COMPETENCIES AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Students who wish to qualify for admission and progression in the practical nursing program must meet both academic and performance requirements.

Academic requirements are described in the student handbook policies. In addition, the student must satisfy performance standards. These performance standards include motor skills, physical stamina, mobility, hearing, visual tactile, reading, arithmetic competence, emotional stability, analytical thinking, interpersonal skills, and communication skills.

Students must satisfy the following competencies and performance standards:

Motor skills: Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective nursing care.

• Examples: Positioning clients; obtaining and processing specimens, calibrating and properly using equipment; insert catheters; administer injections; use a computer; twist or squeeze with fingers; stand and maintain balance; reach and bend; move within confined spaces.

Physical strength and endurance: Physical stamina sufficient to perform full range of required client care activities for entire length of work role.

• Examples: Sustain repetitive movements; maintain physical tolerance; lift; push and pull; support 25 pounds; move heavy objects weighing 10-50 pounds; defend self against combative client; carry equipment; use upper body strength.

Mobility: Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces.

• Examples: Twist, bend, stoop/squat, move quickly, climb and walk.

Hearing: Auditory ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in providing nursing care in a timely manner.

• Examples: Ability to detect auditory alarms, cries for help, and auscultatory sounds; ability to hear in situations when not able to see lips of speaker; ability to hear sounds of a normal or faint volume level.

Visual: Ability sufficient for accurate observation and assessment necessary for nursing care.

• Examples: Read graphs, scales, computer screens, oscilloscopes, or microscopes; distinguish colors and intensity; prepare and administer medications; observe client responses.

Tactile: Ability sufficient for physical monitoring and assessment of health care needs.

• Examples: Perform palpation; detect heat and cold; ability to perform functions of physical exam and/or those activities related to therapeutic interventions such as catheter insertion.

Reading: Ability to read and understand written documents.

• Examples: Read and understand policies, procedures, patient charts and medication administration records (MARs).

Arithmetic: Ability to perform computations at a minimum of an eighth grade level.

• Examples: Counting, measuring, and performing mathematical calculations.

Emotional stability: Able to assume responsibility and accountability for own actions.

• Examples: Establish therapeutic boundaries; provide client with emotional support; adapt to stress; deal with the unexpected; perform multiple responsibilities concurrently; handle strong emotion.

Analytical thinking: Reasoning skills sufficient to perform deductive/inductive thinking for nursing decisions.

• Examples: Process information; evaluate outcomes; problem-solve; prioritize tasks; use short and long term memory.

Interpersonal skills: Able to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.

• Examples: Negotiate interpersonal conflict; respect differences in clients; establish rapport with clients and co-workers; respect the cultural diversity of clients and co-workers.

Communication: Abilities sufficient for interaction with others in both verbal and written English; ability to operate information technology systems.

• Examples: Teach client and family; explain procedures; give oral reports; interact with others; speak on telephone; influence people; direct activities of others; convey information through writing.

PLEASE REVIEW THE ABOVE COMPETENCIES AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS. PLEASE DISCUSS ANY CONCERNS WITH THE PROGRAM COORDINATOR OR FACULTY.

 

1232 Clock hour certificate program

Monday - Thursday - 8:00am-5:00pm (varies with clinicals)

Definition of Practical Nursing as described in the Nurse Practice Act:
“The performance for compensation of selected acts for the promotion of health and in the care of persons who are ill, injured, or experiencing alterations in normal health processes. Such performance requires substantial specialized skill, judgment, and knowledge. All such nursing care shall be given under the direction of a person licensed by the state regulatory board to prescribe medications and treatments or under the direction of a registered professional nurse.”

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) care for the sick, injured, convalescing, and handicapped under the direction of physicians and registered nurses. Practical nursing graduates are highly sought after and upon successful completion of licensure exam are recruited nationwide. Achieving LPN status initiates a nursing career for many graduates, and for others may represent the first step to an advanced nursing career.

Approval and Accreditation: Organized in September 1957, the Franklin Technology Center (FTC) Practical Nursing program is the second oldest program in Missouri. The program is fully approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing and is currently accredited through Council of Occupational Education (COE).

You may contact the Missouri State Board of Nursing at:
P.O. Box 656, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0656 – Telephone (573) 751-0080.

