Practical Nursing - STEPS Sessions - June 2021

1. Practical Nursing
Diploma Program
STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE PROGRAM SUCCESS

2. Overview
 3 semester program
 Admission is based on weighted criteria.
 Accelerated Program – most courses are accelerated and are completed in 8
weeks.
 Application Dates
• January 1st - 31st: to apply for a seat in the Summer semester class (May start) at
the Grand Strand campus. 40 students will be accepted to this class.
• May 1st – 31st: to apply for a seat in the Fall semester class (August start) at the
Georgetown campus. 40 students will be accepted to this class.
 Early, late, or incomplete applications will not be reviewed for admission.

3. Application Requirements
 Must be admitted to the College and currently eligible for enrollment.
 Must meet the criteria for either Option A or Option B. More information about these two
options is provided on upcoming slides.
 All applicants must take the TEAS test and meet the minimum score for the either Option A
or Option B. Further information about the TEAS test is provided on upcoming slides.
 All applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.50 on all prerequisite courses completed.
 Applicants must not have more than 1 unsuccessful (D, F, or WF) attempt in a Nursing (PN)
course within the last 2 years (24 months) at HGTC or any other college.
 Applicants must not have been unsuccessful (D, F, W, or WF) in the same Nursing (PN) course
twice within the last 2 years (24 months) at HGTC or any other college.
 Applicants must not have been unsuccessful (D, F, or WF) in two different Nursing (PN)
courses within the last 2 years (24 months) at HGTC or any other college.

4. Option A
To be eligible to apply under Option A you must:
 Have a minimum TEAS score of 65.
AND
 Be eligible to take ENG 101, BIO 210 and MAT 155 based on SAT or ACT scores, Multiple
Measures placement or completion of the required prerequisites to these courses.
AND
 Have a grade of ‘C’ or higher and minimum GPA of 2.50 for all Nursing Core Courses
completed.*
*Students who apply under Option A, must still complete all 5 Nursing Core Courses before graduating from the PN program.
Meaning, if you apply before completing all of the 5 Core Courses, you will need to complete them while in the PN program.

5. Option B
To be eligible to apply under Option B you must:
 Have a minimum TEAS Score of 58.7.
AND
 Complete all 5 Nursing Core Courses (listed on the next slide) with a grade of ‘C’ or higher
and minimum GPA of 2.50.

6. Practical Nursing Core Courses
The following 5 courses must be completed with a grade of ‘C’ or higher, minimum GPA of
2.50 and within the time limits, where indicated:
1. English Composition I (ENG 101)
2. Contemporary Mathematics (MAT 155 or higher – 10 year time limit)
3. General Psychology (PSY 201)
4. Anatomy and Physiology I (BIO 210 - has a prerequisite of BIO 112 or 101)
5. Anatomy and Physiology II (BIO 211 – 5 year time limit*)
*For BIO 211, a 10 year time limit applies to applicants who hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree.

7. TEAS Test
 The Test for Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is a 4-hour computer-based test that covers Reading, Math, English, and
Science, with an additional 30 minutes for a dry run prior to the exam.
 As of March 1, 2021, students will be responsible for paying for the TEAS exam. The TEAS exam is no longer free as of
March 1, 2021. The cost of the TEAS Exam is $87 (includes registration and remote proctoring fees).
 The test is offered remotely on Tuesdays at 9:00 am and on Thursdays at 12:00 pm.
 Testing candidates can only retest every 3 months. Failure to wait three months to retest will cause the new score to
be invalid.
 TEAS scores are valid for 2 years.
 Test prep resources are available at http://libguides.hgtc.edu/testprep/teas.
 To register for the TEAS exam please visit www.atitesting.com. (Detailed instructions on next slide.)
 For questions, contact the HGTC Testing Center at teas-testing@hgtc.edu.

8. TEAS Test
To register for the TEAS exam, go directly to the TEAS website at www.atitesting.com:
1. First, create an account if you are not already a registered user. (For step-by-step directions for creating
an ATI account, click here). Please note, if taking the exam for Horry-Georgetown Technical College,
select Horry-Georgetown Technical, College Grand Strand ADN.
2. Once you have an ATI account, you will need to go to the ATI page to register and pay for the exam. Click
login.
3. Enter your username and password you provided.
4. Click on the link to the online store which is at the top of the ATI homepage.
5. In the navigation pane on the left side of the screen, click Register for TEAS@ATI.
6. You should now be at the registration screen, and you will need to follow the prompts to register and
pay.
7. For questions, contact the HGTC Testing Center at 843-349-5248 or at teas-testing@hgtc.edu.

9. Weighted Criteria for Acceptance
 The scoring criteria on the next slide is used to determine which applicants will be accepted into the Practical
Nursing Diploma program.
 January 1st – 31st Application period: This is to begin the program in the Summer Semester (May start). 40
top-qualified students with the highest number of points will be selected to begin in the Summer semester at
the Grand Strand campus.
 May 1st – 31st Application period: This is to begin in the Fall Semester (August start). 40 top-qualified students
with the highest number of points will be selected to begin in the Fall Semester the Georgetown Campus.
 Acceptance depends on your points vs. the points of the other applicants at that time. Therefore, points
required for acceptance to the program will change with each review period.
 Acceptance into the Practical Nursing program is limited and competitive. There is no guarantee of
acceptance. Your grades are very important. Even though the minimum GPA requirement is 2.50, you should
strive for a much higher GPA.

