PN Diploma Program (Indiana)

Admission Requirements

Acceptance to Hondros College of Nursing is based on the following general requirements.

1. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States. The applicant must submit official, un-expired government-issued documentation needed for admission (driver’s license, state ID, passport, or proof of citizen-ship or permanent residency if not a U.S. citizen) The applicant’s physical location, as it pertains to courses offered via distance education, will be determined by the address listed on the un-expired government-issued document. Change of addresses must be processed in the CAMS Student Portal, by clicking the “Edit Profile” link. Moving to a state that Hondros College of Nursing is not approved to operate in may adversely impact the student’s ability to complete the program;
2. The applicant must be at least 18 years of age or older at the time he or she starts the program;
3. The applicant must complete and sign the application for admission and pay the applicable application fee;
4. The applicant must complete the Student Online Readiness Survey. For technology requirements, refer to the “Technology Requirements and Acceptable Use Policy” on page 23. There are no additional costs to enroll in courses offered only via distance education
5. The applicant must be a high school graduate or possess the recognized equivalent of a high school diploma. The applicant must provide documentation of graduation from high school in the form of a valid high school diploma, transcript, or other acceptable documentation issued by an authorized state education agency (e.g., General Education Development (GED)). International transcripts/documents need to be evaluated by an organization that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE); and
6. The applicant must complete and sign the enrollment agreement and pay any applicable enrollment agreement fees.  

Additional Requirements for Indiana Practical Nursing Applicants

1. The applicant must take the HESI Admission Assessment Exam and achieve a cumulative score of 70% or higher. The HESI Admission Assessment Exam fee, for each attempt, is paid by the applicant.
2. The applicant must complete an interview with an admissions representative;
3. The applicant must complete a criminal background check via electronic fingerprint, a federal and state criminal background check through Indiana State Police (ISP) or Viewpoint, and pay the applicable fee (certain convictions and/or pending charges may result in an adverse admissions decision).;
4. The applicant must complete a drug screening through LabCorp, and pay the applicable fee.

Indiana Practical Nursing Curriculum

• 49 Quarter Credits
• 700 Clock Hours
• 44 Weeks

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of four (4) quarters (44 weeks) of the Practical Nursing curriculum, and meeting all graduation requirements, the graduate will be awarded a diploma and be certified to the Indiana Board of Nursing, which will determine the student’s eligibility to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX®-PN). Within the scope of practice for the licensed practical nurse, and at the direction of a licensed physician, dentist, podiatrist, optometrist, chiropractor or registered nurse, the graduate will meet the client’s needs by fulfilling the following program outcomes:

1. Provide safe, quality, evidence-based, patient-centered nursing care to diverse patients across the lifespan in a variety of structured healthcare settings within the scope of practice of the Practical Nurse.

• Collect data related to physical, behavioral, psychological, and spiritual aspects of health and illness parameters in patients experiencing common health problems, using developmentally and culturally appropriate approaches.
• Work with the Registered Nurse or other healthcare provider to identify patient needs based on the data collected.
• Contribute to a patient-centered plan of care based on knowledge of evidence and patient information/preferences to meet individual patient needs.
• Provide patient-centered care focusing on restoration, promotion, and maintenance of physical and mental health.
• Incorporate factors that create a culture of safety when providing patient care.
• Provide patient teaching that reflects developmental stage, age, culture, spirituality, patient preferences, and health literacy considerations.
• Implement nursing interventions to prevent illness, and restore, promote and maintain physical and mental health of patients across the lifespan.
• Analyze collected patient outcome data to determine the effectiveness and impact of nursing care.
• Deliver care within expected time frame.
• Communicate information about care provided and evaluation data including appropriate hand off at each transition in care.
• Incorporate cultural awareness/sensitivity when providing care to diverse patients in a variety of healthcare settings.
• Assist with the revision of the plan of care based on an ongoing collection of patient data including recognition of alterations to previous patient conditions.
• Safely perform all psychomotor skills needed for efficient, safe, and compassionate patient care including accurate calculation of dosages.
• Accurately document all aspects of patient care.

2. Engage in clinical judgment to make patient-centered care decisions within the scope of practice of the Practical Nurse.

• Use clinical judgment to ensure accurate and safe care when implementing all steps of the nursing process.
• Anticipate risks, and predict and manage potential complications for patients experiencing common health problems.
• Prioritize patient care.
• Incorporate knowledge of the healthcare system and how it impacts the nurse’s ability to provide safe, quality care.

3. Incorporate quality improvement activities to improve patient care.

• Participate in quality improvement activities.
• Use the data from quality improvement activities to plan patient care.
• Report identified quality improvement concerns to appropriate personnel (e.g., nurse manager, risk manager, etc.).
• Implement National Patient Safety Goals in all applicable patient care settings.

4. Participate in teamwork and collaboration with the inter-professional team, the patient, and the patient’s support persons.

• Share pertinent, accurate, and complete information with the inter-professional team.
• Work with the Registered Nurse to plan for patient safety and quality improvements within the context of the interprofessional team.
• Interpret the impact of team functioning on safety and quality improvement.

5. Use information technology to support and communicate the provision of patient care.

• Use patient care technologies, information systems/technologies, and communication devices to support safe nursing practice.
• Use high quality electronic sources of healthcare information.
• Enter computer documentation accurately, completely, and in a timely manner.

6. Incorporate management, legal, and ethical guidelines within the scope of practice of a Practical Nurse.

• Practice within the legal and ethical frameworks of Practical Nursing.
• Demonstrate accountability for nursing care given by self and/or delegated to unlicensed personnel.
• Delegate nursing tasks to unlicensed personnel.
• Advocate for patient rights and needs.
• Initiate a plan for ongoing professional development and lifelong learning.

7. Promote a culture of caring to provide support, compassion and culturally-competent, holistic care.

• Provide support, empowerment, and hope when caring for diverse patients.
• Reflect on care provided to continue to improve caring relationships.
• Deliver compassionate, culturally-competent care that respects patient and family preferences.
• Maintain an environment conducive to well-being.