Alvin Community College Vocational Nursing

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1 Alvin Cmmunity Cllege Vcatinal Nursing Prgram Infrmatin and Applicatin Instructins Applicatin Perid Sep 24 Nv 5, 2015 Classes begin June 2016 (last mdified 7/30/2015) U:\Karens LVN\App Packet dcx Printed 7/30/ :27 AM

2 Vcatinal Nursing Office Fax We re glad that yu're interested in the Alvin Cmmunity Cllege (ACC) Vcatinal Nursing (VN) prgram! Vcatinal Nursing can be an exciting and rewarding career, and LVNs are in demand in Texas. A new Vcatinal Nursing prgram begins each June. The applicatin perid ccurs ver a six week perid during the Fall semester, previus t the prgram s start date. The begin/end dates f the applicatin perid are n the cver page f this packet and als n the VN web page at The cmpleted VN applicatin and required supprting dcuments MUST be submitted by the VN applicatin deadline. Apprximately six (6) weeks after the VN applicatin deadline, yu will be ed as t whether yu are cnditinally accepted, r n the waiting list, r neither f these. S please keep yur address(es) current with the VN department and make sure yur filters send Alvin Cmmunity Cllege s t yur inbx rather than yur junk r spam flder. is the fficial means f cmmunicatins frm ACC t students. STEPS FOR APPLYING 1. Apply t ACC at If yu are nt currently an ACC student, yu must be admitted t ACC befre yu can apply t VN. If it is a year mre since yu last applied t ACC r tk curses at ACC, yu may need t re-apply t ACC. Otherwise the registrar s ffice may shred any transcripts yu have turned in r will turn in. Check with the Enrllment Services Center if yu are unsure After yu are admitted t ACC, apply t nursing at the VN web page Return t yur status screen at abve link peridically t verify cnfirmatin f VN applicatin steps yu have cmpleted. If yu have prblems ding the VN applicatin r have questins abut the VN applicatin prcess, please cntact the VN department. Anyne wh applied t a previus VN prgram must cmplete a new applicatin t apply fr the upcming VN prgram. DO NOT TURN IN A PRINTED VN APPLICATION. We can print it if we need t. 3. Attend a mandatry VN applicant meeting (schedule n next page). At the meeting we will give yu a flder in which t place any dcuments yu have brught. We will cllect all flders at the end f the meeting. Anyne wh has applied t a previus VN prgram must attend anther applicant meeting fr the upcming VN prgram. 4. Bring either prf f Hepatitis-B immunity r prf f at least the first Hepatitis-B injectin t the applicant meeting. If yu are nt able t turn this in at the applicant meeting, yu must turn it in t the VN ffice by the VN applicatin deadline. TURN IN A COPY f yur Hep-B prf, DO NOT turn in the riginal recrd. 5. Bring prf f cmpleting high-schl level educatin t the VN applicant meeting. The Texas Bard f Nursing requires this f all VN applicants regardless f any cllege educatin and/r degree(s) yu may have. Read "Hw d I turn in prf f high schl" in the "Frequently Asked Questins" sectin f this packet. 6. Take the HESI-A2 test either befre r after the applicant meeting. A high enugh HESI-A2 test scre, by the nursing applicatin deadline, is mandatry fr all VN applicants regardless f educatinal backgrund r cllege degrees yu may already have - n exceptins. HESI-A2 instructins are n pages 3-4 f this packet. 7. If yu have BIOL 2401 and BIOL 2402 (Anatmy & Physilgy I & II) and want t transfer these int the ACC VN prgram, read in "Frequently Asked Questins": "Can I substitute curses fr VN curses" DO NOT turn in any cllege transcripts unless they shw BIOL 2402 and/r BIOL 2402 that yu want t use in the VN prgram. Have transcripts shwing BIOL grades sent t the ACC Registrar, nt the LVN ffice. 8. DO NOT turn in anything else except fr what is listed abve. Yu will be tld what additinal items t turn in if yu are accepted int the prgram. Alvin Cmmunity Cllege Assciate Degree Nursing Vcatinal Nursing Prgram: June 2016 Admissin Page 1

