for safe, entry-level nursing practice through classroom instruction, hands-on labs, and supervised clinical experiences.
Enrollment is limited to 24 students per cohort, ensuring individualized instruction as students develop essential skills in patient care, pharmacology, communication, and clinical judgment in alignment with TBR standards. Graduates are prepared to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) to become Licensed Practical Nurses.
Step 1: Attend an orientation session with the Practical Nursing program director.
Step 2: Selected students are then able to register.
Application Deadlines
Note: These dates are the same every year.
- December 1 = deadline for Spring semester applications
- April 1 = deadline for Summer semester applications
- July 1 = deadline for Fall semester
Employment Stats
- Program Length 1 year (Diploma)
- Job Placement 95%
- Average Earnings $41,920 / yr
- Cost $7105
About Program
This program is designed for the student to acquire basic nursing skills in order to successfully function in the entry level role of a Licensed Practical Nurse. The program is three semesters in length which is consecutively. You must go through the application process in order to be considered for the program.
High School Diploma or GED is required. |
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Program |
Admissions Test |
Additional Requirements |
|
Massage Therapy |
ACCUPLACER Test or ACT |
Must Be College Level in Reading and Level 2 in Math |
|
Medical Assistant |
ACCUPLACER Test or ACT |
Must Be College Level in Reading and Level 2 in Math |
|
Practical Nursing |
ACCUPLACER Test or ACT |
Must Be College Level in Reading and Level 4 in Math |
Course Schedule
| Semester | Day Class | Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | 8:00 am – 3:20 pm | Monday - Friday | |
| Spring | 8:00 am – 3:20 pm | Monday - Friday | |
| Summer | 8:00 am – 3:20 pm | Monday - Friday |
Cost
TCAT Special Fees
Charged in Addition to Maintenance and Tuition
- Credit by Examination - The regular course fee is charged for each special examination and must be paid prior to taking the examination. Non-refundable.
- Credit for Life Experience - $15 per credit hour in excess of 3 credit hours. $90 maximum.
- High School Equivalency Test (Hi-SET) - $75
- ACT Placement Test - $45
Books
E-Books will be assigned in Orientation.
Curriculum
First Semester
- Worker Characteristics
- Fundamentals of Nursing
- Basic Nursing
- Vocational Relations
- Normal Nutrition
- Geriatric Nursing
- Medication Administration
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Clinicals
Second Semester
- Worker Characteristics
- Pharmacology I
- Mental Health
- Med Surg I
- OB
- Clinicals
Third Semester
- Worker Characteristics
- Clinicals
- Advanced PVR (Leadership)
- Peds
- Pharmacology II
- Med Surg II