Practical Nursing Programs

Upon successful completion of the program the student will:

1. Apply the nursing process to the care of culturally diverse clients who have common, well-defined health care needs throughout the lifespan.

2. Use therapeutic communication in all interactions with clients, groups of clients, and members of the interdisciplinary team.

3. Apply principles from the physical, biological and social sciences and nursing theory in the provision of competent nursing care.

4. Manage the nursing care of individuals with common, well-defined health care needs in structured settings in accordance with ethical, legal and professional standards.

5. Implement goal-oriented education plans to promote the health of individual clients or groups of clients.

Students are expected to meet attendance and evidence of health and immunization requirements and maintain a course average of 78%, current certification in Basic Life Support of Health Care Providers, Health Insurance Coverage, and Student Nurse Liability Insurance.

Candidates for admission to the practical nursing program are required to:
1. Take a Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam Version VI administered at Tri-County. The following minimum individual scores must be attained.

Reading 64.3% Math 46.7%
Science 35.4% English 56.7%

2. Upon passing the TEAS Test applicants will complete and submit an application form along with a non-refundable $25.00 application fee.
3. Provide three references. References are to be professional: either current or former supervisor, employer, or instructor.
4. Submit a 250 word hand written essay.
5. Provide satisfactory evidence of high school graduation or its equivalent. No photocopies will be accepted.

For students that attended high school outside of the United States, your high school transcript must be translated by the:

Center for Educational Documentation (CED)
PO Box 170116
Boston, MA 02117
Tel: (617) 338.7171
http://www.cedevaluations.com

Candidates are responsible for all fees and expenses associated with the translation of their transcripts.

6. Candidates must be at least 18 years of age before entrance into the program. Proof of age is required with a birth certificate.
7. Interview with the director of the Practical Nursing Program.
8. Meet all technical standards of the program listed on the following page.
9. Completed applications will be reviewed by the Admission Committee on the last working day of March. Acceptance letters will be mailed in April.
10. Enrollment in the program is dependent upon the submission of all required documents, fees and Health and Immunization Requirements by August 31. Applicants must submit to a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) release at Orientation. Enrollment in the program will be dependent upon the CORI results.
11. Show evidence of compliance with MA Department of Health Immunizations requirements.

Health Record Management and Tracking Service
The Tri-County Practical Nursing Program requires all enrolled students to utilize
the health record management and tracking service, Pre-check, for all required health
documents. Pre-Check is affiliated with Sentry MD, which does the actual record
tracking. The cost to the student for this service is $29.50 one year program and
$35.00 for two-year program.

All enrolled students must also utilize Pre-Check for their mandatory 10-panel drug screening. The cost to the student is $42.00/annually. Students will have a wide variety of collection sites available that will provide easy access for drug screening.

Please note that students will not be eligible to enter the program without the required immunizations and health documents.

12. Presentation of a Photo ID

Additional required documentation will be detailed upon acceptance into the program.

As part of the pre-admission process for the Tri-County Practical Nursing Program, applicants must take the TEAS Exam, Test of Essential Academic Skills, as entrance exam for the Practical Nursing Program.

Pre-Admission Exam Scores:
Reading- 64.3%         
Math – 46.7%
 Science – 35.4%
English- 56.7%

TEAS Exam Preparation and Review Program (Optional)

Tri-County offers an optional TEAS Exam Review program each September to help those preparing for the Practical Nursing entrance exam. Registration for this exam preparation program begins mid-August. Course details and registration information for the upcoming exam review/preparation program. More Information

TEAS Testing Dates 

Day program beginning September 2020

November 2, 2019 8:00 am – 1:00 pm Register Here
December 7, 2019 8:00 am – 1:00 pm Register Here
February 1, 2020 8:00 am – 1:00 pm Register Here                          
March 7, 2020 8:00 am – 1:00 pm Register Here

**Registrations for any of the testing dates are taken on a first-come, first served basis.  Payment is required at time of registration.  Walk-in registrations on the day of the exam will NOT be accepted.

