The Practical Nursing (PN) program admits students once per year. Applications to the PN program are accepted during the spring for fall admission. Please see the ICC website for the most current deadline.
Applicants should submit the application as well as the three required references to the pre-nursing advisor, Tina Porter, in the Advising Center. Applications can be submitted by mail to:
Tina Porter
Isothermal Community College
P.O. Box 804
Spindale, NC 28160
You need to contact the pre-nursing advisor, Tina Porter, in the Advising Center. You can contact her at 828-395-1621 or tporter@isothermal.edu. You can make an appointment with Mrs. Porter online at http://www.calendly.com/tporter-1
If you have questions regarding the PN program, you may also contact the Director, Stephanie Denison at 828-395-1828 or sdenison@isothermal.edu.
The costs varies year to year.
Students are encouraged to complete the FASFA to help determine eligibility for federal, state, and local financial aid. The FASFA must also be completed for students to be eligible for scholarships and grants.
As a PN student, you may be eligible to receive the McNair Scholarship to cover the cost of textbooks and supplies purchased in the ICC bookstore. Students who live in Polk or Rutherford counties may be eligible for the Powers Scholarship which covers tuition not covered by other financial aid. Please also look into financial aid through WIOA with NC Works.
Yes. Students accepted into the PN program must be listed on the NC Nurse Aid Registry (NCNAR) by the start of class for the first semester of the program. The Director may allow exceptions to this policy in cases of extenuating circumstances on an individual basis.
Class times may vary each semester. In general, there are two class days and two clinical days per week. Most classes are held in the morning with labs and clinical lasting until the late afternoon. See the most current ICC semester schedule for approximate days and times.
Practical Nursing program courses typically meet face-to-face on campus. However, many course components and assignments are online. Students are required to have an Isothermal email account and access to Moodle for each class.
All lecture and lab instruction is held on the Rutherford Learning Center (RLC) campus (top floor of the building on the right). Classroom instruction is held in Room 304. Lab instruction is held in Room 306. Computer based class assignments and all course exams are held in Room 310. Clinicals are held off-campus at local health care facilities.
Class and clinical days and times may change each semester. The class will either be on Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday. The lab and clinical days will be the opposite. For example, if class is on M/W, then clinical will be on T/Th. Due to scheduling, please expect an occasional Friday class or clinical.
Clinical opportunities are scheduled in Rutherford, Polk, Burke, Cleveland, and McDowell counties. Students report to area hospitals, clinics, and long term care facilities. We cannot promise to place you in clinical close to your home. In addition, we cannot promise that students who ride-share will be placed at the same clinical site.
Yes, all students accepted into the PN program are expected to wear the PN program clinical uniform. Each student will be given a list of the items required. The uniform must be purchased through SDF Fashions, Shelby. Other items can be purchased here as well or wherever the student chooses.
It is not required for our program, but you are still responsible for any health care costs related to any accident or injury that may occur in a clinical setting. Therefore, it is highly recommended that students have personal health insurance.
No, Malpractice insurance is provided for you by Isothermal Community College while you are a student.
Yes, that information will be given to you after acceptance into the program. Isothermal Community College does not require a criminal background check for admission into the program. However, to attend clinical, students must complete a criminal background check and drug screen. Clinical agencies may disallow attendance at their facility based on results of the background report and drug screen. Any student who is refused by a clinical site for any reason will not be allowed continue in the nursing course. To practice nursing in North Carolina, a nurse must have a background report free of activity related to abuse, fraud, illicit substances, etc. If you have questions regarding this, you may contact the NC Board of Nursing (NCBON).
Yes, you must be able to successfully navigate Moodle and other computer systems required by the program. You will be required to complete a computer tutorial at the beginning to assess/confirm your computer knowledge.
You may be able to purchase a computer in the ICC bookstore with your financial aid. Computers may also be available for loan from the college. In addition, students may use the computers lab on the RLC campus or on the main campus. There are also computers available for student use in the ICC library.
The PN program is academically challenging and time consuming. You will need to fully commit yourself to your success. Here are our strongest recommendations: