Thank you for your interest in the Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College (OWATC) Practical Nursing Program. This is an occupational training program for students with a high school diploma or GED. Practical Nurses assess patients’ healthcare status and responses to care provided. Practical Nurses also administer medications and perform sterile and non-sterile procedures and assist patients with their personal hygiene, mobility, oxygen, nutritional, and elimination needs. You will delegate assignments to unlicensed healthcare personnel.
Program Length
The Practical Nursing Program consists of nine months (930 clock hours) with an additional 29 credit hours of required university/college prerequisite courses. The program is organized into six courses, each with specific objectives and standards for successful completion. There are structured learning activities that include lecture, skills labs, discussion groups, supervised clinical practice, and written assignments. The program admits one class per year. Class is approximately 30 hours per week.
Certificate
Graduates from the program will receive an institutional Practical Nursing Certificate, and can apply for licensure through the Utah State Board of Nursing. Those who pass the National Council of Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) will be credentialed as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the State of Utah and can continue their nursing education if desired.
The OWATC has an articulation agreement with Weber State University (WSU) that allows practical nursing graduates who meet WSU requirements to continue their nursing education at OWATC. Students will receive credit for their first year towards an associate degree in nursing (AAS or AS) from WSU and then complete the final year at OWATC. One class per year is admitted each fall. Students wishing to complete their associate degree in nursing at a different university or college must verify admission and course completion requirements.
The Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College Practical Nursing Program maintains full approval status by the Utah State Board of Nursing and is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The NLNAC may be contacted at (404)975-5000 and is located at 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, GA 30326.
Admission Requirements
- Submit formal application:Â Early Deadline – February 1;Â Final Deadline – March 1 for fall admission
- Application availability:Â First week of December. Application packet for the fall application cycle will be printable off of the OWATC Practical Nursing Program website (see links listed below). You may request a hard copy of the application packet be mailed to you by calling 801-627-8321 beginning the first week of December.
- High school diploma or GED
- Current Nursing Assistant Certification (or renewal) from the State of Utah
- Prerequisite courses must be completed prior to beginning the Practical Nursing Program. Please refer to the prerequisite course requirements download below as there have been some changes.
- Cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or higher
IMPORTANT NOTICE: If you are enrolling in any health occupation program, any misdemeanor or felony conviction relating to drug offenses, assault/violent crimes, sexual assault, fraud, or theft that you have on your record, will result in the college not being able to place you in a clinical or externship site. As a result, you will not be able to complete the program. See your program coordinator for more detailed information.
Physical/Emotional Requirements
- A complete physical/emotional examination and review of vaccination status will be required by your healthcare provider after acceptance into the program.
- Exhibit hand/finger dexterity
- Exhibit eye/hand coordination
- Stand or walk for long periods ( > 12 hours)
- Lift a minimum of 50 lbs.
- Ability to maintain emotional stability during periods of high stress. Ability to work in an emotionally charged or stressful environment.
Application points will be awarded on the following criteria:
- 1/2 application point will be awarded if the completed application is submitted/postmarked on or before February 1
- Cumulative grade point average (GPA)
- Number of prerequisite courses completed with a “C” or better
- Number of years of direct “hands-on” medical experience
- OWATC Reference Form points
- Previous degrees
- “Previously qualified” application points
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Please contact Financial Aid at 801-627-8441 for this information.
Program Outcomes
The OWATC Practical Nursing Program utilizes the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission Standards and Criteria (2008 Edition) as a basis for the development of its program outcomes:
Outcome #1: A minimum of 90% of accepted students will graduate within the defined program length.
Outcome #2: OWATC Practical Nursing Program graduates will meet or exceed the national mean pass rate for the NCLEX-PN licensing exam on the first writing.
Outcome #3: A minimum of 90% of OWATC Practical Nursing Program graduates seeking employment will be employed as a Licensed Practical Nurse or accepted into an RN program within one year after graduation.
Outcome #4: A minimum of 90% of OWATC Practical Nursing Program graduates who respond to program surveys will rate the OWATC Practical Nursing Program as above average or better at six months and one year after graduation from the program.
For additional information about the Practical Nursing Program, please contact Lee Nelson, OWATC Nursing Counselor, at 801-627-8321.
Downloads
Click on the links below for application forms (all forms must be submitted at time of application):
Nursing Program Application Checklist
Nursing Program Application
Nursing Program Disclaimer
Nursing Program Reference Form
Click on the links below for additional program information:
Nursing Program Course Descriptions
Nursing Program Prerequisite Course Requirements
Employer Advisory Team:
- Crestwood Nursing and Rehab
- Davis Applied Technology College
- Davis Hospital and Medical Center
- Lakeview Hospital
- McKay-Dee Hospital Center
- Ogden Regional Medical Center
- Weber State University Nursing
Your Instructor(s)
Mary Lou Morales, MSN, RN-BC, CNS, CNE moralesm@owatc.edu
Program Completion Rates and Additional Information
*Individual choices may influence how long it takes to complete a program, which affects the overall on-time completion rate. For example:
- A student might only attend part-time instead of full-time.
- A student may wish to take additional elective courses.
- A student will progress through coursework at an individual rate in self-paced programs.
- A student could change to a different program before completing the first one.
**The Ogden-Weber tech college offers low tuition and multiple options for financial aid. It does not rely on loan programs so the median loan debt for all programs is zero, enabling students to enter the workforce with no student debt.
