Cuyahoga Community College Division of Nursing Practical Nursing Program Information Pack 2014 2015 Disclaimer: All information is subject to change. For additional information, visit www.tri c.edu/programs/nursing. If you have any questions, please contact the Department of Nursing via email at nursing@tri c.edu. Revised: 9 17 14
Dear Applicant: Thank you for your interest in the Cuyahoga Community College Practical Nurse Program. This information packet is designed to provide you with information regarding admission requirements, application procedures, and the admission process. We are happy to help you any way we can. Nursing, as a program of study, is among the most demanding and rigorous. As you plan to enroll, recognize that in order to succeed, you will have to dedicate a lot of time and energy to studying and fulfilling the requirements of the program, but in the end the reward is worth the effort and sacrifices. Nurses have an important and influential role in health care delivery. As a practical nurse you will derive satisfaction from knowing that you are able to provide care for people across the life span. We are a proud profession comprised of individuals who make a difference. We wish you every success! Sincerely, Vivian Yates, PhD, MSN, RN Dean, Division of Nursing Irene Meyer, MSN, RN Associate Dean, Division of Nursing Tracy King, MSN, RN Program Manager, Division of Nursing Wendy Batch-Wilson, MSN, RN Director Nursing Skills Lab, Division of Nursing
Contents PROGRAM INFORMATION... 4 General Description... 4 ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS... 4 PART I: GENERAL COLLEGE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS... 4 PART II: PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS... 4 PART III: BACKGROUND CHECK... 5 PART IV: ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS... 5 APPLICATION PROCESS... 7 COURSE SEQUENCE... 8 HELPFUL INFORMATION, RESOURCES & LINKS... 9 Student E mail Communications... 9 Nursing Student Resources... 9 College wide Resources... 9 Cuyahoga Community College Student Handbook... 9 Tuition Fee Schedule... 10 Additional & Miscellaneous Expenses... 10 Miscellaneous Expenses... 10 OBN General Information... 11 Outside Resources... 11
CERTIFICATE OF PRACTICAL NURSING PROGRAM PROGRAM INFORMATION General Description The Practical Nurse Program at Cuyahoga Community College provides the opportunity for students to apply to the Ohio State Board of Nursing to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses. The course of study is designed to be completed in one year. Admittance occurs in the Fall of each year with graduation the following Summer. The Practical Nursing Program consists of both day and evening components to suit the needs of traditional and non traditional students alike. The aim of the Practical Nurse Program is to provide a broad education. Approximately half of the total credit hours are nursing courses, with the remaining course work divided among science and general education studies. Students attend practical nursing classes at the Metropolitan campus and will care for patients at clinical sites throughout Northeast Ohio. Nursing courses consist of classroom study, practice in the college laboratory and clinical instruction. Students will participate in planned clinical instruction caring for patients and residents at hospitals, nursing homes and various healthcare and community facilities. Each week, depending upon the clinical nursing course, students will devote approximately 4 5 hours in the classroom, 2 4 hours in the College practice laboratory and 8 12 hours in the clinical setting. Laboratory time encompasses a combination of scheduled practice, testing sessions, use of mannequins, use of healthcare equipment and human patient simulation experiences. Open lab time is available for selfpractice sessions as well. It is an expectation that students spend approximately two hours per week viewing videos, utilizing software, and practicing and mastering nursing skills. Lectures and College Labs are offered during the day and evening. Clinical experiences may be held during the day, evening and/or weekend for both day and evening students. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS The admission requirements for the Practical Nurse Program consist of two parts: General Admission Requirements and Practical Nurse Program Requirements. PART I: GENERAL COLLEGE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS The applicant must meet the requirements for general admission to the College as listed in the Catalog, under the heading, ADMISSION, FEES, FINANCIAL AID. PART II: PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS To be eligible for admission into the nursing program, the applicant must meet the following minimum requirements. 1. A high school diploma or GED equivalence, or a higher degree transcript must be on file in the Tri C Enrollment Center. 2. A cumulative college grade point average (GPA) 2.0. If an applicant s GPA from Tri C is less than 2.0, the GPA from an earned degree from another accredited college or university can be used. 3. Eligible to register for ENG 1010 and MATH 1141. 4. Pass a nurse entrance exam, Elsevier Admission Assessment (A2) Test. Achieve a composite grade of 70% or higher in essential math skills and a composite grade of 70% or higher in the