3 MANDATORY APPLICANT MEETINGS FOR VN PROGRAM, JUNE 2016 ADMISSION Applicants wanting t be cnsidered fr the June 2016 VN admissin must attend ne applicant meeting frm the schedule belw. N reservatin is required. Anyne wh attended a previus VN applicant meeting must still attend ne f the meetings belw. Applicants residing ut f state shuld cntact the VN department. Yu may NOT substitute ADN infrmatin meetings r applicant meetings fr VN applicant meetings. Meetings start prmptly n schedule. Plan yur rute ahead f time and allw enugh time t arrive befre the meeting starts. Anyne arriving late t a meeting may nt get credit fr attending that meeting. DO NOT BRING CHILDREN. APPLICANT MEETING SCHEDULE Time Date Lcatin 3 pm S pm S pm S pm S pm S pm ** S-105 ** is the last meeting & the applicatin deadline fr the June 2016 VN admissin. All required dcumentatin is due by the abve deadline including: 1) Official transcripts in Registrar s ffice shwing BIOL 2401/2402 grades if applicable. 2) Prf f cmpleting high schl level educatin. 3) HESI-A2 scres due in VN ffice. (exceptin: tests taken n r befre the VN applicatin deadline at ACC; we will accept any f thse scres that cme in after the deadline if they meet minimum scre criteria in this packet) 4) Prf f either the first Hepatitis-B sht r prf f Hepatitis-B immunity due in VN ffice. 5) Attended VN applicant meeting. 6) Submitted n-line VN applicatin. Cmpleted Applicatins: Thse wh cmplete all VN applicatin steps and meet minimum admissin criteria are cnsidered fr admissin. It is yur respnsibility t check yur n-line applicatin status screen regularly, and make sure yu have cmpleted all VN applicatin steps by the abve deadline. T cntact the VN ffice yu may nursing@alvincllege.edu r call Selectin fr Admissin: Admissin t the VN prgram is cmpetitive. There are n pre-requisite curses fr the VN prgram. After the applicatin deadline, applicants are ranked primarily accrding t HESI-A2 test scres. Pririty admissin is given t applicants wh 1) achieved high HESI-A2 test scres and 2) have passing grades that are less than 5 years ld in bth BIOL 2401 and BIOL 2402 as f the VN applicatin deadline. Additinal cnsideratin is given t applicants wh reside in the ACC tax district. T find ut if yur residence is in-district, call the Enrllment Services Center Prgram Requirements: Prgram requirements are discussed during the VN applicant meeting and published in the ACC Catalg. After initial acceptance and as a cntingency fr final acceptance, VN applicants must (1) satisfactrily cmplete a drug screen cnducted by an agency designated by the VN department; and (2) btain tw clear backgrund checks: (a) an FBI backgrund check required by the Texas Bard f Nursing (BON); and (b) an additinal backgrund check cnducted by an agency designated by clinical affiliates. In additin, applicants wh are accepted must cmplete a physical exam and submit prf f cmpleting all required immunizatins, including cmpleting the Hepatitis-B series by the VN rientatin date befre class starts. Sincerely, Melinda Wallace, RN Directr, Vcatinal Nursing Alvin Cmmunity Cllege Assciate Degree Nursing Vcatinal Nursing Prgram: June 2016 Admissin Page 2

4 HESI-A2 TEST INFORMATION Health Educatin Systems, Inc. (HESI) is a cmpany that prduces tests which assist in evaluating whether nursing applicants have the knwledge and skills t be successful in nursing schl. The Alvin Cmmunity Cllege nursing prgrams require applicants t make a high enugh scre n the HESI Admissin Assessment Exam (HESI-A2 test) in rder t be cnsidered fr admissin. An acceptable HESI-A2 test scre is mandatry fr all nursing applicants regardless f educatinal backgrund, n exceptins. Yu may nt substitute any ther test scres fr HESI test scres. HESI-A2 DATES & REGISTRATION Register fr HESI-A2 at ACC g t click n MARKETPLACE at the tp f the screen, then click n Testing, then click n HESI t see HESI-A2 dates that are currently pen and the instructins fr registering fr HESI-A2. Click the test date yu want, making sure the test date is n r befre the nursing applicatin deadline, then the add t cart buttn, and then fllw the instructins t register and pay fr the test. Yu have t already be admitted t ACC befre the cllege cmputer will let yu register fr a HESI-A2 test. HESI-A2 test dates at ACC - If yu dn't see a test date in the time range that yu want at the abve web page, either thse dates are already full, r dates in that time range have nt been pened yet. Yu will have t check back later t see if desired dates shw up n the screen, r call the Enrllment Services Center t find ut whether they will ffer the HESI n desired dates HESI-A2 at ther lcatins - there is n central web page that lists all HESI dates & lcatins. T take the HESI- A2 elsewhere, yu will have t find a testing lcatin yurself and ask them when their test dates are. Check with clleges that have nursing prgrams; sme f them will prbably ffer the HESI-A2. HESI-A2 DEADLINE If yu take the HESI-A2 at ACC, the deadline t take it is the nursing applicatin deadline. Any HESI scre reprts frm tests taken at ACC n r befre the nursing applicatin deadline will be accepted after the deadline if the scres meet minimum criteria in the "HESI-A2 TEST SCORE" sectin belw. If yu take the HESI-A2 elsewhere, the deadline t take it is far enugh ahead s the scre reprt reaches the nursing department by the nursing applicatin deadline. It culd take the HESI cmpany a week r lnger t send the reprt. Any HESI scre reprts frm tests taken at lcatins ther than ACC arriving after the nursing applicatin deadline will nt be accepted. HESI-A2 TEST SCORE CRITERIA Yu must take all f these five sectins f the HESI-A2 test: Math, Reading Cmprehensin, Vcabulary & General Knwledge, Grammar, Anatmy & Physilgy, and Critical Thinking. The ACC nursing department des nt cunt the scres f any ther sectins yu may have taken. Minimum required scres: (1) at least 70 n the Reading Cmprehensin sectin; and (2) at least 65 fr the Cumulative scre, which is the average f the abve sectins. (3) Critical Thinking scre is NOT used fr ranking purpses. We use this sectin fr infrmatinal purpses. Sectin scres may be cmbined frm tw r mre tests subject t the waiting perid fr any re-takes f individual sectins described under "Re-Taking the HESI-A2". Scres must be frm HESI-A2 tests taken n mre than 5 years ag as f the nursing applicatin deadline; therwise the scres are t ld and yu will have t re-take the abve sectins. RE-TAKING THE HESI-A2 Yu may re-take sectins yu want t imprve n; there is a 30-day waiting perid between re-takes. HESI sectins re-taken 30 r mre days apart: the highest scre f all re-takes f that sectin will be used when we calculate yur cumulative scre. HESI sectins re-taken less than 30 days apart: the earlier sectin scre will be used regardless f which scre is the highest. All re-takes must cmply with the "HESI-A2 deadline" and "HESI-A2 test scre" paragraphs Alvin Cmmunity Cllege Assciate Degree Nursing Vcatinal Nursing Prgram: June 2016 Admissin Page 3

