Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 General Catalog 
    
2021-2022 General Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

Practical Nursing - Certificate


The Practical Nursing Certificate of Completion is designed for students who wish to begin their nursing education and obtain licensure as a licensed practical nurse (LPN). A Certificate of Completion includes a minimum of one course in composition, math and human relations, in addition to the major courses.

Requirements for Admission

  1. Fulfill requirements for admission to USU.
  2. Submit a completed application to the nursing department (refer to nursing website for application period dates).
  3. Submit transcript(s) showing completion of prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of B- in each prerequisite course. Prerequisite courses with more than three attempts without achieving a grade of B- or better will not be considered.
  4. Successful completion (75% or better) on the HESI A2 exam. Applicants are allowed two attempts per application cycle. Two weeks in between attempts is required.
  5. A grade of B- or better is required in all prerequisite courses. Courses may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.

After acceptance to the USU PN program, students will be given instructions on how to submit results of a clean criminal background check, a negative drug screen, Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and proof of required immunizations per program policy.

A grade of B- or better is required in all NURS major courses. Courses may not be taken on a pass/fail basis. Students must maintain at least a 79.5% exam average in all nursing courses. Students will receive the lesser of the exam average or overall course average as the course grade.

Licensure Notification


This program typically leads to licensure and was designed to meet licensing qualifications in Utah and other Nurse License Compact (NLC) states. If students license in any of these states, they are considered licensed and can work in any of the other NLC states. 

The Department of Nursing has not determined if this program meets licensure requirements in the non-NCL states, although it is possible as the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) requirements across the United States are the same.