LPN

The nursing curriculum can be accelerated for LPNs who have work experience and choose to accelerate, assuming that:

1. LPNs have prior learning pertinent to the curriculum and
2. LPNs need additional learning to meet the program's outcomes. LPNs enroll in two bridge courses that focus on RN roles, such as using research in practice and the nurses’ role as teacher.

Applicants must hold a current license to practice as a practical nurse. Other admission criteria are the same as for traditional students. EMU will offer 11 credit hours of portfolio credit to all eligible LPNs. The credit will be awarded upon completion of mastery of the Level 2 performance final.

Challenge Examinations

LPNs may challenge content related to obstetrics, pediatrics, and psychiatric nursing utilizing National League for Nursing (NLN) Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exams (ACE 1 PN to RN) or EMU teacher-made tests, including:

1. Nursing Care of the Client during Childbearing and Nursing Care of the Child - 203 items (4 hours). This tests can be scored separately with 100 items for Nursing Care During Childbirth and 98 itmes for Nursing Care of the Child. The applicant needs to request in writing to the nursing office coordinator, prior to taking the test, which parts will be used as a challenge exam (198 items, four option, multiple choice).
2. Client with a Mental Disorder - 132 items, four options, multiple choice

Nursing Coursework

LPNs eliminate and complete clinical learning experiences in the above areas as agreed upon between the student and faculty. LPNs omit all demonstrations for which they feel competent. They also complete sufficient clinicals prior to performance finals so that they can learn and demonstrate the objectives for mastery.

Registration and Grades

For courses where some material is being challenged, LPNs register like RNs for the number of hours as agreed upon with the department head. Course credit is awarded when completed.

Standardized Tests

Basic students take standardized examinations after each major component in the program. LPN's are required to take these standardized examinations for the course work they complete in the program.

LPNs must take the EMU required general education classes. 128 semester hours are required for graduation. Only nursing courses are listed below. Because LPNs come with previous experience, each schedule is arranged individually based on performance on the A CE 1 PN-RN or EMU teacher made tests, and past experience.

Required Nursing Courses for LPNs

Level 1

1. Conceptual Framework Bridge Course: 3 CH (Credit Hours)
   Includes nursing role content covered (Modules 3, 6, 19 and completing a Process Recording.
2. NURS 311/2 Health Assessment: 3 CH
   Includes Modules 5, and the health promotion content in the following modules: 7 (unit 1), 16 (Unit 2), 20 (Unit 1), 14, 22, 27 & 33 and the Health Assessment clinical where mastery of the nursing process occurs.

Level 2

Option for Testing for Mastery

All LPNs have the opportunity to either take teacher-made tests (pass at 80%) or NLN A CE 1-PN-RN (pass at 80th percentile) tests for the following content. Clinical experiences required will depend on previous experience:

1. NSL 2 351/2 Nursing Care of Children: 3 CH
2. NSL2 381/2 Nursing Care of Psychosocial Needs: 3 CH
3. NSL2 361/2 Nursing and the Beginning Family: 3 CH
4. NSL2 341/2 and NSL 441/2 Adult Health Practicum I & II: 6 CH combined
   It is possible for the LPN to master the Adult Health Practicum courses in less than 6 hours.

Required Level 2 Courses (Requires two semesters)

1. NSL2 471/2 Nursing and the Family in the Community: 3 CH
2. NSL2 312 Nursing Care of the Adult I: 4 CH
3. NSl2 411 Nursing Care of the Adult II: 4 CH
4. NSL2 391/2 Professionhood II: 1 CH
   

Level 3 (This semester can be adjusted if part time study is desired.)

1. NSL3 411/2 Leadership: 4 CH
2. NSL3 421/2 Community Health: 4 CH
3. NSL3 431/2 Professionhood III: 4 CH
4. NSL3 441/2 Research: 2 CH
5. NSL3 471/2 Crisis Intervention: 2 CH