5 COST OF THE HESI-A2 TEST It csts $74 (price subject t change withut ntice) t take the HESI-A2 at Alvin Cmmunity Cllege regardless f hw many sectins f the test yu take. The cst is set by each testing lcatin, s it may cst mre r less t take the HESI-A2 elsewhere. GETTING YOUR HESI SCORES TO THE ACC NURSING DEPARTMENT If yu take the HESI-A2 at Alvin Cmmunity Cllege, the nursing department autmatically gets yur scre reprt. If yu take the HESI A2 elsewhere, yu must pay a fee t have the fficial scre reprt ed t the nursing department at nursing@alvincllege.edu Fr instructins n hw t d this, g here: y%20f%20my%20hesi%20transcript It culd them take a week r lnger after yu pay t yur scre reprt t the nursing department, s be sure yu request the reprt far enugh ahead fr it t get t the nursing department by the nursing applicatin deadline. WE DO NOT ACCEPT HESI SCORE REPORTS FROM NURSING APPLICANTS. PREPARING FOR THE HESI-A2 TEST A gd way t prepare fr the HESI-A2 is t buy a study guide specifically fr this exam. One such guide is HESI Admissin Assessment Exam Review, 3 rd editin. Yu can buy this frm the ACC bk stre ( r nline at sites such as Amazn r Barnes & Nble by searching n "HESI-A2". The study guide will include samples f test questins as well as infrmatin regarding test questin frmats. It will highlight imprtant cncepts and prvide tips fr studying and test-taking. Anther useful study tl is t create r jin a study grup that meets regularly t review material n the exam. Alvin Cmmunity Cllege des nt currently ffer any HESI prep curses. Yu may be able t find prep curses by ggling n "HESI-A2 prep curse". OTHER HESI INFORMATION T find ut if there are additinal HESI-A2 test dates at ACC, r whether a particular test date is still in effect, r details abut HESI testing prcedures, r payment/cancellatin/refund prcedures, call the Enrllment Services Center If yu have a dcumented disability and may need accmmdatins fr testing, cntact Eileen Crss r ecrss@alvincllege.edu BEFORE registering fr r taking the HESI-A2. IF YOU INTEND TO USE YOUR HESI SCORES TO APPLY TO MORE THAN ONE NURSING SCHOOL, yu need t find ut whether the ther nursing schls require HESI t be taken n their campus (sme schls will nt accept HESI scres taken ff-campus). If they d require HESI t be taken at their campus, yu shuld take the HESI there and then pay t have an fficial scre reprt ed t ACC. This will enable yu t use yur HESI scres t apply t bth ACC and t the ther nursing schl. Nte - if the HESI yu take at the ther cllege des nt include sme f the sectins we require, yu will have t take thse sectins either at ACC r anther schl that ffers thse sectins. Alvin Cmmunity Cllege Assciate Degree Nursing Vcatinal Nursing Prgram: June 2016 Admissin Page 4