English language section which consists of reading comprehension, grammar & vocabulary. Students are not required to take the biology, chemistry, anatomy & science sections but we strongly recommend doing so. PART III: BACKGROUND CHECK The completion of a criminal background check (BCI) is one of the admission requirements to the nursing program. The background check is required to ascertain (i) the ability of students to eventually become licensed in the profession and (ii) the ability of students to attend mandatory clinical rotations at external facilities in accordance with the requirements of the program. Effective January 12, 2013, the BCI process may begin no sooner than six months prior to entry into the program. (Program entry is defined as the first day of class in which the student begins the nursing program). The BCI must be completed, reviewed and cleared prior to full acceptance into the program. The BCI will be valid as long as the student is continually enrolled in the nursing program. Students who leave and return to the program after an absence of one year must complete another BCI. Students returning to any health career program after one year of absence also need to complete another BCI. Background checks completed by another vendor, employer, or while enrolled at another school/institution will not be accepted. Information on the background check requirement can be found by clicking on the Background Check Information found on the Nursing Home page at http://www.tri c.edu /nursing. PART IV: ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS Prospective students must complete and submit certain requirements for consideration and/or placement in the nursing program. Once accepted into the program, nursing students must maintain these requirements or they will not be permitted into any clinical setting. The maintenance of accurate and up to date information of all requirements are the sole responsibility of the student. These requirements include but are not limited to the following: IMMUNIZATIONS: Measles There must be documentation of one of the following: 2 MMR Vaccinations 2 Measles Vaccinations Positive antibody titer for Measles (lab report required or employer health report required) Mumps There must be documentation of one of the following: 2 MMR Vaccinations 2 Mumps Vaccinations Positive antibody titer for Mumps (lab report required or employer health report required) Rubella There must be documentation of one of the following: 2 MMR Vaccinations 2 Rubella Vaccinations Positive antibody titer for Rubella (lab report required or employer health report required) Varicella (Chicken Pox) There must be documentation of one of the following: 2 Vaccinations
Positive antibody titer (lab report required) Hepatitis B A positive Hep B antibody titer is required. If you are just starting the vaccination series you must follow the CDC recommended schedule and then follow the series with a titer. If the titer is negative or equivocal, you must repeat the vaccine series two weeks after the original titer. A repeat titer is required after the series. Repeat titer will be accepted even if negative. (Please see the post vaccination requirements on p. 3) TB Skin Test There must be documentation of one of the following: 2 step TB Skin test (1 3 weeks apart) 2 tests within one year period (most recent within last 12 months) Past 2 Step PLUS all subsequent annuals 2 consecutive annual tests Negative QuantiFERON Gold or T Spot test within the past 12 months If TB results are positive, provide a Chest X Ray (lab report or employer health report required). If INH therapy was received, you must submit documentation of this as well. Tuberculosis (Single PPD) A single PPD is required annually. Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) There must be documentation of a Tdap booster within the past 10 years. Influenza Submit documentation of a flu shot administered during the current flu season, starting August 1 st. The annual deadline is October 1. CPR Certification Students are required to provide documentation of a current professional level CPR course. The course MUST be either the BLS for Healthcare Providers course earned through the American Heart Association or the CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer course earned through the American Red Cross. No other course will be accepted. When submitting documentation of certification, the copy must be front and back of the card. The card and/or certificate must be signed. Letters verifying completion are no longer being accepted.
