Practical Nurse (PN) Diploma Program

The blended distance curriculum consists of twenty-eight (28) semester credits of nursing core coursework and fourteen (14) semester credits of general education and is delivered over forty-five (45) academic weeks. Learners are required to take the nursing courses in the sequence prescribed. The PN Diploma Program requires a total of forty-two (42) semester credits for graduation.

Note: All didactic instruction takes place online. These rotations are for supervised on-ground field experiences only, where learners practically apply the theories and skills they have previously learned through their online didactic courses. No original instruction takes place anywhere on-ground in Nightingale College’s programs.

The program is designed to be completed within three (3) academic semesters. However, it may take longer to complete if learners elect to take GE courses at institutions of higher learning that require prerequisites to the Program’s mandatory GE coursework.

Learners who have not completed any general education requirements and elect to complete all GE coursework at the College can complete the program within three semesters. Nightingale College’s PN Diploma Program has three start dates per year that enroll in the spring, summer, and fall semesters.

Note: All didactic instruction is delivered via online learning modalities. However, the College may require learners to attend didactic instruction in any course on-ground. All experiential learning for the core nursing courses takes place on-ground at a variety of experiential learning sites. For learner residency and course delivery modalities definitions, see the Learner Residency and Course Delivery Modalities section of the catalog.

According to the grading system and grading scale, a passing grade of at least “C” or higher is required in all courses. Completion of all learning activities, as prescribed by a course syllabus, including assignments, quizzes, and remediation, is required to pass the course. Failure to complete any required learning activity will result in a failure of a course. Any course with a failing grade must be repeated before progressing in the academic program.

Questions regarding admissions into the program or financial aid, speak directly with an Admissions or Financial Aid advisor at 801-689-2160. For more information, check and download our complete College Catalog.

A total of 42 semester credits are required for completion, consisting of 6 lower-division core nursing courses, comprised of 28 academic semester credits delivered over three academic semesters, and 4 GE courses, comprised of 14 semester credits taken concurrently with the core nursing courses. Other general education and elective courses are available for learners who transfer in the required GE credits (or for any learner who is interested in taking these unrequired courses), provided there is room within the individual’s semester credit load.

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The curriculum is specifically constructed to promote career mobility in nursing. The curriculum in the PN Diploma Program is concept based instead of content based. Learners will apply concepts to a variety of systems and disease processes, and critically reason through situations by concept.

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The College does offer prerequisites with the General Education (GE) courses. Required classes for admittance into the programs may be found in the College Catalog.

Note: Prerequisites are defined as courses that must be completed prior to enrollment into the given course. Corequisites are defined as courses that must be completed either prior to or concurrently with the given course.