To download the TEAS Test Information Sheet click here (PDF)

Click on PDF to download the TEAS Pre-Entrance Testing Registration Form and information for the 2020-2021 Practical Nursing Program (PDF)

Students must meet all health requirements of the program by providing (upon Acceptance) the following documents by August 1.

1. Proof of Physical Exam within 6 months of the program start date

2. Proof of Immunizations according to the DPH (Department of Public Health):

Hepatitis B vaccine (3 doses are mandatory and evidence of immunity)
MMR vaccine and evidence of immunity
Tdap 
Negative TB testing (2 step)
Varicella vaccine & evidence of immunity

3. Seasonal Flu Shot

4. Proof of current CPR (Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider and AED) Certification, America Heart Association or the American Red Cross and must be maintained throughout the entire program

5. Proof of current Health Insurance throughout the entire program

6. Proof of Liability Insurance Policy for student nurse.  (nso.com to purchase insurance)

Students entering the practical nursing program must be able to meet the technical standards required of practical nursing students and must be able to demonstrate the ability to:

1. Read and comprehend textbook material at a minimum of the 11th grade level.
2. Communicate and assimilate information whether spoken, printed, signed or computer voice format in fluent English.
3. Gather, analyze and draw conclusions from data.
4. Stand for a minimum of two (2) hours.
5. Walk for a minimum of six (6) hours, not necessarily consecutively.
6. Stoop, bend and twist for a minimum of thirty (30) minutes at a time and be able to repeat this activity at frequent intervals.
7. Lift 40-pounds or assist with transfer of a person.
8. Determine by touch: hot/cold, wet/dry, hard/soft.
9. Use the small muscle dexterity necessary to perform precision psychomotor skills.
10. Maintain hearing sufficient to respond to spoken words, monitor signals, call bells and vital sign assessment equipment.
11. Identify behaviors that would endanger a person’s life or safety and intervene quickly in a crisis situation with an appropriate solution.
12. Remain calm, rational, and decisive and in control at all times, especially during emergency situations.
13. Exhibit interpersonal skills appropriate to professional interactions.
14. Maintain cleanliness and personal grooming consistent with close personal contact.
15. Function without causing harm to self or others while performing nursing care.
16. Maintain vision sufficient for the performance of precision skills and be able to discern color, for example, cyanosis, pallor, jaundice and color changes.
17. Demonstrate emotional stability.
18. Be free of communicable diseases.

*Technical standards must be met with or without accommodations.

Day Program (2020-2021)**
Application Fee (non-refundable) $25
*In-District Tuition (day program only) $7,250
*In-State Tuition $12,500
Out of State Tuition $13,800
Student Fee (non-refundable) (due by first day of class) $965

Evening Program(2021-2022)**
Application Fee (non-refundable) $25
*In-State and In-District Tuition $12,500
Out of State Tuition $13,800
Student Fee (non-refundable) (due by first day of class) $965

Day Program (2019-2020)
Application Fee (non-refundable) $25
*In-District Tuition (day program only) $6,850
*In-State Tuition $12,300
Out of State Tuition $13,600
Student Fee (non-refundable) (due by first day of class) $895

Evening Program(2019-2020)
Application Fee (non-refundable) $25
*In-State and In-District Tuition $12,300
Out of State Tuition $13,600
Student Fee (non-refundable) (due by first day of class) $895

*In-district tuition is applicable to the day program only for residents in the following towns: Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, Seekonk, Walpole, Wrentham and Sherborn.

*To qualify for in-district or in-state tuition, proof of residency will be confirmed with two of the following: valid Massachusetts driver’s license, signed lease agreement or mortgage statement or a current employment pay stub. Driver’s address on license must be the same as on pay stub or lease agreement or mortgage statement. Upon acceptance a $100.00 registration fee is required to hold applicant’s seat. This fee shall be applied to the cost of tuition.

When class commences, In-District & Out of District Tuition cannot be changed

The student fee includes the cost of ATI on-line testing package, laboratory kit and graduation expenses. (Graduation attire not included.)

**Tuition for all Tri-County Postsecondary programs is subject to change for the upcoming school year.

There is a $20 fee for any returned checks.

Once accepted into the program to secure enrollment, all students must pay a registration fee of $100.