The goal of the program is to prepare students for the NCLEX-PN licensing exam which is scheduled upon successful completion of the course. Graduation from the nursing program does not guarantee eligibility to take the licensure exam. The Missouri State Board of Nursing determines eligibility for testing:

State of Missouri Nursing Practice Act Issued by Missouri State Board of Nursing:
Reference to Nursing Practice Act 335.066. Denial, revocation, or suspension of license, grounds for, civil immunity for providing information-complaint procedures. Excerpt:

    1.    The board may refuse to issue or reinstate any certificate of registration or authority, permit or license required pursuant to chapter 335 for one of any combination of causes stated in subsection 2 of this section or the board may, as a condition to issuing or reinstating any such permit or license, require a person to submit himself or herself for identification, intervention, treatment, or rehabilitation by the impaired nurse program as provided in section 335.067. The board shall notify the applicant in writing of the reasons for the refusal and shall advise the applicant of his or her right to file a complaint with the administrative hearing commission as provided by chapter 621, RSMo.

 

Curriculum Plan: The Practical Nursing program is a 1232 clock hour program with students beginning in August of each year and graduating in May.  Classes are held Monday through Thursday.  This intense, accelerated program requires students to attend class and stay up-to-date with assignments and lecture material.  Attendance is monitored closely as success is directly related to the students’ participation. 

 

Quality classroom instruction is combined with sound clinical laboratory experience in the curriculum content areas of Anatomy & Physiology, Personal & Vocational Concepts, Fundamentals of Nursing, Pharmacology & IV Therapy, Nutrition, Nursing of Adults, Maternal-Newborn Nursing, and Nursing of Children.                                                  

 

Admission Criteria:  Completion of an application with $70 non-refundable fee submitted, official high school or GED/High School Equivalency Test (HSE) transcripts, completion of the TEAS entrance exam, and a scored interview with the coordinator and instructor(s). Submission of a clear Background Check & Drug Screening as well as the candidate’s immunization record is required. See Admission procedure and immunization requirements.

 

Advanced Placement:  The FTC Practical Nursing program does not offer advanced placement for admission to students who have previously completed college level Anatomy & Physiology or Nutrition courses. 

 

Additional Admission Requirements: Applicants must present a current American Heart Association CPR card by July 28, 2025. In addition, the applicant must present with a negative drug screen and an acceptable criminal background check and Missouri Disqualification List to be accepted into the program. Once accepted into the program, the applicant must provide documentation for required immunizations and health screenings (Hepatitis B, Tdap, MMR, Varicella, Influenza and TB). 3 doses of Hep B & a positive titer, a Tdap within the last 10 years, 2 doses of MMR or a positive titer, 2 doses of Varicella or a positive titer. 2, 2-step TB skin tests or a TB blood test (TB Gold or T-spot). The COVID-19 vaccination and influenza vaccination are not required for entrance into the program. However, an exemption for each vaccination is required for most of FTC’s cooperating clinical agencies. Exemptions cannot be requested until after acceptance into the program. See the FTC Practical Nursing Immunization form. Please note: the FTC Practical Nursing Immunization Form must be completed by a health care professional and not the applicant.

 

Student Services:  A variety of student services are available to Practical Nursing students including Financial Aid assistance and vocational guidance and placement.

 

Tuition Withdrawal Policy:  Practical Nursing students are subject to the FTC Tuition Withdrawal Policy section of the FTC Student Handbook which is located in the Forms & Documents section of the FTC website at franklintechnologycenter.com.

 

Nondiscrimination Policy:  Franklin Technology Center endorses and practices the principle of equal education and employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, national origin, age or non-job related handicap or disability in the education programs, services or activities it operates.

** Instruction subject to change, as determined by FTC.

 

Practical Nursing Program Application Procedure

Step 1

Submit Application with fee to Franklin Technology Center

In order to be considered for admission into Practical Nursing program, the first step in the process is to receive an application packet and complete the following:

·         Read the program sheet

·         Review program cost sheet and keep a copy (Important: The school reserves the right to adjust program tuition and fees prior to the start of the program.)

·         Review Competencies & Performance Standards

·         Complete and sign application form

·         Return signed application form, consent forms, and the non-refundable $70 application fee to Franklin Technology Center 810 S Wall Ave. Joplin, MO 64801, NO later than April 21, 2025.

 

Step 2

Transcripts

Once you have completed Step 1, you will be asked to provide the following by NO later than April 21, 2025.

