Registered Nursing (RN) Program. Application Process Dear Registered Nursing Applicant:

Transcription

1 Registered Nursing (RN) Program Application Process 2011 Dear Registered Nursing Applicant: Thank you for your interest in the Registered Nursing (RN) program at Klamath Community College. The RN program is both exciting and challenging. It offers graduates opportunities for employment in a variety of settings and a foundation for a lifelong career that is fulfilling both personally and professionally. The nursing program may pose unique personal and academic challenges. Most students have multiple responsibilities in addition to going to school (i.e. marriage, family, job). Success in the RN program requires a strong commitment and internal motivation. The RN faculty members are here to help you succeed. This program focuses on the registered nursing role of providing care across all points of service in healthcare: hospitals, rural facilities, patient homes, public schools, specialty clinics, hospice, and others. Curriculum includes coursework from the biological and applied sciences including anatomy and physiology, social sciences and humanities. Students study fundamental principles and procedures of patient care, evidence-based interventions, the nursing process, infection control, pharmacology, patient teaching, and other roles and responsibilities of the professional nurse. Theory, skills lab, clinical experiences, and simulation scenarios are combined to help the students develop competence and confidence in the delivery of nursing care according to current standards of practice. Registered nursing is a demanding field and admission to nursing schools is a very competitive process. We strongly suggest you prepare by talking to nurses in various settings, talking with an advisor to help you with your career plans, and by reading through the application materials thoroughly. Thank you again for your interest. If you have any questions about admission to this program, please contact Lori James at james@klamathcc.edu. Sincerely, Lori James, RN, MSN Director, KCC Nursing Programs

2 PROGRAM OVERVIEW FACULTY ADVISOR Lori James CAREER DESCRIPTION The Registered Nursing (RN) program curriculum will prepare students for the ever-changing and expanding roles of registered nursing within a variety of health care settings. The average salary for a Registered Nurse (RN) in southern Oregon, including Klamath and Lake Counties, was $74,870 in LENGTH OF PROGRAM: For beginning nursing students, the program consists of six (6) quarters (Fall, Winter, Spring), plus a one-term Capstone experience. For Advanced Placement (LPN to RN) students, the program includes a Transitions course, plus four terms which includes the Capstone experience. TERM PROGRAM BEGINS EACH YEAR: Entrance is offered once each year. Advanced Placement (LPN to RN) students will begin Summer of The first AAS-N students will be enrolled for the academic year. Additional details will be forthcoming. ENROLLMENT PER YEAR: 8 students CREDENTIAL AWARDED WITH COMPLETION OF REQUIRED COURSEWORK: AAS-N: Associate of Applied Science Degree, Nursing EXPECTED TIME COMMITMENT The RN program demands a great deal of time. In addition to classroom time (approximately hours/week), students spend an average of hours/week in the skills laboratory and at clinical sites (hospital, long-term care and other settings). Clinical experiences are scheduled during the shift that RNs typically work which could be morning, evening, night, weekend, or holidays. Additionally, several hours for study time and on-line assignments should be included in the time commitment. This schedule requires flexibility from the individual, the family/support system, the employer, and the childcare provider. NON-DISCRIMINATION The policies of nondiscrimination at Klamath Community College (KCC) affirm the right of all individuals to equal education, activities, facilities, and employment without regard to age, disability, national origin, race, marital status, religion and gender in accordance with federal and state laws. ACADEMIC AND/OR TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS Any student who feels s/he may need an academic accommodation for any disability should make an appointment with the Student Success Manager by calling Once the Student Success Manager notifies the program director or faculty of a requested accommodation, reasonable accommodations will be made. These accommodations will not substitute for the basic requirements for entrance or academic and technical standards (i.e. essential functions) required for successful Application Process Packet 2015 Page 2

3 completion of the RN program. Refer to KCC website, Future Students, Registered Nursing Program, Technical Standards/Essential Functions. REGISTERED NURSING ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS For ADVANCED PLACEMENT STUDENTS (LPN RN) Eligibility Criteria To qualify as a candidate for Advanced Placement (LPN to RN), the student must: 1. Complete all program prerequisites with a letter grade of C or better and a cumulative prerequisite GPA > 3.0 by the end of the term prior to starting the nursing program. 2. Possess a current State of Oregon LPN license that is active and unencumbered. 3. Submit evidence of 400 hours of direct patient care experience in an acute or sub-acute (skilled) setting, or 600 hours of direct patient care in other nursing settings such as clinics, home health, or assisted living as an LPN within the last two years. 4. Submit official copy of transcripts showing completion of the required prerequisite and support courses (or their equivalent). 5. Show evidence of a negative TB status (within six months). 6. Proof of current immunity against rubella, measles, mumps, diphtheria, tetanus, varicella, and hepatitis B. 7. Current CPR Healthcare Provider card (from American Heart Association). 8. A negative background check. 9. A negative drug screen. Admission Requirements Students who already hold an Oregon LPN license may qualify for advanced placement into KCC s Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS-N) program. Any student who seeks advanced placement to the program must be deemed eligible and must follow and complete all advanced placement procedures and requirements, and must meet Program requirements in effect at the time. General required courses for AAS-N Degree must be completed prior to application to program: MTH 111: College Algebra or MTH 243: Statistics I SPE 111: Fundamental of Speech WRI 121 English Composition I PSY 235 Human Growth & Development BUS 131: Intro to Computer Applications Prerequisites that must be completed prior to application to program: BIO 231 and 231 L: Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab BIO 232 and 232 L: Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab BIO 233 and 233 L: Anatomy & Physiology III with Lab BIO 234 and 234 L: Microbiology with Lab HPE 225: Nutrition Additional information follows the section on Application Process Application Process Packet 2015 Page 3

