SEMINOLE STATE COLLEGE NURSING PROGRAM 2016-17 APPLICATION, ADMISSION, AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS I. Minimum Admission Standards In der to be considered a candidate f admission to the Seminole State College Nursing Associate in Applied Sciences (Registered Nurse) Program, students must satisfy at least one of two minimum admission standards pathways (a b) below. However, students with 12 me college credit hours applicable to the nursing degree may only use their college GPA (option a) to satisfy minimum admission standards. a. College GPA of 2.50 in twelve me credit hours applicable to the nursing degree. (All courses applicable to nursing degree f which a grade was transcripted must be included in GPA calculation.) b. Applicants with eleven credit hours less applicable to the nursing degree must have a cumulative high school GPA of 3.00 greater and a composite ACT sce of 19 taken within the past five years. II. Application Procedure To apply f admission, applicants are required to submit the following documents to the Nursing Office no later than March 31 st of each year. F best consideration students are urged to apply as early as possible during the current academic year rather than waiting f the deadline in the spring. This includes students who have not yet met the minimum admission standards. This greatly facilitates nursing faculty being able to advise applicants during the year pri to their planned entrance in the program. a. properly completed Application f Admission to the Nursing Program b. copy of updated college transcript(s) c. copy of composite, math, and reading ACT sces Students will be notified when their application materials have been received and their application file has been established. During that notification discussion, students will be infmed if they meet the minimum qualifications to advance to candidacy. Students who do not meet the admission standards have the option to submit updated materials in suppt of advancing to candidacy. Students who have advanced to candidacy have the option to submit updated materials that improve their chances f admission. The deadline f updating application files is March 31 st of each year. III. Admission Committee The responsibility of selecting applicants f admission to the SSC Nursing Program belongs to the Admissions Committee. The Admissions Committee is a standing committee that consists of nine SSC employees including the Nursing Program Direct who chairs the committee, two SSC nursing faculty members, two SSC non-nursing faculty members, an SSC Student Affairs advis, a representative from the SSC Office of Admissions, and two adviss from SSC grant programs with student advising functions. The Admissions Committee perfms its duties under the supervision of the Vice President f Academic Affairs (VPAA). Changes to the standards and procedures specified in this document may be changed at any time with a majity vote of the Admission Committee, but only when a quum is present. A quum of the Admission Committee will be established when seven members are present. 1 of 6
IV. Admission Points System Admission to the Nursing Program is limited to assure quality clinical learning experiences f students. In der to ensure objective fairness and equal access to the nursing program admission, a point system is used to rank candidates f admission. The points available f that purpose are as follows: Minimum Admission Standards Points (25 pts. Minimum) Composition and Science Course Grade Achievement Points College Algebra and Chemistry Preference Points Math and Reading ACT Subsce Points Relevant Wk Experience Points Total Admission Points 40 pts. Maximum 40 pts. Maximum 70 pts. Maximum 36 pts. Maximum 14 pts. Maximum 200 pts. Maximum Points are awarded and tracked f each applicant in a Nursing Admission Wksheet maintained in the Nursing Office. Applicants are encouraged to keep a copy of the wksheet f their own reference. Below is a brief description of how admission points are awarded. A me comprehensive view of the points system is available by examining the Nursing Admission Wksheet. Minimum Admission Standards Points (Maximum of 40 points) As shown below, admission points will be awarded based on the pri academic perfmance of the student within the admission pathway used. Students with 12 me applicable non-nursing credit hours must use the college GPA method to meet the minimum standards. The high school GPA/ACT method requires ACT sces taken within the past five years. High School GPA x5 = Admission Points + Composite ACT Sce x1 = Admission Points College GPA f All Applicable Non-Nursing Courses (see list below) x10 = Admission Points The following courses are considered applicable non-nursing courses: Principles of Biology Human Physiology Anatomy Microbiology General Psychology PSYC SOC Elective Composition I Composition II U.S. Histy U.S. Government College Algebra (optional f degree) CHEM 1114/1315/1515 (optional f degree) Upon the completion of 12 me credit hours of applicable non-nursing courses, all such courses must be used in GPA calculation. Composition and Science Course Grade Achievement Points (Maximum of 40 points) Grade achievement points are awarded f a grade of A B in Composition I II and f an A B in Principles of Biology, Anatomy, Human Physiology, Microbiology. A maximum of twenty points are available f the highest single grade in each of the two categies. 2 of 6