1. Submit a Tri C College application. APPLICATION PROCESS 2. Submit an official high school diploma transcript, GED Equivalency or higher degree transcript to the Office of the Registrar, P.O. Box 5966, Cleveland, OH 44101 0966. 3. Students must possess or attain a cumulative college grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher. 4. Students must complete the College s English and mathematics placement tests and be eligible to register for ENG 1010 and MATH 1141. If the student is transferring credit(s) from another college, the transcript(s) must be sent to Admissions and have been evaluated and entered into the student s official Tri C college record. 5. Once you have met with a college counselor a request for review can be submitted. The request can be submitted online at http://www.tri c.edu/nursing. 6. Admission to the LPN Program requires passing scores (70%) on both Math and Reading Language sections of the entrance exam as described above. 7. Once all of the admission requirements have been met, the applicant will receive an application for admission to the Practical Nurse Program and a list of available starting dates by e mail to your Tri C Student E mail Account, from the Division of Nursing. 8. Students who accept a slot in the nursing program (with a specific starting date for nursing courses) and do not show up for orientation or the first day of class will have to re start the application process after Sept. 1 st. NOTE: Applicants are encouraged to submit an application as soon as admission requirements are completed in order to reserve a space in the program. Support courses can be completed during the interim period while waiting to enter the Practical Nurse Program sequence. Applicants must maintain a cumulative college GPA of 2.0 or higher for final enrollment and throughout the practical nurse program.
COURSE SEQUENCE LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSING CERTIFICATE Fall Semester Credit Hours BIO 1050 and 105L (lab) Human Biology 4 ENG 1010 College Composition I 3 MATH 1141 Applied Algebra or higher** 3 PNUR 1300 Patient Care 2 PNUR 1321 Nursing Management of Adults I 7 TOTAL 19 Spring Semester BIO 1100* Introduction to Biological Chemistry 3 or CHEM 1010 and 1020 PSY 1010 General Psychology 3 PNUR 1330 Nursing Management of Adults II 8 TOTAL 14 Summer Semester PNUR 1341 Lifespan & Nursing for the Practical Nurse 4 PSY 2020 Lifespan Development 4 TOTAL 8 PROGRAM TOTAL 41 If a student has taken Biology 2331 and will complete Biology 2341 prior to or during their first semester in the program, the courses can be substituted for Biology 1050/105L and should be considered for the student who may seek a science and/or Nursing degree. *CHEM 1010 and CHEM 1020 replace BIO 1100 for students planning to transfer credit. **MATH 1160, MATH 1800/2800 and MATH 1820/2820 may not be used to meet the program math requirement. Courses used as pre requisites or core courses for the Health career and Nursing programs must have a traditional letter grade. The Pass/No Pass grading option for pre requisites and core courses will not be accepted by the Health Career and Nursing Programs. STNA students may be granted credit for PNUR 1300 upon successful completion of written and skills competency exams. Students that have been state tested for at least one year and have a current STNA certificate with a minimum of one year clinical experience may be eligible articulation and/or bypass credit. Please note that there is a $25.00 administrative fee to apply for the bypass credit. Additional costs for bypass credit will apply. o Students will be required to complete the Award of Comparable Credit: Assessment of Prior Learning form requesting bypass credit for PNUR 1300 (2 credit hours) or if eligible apply for Credit Award Agreement for Cuyahoga Community College s STNA Program. o The process must also be completed and credit awarded before the student can progress to the next course level. Courses used as pre requisites or core courses for the Health career and Nursing programs must have a traditional letter grade. The Pass/No Pass grading option for pre requisites and core courses will not be accepted by the Health Career and Nursing Programs.