10. Practical Nursing
Admission Scoring
Criteria
Option A OR Option B
Composite TEAS V
Score of
Points Earned Completed 5 Practical Nursing
core courses GPA
Points Earned
95.1 – 100 10 3.76 – 4.00 GPA 8
90.1 – 95.0 9 3.51 – 3.75 GPA 7
85.1 – 90.0 8 3.26 – 3.50 GPA 6
80.1 – 85.0 7 3.01 – 3.25 GPA 5
75.1 – 80.0 6 2.76 – 3.00 GPA 4
70.1 – 75.0 5 2.51 – 2.75 GPA 3
65.5 – 70.0 4 2.26 – 2.50 GPA 2
65.0 – 65.4 3 2.00 – 2.25 GPA 1
Completed at least 8 credit
hours of the 5 Practical
Nursing core courses (BIO210,
BIO211, ENG101, MAT155 or
equivalent, and PSY201) from
HGTC or CCU
2
Horry or
Georgetown County
Resident (as
established by the
College)
1 Horry or Georgetown County
Resident (as established by the
College)
1
Total Points Total Points

11. Be the BEST Applicant you can be!
Applying with the highest number of points you can obtain is important! Consider these options to increase
your points:
 Retake the TEAS: If your score is not high enough for points or you want to obtain more points for your
score, you can retake the TEAS – just be sure to wait 3 months in between each time you take it.
 Apply for and obtain residency status: If you are not coded as an “In-County resident”, go to
http://www.hgtc.edu/admissions/residency.html to complete a Residency Application. Obtaining a
South Carolina driver’s license and car registration (if the car is in your name) are normally an important
part of this process. Read the application and instructions carefully.
 Apply with the best grades possible: The grades in your prerequisite courses play a large part in PN
acceptance. Strive for A’s to keep your GPA high. If you make C’s in some of your courses, consider
retaking the course(s) to get a higher grade. *Always check with financial aid before retaking courses as
it may affect your Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) if you retake too many or already have W’s, F’s
or D’s in other courses.

12. Requirements AFTER Acceptance
If you are accepted into the program, your acceptance letter will provide detailed instructions and deadlines for completing
the following items. DO NOT complete them before you are instructed. This information is being provided so that you can
plan ahead to cover the costs of these items.
1. Submit a $500.00 tuition deposit to reserve your seat. This is an out-of-pocket expense and not covered by financial aid.
2. Pass Certified Background Check and Drug Screening. The current cost for this is $112.00. The return of an unfavorable CBS and/or UDS
may result in a student being removed from the desired program. Clinical sites/facilities determine applicant’s eligibility to participate in
clinical studies based on their policies. If you complete the background check before being instructed to do so you will have to redo it
and pay the $112 again. The Background Check, drug screening, and payment of $112 will be required each semester while in the
program.
3. Complete a Health Physical and submit proof of required immunizations. (Physical and immunizations costs are your responsibility, so
plan ahead financially.)
4. Show proof of current Health Care Providers CPR. You may take a class through HGTC’s Continuing Education/Workforce Development
Department. You may register online for the course on the HGTC Continuing Education/Workforce Development website. This course
costs approximately $105.00.

13. Program Expenses
 You may view a comprehensive list of program expenses that a student can expect to
incur during enrollment in the Practical Nursing curriculum here.
 Please keep in mind that these figures are approximations and are based on current
costs. Many of these expenses are payable to third parties and subject to change
without notice.
 Tuition is subject to change.
 Supplies and fees: Students will be responsible for items above and beyond tuition,
such as uniforms, clinical supplies, and items needed for projects.

14. PN Program
Schedule
 Practical Nursing is a 3 semester
program. Once accepted you will attend
year round, including summer. Please
plan ahead financially, as you may not
receive financial aid for the summer.
Clinicals will vary by semester but may
require 1-2 days a week. Students may
have to travel up to a 50 mile radius to
fulfill clinical requirements.
 If you have already completed and
passed the core courses, such as ENG
101, PSY 201, BIO 210, etc., prior to
beginning the program, you do not have
to retake them in the program. PNR
prefixed courses are taken in the order
and layout provided, regardless of
previous completion of core courses.
FALL START –
First Semester
BIO 210 Anatomy & Physiology I 4
MAT 155 Contemporary Mathematics 3
PNR 110 Fundamentals of Nursing 5
PNR 120 Medical/Surgical Nursing I 5
PNR 121 Fundamentals Of Pharmacology 2
TOTAL 19
Second Semester
BIO 211 Anatomy & Physiology II 4
PNR 111 Nutrition & Diet Therapies Across the
Lifespan
1
PNR 130 Medical/Surgical Nursing II 5
PNR 154 Maternal/Infant/Child Nursing 5
TOTAL 15
Third Semester
ENG 101 English Composition I 3
PSY 201 General Psychology 3
PNR 140 Medical/Surgical Nursing III 5
PNR 183 Special Topics In PNR 3
TOTAL 15
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS 48
SUMMER START –
First Semester
BIO 210 Anatomy & Physiology I 4
MAT 155 Contemporary Mathematics 3
PNR 110 Fundamentals of Nursing 5
PNR 121 Fundamentals Of Pharmacology 2
TOTAL 14
Second Semester
BIO 211 Anatomy & Physiology II 4
PNR 111 Nutrition & Diet Therapies Across the
Lifespan
1
PNR 120 Medical/Surgical Nursing I 5
PNR 130 Medical/Surgical Nursing II 5
TOTAL 15
Third Semester
ENG 101 English Composition I 3
PSY 201 General Psychology 3
PNR 154 Maternal/Infant/Child Nursing 5
PNR 140 Medical/Surgical Nursing III 5
PNR 183 Special Topics In PNR 3
TOTAL 19
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS 48

15. You have completed the
Practical Nursing STEPS Session!
 HGTC reserves the right to change the program admission
requirements at any time. You will be required to meet the admission
requirements that are in effect at the time you submit your
application.
 Please review the checklist located below this STEPS Session on the
Libguides page and enter the information requested below the
checklist to receive credit for viewing this session.