A in Composition I Composition II = 20 Admission Points B in Composition I Composition II = 10 Admission Points AND A in Principles of Biology, Anatomy, Human Physiology, Microbiology = 20 Admission Points B in Principles of Biology, Anatomy, Human Physiology, Microbiology = 10 Admission Points College Algebra and Chemistry Course Grade Preference Points (Maximum of 70 points) Preference points f optional courses are awarded f a grade of A, B, C in College Algebra and Chemistry. A maximum of thirty-five points are available f the highest single grade in each of the two categies. A in College Algebra = 35 Admission Points B in College Algebra = 25 Admission Points C in College Algebra = 15 Admission Points AND A in CHEM 1114, 1315, 1515 = 35 Admission Points B in CHEM 1114, 1315, 1515 = 25 Admission Points C in CHEM 1114, 1315, 1515 = 15 Admission Points ACT Subsce Points (Maximum of 36 points) ACT subsce points are awarded as shown f a Math subsce of 16 higher and a Reading subsce of 21 higher taken within the past five years. Residual ACT results are acceptable in addition to ACT results from national test dates. Students already holding an AA, AS, BA, BS, above at the time of application will have the ACT sce submission requirement waived. However, those students will need to submit national residual ACT sces in der to receive admission points in this area. ACT Math Subsce of 16 higher x0.5 = Admission Points and ACT Reading Subsce of 21 higher x0.5 = Admission Points Relevant Wk Experience Points (Maximum of 14 points) Points f documented relevant wk experience within the past five years will be awarded at the discretion of the Nursing Program Direct based on the criteria below. 6-12 months of relevant wk experience = 5 Admission Points 13-24 months of relevant wk experience = 10 Admission Points > 24 months of relevant wk experience = 14 Admission Points 3 of 6
V. Admissions Procedure Applicants who meet minimum admission standards and who have submitted a properly completed Application f Admission to the Nursing Program, up-to-date college transcript(s), and a copy of composite, math, and reading ACT sces will be considered candidates f admission by the Admission Committee. The Admission Committee will meet in April to select the members of the upcoming fall nursing class based on their admissions points ranking. Following the selection of candidates f fall admission, each candidate will be notified in writing of his/her admission status by the nursing Program Direct. It is imperative that candidates keep their application file in the Nursing Office current by submitting updates to address and contact infmation as changes occur. Any candidate applicant not selected f admission is encouraged to meet with the Program Direct and/ nursing faculty f advisement and continued planning f possible future admission to the program. In the event the admissions quota is not met after the stated deadline, there may be additional admissions meetings following the end of the spring semester to consider admitting additional candidates. Students are encouraged to keep the infmation in their file current with updated contact infmation, address, email address, transcripts, and test sces. LPN to RN Advanced Standing Nursing applicants have a different admission procedure and should request infmation regarding that procedure from the Nursing Office. VI. Post-Admission Requirements Applicants admitted to the Program must complete the student health screening fm pri to entering the program. Nursing faculty reserve the right to deny matriculation into clinical nursing courses, should the student s health impinge on the safety of the student and/ patients. Such a decision would be a joint deliberation of college administration, the nursing faculty, the student involved, and the student s health care provider. Applicants who are admitted to the program will be required to submit a background check and submit to a drug screen which meet the specific requirements of the healthcare agencies where clinical learning experiences occur. Once admitted to the Program, students will be required to complete Long Term Care (LTC)/Home Health Aide (HHA) and CPR Certification (American Heart Association: Basic Life Suppt f Healthcare Providers) courses and provide verification of certification pri to entering NURS 1616 Survey of Human Dimensions. Contact the Nursing Office f infmation regarding where certification may be obtained. These certifications are not a requirement to be considered f admission, but must be completed pri to entering the Nursing Program. American Red Cross certification will not be accepted. VII. Readmission Procedure 1. In determining eligibility f readmission, the Admission Committee will consider the following facts: a. number of students currently enrolled in the program b. rationale f failure to successfully complete the program the first time c. compliance with the plan developed during the exit interview d. educational and wk experiences during the interim e. input from admission committee members and nursing faculty f. length of interim since last enrollment in nursing with primary consideration f changes in the Nursing Program and the interim not to exceed one year 2. Procedure: 4 of 6
a. The applicant seeking readmission will complete and file with the Nursing Office an Application f Readmission by the established deadline. b. The application will be considered and acted upon by the Admission Committee. c. The applicant will be notified in writing of the committee's decision by the Nursing Program Direct. Should the application f readmission be denied, a written statement of the rationale f the decision will be included in the letter. VIII. Transfer of Academic Credit 1. Transfer students must comply with the Minimum Standards f Admission to the Nursing Program. 2. Transfer of non-nursing credits will be accepted if the grades and course description are comparable to the criteria established by Seminole State College and the Nursing Program. A grade of C higher must be achieved in all courses required f the degree. Notes: i. First semester transfer applicants must have completed Principles of Biology ( its equivalent). If the applicant has not completed Physiology and Microbiology pri to transfer, must be co-enrolled during the first semester. ii. Second semester transfer applicants must have completed Principles of Biology ( its equivalent), Physiology, and be co-enrolled in Anatomy (if not already completed). iii. Third and fourth semester transfer applicants must have completed Principles of Biology ( its equivalent), Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology. 