HELPFUL INFORMATION, RESOURCES & LINKS Student E mail Communications Cuyahoga Community College has established e mail as an official means of communication with students. An official Tri C e mail address is issued to each student. Students must check e mail regularly in order to read important messages and notifications. Certain communications may be time sensitive. Failure to read official college communications sent to students official Tri C e mail addresses does not absolve students from knowing and complying with the content of those official communications. Students must also ensure that there is sufficient space in their e mail inboxes to allow for e mail delivery. To avoid junk or spam filters, students who are forwarding mail should add their Tri C address to their address book. Nursing Student Resources Once admitted to the nursing program, many resources are available to nursing students including but not limited to ongoing support of faculty and office personnel, open lab hours for skills practice, tutoring services and more. Nursing students are also able to communicate to faculty, office personnel and each other through assigned media resources. http://www.tri c.edu/nursing PN Nursing Student Handbook PN Nursing Students expectations, responsibilities, policies and procedures. http://www.tri c.edu/nursing Would you like to complete your MATH requirements in 1 SEMESTER? For information about completing MATH 095/096/1250 in one semester, contact Dr. Heather Masterson for consultation/permission. Heather.Masterson@tri c.edu College Wide Resources Additional college wide resources are available to nursing students at each campus. For a full range of services please go to the Cuyahoga Community College website. http://www.tri c.edu/pages/default.aspx Cuyahoga Community College Student Handbook http://www.tri c.edu/about/documents/studenthandbook.pdf Counseling Department As you seek admittance into the PN Nursing Program, it is required that you visit the counseling center for guidance. Academic, career and personal counseling services along with a many other resources are available at each campus. http://www.tri c.edu/counseling/pages/default.aspx Office of Student Success Cuyahoga Community College wants our students to set their goals to complete certificates and degrees. We offer a variety of academic support services through the Learning Centers on
each campus, ACCESS programs for students with disabilities, GED/ABLE (Adult Basic Literacy Education) Programs, and Student Support Services at the Metropolitan Campus. http://www.tri c.edu/studentsuccess/pages/default.aspx Cuyahoga Community College Student Handbook http://www.tri c.edu/about/documents/studenthandbook.pdf Project Go! Cuyahoga Community College is partnering with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), the Ohio Benefit Bank (OBB) and the Cleveland Food Bank to break down barriers to college completion. This program provides support and assistance to students who may face financial challenges while working toward their educational goals. http://www.tri c.edu/studentsuccess/projectgo/pages/default.aspx Financial Aid Students can meet with a Student Financial Aid Advisor to obtain information about various financial aid options, including grants, scholarships, student loans, and public benefits. http://www.tri c.edu/financialassistance/pages/default.aspx Tuition Fee Schedule Click on the link below to access the current Tuition and Payment Schedule http://www.tri c.edu/payingforcollege/pages/tuitionpaymentschedule.aspx Additional Expenses Entrance & Exit Exams $200 (Variable) Books & Supplies $2200 Uniforms $250 Laboratory Fees $250 Liability Insurance ($6.25 per semester) $25 Background Check $85 (Variable based on Residencies and/or Previous history) Medical Insurance is Required Must be obtained at your own expense Miscellaneous Expenses Stethoscope, scissors, hemostat (Variable) Health examination (Variable) Immunizations (Variable) *Prices subject to change Outside Resources Ohio Board of Nursing General Information For questions regarding approved programs, PN NCLEX licensure, etc. in the state of Ohio visit the Ohio Board of Nursing Website. www.nursing.ohio.gov
The Informed Approach Because a criminal history can have different effects at the educational, licensure, and employment levels, when a person is considering pursuing a nursing career, it is best to have as much information as possible prior to deciding to enroll in a nursing program. The Board encourages individuals who have criminal histories and who are interested in pursuing a nursing career to: (1) Contact approved nursing education programs and ask about the programs enrollment criteria with respect to criminal convictions; (2) Review the criminal history information available on the Board s website http://www.nursing.ohio.gov/discipline.htm; and (3) Contact healthcare facilities and inquire about hiring criteria with respect to criminal convictions. For additional information not listed please submit inquiries to: nursing@tri c.edu.