·         Official high school or GED/HiSET transcripts. It is your responsibility to request your transcript from the High School you graduated from or the state you received your GED/HiSET from. Please have requested copies mailed to:

Franklin Technology Center

810 S Wall Ave

Joplin, MO 64801

 

Step 3

Financial Aid

·         FAFSA must be completed by April 28, 2025 at 3 pm to be considered for the program.

·         The FAFSA must be completed online at studentaid.gov.  You may call the financial aid coordinator at 417-680-0004, ext. 2062 if you need assistance completing the FAFSA.

·         If you have a previous loan that was in default status, but have completed the requirements to take care of the default status, you MUST provide the financial aid coordinator with a letter from the State Department of Education confirming that your loan is no longer in default status. Failure to do so will result in your name being removed from the applicant pool.

·         All applicants must make initial contact with the financial aid coordinator by May 8, 2025 to be considered for the program, even if you are not planning to use financial aid monies to pay for the program. You can contact the financial aid coordinator at 417-680-0004, ext. 2062.

 

Step 4

Exam

The Practical Nursing Coordinator will contact you via email with information for scheduling the TEAS entrance examination. The non-refundable application fee will cover the cost of the exam for the first attempt only.

· Applicants will take the TEAS examination with Franklin Technology Center

  o    Applicants may take the exam multiple times and submit their highest score

•   The TEAS exam score transcript must be dated within the previous 6 months of    the deadline date. 
•   Applicants must pay non-refundable $80 for each attempt following the first
• --The applicant must contact the FTC office to arrange payment. 
• If an applicant must reschedule an exam due to a conflict of schedule, or an illness a $10 rescheduling fee will apply
• --It is the responsibility of the applicant to notify Franklin Technology Center of the need to reschedule the exam before 7:00 am on the morning of the exam. If no notification is received then it is considered a No Call-No show
•   No Call-No Show to the exam is considered forfeiture of application
•   Not setting up an ati account before the exam is considered forfeiture of application and an $80 fee applies to reschedule the TEAS exam. 
•   Deadline to submit TEAS score is April 29, 2025

·         Applicants will take the Franklin Technology Center paper-pencil math exam with the first attempt of the TEAS exam. 

o    Only one attempt will be allowed for this exam

•   Points are awarded for the paper-pencil math exam as follows. 

       --  5 pts. for 92%-100%

       --  3 pts. for 82%-91%

       --  1 pt. for 72%-81%

       --  0 pt. below 72%

 

There are TEAS study guides available for purchase at atitesting.com/teas/study-manual. You can also seek assistance from Adult Education & Literacy of Joplin.

 

Adult Education & Literacy

Linda Dishman, Director

123 Main St.

Joplin, MO 64801

417-625-5263

Email: lindadishman@joplinschools.org

 

Step 5

Interview

Following a paid application, the Practical Nursing Coordinator will contact you with information on scheduling a scored interview with the Practical Nursing Coordinator and other faculty member(s). Business casual dress is expected. A No-Call-No-Show to the interview is considered forfeiture of application to the program. A deduction of 5 points to the applicant’s overall score will occur with each instance of rescheduling the interview or arriving late to the interview.

 

Step 6

Provisional Acceptance

The Nursing Faculty will select the incoming class from the pool of applicants who have met the benchmark for the overall applicant score determined by the Nursing Faculty and returned all required forms/documents by the deadline dates listed above. Students will be notified via e-mail regarding their admission status.

 

All other applicants meeting the overall benchmark score will be placed on an alternate list by numerical ranking. These applicants will be notified via email that they have been selected for the alternate list.

 

Step 7

Screenings

Upon provisional acceptance the Practical Nursing Coordinator will make contact via email in regard to the enrollment day and the orientation day.

These days will include information in regard to completing the drug and background screening and program specifics. The fees for the background check and drug screening must be paid by July 24, 2025 at 2 pm to Franklin Technology Center Adult Education.

 

Step 8

Enrollment & Orientation

All students will be required to attend an enrollment day and an orientation day prior to the first day of class. Students will be contacted regarding program-specific enrollment and orientation date, time and location after acceptance via email.

 

Please direct all correspondence and inquiries to:

Franklin Technology Center

810 S. Wall Avenue

Joplin, MO 64801

Telephone: 417-680-0004

Fax: 417-680-0005

*Disclaimer: The programs and courses require a minimum number of students in order for the classes to be offered.

