Department of Nursing and Allied Health Technology
NURSING
Nursing is one of the great caring professions. Enroll in one of CSM's nursing programs and start your career caring directly for patients in a variety of healthcare settings.
Program: Practical Nursing Certificate
A practical nurse functions as a direct care-giver under the supervision of a licensed health care professional. Through this 11-month program, the student is prepared to take the practical nurse licensure examination. The Practical Nursing program is approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing and is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (www.nlnac.org).
Program Description & Courses
Get description and course requirements.
*Note: This is the most up-to-date information available and may not be the same as the printed Academic Catalog.
Specific admissions requirements
This is a competitive admissions program. Students wanting to be admitted to the practical nursing program may petition once per year for FALL admission only.
Students are required to provide proof of immunization status, a completed health form, and a criminal background check at the student's expense. Students may be required to provide proof of health insurance and a negative drug screen at the request of agencies and at the student's expense.
Professional organization resources and certification information
Graduates of the Practical Nursing Certificate Program are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).
Designated Health Manpower Shortage Program
The Practical Nursing Program at CSM has been designated as a Health Manpower Shortage Program. The Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has determined certain health occupations in the state to be in short supply. The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) has designated educational programs that correspond to these health occupations to be eligible for the Health Manpower Shortage Program. This means that Maryland residents living outside Charles, St. Mary's, and Calvert counties who are entering this program, are eligible for in-county tuition rates. Some restrictions apply. Contact the Admissions Office for more information.