Practical Nursing
The practical nursing program prepares graduates to take the state exam to become a licensed practical nurse. This program prepares students to work in a variety of settings such as long-term care facilities, rehabilitation facilities, doctor’s offices and home health care. Practical nurses assist physicians and registered nurses in the modifications of patient care plans, perform basic tests and assist with medications and other treatments. The program maintains a standard of 75% pass rate for all nursing courses. The first-time pass rates for graduates taking the state exam exceed the state and national averages.
The Nursing Schools Almanac currently ranks SC4 as the 10th best nursing school in the Detroit metropolitan area among both two- and four-year institutions. It’s ranked No. 4 among community colleges in Michigan.
This link will take you to the current working catalog. On that page, you may also select other available catalog years from the drop-down menu located in the upper right.
Program Cost: Tuition and fees can be found on the Tuition page. Please note there are additional cost for books, uniforms, graduation pins, and the NCLEX exam/license application to consider.
This program may be eligible for funding assistance through MichiganWorks! Call (810) 966-3300 for details.
Fall 2024 Admission Criteria
| Type | Weight | Criteria | Detail | Maximum potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merit | 25% | GPA (minimum 2.7) | GPA truncated to the tenth place Multiple college GPAs are averaged High School GPA is used if no college classes have been taken Minimum 2.5 | 4.0 |
| Merit | 25% | Number of credits toward degree | Courses counted are HE 101, HE 102, ENG 101 (or ENG 100), BIO 160 (or BIO 271/272 – average of both grades is used) | 10 |
| Merit | 50% | HESI score average | Minimum score in all areas tested- 70 average score of tested areas: grammar, reading comprehension, vocabulary, and math. Anatomy and physiology are tested, not part of admission score. | 100 |
| Experience | n/a | Healthcare experience | Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and Patient Care Technician (PCT). Other certifications may apply with approval from the program director. Email certificate to nursing@sc4.edu. | 3 |
Fall 2023 Admission Criteria
Complete the Nursing Program Application (Health Sciences application).
The application deadline for the Practical Nursing Program has been changed to Sept. 1.
The LPN program at St. Clair County Community College has a competitive pre-admission score. The score is based on a point calculation of the following:
| Criteria | Description | Point calculation |
|---|---|---|
| GPA - overall No rounding up on GPA GPAs from more than one college will be averaged together High School GPA will ONLY be used if no college classes taken 2.5 GPA required | GPA Points 3.8-4.0 25 3.5-3.7 20 3.2-3.4 15 2.9-3.1 10 2.6-2.8 5 2.5 0 (minimum required) | Points ____________ |
| Recommended college classes 5 points for each of the 4 courses with B- or better 2 points for each of the 4 courses with C or C+ | HE-101 HE-102 ENG-101 BIO-160 (or BIO 271/171 and 272/172) | Points ____________ |
| HESI testing HESI minimum score in each area - 70 HESI pre-admission test will measure reading comprehension, vocabulary, English and math A & P will be tested, but not counted Watch the The Pier for dates. The English composite score and math score will be used for points | English language composite score 91-100 6 points 80-90 5 points 75-79 4 points Math score 96-100 5 points 91-95 4 points 86-90 3 points 81-85 2 points 75-80 1 points | Points ____________ |
| Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Certification Three points for current CNA certification. Must submit proof of current CNA certification with allied health application. | CNA | Points ____________ |
Steps to apply for SC4 Nursing programs
- Apply to SC4
- Apply to a specific health sciences program
- Attend a mandatory group advising session (View upcoming dates and times below.)
Practical Nursing Group Advising Sessions
Attending a mandatory Group Advising Session is an important step toward attaining a nursing degree. Please choose the session(s) applicable to your goal and click on the applicable link below at the time listed. Please give yourself time to download and set up the Microsoft Teams app on your computer or device.
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| January 17, 2024 | 10 to 11 a.m. | Join Microsoft Teams |
| January 17, 2024 | 5 to 6 p.m. | Join Microsoft Teams |
| March 7, 2024 | 3 to 4 p.m. | Join Microsoft Teams |
| April 12, 2024 | 10 to 11 a.m. | Join Microsoft Teams |
| June 18, 2024 | 5 to 6 p.m. | Join Microsoft Teams |
| August 7, 2024 | 10 to 11 a.m. | Join Microsoft Teams |
| November 21, 2024 | 10 to 11 a.m. | Join Microsoft Teams |
For academic programs leading to professional licensure
SC4 Health Sciences Programs prepare students for State and National exams leading to professional licensure. Please be aware that additional steps (background checks, applications, fees, etc.) may be required to apply for licensing in the state of Michigan or other states. It is recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing agency in your state if you are considering an academic program leading to a professional license. To easily find professional nursing licensure requirements (RN and APRN programs), please visit the website of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. and select the states/jurisdictions where you want to know their professional licensure requirements. It is your responsibility to understand the requirements in your state of residence.
Technology requirements
Following are the technology requirements for taking an online course at SC4:
- A Microsoft Office 365 compatible laptop or PC with a webcam and microphone.
- Minimum iOS to support the learning management system (LMS) Canvas and the lockdown browser for testing.
- Reliable Internet access (dial-up supported, but Cable or DSL (Broadband) preferred)
- Updated anti-virus software
Please refer to the Online Classes page to review supported browsers and a more detailed list of hardware and software applicable to different systems.
Frequently asked questions:
Questions about HESI Testing?