6 CATALOG PAGES Alvin Cmmunity Cllege Assciate Degree Nursing Vcatinal Nursing Prgram: June 2016 Admissin Page 5

7 Alvin Cmmunity Cllege Assciate Degree Nursing Vcatinal Nursing Prgram: June 2016 Admissin Page 6

8 The purpse f backgrund checks is t: Vcatinal Nursing BACKGROUND CHECKS 1. Cmply with clinical affiliates wh may require a student backgrund check as a cnditin f their cntract 2. Prvide early identificatin f students wh may have difficulty meeting Texas Bard f Nurse Examiners (BON) eligibility fr licensure requirements 3. Prmte early submissin by students f petitin fr a declaratry rder frm the BON 4. Prmte and prtect patient/client safety Tw criminal backgrund checks must be cnducted as a cnditin f full acceptance after yur initial acceptance int the ACC Vcatinal Nursing (VN) prgram and befre yu may enrll in any nursing curse: 1. A criminal backgrund check required by ur clinical affiliates and cnducted by a cllege-designated private agency. Results f the private agency backgrund check are sent directly t the VN Department Chair. The results must be satisfactry. The student pays the cst f the private agency backgrund check directly t the agency. 2. A DPS/FBI backgrund check mandated by the Texas Bard f Nursing (BON). If the student has a satisfactry utcme with the BON-mandated backgrund check, the BON will mail a Blue Card t the student stating this. If a psitive criminal histry is revealed during the BON-mandated DPS/FBI backgrund check, the BON will send the student a letter requesting a Petitin fr Declaratry Order frm the student. Fr mre infrmatin n submitting a Petitin fr Declaratry Order, see belw. A CONDITION OF FULL ACCEPTANCE INTO THE VN PROGRAM IS THAT THE STUDENT MUST PRESENT AN ORIGINAL BLUE CARD FROM THE BON OR AN ORIGINAL DECLARATORY ORDER OUTCOME LETTER FROM THE BON (STATING STUDENT IS ELIGIBLE TO TAKE NCLEX-PN AT A FUTURE DATE) BY THE ORIENTATION DATE BEFORE CLASS STARTS. NO EXCEPTIONS. Student Rights: If the student believes their backgrund infrmatin is incrrect, the student is respnsible fr prviding the evidence f the inaccuracy f the infrmatin t the investigating agency. The student will nt be able t enrll in the nursing prgram until the questin is reslved. Bard f Nursing Petitin fr Declaratry Order A student wh has any criminal ffense ther than a very minr traffic vilatin, r has been diagnsed with mental illness, r has a histry f substance abuse (i.e. the answer is yes t any f questins n the next page), is eligible fr admissin int the VN prgram ONLY if the student has: 1. Submitted a Petitin fr Declaratry Order t the Texas Bard f Nursing (BON) requesting the BON t further investigate their situatin. The frm and instructins are at AND 2. Received a written respnse t the Petitin fr Declaratry Order frm the BON stating the student is eligible t take the NCLEX- PN in the future. Depending n the cmplexity f the student s situatin/backgrund and the BON's wrklad, it may take a minimum f 6 mnths t 2 years fr the BON t prcess the student s Petitin fr Declaratry Order. The BON determines eligibility fr future licensure n a case-by-case basis. Fr criminal incidents, the BON cnsiders severity f the ffense, hw lng ag the ffense was cmmitted, and the behavir f the individual since the incident. IF YOU CAN ANSWER "YES" TO ANY OF THE QUESTIONS ON THE NEXT PAGE, IT IS STRONGLY ADVISED THAT YOU BEGIN THE DECLARATORY ORDER PROCESS NOW. Yu d nt have t wait t hear whether yu are cnditinally accepted t the VN prgram in rder t submit a Petitin fr Declaratry Order t the BON. If yu are able t answer "NO" t all questins n the next page, DO NOT submit a Petitin fr Declaratry Order t the BON. Yu d a DPS/FBI backgrund check nly if yu are cnditinally admitted t the VN prgram, and the VN prgram ntifies yu t d it. Satisfactry criminal backgrund check findings are determined by the licensure eligibility criteria established by the BON and standards mandated by clinical affiliates. APPLICANTS WHO ARE CONVICTED OF A FELONY, APPEALING A FELONY CONVICTION, HAVE A DEFERRED ADJUDICATION FELONY, OR ON PAROLE FOR A FELONY, ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ADMISSION TO ALVIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE NURSING PROGRAMS REGARDLESS OF ANY DECLARATORY ORDER OUTCOME LETTER THEY MAY HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE BON. "Cnvictin is defined in Texas Administrative Cde Chapter 213, RULE 213.1, #12 Alvin Cmmunity Cllege Assciate Degree Nursing Vcatinal Nursing Prgram: June 2016 Admissin Page 7

9 Texas Bard f Nursing (BON) Licensure Eligibility Questins If yu can answer "yes" t any f the questins belw, yu shuld submit a Petitin fr Declaratry Order t the BON prmptly accrding t infrmatin n the previus page. If yu are able t answer "n" t all f the questins belw, DO NOT d the Petitin fr Declaratry Order. 1) Fr any criminal ffense (adult r juvenile), including thse pending appeal, have yu: A. been cnvicted f a misdemeanr? (Yu may nly exclude Class C misdemeanr traffic vilatins.) B. been cnvicted f a felny? C. pled nl cntendere, n cntest, r guilty? D. received deferred adjudicatin? E. been placed n cmmunity supervisr r curt-rdered prbatin, whether r nt adjudicated guilty? F. been sentenced t serve jail r prisn time? Curt- rdered cnfinement? G. been granted pre-trial diversin? H been arrested r any pending criminal charges? I. been cited r charged with any vilatin f the law? J. been subject f a curt-martial; Article 15 vilatin; r received any frm f military judgment/punishment/actin? NOTE: Expunged and Sealed Offenses: While expunged r sealed ffenses, arrests, tickets, r citatins need t be disclsed, it is yur respnsibility t ensure the ffense, arrest, ticket r citatin has, in fact, been expunged r sealed. It is recmmended that yu submit a cpy f the Curt Order expunging r sealing the recrd in questin t ur ffice with yur applicatin. Failure t reveal an ffense, arrest, ticket, r citatin that is nt in fact expunged r sealed, will at a minimum, subject yur license t a disciplinary fine. Nn-disclsure f relevant ffenses raises questins related t truthfulness and character. NOTE: Orders f Nn-disclsure: Pursuant t Tex. Gv t Cde (b), if yu have criminal matters that are the subject f an rder f nn-disclsure yu are nt required t reveal thse criminal matters n this frm. Hwever, a criminal matter that is the subject f an rder f nn-disclsure may becme a character and fitness issue. Pursuant t ther sectins f the Gv t Cde chapter 411, the Texas Nursing Bard is entitled t access criminal histry recrd infrmatin that is the subject f an rder f nn-disclsure. If the Bard discvers a criminal matter that is the subject f an rder f nn-disclsure, even if yu prperly did nt reveal that matter, the Bard may require yu t prvide infrmatin abut that criminal matter. 2) Are yu currently the target r subject f a grand jury r gvernmental agency investigatin? 3) Has any licensing authrity refused t issue yu a license r ever revked, annulled, cancelled, accepted surrender f, suspended, placed n prbatin, refused t renew a prfessinal license, certificate r multi-state privilege held by yu nw r previusly, r ever fined, censured, reprimanded r therwise disciplined yu? 4) Within the past five (5) years have yu been addicted t and/r treated fr the use f alchl r any ther drug? 5) Within the past five (5) years have yu been diagnsed with, treated, r hspitalized fr any f the fllwing: schizphrenia and/r psychtic disrder, biplar disrder, paranid persnality disrder, antiscial persnality disrder, r brderline persnality disrder? If yu are licensed as an LVN in the State f Texas and are currently participating in the Texas Peer Assistance Prgram fr Nurses yu may answer NO t questins #4 and #5. *** DO NOT turn this page in t the nursing department! *** This page is fr yur infrmatin nly! Alvin Cmmunity Cllege Assciate Degree Nursing Vcatinal Nursing Prgram: June 2016 Admissin Page 8