4 Application Process (Advanced Placement students, Summer Term start) Part 1: The student must complete the LPN Advanced Placement Application (available on line) and submit a letter to the Program Director explaining why the student believes he/she is a strong candidate for success in the Advanced Placement program. All documents shall be placed in a sealed envelope addressed to Lori James/Nursing and turned in at the front desk no later than May 15, 2015 at 5:pm. Documents to be submitted with the Advanced Placement Application include: Application Letter to Program Director (see description in above paragraph) Evidence of having completed all required coursework Evidence of work experience (see above in Eligibility Criteria) Immunization records AHA CPR card for Healthcare Providers Evidence of current LPN license Upon receipt of the Application and letter, the student will be contacted to set up an advising appointment with the Program Director. For qualifying applicants, the next steps of the application screening process will be scheduled at that time. Eligible LPN Advanced Placement applications will be considered for the application/selection process and available openings in the Advanced Placement program. Applicants will be assessed according to the following:* 1. Prerequisite GPA: A maximum of 40 points are awarded. The applicant must provide official transcripts from regionally accredited college or universities for all prerequisites. The 39 credits of prerequisites will be calculated in the GPA for assignment of points in the selection process. Points are assigned using a linear equation: Points = 24 times GPA minus National Standardized Test: Up to 20 points will be awarded for scores on the ATI LPN Step exam. (Points = applicant s score in decimal form times 20.) 3. License and Practice as an LPN: Current unencumbered license in Oregon as an LPN and required number of work experience hours (as defined above). No points awarded. 4. Math Competency Assessment: must be passed at 100%. Maximum two attempts. No points awarded. 5. Physical assessment: The student must complete the physical assessment on a real person with a minimum score of 75%. The assessment examination will be scheduled at the discretion of the nursing faculty. (Points = applicant s score in decimal form times 20.) 6. Designated Skills check-off: The major concepts of the skills must be substantially correct. Any portion of the skill in which there is a minor area of concern (may pass with minor, but not major concerns) will be addressed in a Guide-to-Success plan. 8. Tie Breakers: In the event that two or more applicant scores cluster at the same cut-off point, KCC will use tie breakers in the following order: a. Overall prerequisite/preparatory GPA b. Completion of all prerequisites before application deadline c. Math grade * Approximately 50% of available program seats are reserved for qualified students residing in Lake County. Application Process Packet 2015 Page 4

5 Application Process, continued Part 2: This part of the application process is by invitation only. Students will be given specific instructions on obtaining a background check and urine drug screen. Part 3: A mandatory program orientation will be scheduled prior to the first day of class. All students must attend to retain their spot in the program. Progression through Advanced Placement Process and Program All core program courses must be completed with a 75% or higher score to continue in the advanced placement process and/or program. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: Additional Information 1. ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) 3.0 or higher is required for application. Cumulative GPA is calculated on the previously listed required preparatory and prerequisite courses. Official transcripts must be submitted with the application for all coursework to be used in calculating the GPA. Non-KCC students must enroll at the college and complete the Transcript Evaluation form found on the KCC website, current student tab, under Registrar or contact student services. 2. TRANSCRIPTS REQUIREMENT All college transcripts documents for required coursework must be official. Transcripts are considered official if they are issued directly by the school or college, are mailed or delivered in an unopened envelope and are dated within the last year. If KCC holds your official transcript from another college for a previous admission requirement (within the last year), you may request a transcript analysis as described above. However, in some cases, it may be necessary to provide an updated transcript. If the applicant is requesting a transcript analysis for courses with a name or number or credit hour different from that identified on the KCC Registered Nursing advising guide, s/he will need to make an appointment with the Registrar no later than May 1, Official transcript/s of college courses to be considered in the application process toward the program requirements must be on file with the Registrar prior to the end of the application period on May 15, For questions, please contact the registrar as early as possible at Application Process Packet 2015 Page 5

6 3. CPR CARD (Required prior to the first day of class) The student must have a valid CPR card for the duration of the program (cannot expire before Fall, 2016.) The only acceptable CPR card for this program is BLS for Healthcare Provider (adult/infant/child, one and two person with AED) issued by American Heart Association (not Red Cross). 4. IMMUNIZATIONS (Required prior to the first day of class) Applicants are required to show evidence of immunizations including measles (MMR), tetanus and the hepatitis B series. Having started a series at the time of application is acceptable. Hepatitis B requires a series of 3 injections 1-4 months apart. Students who decline immunization must sign a form acknowledging an understanding of the risks involved. No clinical experience in OB/Maternal-Child is allowed if a student has no evidence of MMR immunization or immunity. Applicants must obtain a TB/PPD skin test annually. Initial TB testing requires a series of 2 skin tests 1-3 weeks apart. Students who have a history of a positive PPD are required to provide documentation of a chest X-ray. They are required to self-report physical signs and symptoms of possible infection. 5. TECHNOLOGY (Required prior to the first day of class) Internet and access are an integral part of all registered nursing courses. Textbooks are mostly digital. The use of a laptop or portable internet device (other than a phone) is strongly recommended. Access to a computer (at home or at the college) will be required on a daily basis. Application Process Packet 2015 Page 6