3. Transfer of nursing credits and the number of nursing credit hours that can be transferred from another nursing school is determined by the SSC Nursing Program Direct. a. a grade of C higher must be achieved in the nursing course. b. evidence must be demonstrated that the nursing courses being transferred are comparable to the SSC nursing courses. The course syllabus and college catalog current to the time the course was taken and samples of completed assignments, i.e. Nursing Care Plans, Case Studies, other scholarly wks are to be submitted f evaluation by the Nursing Program Direct. c. a nursing course completed me than two years pri to admittance to the program is nontransferable. d. in consultation with the Registrar, it is the decision of the SSC Nursing Division Program Direct to transfer not to transfer credit f a nursing course. e. verification that the student is in good standing from the Direct/Chair of the transferring nursing program is required. Application f transfer of nursing courses will be considered on an individual basis. Facts considered will include comparability of course content and availability of space in the courses f which the student is making admission application. All state and college policies regarding transfer of credit as outlined in the college catalog also apply. IX. Graduation Requirements In der to graduate from Seminole State College with an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing degree, and therefe be eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination f Registered Nursing (NCLEX- RN), the student must meet the following graduation requirements: 1. All financial obligations to the college must be paid. 2. The student's overall grade point average must be 2.0 higher. 3. All courses in the entire nursing curriculum must be completed with at least a C grade, which also 5 of 6
requires passing clinical labs with a satisfacty grade. 4. Students are responsible f applying f degrees and licensing examinations within the deadlines set by the College and Oklahoma State Board of Nursing. 5. The student must meet any other requirements f graduation set by the College. Notes: 1. The SSC Nursing Program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission f Education in Nursing (ACEN). ACEN may be contacted at: 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850 Atlanta, GA 30326 404-975-5000 2. The SSC Nursing Program is approved by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing (OBN). Graduates of this state-approved program are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) f registered nurses. Applicants f Oklahoma licensure must meet all state and federal requirements to hold an Oklahoma license to practice nursing. In addition to completing a state-approved nursing education program that meets educational requirements and successfully passing the licensure examination, requirements include submission of an application f licensure, a criminal histy recds search, and evidence of citizenship qualified alien status. Applicants f practical nurse licensure must also hold a high school diploma a graduate equivalency degree (G.E.D.) [59 O.S. 567.5 & 567.6]. To be granted a license, an applicant must have the legal right to be in the United States (United States Code Chapter 8, Section 1621). In addition, Oklahoma law only allows a license to be issued to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and legal permanent resident aliens. Other qualified aliens may be issued a tempary license that is valid until the expiration of their visa status, if there is no expiration date, f one year. Applicants who are qualified aliens must present, in person, valid documentary evidence of: a. a valid, unexpired immigrant nonimmigrant visa status f admission into the United States b. a pending approved application f asylum in the United States c. admission into the United States in refugee status d. a pending approved application f tempary protected status in the United States e. approved deferred action status; f. a pending application f adjustment of status to legal permanent residence status conditional resident status. The OBN has the right to deny a license to an individual with a histy of criminal background, disciplinary action on another health-related license certification, judicial declaration of mental incompetence [59 O.S. 567.8]. These cases are considered on an individual basis at the time application f licensure is made, with the exception of felony charges. An individual with a felony conviction cannot apply f licensure f at least five years after completion of all sentencing terms, including probation and suspended sentences, unless a presidential gubernatial pardon is received [59 O.S. 567.5 & 567.6]. 3. Applicants who are admitted to the program will be required to submit a background check that meets the specific requirements of the healthcare agencies where clinical learning experiences occur. 4. Applicants who are admitted to the program will be required to submit to a drug screen that meets the specific requirements of the healthcare agencies where clinical learning experiences occur. 5. Physiology must be completed pri to concurrent with NURS 1616 Survey of Human Dimensions. 6. Microbiology must be completed pri to third semester of the program. 7. Anatomy should be taken pri to concurrent with NURS 1528 Nursing across the Life Span. 8. Electives are defined as related courses accding to the "Standards f the Associate Degree in Programs of Technical- Occupational Education" and must be approved by the Nursing Program Direct. 9. There are 70-72 semester credit hours required f the Associate in Applied Science in Nursing Degree. 10. Three clock hours per week of clinical labaty are equal to one credit hour. The number of clinical labaty credit hours required varies each semester. (See Nursing Program Direct f clarification). 6 of 6