DAY STUDENTS
A tuition deposit of 50% is required by July 15.  The remaining balance is required before the 1st day of classes unless the student chooses to enroll in the Payment Plan. Student fee is due on or before the first class.

EVENING STUDENTS
YEAR 1: A tuition deposit of 1/4 of tuition is required by July 15. 1/2 is required before the first day of classes unless student chooses to enroll in the Payment Plan. Student fee is due on or before the first class.

YEAR 2: 3/4 tuition is required by July 15. Tuition must be paid in FULL before the first day of class unless the student is enrolled in the Payment Plan.

Students incur additional expenses for items such as, uniforms, books, supplies, equipment, NCLEX test fee, license, and optional NCLEX review. Living and transportation expenses related to school attendance or clinical rotation are the responsibility of each student.

The list below outlines the most common additional student expenses that are not covered by the tuition and fees and is meant to serve as an estimate only.

Textbooks $ 1,100
School Uniforms $200
Student Nurse Liability Insurance $40
Health Record Management Service Fee $29.50-$35
Drug Testing fee $42.00/annually
Graduation uniform $50-$100
EHR Tutor (Electronic Medical Record) $65
CED (translation of foreign H.S transcripts, if necessary) $90
Clinical parking fees (approx.) $50
NCLEX-PN exam fee $200
Nurse License Application $230

This payment program is available only to students enrolled in either practical nursing program.

Tri-County has contracted FACTS to offer our postsecondary practical nursing students a payment plan option to help make tuition payment a little less stressful for themselves and their families. This payment plan offers two different monthly payment options — either automatic withdrawal from a bank account or automatic payment through a credit card. (Please note that there is an additional convenience fee charge for each credit card payment.) Students have the option of paying their tuition balance in full or of spreading the payments over either nine or ten months. Completing a simple online form is all it takes to enroll in this plan. There is a one-time $50 non-refundable enrollment fee for this service, and no additional interest is charged or fees assessed if payments are received on time. For more information about the FACTS Payment Plan at Tri-County please visit our Postsecondary Programs Page and look under “Additional Information”

Please note that students who have not paid the entire tuition balance on or before the first day of class must enroll in the FACTS program to set up a payment plan.

Federal Financial Aid for practical nursing students is available to qualifying students through the Federal Financial Aid System. Federal Financial Aid is not available for Nursing Assistant. Currently, the only Financial Aid funds available for students attending Tri-County are PELL Grants. Student loans through the Federal Financial Aid System are not available for programs at Tri-County.

Students enrolled or planning to enroll in either the full-time day or evening practical nursing program can find out if they qualify by filling out a FAFSA form which can be done at http://www.fafsa.gov/. It is necessary to enter Tri-County’s school code, which is 041220 to have pertinent information automatically forwarded to us.
For more information about Federal Financial Aid, visit: http://federalstudentaid.ed.gov

For more information about Financial Aid at Tri-County please visit our Postsecondary Education Page and look under “Additional Information”

Refunds are processed upon written notice of withdrawal from the program. Students will submit a notice of withdrawal form (Appendix C in the student handbook). Refunds are processed automatically. Should a student withdraw from the program, the student will retain:

100% of required tuition deposit minus $100.00 withdrawal fee, if the withdrawal notice is received on or before the first day of classes.

60% of required tuition deposit minus $100.00 withdrawal fee, if the withdrawal notice is received before the end of the first week of classes.

40% of required tuition deposit minus $100.00 withdrawal fee, if the withdrawal notice is received on or before the end of the 2nd week of classes.

No refund will be given after the second week of classes.
If the school, for any reason cancels the program, all fees and tuition shall be returned.

Practical Nurse 10-Month Program Gainful Employment Disclosure 2019 Click here for the PDF
Practical Nurse 20 Month Program Gainful Employment Disclosure 2019 Click here for the PDF

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday 8:00am-4:00pm

Kristen Valorie-Postsecondary Administration
Phone: 508-528-5400 x: 117 fax: 508-528-3698
email: valorie@tri-county.us

Penelope Hennessy-Director, Practical Nursing
Phone: 508-528-5400 x144 fax: 508-528-3698
email: hennessy@tri-county.us