Patrick Henry Community College Nursing Program Review

Patrick Henry Community College (PHCC) is located in Martinsville, Virginia and was established in 1962 as a branch of the University of Virginia’s School of General Studies. Patrick Henry Community College has been in its current location for over 40 years and today offers 29 associates degree programs and 13 certificate programs.

Associate in Applied Science – Health Technology in Nursing (AAS)

The Associate in Applied Science in Nursing at Patrick Henry Community College is a two-year program for individuals interested in pursuing a career in nursing. The program is four semesters long and prepares students to work in a variety of nursing environments. The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing is accredited by the Virginia Board of Nursing and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

In order to be admitted into the Associate of Applied Science Program at Patrick Henry Community College, students must first be accepted into the college. Applicants must hold a high school diploma or GED and complete the COMPASS test before they can submit a nursing application. Applicants must have completed two units of algebra, one unit of geometry and two units of high school science with a minimum “C” grade or above in order to be admitted into the program. Applicants must hold a 2.5 GPA or above and must sit the Pre-RN Admission Examination, The Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) test, which is the final step in the admission process. The test includes sections on reading, vocabulary, mathematics and grammar.

Individuals, who already hold a Licensed Practical Nursing Licensure, may apply to the Associate of Applied Science program via advanced placement. Licensed Practical Nurses must have graduated from an accredited practical nursing school and must have passed the Licensed Practical Nursing Licensure examination and hold an unrestricted license. Licensed Practical Nurses must also have taken the prerequisite courses prior to being admitted into the program.

Nurse Aide Training Certificate (CNA)

The Nurse Aide Training Certificate at Patrick Henry Community College mandates that applicants hold a “C” grade prior to being admitted. The Nurse Aide Training Certificate takes one semester of full-time study to complete and is designed to prepare students to sit the Nurse Aide certification examination in Virginia. Prerequisites for the course include English and mathematics courses. In order to graduate from the program, students must complete; Health Care Technician I, Health Care Technician II, Therapeutic Communication in the Health Care Setting, First Air and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Introduction to Microcomputers, and College Survival Skills courses. The courses listed are 17 credit hours in length and lead to a certificate in Nurse Aide Training.

Practical Nursing Certificate (PN)

The Practical Nursing Certificate at Patrick Henry Community College is a one-year full-time program. A graduate of the Practical Nursing Program go on to write the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses and once successful can begin to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the state of Virginia.

Applicants to the program must hold a high school diploma or GED and must have an average of a “C” grade or above. Students must first apply to Patrick Henry Community College, and once accepted, then apply to the specific Practical Nursing Certificate program. Applicants must maintain a 2.5 GPA throughout the duration of the program in order to graduate.

Contact:
Patrick Henry Community College
645 Patriot Avenue,
Martinsville, VA 24112,
United States
(276) 638-8777