FRANKLIN TECHNOLOGY CENTER

Practical Nursing

 

Beginning date:  August 4, 2025  ~     Ending Date:  May 21, 2026

Non-Refundable Application Fee of $70.00 is required prior to acceptance into program.

 

Tuition**:  $13,836.00

Supplies, Books, and Fees**:  $3,618.00

 GRAND TOTAL:  $17,454.00

 

Revised 12/2024

**Fees subject to change 

  

Tuition Withdrawal Policy

A Title IV refund is completed on all financial aid recipients.  The Title IV refund is calculated per payment period.  If a student completes 60% of a payment period, a Title IV refund is not required.

NOTE:  Any Title IV financial aid returned by FTC to the Direct Loan(s) and/or the US Dept. of Ed for Pell Grants will be charged back to the students account and will be his/her responsibility.

Institutional charges are due as follows:  Days=class days

 

·   Before class begins or class is cancelled- 100% of tuition is refunded*

·   Student withdraws on the 1st day of class- Total amount, less $100 refunded*

·   Student withdraws from the 2nd day through the 4th day of the pay period- 98% of tuition refunded*

·   Student withdraws from the 5th day through the 9th day of the pay period- 95% of tuition refunded*

·   Student withdraws from the 10th day through the 15th day of the pay period- 90% of tuition refunded*

·   Student withdraws from the 16th day through the 21st day of the pay period- 80% of tuition refunded*

·   Student withdraws from the 22nd day through the 30th day of the pay period- 60% of tuition refunded*

·   Student withdraws after 30th day of pay period- 0% of tuition refunded*

 

All costs including tuition, books, and supplies are considered institutional costs and are figured in the refund calculation.  *Fees, books, and supply fees will be assessed on usage.

All Credit balances must be eliminated before a Title IV refund calculation can be performed.

All Students completing a withdrawal form and received a Direct loan are required to complete an exit counseling session online at www.nslds.ed.gov

School will determine the student's withdrawal date as the last date the student ceased attendance.

All Title IV funds WILL BE RETURNED no later than 45 days after it determines the student withdrew.

NOTE:  If a student withdraws (a leave of absence is not included) from a program and wishes to re-enter at a later time, he/she will be responsible for any previous tuition, books, and fees owed and any additional and/or increased tuition, books, and fees of the rear re-entered.  If tuition has increased the student will be responsible for the additional costs.  The re-entry request must be approved by the program Coordinator and Director of FTC before a student can begin in the program.  If a student withdraws twice from any program at FTC he/she will not be allowed to re-enter ANY FTC program. 

 

 

 

SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND DRUG TESTING POLICY

Franklin Technology Center
Practical Nursing program

The Practical Nursing program adheres to the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989. Students accepted into the program are required to follow the drug screening policy as stated below:

1. Use or suspected use of intoxicants or controlled substance and/or unlawful possession of any illegal or controlled substance during school or clinical hours or during any school related/sponsored activity shall subject a student to dismissal from the program. The student must submit to a drug or alcohol screen according to faculty instruction and within the time frame directed by the same. If the student refuses to complete a drug or alcohol screen, the student will be assumed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Failure to comply with required testing will result in dismissal from the program. Not providing a specimen within a timely manner, or submitting an altered, diluted or substituted specimen will be grounds for immediate dismissal from the program.

2. FTC Practical Nursing program reserves the right to perform unscheduled or random drug screens in order to comply with clinical site requirements and assure that students are not under the influence of intoxicants or illegal or controlled substances.

All offers of acceptance into the Practical Nursing program are made as conditional offers. The conditions include a satisfactory background check and negative drug screen. Acceptance into the program will be denied if there is refusal to read and sign the drug screen consent form, if an applicant is found in possession of specimen altering devices if applicant is unable to provide a specimen in a timely manner, or for submitting an altered/substituted specimen.

To ensure compliance with the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, nursing students will be tested as a condition of admission to the Practical Nursing program, upon reasonable suspicion, and post-accident or post-injury. (See FTC and Practical Nursing Student Handbooks for additional information.)

Students must abide by the terms of the above policy and must report any conviction under a criminal drug statute for violations occurring on or off College premises. A conviction must be reported within five (5) days after the conviction. Students convicted of involvement in a criminal drug offense will be dismissed from the nursing program.