The Practical Nursing Program is a fully accredited program that is an integral part of Sitting Bull College. This technical program exists to create the vision and behavior of a balanced, responsible, holistic health care practitioner. The primary aim of this program is to facilitate the development of competent practical nurses prepared to serve in an evolving health care environment.

Requirements

• Prerequisites for entry to the nursing courses with NURS 205 Basic Pharmacology for Nurses and above require the student to submit a formal application for admission to the nursing division and provide proof of current certification in Basic Life Support and AED for Healthcare Providers.
• All students in the nursing program must have a C or above in BIOL 220 Anatomy & Physiology I, BIOL 230 Anatomy & Physiology II, BIOL 202 Microbiology, HPER 200 Nutrition, NURS 101 Introduction to the Nursing Profession, PSYC 111 Introduction to Psychology with a cumulative GPA of 2.3 or higher prior to registering in NURS 206 Fundamental Nursing Interventions.
• All students in the nursing program will be required to complete a background check, a physical exam including current TB testing, periodic drug screening, and documentation of immunization status. This will be required prior to taking NURS 206C Fundamental Nursing InterventionsNursing Practice Experience. The criminal background check may be completed during NURS 206 Fundamental Nursing Interventions. Criminal background checks and periodic drug screenings will be done as needed for clinical placements and as determined by the program faculty.
• All students in the nursing program must complete Core Requirements with a C or above and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.3 or greater to remain in the program.
• Transfer students must take NURS 205 Basic Pharmacology for Nurses and above at Sitting Bull College to complete the nursing degree from Sitting Bull College.

Admission Requirements

Admission into the Division of Nursing degree program is not automatic. Declaring nursing as a major does not guarantee acceptance into the formal program. All students must apply and be accepted into the formal program prior to taking NURS 206C Fundamental Nursing InterventionsNursing Practice Experience.

Formal Program Admission Requirements

1. Admission to Sitting Bull College
2. A grade of C or higher in the prerequisite courses: BIOL 220 Anatomy & Physiology I, BIOL 230 Anatomy & Physiology II, BIOL 202 Microbiology, NURS 101 Introduction to the Nursing Profession, PSYC 111 Introduction to Psychology, HPER 200 Nutrition. Note: Enrollment in BIOL 230 Anatomy & Physiology II and BIOL 202 Microbiology may be concurrent with application for admission to the program.
3. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.3 or better.
   Conditional admission may be granted to a student with a cumulative GPA of less than 2.3 upon review by the Nursing Department faculty and the Director of the Nursing Department. If conditional admission is granted, the student may be required to retake courses and complete other work. A conditional student will be required to raise cumulative GPA to 2.3 or higher.
4. Submission of a formal letter requesting admission to the nursing program. This letter must be accompanied by two letters of recommendation – one of which must be from a Sitting Bull College faculty member who has had the student as a student in class.
5. An interview with the nursing faculty may be required.
6. Documentation of possession of the physical capabilities to perform in the role of health care professional as demonstrated by submitting a record of a current (within three months of application) physical examination.
7. Documentation of health requirements as outlined in the nursing student handbook.
8. Documentation of current certification in Basic Life Support and AED for Healthcare Providers. Students will be required to keep these certifications current during their time in the nursing program. The student must provide the nursing director with a photocopy of their certificates each time they renew them.
9. Federal Criminal Background Check. A Federal Criminal Background Check will be done no later than the first month of classes after admission to the nursing program.
10. Tribal Background Check may be requested due to clinical agency requests or other circumstances. (If this check is requested it is done at the student’s own expense.)

Once accepted into a Division of Nursing program, a candidate must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 2.3 or greater in order to remain in the program.

Transfer Students and Certificate LPNS

The admission requirements for the formal nursing program must be met by transferring students and certificate LPNs. In addition, the student must provide official transcripts from their previous course work. Students may be required to repeat some courses to ensure their success in this program.

A review of the student’s skill competency will be part of the admission process.

Transfer students must take NURS 205 Basic Pharmacology for Nurses and above at Sitting Bull College to complete the nursing degree from Sitting Bull College.

Student Clinical Experiences

The Division of Nursing makes every effort to place students in a setting with the least hardship for the student. However, any student who does not meet the requirements for placement with the clinical agencies will be unable to continue in the formal nursing program.

Students must pass the clinical component of each nursing course in order to successfully pass the course. If a student fails in the clinical setting, they fail the course. Note: Any student who misses two clinicals fails the course and must repeat the entire course.

In addition, if a student fails to complete a major assignment, they also fail the course, regardless of the number of points earned in the course. All major assignments must be completed and passed to pass the course.

Any student who fails a nursing course two (2) times or two (2) or more nursing courses in the same semester must reapply for admission to the nursing program.

Readmission to the Formal Program

Students who have been accepted into the formal nursing program and fail to progress through their core NURS courses (NURS 205 Basic Pharmacology for Nurses and above) may apply for readmission. They must meet the admission requirements for the formal nursing program at the time of reapplication. A review of their skills competency will be part of the readmission process.

Students may apply for readmission one time only. A second fail from the formal nursing program precludes the student from further involvement with the nursing degree at Sitting Bull College.

Other Issues to Consider

• At times candidates will be required to attend classes during the day, evening, and weekends.
• Full-time, daytime attendance will be required at various times of your program.
• Graduation from the program does not guarantee licensure to practice.

1. The student will practice holistic, safe, technical nursing care in meeting the health care needs of individuals and families across the lifespan, regardless of cultural background.
2. The student will demonstrate technical level skill in critical thinking, communication, and therapeutic nursing interventions.
3. The student will utilize the nursing process to give culturally focused care.
4. The student will function as a member of the health care team contributing on integrated client-centered health care plans across multiple disciplines.
5. The student will practice within the ethical and legal guidelines of the Nurse Practices Act.
6. The student will demonstrate leadership skills consistent with the role of a practical nurse in collaboration with registered nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, or licensed practitioners.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
General Education Requirements
ENGL 110	Composition I	3
ENGL 120	Composition II	3
COMM 110	Fundamentals of Public Speaking	3
MATH 102	Intermediate Algebra	4
PSYC 100	First Year Learning Experience	3
SOC 120	Transitions-Graduation & Beyond	2
NAS 101	Ochethi Sakowin Language for Beginners	3
or NAS 103	Introduction to Ochethi Sakowin Language, Culture & History
CSCI 101	Introduction to Computers	3
HPER 200	Nutrition	2
PSYC 111	Introduction to Psychology	3
BIOL 220	Anatomy & Physiology I	4
Core Requirements
BIOL 202	Microbiology	4
BIOL 230	Anatomy & Physiology II	4
NURS 101	Introduction to the Nursing Profession	1
NURS 201	Holistic Health Assessment Across the Lifespan	3
NURS 205	Basic Pharmacology for Nurses	2
NURS 206	Fundamental Nursing Interventions	3
NURS 206C	Fundamental Nursing InterventionsNursing Practice Experience	1
NURS 231	Mental Health/Behavioral Health Nursing	2
NURS 245	Nursing Care of Families	4
NURS 246	Nursing Care Across the Lifespan	9
NURS 297	Capstone Experience in Nursing	1
PSYC 250	Developmental Psychology	3
Total Hours		70