10 ALVIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE COSTS OF VOCATIONAL NURSING Semester RNSG Credit Hurs In-district ACC Tuitin ACC Fees Curse Fees Textbks Additinal Expenses see belw In/Out f District Ttals In-district Out-fdistrict Out-fdistrict Summer $2,138 $2,666 Fall $1,344 $2,004 Spring $2,177 $2,925 Ttal 29 $1,936 $3,872 $700 $778 $1,150 $1,095 $5,659 $7,595 ADDITIONAL EXPENSES - $1,095 First Semester Unifrm (varies by size and gender) Nurse Pack Criminal Backgrund Check - PreCheck Criminal Backgrund Check - BON DPS/FBI Drug Screen Physical exam, TB test, immunizatins (1) varies Health Insurance (recmmended) (2) varies CPR card HESI-A2 test fee Subttal excluding "varies" items: $ Last Semester Licensure Applicatin - Texas BON NCLEX-PN Review Curse NCLEX-PN Registratin Certificate applicatin fee Graduatin Cap and Gwn Subttal $ COSTS ARE APPROXIMATE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE Please cntact Enrllment Services Center if yu need an exact cst listing Current tuitin & fees chart is always at (1) check with yur health care prvider regarding csts f physical exam, TB test & immunizatins (2) sme clinical sites may require students t have health insurance; cst depends n prvider and extent f cverage (3) abve csts d NOT include transprtatin t clinical sites and parking fees at clinical sites Alvin Cmmunity Cllege Assciate Degree Nursing Vcatinal Nursing Prgram: June 2016 Admissin Page 9

11 ALVIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE VOCATIONAL NURSING PROGRAM FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1. Hw lng is ACC s VN prgram and when des it start? The 12-mnth (3-semester) ACC VN prgram starts nce per year in June and takes up t 50 students per year. The 44-credit-hur curriculum, apprved by the Texas Bard f Nursing (BON), prvides classrm and clinical experience required by the BON t be licensed as an VN in Texas. The prgram is an intensive study f practical nursing, including classrm, labratry, and clinical experiences. Successful VN prgram graduates may apply t the Texas Bard f Nursing (BON) fr a temprary permit t practice as a graduate vcatinal nurse (GVN). This allws the GVN t practice while waiting t take the Natinal Cuncil Licensure Examinatin fr Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). After passing the exam, the GVN is then issued a license t practice as a Licensed Vcatinal Nurse (LVN). ACC has educated individuals t enter the nursing prfessin fr ver 40 years and has the reputatin f an utstanding VN prgram. Our previus three graduating VN classes have achieved a 100% pass rate n the NCLEX-PN. 2. Hw d I get a Vcatinal Nursing (VN) applicatin? There is n paper applicatin frm; yu must apply nline at the VN web page: Yu must be admitted t Alvin Cmmunity Cllege (ACC) befre yu are able t start an nline VN applicatin. If yu are nt already admitted t ACC, start the ACC admissin prcess here: 3. What admissin test is used fr nursing? All nursing applicants must take the HESI-A2 test (HESI Admissin and Assessment test) regardless f any ther entrance exams yu may have taken and regardless f yur educatinal backgrund - n exemptins. Acceptable HESI-A2 scres must be submitted t the VN department by the VN applicatin deadline and be less than r equal t 5 years ld as f the VN applicatin deadline. Mst accepted applicants have higher than the minimum scres. Please read the "HESI-A2 Test Infrmatin" sectin in the VN applicatin instructins fr HESI-A2 details including scre requirements. 4. Hw are students selected fr admissin? Admissin t the VN prgram is cmpetitive. After the applicatin deadline, applicants are ranked primarily accrding HESI-A2 test scres. Pririty admissin is given t applicants wh 1) achieved high HESI-A2 test scres and 2) have passing grades that are less than 5 years ld in bth BIOL 2401 and BIOL 2402 as f the VN applicatin deadline. Additinal cnsideratin is given t applicants wh reside in the ACC tax district. T find ut if yur physical address is in-district, call the Enrllment Services Center The physical address yu enter n yur VN applicatin frm is subject t verificatin. 5. What are the pre-requisite curses? Nne; yu d nt have t take any cllege curses befre yu apply t ur VN prgram. Our prgram cnsists entirely f VN curses that yu can take nly after yu are accepted (with the exceptin that yu can substitute bth BIOL 2401 & BIOL 2402 fr the VN A&P curse). There is preference fr applicants wh made grades f C r better in BIOL 2401 and BIOL 2402 within 5 years f the VN applicatin deadline. 6. Can I substitute curses I have already taken fr VN curses? Yu may substitute bth BIOL2401 & BIOL2402 fr the VN A&P curse, if the BIOL grades are C r better and less than 5 years ld as f the VN applicatin deadline. If yu tk VNSG 1420 (the VN A&P curse) at anther schl, yu may transfer it int the VN prgram if the grade is "C" r better and less than 5 years ld as f the VN applicatin deadline. A&P frm U.S. clleges: Have the cllege(s) send fficial transcript(s) that shw yur BIOL grades t the ACC Registrar by the VN applicatin deadline. The VN ffice will btain cpies f yur transcripts frm the ACC Registrar. A&P frm freign schls: If yur A&P credits are frm a freign (nt United States) institutin, yu must turn in an riginal evaluatin f freign credits stating that yu have successfully cmpleted the U.S. equivalent f 8 credit hurs f Anatmy & Physilgy curses that include A&P labratries with grades f "C" r better within 5 years f the VN applicatin deadline. Fr a list f apprved cmpanies t evaluate yur freign high schl credits, see the Cllege Catalg under the heading "Evaluatin f Credit frm Freign Institutins". We will phtcpy yur riginal evaluatin and return it t yu. If yur BIOL r VNSG A&P grades are high enugh but t ld, yu may still substitute the ld grades fr the VN A&P if yu pass a cmpetency exam ver bth semesters f A&P. Yu must take the cmpetency exam at Alvin Cmmunity Cllege. Yu may nt use the A&P cmpetency exam in place f taking BIOL r VN A&P curses. Fr questins abut the cmpetency exam r t sign up fr it, call Yu may be able t substitute RN r VN curses frm ther nursing prgrams subject t the VN Directr's apprval. N ther curses will substitute fr VN curses. Alvin Cmmunity Cllege Assciate Degree Nursing Vcatinal Nursing Prgram: June 2016 Admissin Page 10

