Practical Nursing

Candidate's questions can be addressed at pre-admission conferences. Therefore, each candidate must attend a pre-admission conference prior to applying to the Practical Nursing (PN) Program.

Program Placement

Please note that admission to the Practical Nursing program is not based on a selective admissions process at this time. We may elect to choose a selective admissions process for future academic years.

Admission is on a first come, first serve basis for those who complete the application process. If more applications are received than spots available, students may be placed on a wait list.

Admissions to a BCTC Practical Nursing Program

1. If you are not already a student at BCTC, complete an application and list your major as Associate of Science Degree. This will allow you to complete the pre-requisite general education courses needed for the program.
2. Attend a mandatory preadmission conference with the Program Coordinator for the campus you are interested in; dates will be listed on the program website. Students will receive a link to apply to the program at the conference. Attendance will be recorded at each conference.
3. Register for and take the ATI: TEAS Entrance Exam. Official scores of the ATI:TEAS Entrance Exam must be current within three (3) years. The exam can be taken every 30 days up to 3 times a year.  A minimum score of 41.3 is needed to apply to the Practical Nursing program.

   Official ATI:TEAS prep material can be found at https://atitesting.com/teas/teas-prep

   To schedule the exam, please visit the ATI:TEAS website (new window) and select BCTC as your testing location. For more information, contact the Assessment Center at (859) 246-6669 or email BL_Testing@kctcs.edu. After you test and have the official scores sent to BCTC, they will post those to People Soft and you will include the composite score with your program admission application.

4. Your application will be reviewed by the program coordinator, and you will be notified via KCTCS email of the acceptance decision.
5. Once accepted, you will attend a mandatory program orientation to complete paperwork and get more specific information about the program.

Danville Campus Program Coordinator

Dr. Melanie Sallee
DNP, RN, Program Coordinator
melanie.sallee@kctcs.edu
859-246-6868

Lexington (Leestown) Campus Program Coordinator

Mrs. Holly Matthews
MSN, BSN, Program Coordinator
holly.matthews@kctcs.edu
859-246-6352

Nursing at the technical level involves the provision of direct care for individuals and is characterized by the application of verified knowledge in the skillful performance of nursing functions. All students should possess sufficient:

1. visual acuity, such as is needed in preparation and administration of medications, and for the observation necessary for patient assessment and nursing care;
2. auditory perception to receive verbal communication from patients and members of the health team and to assess health needs of people through the use of monitoring devices such as cardiac monitors, stethoscopes, IV infusion pumps, Doptones, fire alarms, etc.;
3. gross and fine motor coordination to respond promptly and to implement the skills, including the manipulation of equipment required in meeting health needs;
4. physical strength and endurance to be able to access patients as well as provide patient care for extended periods of time. This may include transporting patients and equipment within a facility, standing or being mobile for 8-12 or more hours, constant standing and walking, lifting up to 50 pounds;
5. communication skills (speech, reading, writing) to interact with individuals and to communicate their needs promptly and effectively, as may be necessary in the individual’s interest; according to KAR 314.051 (1) (c) An applicant is able to understandably speak and write the English language and to read the English language with comprehension; and
6. intellectual and emotional functions to plan and implement care for individuals.

PRACTICAL NURSING FACULTY

Danville Campus

Dr. Melanie Sallee
DNP, RN, Program Coordinator
melanie.sallee@kctcs.edu

Jennifer Carney
BSN, RN, Instructor
jennifer.carney@kctcs.edu

Lorri Phillips
BSN, RN, Instructor
lorri.phillips@kctcs.edu

Lexington Campus

Holly Matthews
MSN, BSN, Program Coordinator
holly.matthews@kctcs.edu

Rachael Clipson
BSN, RN, Instructor
rachael.clipson@kctcs.edu

Maddiline DeWolfe
RN, Instructor
maddie.dewolfe@kctcs.edu

Estimated Expenses for the Practical Nursing Program:

All fees and costs noted below are subject to change without notice. This represents the best estimates at the time this list was prepared.

Benchmark and NCLEX Pass Rates (new window, PDF)

Through a collaborative program with UK HealthCare and Kentucky school districts, get started on a healthcare-focused program at BCTC and earn credits for college and high school graduation at the same time. Learn more about the HealthCare Jumpstart program.

Practical Nursing Program Outcomes

Following completion of the Practical Nursing Program the graduate will: 

1. Promote the human dignity, integrity, self-determination, and personal growth of patients, oneself, and members of the health care team (human flourishing).
   1. Contribute to developing, implementing, and evaluating culturally competent, individualized plans of care focusing on services and activities that promote health and independence, maintain or restore health, or support a peaceful death and advocate for access and quality of care for patients.
   2. Reinforce teaching/learning processes to facilitate the patients informed decision-making to support and achieve positive outcomes that demonstrates respect for diverse patients.
2. Provide a rationale for judgments used in the provision of safe, quality care and for decisions that promote the health of patients within a family context (nursing judgment).
   1. Utilize the nursing process and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs as a basis for clinical judgment to optimize outcomes of care for the patient, family, and community.
   2. Establish and maintain effective/therapeutic communication in collaboration with patients, families, significant others, and members of the health care team;
   3. Provide nursing care through effective organizational skills and appropriate delegation within the scope of practice.
3. Assess how one’s personal strengths and values affect one’s identity as a nurse and one’s contributions as a member of the health care team (professional identity).
   1. Use principles of advocacy, quality, and safety, and caring to assist in improving healthcare outcomes.
   2. Exhibit professional behaviors/practice as defined by the ethical, legal, and regulatory frameworks of nursing.
   3. Employ ethical and responsible use of technology to locate, use, and communicate information to improve the quality and safety of patient care and the life and employability of graduates.
4. Question the basis for nursing actions, considering research, evidence, tradition, and patient preferences (spirit of inquiry).
   1. Consider evidence-based literature/research for use in nursing practice.
   2. Recognize need for continuous learning within the nursing profession.

Practical Nursing Program Philosophy

The statement of philosophy and the objectives of the program are consistent with the philosophy and mission statement of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) and are supported by the works of the National League for Nursing (NLN) Education Competencies, Quality and Safety Education in Nursing (QSEN), and Abraham Maslow. 

Practical Nursing Mission

We prepare graduates for current and future employment, lifelong learning, and independence in an ever-changing healthcare environment.

Practical Nursing Core Values

Core Values are those elements of Practical Nursing that are essential to entry level practical nursing practice and are a part of the four competencies of nursing practice: human flourishing, nursing judgment, professional identity, and spirit of inquiry. Core Values of this program are caring, diversity, excellence, and integrity.