Practical Nursing Program

Tri-County offers both a one-year day and a two-year evening practical nursing program, fully approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. These programs are designed to prepare the graduate for competent, ethical, entry-level practice in the care of diverse populations with common or stable health care needs in structured health care settings. Graduates receive a certificate indicating successful completion of the Practical Nursing Program. After completion of the program, the graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam for licensure.  The application process for admission begins in the September, a year before the program begins.

• (One Year) Day Program: Monday – Friday, 8:00am - 2:30pm
• (Two Year) Evening Program: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 4:00pm - 9:30pm

Important Dates

September 1, 2012 to January 1, 2013 -- Application for Admission - for day and evening programs beginning September 2013

October 20, 2012 to March 2, 2013 -- TEAS Testing
As part of the pre-admission process for the Tri-County Practical Nursing Program, an applicant must take an entrance exam, the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skils) .  Registrations for any of the testing dates are taken on a first-come, first served basis.  Click on PDF or MS Word to download the TEAS Pre-Entrance Testing Registration Form  (PDF) .

       TEAS Testing Dates for Upcoming 2012 Day Program Admission:

• October 20, 2012       8:00 am - 12:30 pm
• November 17, 2012    8:00 am - 12:30 pm
• January 12, 2013       8:00 am - 12:30 pm
• March 2, 2013           8:00 am - 12:30 pm

TEAS Exam Preparation and Review Program (Optional)

Tri-County offers an optional TEAS Exam Review program each September to help those preparing for the Practical Nursing entrance exam. Registration for this exam preparation program begins mid-August. Course details and registration information for the upcoming exam review/preparation program. For course details and registration information, click here.

Admission Process

Minimum admission criteria include:

1. TEAS exam must be taken and passed prior to submission of application for review. Achievement of a minimum TEAS(Test of Essential Academic Skills) pre-admission exam score in the following:
   • English – 60%
   • Math – 45%
   • Science – 35%
   • Reading - 70%
2. All students with passing TEAS exam scores will be sent an application form to complete and return to the Practical Nursing office along with a $25.00 application fee.  Information on the following requirements is also sent with the application form.
3. Attainment of at least 17.5 years of age before entrance into the program.  Proof of age is required with photo ID.
4. High school diploma, GED or equivalent.  (Foreign Transcript grades must be converted to US equivalent prior to acceptance.)
5. Submission of a 250 word essay entitled, "What the Nursing Profession Means to Me".
6. Three professional references (letters from supervisors or teachers who can comment on your past experience related to job, school, community service, etc. )
7. Interview with the Practical Nursing Program Director.
8. Meet all technical standards of the program as listed on the program application.

Applicants accepted into the Practical Nursing program must submit all required documents by July 31. Accepted applicants will be required to submit to a Criminal Offender Record Information release (CORI).

Health Requirements: Students must meet all health requirements of the program by providing (upon Acceptance) the following required documents by July 31.

• Proof of Immunizations according to the DPH requirements (prior to clinical rotation). Hepatitis B vaccine, MMR vaccine or imuunity, DT (tetanus toxoid within 10 years), negative TB testing, Varicella status will be noted.
• Proof of physical exam within six months of the program start date.
• Proof of current health insurance. (Health insurance must be maintained throughout the entire program.)
• Proof of student nurse liability insurance policy.
• Proof of current CPR (Healthcare Provider and AED) Certification.

Technical Standards: Students entering the Practical Nursing Program must be able to meet the standards required of Practical Nursing students and must be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Read and comprehend textbook material at the 11th grade level.
• Communicate and assimilate information whether spoken, printed, signed or computer voice format in fluent English.
• Gather, analyze and draw conclusions from data.
• Stand for a minimum of two (2) hours.
• Walk for a minimum of six (6) hours, not necessarily consecutively.
• Stoop, bend and twist for a minimum of thirty (30) minutes at a time and be able to repeat this activity at frequent intervals.
• Ability to lift 40 pounds.
• Determine by touch: hotness/coldness, wetness/dryness, hardness/softness.
• Use the small muscle dexterity necessary to perform precision psychomotor skills.
• Respond to spoken words, monitor signals, call bells and vital sign assessment equipment.
• Identify behaviors that would endanger a person’s life or safety and intervene quickly in a crisis situation with an appropriate solution.
• Remain calm, rational, and decisive and maintain self-control at all times, especially during emergency situations.
• Exhibit interpersonal skills appropriate to professional interactions.
• Maintain cleanliness and personal grooming consistent with close personal contact.
• Function without causing harm to self or others if under the influence of prescription or over-the-counter medications.
• Maintain vision sufficient for the performance of precision skills and be able to discern color, (i.e., cyanosis, pallor, jaundice) and color changes.
• Demonstrate emotional stability.
• Be free of communicable diseases and chemical abuse.

Technical standards may be met with or without accommodations.

Practical Nursing Program Tuition and Fees

•     Application Fee (Non-refundable)                 $25.00
• *  In-district Tuition (Day Program Only)  $5,500.00
• **In-State Tuition                                         $12,000.00
•     Out of State Tuition                                   $13,500.00
•     Student Fee (Due by first class)                  $650.00

*In-District Tuition is applicable to the day program only for residents in the following towns:  Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, Seekonk, Walpole, Wrentham. 

* **To qualify for In-District or In-State Tuition, proof of residency with photo ID is required upon acceptance.

The non-refundable Student Fee includes the cost of on-line testing, supplemental review books, and DVDs, laboratory kit, and graduation expense, (graduation attire not included).

PAYMENT SCHEDULE:
Once accepted into the program to secure enrollment, all sutdents must pay a non-refundable initial payment fee of $200 by April 30. One/half of the tuition fee is due by July 15. The remaining balance is due before the first day of classes unless the student chooses to enroll in the Payment Plan Program.

FINANCIAL AID:
Federal Financial Aid, in the form of Pell Grants, is available for this program.  Tri-County encourages students to apply for financial aid through http://www.fafsa.gov/ using Tri-County's school code of 041220.  Tri-County does not provide access to student loans at this time.  Please contact the Financial Aid office for more information.

PAYMENT PLAN PROGRAM:
There is a $50.00 enrollment fee due upon acceptance into the payment plan program. Monthly payments for the balance of tuition will be made by the fifteenth of each month. Late payment fees are applicable. Payments must be made, regardless of attendance.

REFUND POLICY:
     Written notice of withdrawal must be received and approved by the Continuing Education Director before a refund is processed.  Withdrawal notice before 1st class:  100% of $1500.00 minus $100.00.  Withdrawal notice before 2nd class:  60% of $1500.00 minus $100.00.  Withdrawal notice before 3rd class:  40% of $1500 minus $100.00.  There are no refunds if withdrawal occurs after the 3rd class. 

ADDITIONAL EXPENSES:
Students incur additional expenses for items such as, uniforms, books, supplies, equipment, NCLEX test fee, license, and optional NCLEX review. Living and transportation expenses related to school attendance or clinical rotation responsibilities are the responsibility of each student.