12 7. Hw d I turn in prf f high schl? The Texas Bard f Nursing requires prf f high schl graduatin r GED certificate fr all VN students regardless f educatinal backgrund r any cllege degree(s) r cursewrk yu may have. Turn in prf f high schl cmpletin by ONE f the fllwing methds: Original U.S. high schl diplma r GED certificate t the VN department that we will phtcpy and return t yu; OR Fax r f U.S. high schl transcript r GED t the VN department directly frm the U.S. high schl r cllege; OR Official recrd f GED cmpletin t the cllege s Enrllment Services Center; OR Official U.S. high schl transcript* which shws yur graduatin date either t the VN department r t the cllege s Enrllment Services Center; OR Official U.S. cllege transcript* shwing yur U.S. high schl's name & high schl graduatin date either t the VN department r t the cllege s Enrllment Services Center; OR If yu had high schl utside the United States, turn in an riginal evaluatin f freign credits stating that yu have the equivalent f graduatin frm a US high schl r similar statement. Fr a list f apprved cmpanies t evaluate yur freign high schl credits, see the Cllege Catalg under the heading "Evaluatin f Credit frm Freign Institutins". We will phtcpy yur riginal evaluatin and return it t yu. WE DO NOT ACCEPT FAXES, PHOTOCOPIES, OR ED IMAGES OF HIGH SCHOOL PROOF FROM VN APPLICANTS. WE DO NOT ACCEPT FOREIGN DOCUMENTS FOR PROOF OF HIGH SCHOOL. * Official transcript means in a sealed envelpe with the U.S. institutin s stamp r printing acrss the seal. We will nt accept transcripts where it lks like the envelpe has been pened r the seal lks brken. 8. What shts d I need? Yu must turn in prf f at least yur first Hepatitis-B sht r prf f Hepatitis-B immunity by the nursing applicatin deadline. Yu will be tld f ther shts and dcuments t turn in nly if yu are accepted int a nursing prgram. 9. Will bad grades I made in previus curses hurt my chances f being accepted? Because VN acceptance is based n HESI-A2 test scre, nt curse grades, previus cllege grades d nt affect yur chance f acceptance int ur VN prgram. 10. Are there any curses I culd take t help prepare fr the VN prgram? VN students are taught hw t calculate medicatin dsages, which includes arithmetic, decimals, fractins, percents, and cnverting between units f measurement. If yu feel yu need practice in this type f math, yu can take a remedial math curse at ACC, r the equivalent elsewhere, befre yu apply t ur prgram. VN students need adequate English verbal, reading, and writing skills t successfully cmplete the prgram. If English is nt yur native language, r yu want t strengthen yur English skills, yu can take a remedial English r reading curse at ACC, r the equivalent elsewhere, befre yu apply t ur prgram. REMEDIAL COURSES ARE OPTIONAL; yu d nt have t take them befre applying t ur VN prgram. Yu shuld cnsider taking remedial curses nly if yu feel yu need preparatin befre applying. Any remedial curses yu take will nt cunt twards ur VN certificate. Fr guidance regarding remedial curses, call the Enrllment Services Center What hurs are the classes? VN lecture classes are weekdays nly (n evening, weekend, r internet curses): the 1 st semester, 8a-5p every day Mnday thrugh Wednesday; the 2 nd & 3 rd semesters, 8a-3p Mnday & Friday nly. VN clinicals: the 1 st semester,8a-2p every Thursday n the ACC campus; the 2 nd & 3 rd semesters, we try t keep clinicals t 12-hr shifts n Tue/Wed/Thur days, BUT we are limited t what clinical placements the facilities will give us each semester, which means that clinicals may ccur n any evenings, nights, r weekends. 12. Can I wrk while I am in the VN prgram? The VN prgram is very demanding in terms f time and effrt. Classrm, lab and clinical hurs will ttal 24 t 35 hurs per week depending n semester. This des NOT include utside study time, clinical preparatin time, r cmmute time. Students shuld budget at least 2 hurs f utside study time fr each hur spent in class. While sme students are emplyed during their enrllment, a full-time wrk schedule f 40 hurs/week is extremely difficult t maintain. Wrk schedules must be flexible and planned arund classrm and clinical requirements, since lecture and clinical hurs may change frm semester t semester. Alvin Cmmunity Cllege Assciate Degree Nursing Vcatinal Nursing Prgram: June 2016 Admissin Page 11

13 13. What clinical sites des the prgram use? VN training includes attending clinicals, where yu get nursing experience wrking with patients in hspitals and ther health care facilities under supervisin f an VN instructr and/r a Registered Nurse. The ACC VN prgram has affiliatin agreements with the fllwing health care facilities (the fllwing list is subject t change): Clear Lake Reginal Medical Center (Webster) Crnerstne Hspital (Bellaire & Clear Lake) Mainland Medical Center (Texas City) M.D. Andersn Hspital (Medical Center) Kindred Hspitals (Medical Center, Sugar Land) University General Hspital (Medical Center) UTMB pediatric & ante-partum clinics (Alvin, Angletn, Pearland, Santa Fe, Texas City) Nursing hmes: Laurel Curt (Alvin), St. Dminic (HW 288 inside lp 610), Tuscany Village (Pearland), Regent Care (League City), Cuntry Village (Angletn) 14. D I need t have health insurance? Yu are strngly encuraged t - sme clinical sites may require students t have health insurance in the future. They d nt specify the types f cverage r the extent f cverage yu shuld buy, they just require yu t be cvered by a health insurance plicy. The fees yu pay at registratin include "malpractice insurance" which des NOT cver csts fr any illness r injury that a student may sustain while in the clinical setting. It is the student's respnsibility t cver thse csts. 15. Is financial aid available? Students can apply fr schlarships, grants and lans thrugh the Enrllment Services Center ACC Financial aid web page: D yu take transfer students? The ACC VN prgram n lnger accepts transfer students frm ther nursing prgrams. All applicants that are accepted int the ACC VN prgram must cmplete all three semesters f the prgram beginning with the first (Summer) semester. Substituting individual nursing curses taken elsewhere may be pssible, subject t the VN Directr's apprval. 17. Internatinal students r students with freign credits: If yur citizenship is ther than United States, yu must get apprval fr cllege admissin and applying t the VN prgram. Fr mre infrmatin, call and ask fr the Internatinal Students representative. Als read cllege catalg sectin Internatinal Student Regulatins. If yu have freign credits, yur transcripts must be evaluated and translated int English by an apprved evaluatin service. The list f apprved evaluatin services is in the current cllege catalg under heading "Evaluatin f Credit frm Freign Institutins." Any evaluatin frm a service NOT in the list will nt be accepted by the VN department. 18. Is there jb placement assistance? Alvin Cmmunity Cllege des nt guarantee jb placement t VN graduates; hwever, the Enrllment Services Center prvides assistance t students in finding jbs after graduatin, including an internet database f jb listings. The cllege hlds a jb fair every spring semester in which emplyers cme t ur campus t interview students. In the last semester f the VN prgram, students are taught abut jb search and interviewing in a Prfessinal Develpment curse. In additin, the VN department peridically receives jb ntices which are psted in VN classrms and ed t graduates. 19. What are the physical and perfrmance requirements t participate in the nursing prgram? The Vcatinal Nursing Prgram cmplies with Cllege plicies regarding Civil Rights and the Rights f Individuals with Disabilities. Purpse f the ADA: t prvide a clear and cmprehensive natinal mandate fr the eliminatin f discriminatin against individuals with disabilities; t prvide clear, strng, cnsistent enfrceable standards addressing discriminatin against individuals with disabilities; t ensure that the Federal gvernment plays a central rle in enfrcing the standards established in this act n behalf f individuals with disabilities and t invke the sweep f cngressinal authrity, including the pwer t enfrce the furteenth amendment and t regulate cmmerce, in rder t address the majr areas f discriminatin faced day-t-day by peple with disabilities. (Americans with Disabilities Act, 1991) An individual with a disability is a persn wh has a physical r mental impairment that substantially limits a majr life activity, r has a recrd f such impairment, r is regarded as having such impairment. A qualified individual with a disability is ne wh meets the essential eligibility requirements fr the prgram r activity ffered by a public entity with r withut reasnable accmmdatin. (ADA )Essential functins are: thse functins that the individual wh hlds the psitin must be able t perfrm unaided r with the assistance f a reasnable accmmdatin. (ADA m) Reasnable accmmdatin: Change in the way things are custmarily dne that will enable an individual with a disability t enjy equal pprtunities. (ADA ) a. equal pprtunity in the applicatin prcess b. enable the disabled t perfrm essential functins f the psitin held r desired c. accmmdatins that enable disabled t enjy equal benefits and privileges f persns withut disabilities. Alvin Cmmunity Cllege Assciate Degree Nursing Vcatinal Nursing Prgram: June 2016 Admissin Page 12

14 Perfrmance requirements are basic activities a student must be able t cmplete in a reasnably independent manner. A student wh pses a direct threat t the health r safety f thers r t themselves will nt meet the clinical/skills cmpetencies required in the Vcatinal Nursing Prgram. A direct threat is defined as a significant risk t the health r safety f thers that cannt be eliminated r reduced t an acceptable level by mdificatin f plicies, practices r prcedures, by the prvisin f auxiliary aids r services. Determinatin will be made n an individual basis. Fllwing is a list f perfrmance requirements fr all students enrlled in the Vcatinal Nursing Prgram: a. Visual acuity, depth perceptin and peripheral visin adequate with crrective lenses t see bjects mre than 20 feet away, see bjects less than 20 inches away, read small print n cntainers and withdraw medicatins frm small cntainers. b. Hearing ability with auditry aids t distinguish faint sunds with variatins, understand the nrmal speaking vice withut viewing the speaker s face, hear auditry alarms, emergency signals, and cmmunicate via the telephne. c. Grss mtr skills and physical endurance t be able t stand and maintain balance fr prlnged perids f time, lift bjects f 35 lbs. r mre, reach abve shulders and belw waist, mve frm rm-t-rm, maneuver in limited spaces, and squeeze with hands. d. Cmmunicate effectively in verbal and written frm by speaking clearly and succinctly when explaining treatment prcedures, describing patient cnditins, implement assisting with health teaching, and write writing legibly. e. Fine mtr skills with manual dexterity t write with a pen r pencil, type n a cmputer keybard, pick up and manipulate small bjects with hands, screw n caps, perfrm actins using tw hands simultaneusly, and pinch small bjects with fingers f. Functin safely under stressful cnditins with the ability t adapt t ever-changing envirnments. 20. Are there legal limitatins fr VN prgram admissin and licensure? Yes! If yu have a histry f criminal, psychiatric, r substance abuse events, the Backgrund Checks page in the VN applicatin packet will tell yu what t d. Applicants wh are cnvicted f a felny, appealing a felny cnvictin, have a deferred adjudicatin felny, r n parle fr a felny, are nt eligible fr admissin t Alvin Cmmunity Cllege nursing prgrams. "Cnvictin is defined in Texas Administrative Cde Chapter 213, RULE 213.1, # What is an LVN? LVN stands fr Licensed Vcatinal Nurse which is als knwn as LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) in sme states. The LVN is an imprtant member f the health care team, prviding basic patient care thrugh a directed scpe f practice that is supervised by Registered Nurses, Physicians, Physician's Assistants, Dentists, and Pdiatrists. LVNs prvide basic care such as taking vital signs, applying dressings, helping with persnal hygiene, administering medicatins, and bserving/reprting symptms, reactins t treatment/medicatin, and prgress. LVNs are n their feet mst f the time: walking, bending, stping, reaching, and lifting/mving patients are required. LVNs generally wrk a 40-hur week which may include nights, weekends, hlidays, and/r vertime. LVNs may wrk in acute care facilities, lng-term care facilities, hme health care, schls, clinics, physicians' ffices, and a number f ther health care settings. A career as an LVN can be very rewarding fr thse wh enjy being f service t thers. 22. What pay des an LVN make? LVNs are in demand! Accrding t the Bureau f Labr Statistics as f 2012, Texas ffers the mst jb pprtunities fr LVNs in the U.S.: almst 10% f all LVN jbs in the cuntry. LVNs in Texas earn an average f $20.32/yr r $42,260/yr. Pay depends n gegraphic lcatin, facility size/type, nursing specialty, shift (wrking hurs), and years f experience. Salary can apprach $30/hr with several years' experience depending n the emplyment setting. Temprary assignments r agency wrk may als pay higher rates. 23. What is the difference between an LVN and an RN? In general, RNs have a wider scpe f respnsibility, perfrm mre cmplex tasks, earn higher pay, and supervise LVNs. Texas law (Nursing Practice Act) and Texas Bard f Nursing guidelines (Differentiated Essential Cmpetencies) describe the scpe f LVN duties. Each facility that emplys nurses designates LVN tasks within Texas law and BON guidelines, and this varies frm facility t facility. 24. D I have t be an LVN first befre I can becme an RN? N, yu can earn a 2-year r 4-year RN degree withut being an LVN first. If yu can t dedicate 2 t 4 years t an RN degree, yu can earn yur LVN and wrk as an LVN first, then enter an RN prgram. Many nursing schls have a "transitin" r "bridge" prgram that substitutes the year f VN training fr the first year f the 2-year ADN degree. Infrmatin n ACC s 2-year RN prgram is at If yu have further questins: Yu are welcme t cntact the VN department nursing@alvincllege.edu Alvin Cmmunity Cllege Assciate Degree Nursing Vcatinal Nursing Prgram: June 2016 Admissin Page 13

15 MAPS Alvin Cmmunity Cllege Assciate Degree Nursing Vcatinal Nursing Prgram: June 2016 Admissin Page 14

16 Alvin Cmmunity Cllege Campus Map 3110 Mustang Rad Alvin, Texas Main number: VN Office: Rm S Alvin Cmmunity Cllege Assciate Degree Nursing Vcatinal Nursing Prgram: June 2016 Admissin Page 15

17 S-105 Applicant meetings BUILDING S: Science / Health Science VN Applicant Meetings Enrllment Services Center (ESC) Rm S-105 Rm A-100, (see schedule earlier in this packet) G t the ESC fr: financial aid, cllege admissin, HESI testing Alvin Cmmunity Cllege Assciate Degree Nursing Vcatinal Nursing Prgram: June 2016 Admissin Page 16