Imperial Valley College offers a Vocational Nursing Program for students who are in good health, over 18, and eligible for admission. The program prepares graduates to provide basic bedside nursing care to patients and/or clients under the direction of a physician or registered nurse. Duties of the LVN include provision of basic hygienic and nursing care, measurement of vital signs, basic client assessment, documentation, performance of prescribed medical treatments, administration of prescribed medications, and performance of non-medicated intravenous therapy and blood withdrawal (requires separate Board certification). The program provides equal opportunities to men and women and is approved by the California Board of Vocational Nurse and Psychiatric Technicians. After completion of the program, students are eligible to take the licensure examination for Vocational Nursing called the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX PN). Students can choose to complete the Certificate or Associate Degree option of the program. Both options equally prepare the student to take the licensure exam. The program is considered full-time and completes in three (3) semesters. A new class begins when a class completes. Lecture and lab times are coordinated to best fit student and program schedules. Local hospitals and agencies are used for clinical training. Admission Requirements Students who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply to the LVN Program: 1. High School Graduate or Completion of the GED 2. Completion of the prerequisites below with a 2.0 minimum GPA (grade of C) - ENG 110 (or ENG 101) Composition & Reading - PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology - BIOL 090 Anatomy & Physiology for Health Occupations - AHP 100 Medical Terminology Selection Criteria Students who meet the above criteria are issued points and ranked using the IVC LVN Admissions Criteria Grid in this packet. Refer to the grid for detailed information on points. The top 20-24 applicants are invited to join the program. Points are based on required and optional criteria: Required Criteria: Meet 2.0 minimum GPA in BIOL 090 or the equivalent Meet 2.0 minimum GPA in General Education Fixed Set Courses (ENG 110 or 101, PSY 101, and AHP 100) Meet 2.0 minimum Overall GPA (overall GPA from all Colleges attended is used) Optional Criteria: o o o Life Experience or Special Circumstances Category Official and/or written verification of one of the following: Veteran status, difficult situations, refugee status, personal disability, low income or need to work, disadvantaged social or educational environment, first general of family to attend college Academic Degree, Relevant work Experience or Volunteer Category Verification of one of the following: Master s, Bachelor s, or Associate s degree; or a professional license or certification in a healthcare field such as Paramedic or Medical Assistant; or current certification as a certified nurse assistant, medical assistant, or any other health care related field; or work or volunteer experience over 25 hours Alternate Language Proficiency Category
Verification of completion of an advance-level course in American Sign Language or in any other language than English such as Spanish, Tagalog, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Russian, and/or any other language (IVC s AMSL 200, 202, or 204; French 201 or 211; Spanish 200, 210, 220 or 221 one class needed), or Official letter verifying that student is able to communicate, in a health care setting, in another language other than English Students with prerequisite courses in progress are eligible to apply but will be placed in a separate group (Group B). If there are more applications received than the 20-24 slots available, consideration will be given to applicants with courses completed (Group A). Additional Information: Meeting eligibility for applying does not guarantee admission to the program A higher GPA results in higher points toward the application Additional classes considered for points are: READ 111 (or ENG 111), ENG 201, and NURS 100 BIOL 090 can be substituted with BIOL 200 and 202, or BIOL 204 and 206 or the equivalent Attendance at a Nursing Information Session will be required prior to applying. Application Periods Applications are accepted every three (3) semesters, during the month of March or September, depending when a class graduates. Application periods are posted in the Nursing Department Office and the LVN website. Contact the Office for specific dates 760-355-6348. Application Packet When the student has met the admission criteria and is ready to apply, the following documentation is required. Students can submit documentation on the Optional criteria as it pertains to the student. A checklist is provided with the application packet to guide the student on all documentation to turn in. Required Documentation: Application and Applicant Checklist Copy of High School Transcript or Diploma verifying graduate status, or GED Copy of IVC transcript Copies of all other colleges and/or institutions attended DegreeWorks Audit Transfer Forms (If requesting to transfer from another nursing program) Please Note: High school must be within the United States. If completed outside the U.S., transcript must be officially evaluated by a credentials service before submitting with the application. The evaluation report needs to verify high school equivalency only. Copies of transcripts of all colleges and institutions attended need to be included with the application, including those already filed with the College. Official transcripts filed with Admissions & Records Office are not open for duplication. The DegreeWorks Audit must list LVN as the major and be under the current academic year. This audit is found under the For Students tab on the IVC Homepage at www.imperial.edu
Nursing Information Session Imperial Valley College Students will be required to attend a Nursing Information Session offered regularly by the Nursing Department. Sessions are required prior to applying and dates and times are posted on the Nursing webpage located under the Courses & Programs tab. Advisement Meeting with a Nursing Program counselor/advisor is important to begin your educational plan. Counselors are located in the Counseling Office, Building 100, and you can reach them by phone at 760-355-6543 for appointments and schedules. Financial Aid technicians are also located in Building 100 and can help with applying for aid and any other questions regarding financial assistance at IVC. Their website is also found at www.imperial.edu under the For Students tab. Program Costs and Clearance Requirements: The estimated cost for the program ranges from $4,000 to $4,200 for all three semesters. Costs include tuition, parking, student fees, health services fees, textbooks and testing assessments and modules, uniforms, accessories, and supplies, lab fees, licensure examination and preparation, and graduation. A more detailed expense sheet is available from the Nursing Department or the LVN webpage. Once a student is selected for admission, they will be required to complete clearance requirements to be cleared for clinical training. These requirements include: A basic physical exam and immunizations (2-step PPD, 2-step MMR, T-Dap, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Influenza), background check and drug screen, and obtain a CPR card from the American Heart Association for Healthcare Providers. Information is provided to the student before admission. Course of Study Prerequisites ENG110 (or 101) Composition & Reading 4 (or 3) PSY101 Introduction to Psychology 3 BIOL 090 Anatomy & Physiology for VNs and Health Occup 3 AHP 100 - Medical Terminology 3 First Semester VN 110 Introduction to Patient Care I 5 VN 112 Introduction to Patient Care II 5 VN 114 Pharmacology I 1.5 VN 116 Pt. Care Management & Critical Thinking 2.5 PSYCH 204 Developmental Psychology (Conception to Death) 3 Second Semester VN 122 Common Health Problems I 5.5 VN 124 Pharmacology II 2 VN 120 Maternity Cycle 5.5 Third Semester VN 130 Common Health Problems II 5.5 VN 132 Common Health Problems III 5.5 Total : 53
Progression Policy Nursing courses are completed in sequence. Each course within the certificate or major must be completed with a C or better to progress to the next level. All skills and clinical components of each course must be completed with a Satisfactory (S) to progress to the next level. PSYCH 204 must be completed in the semester indicated with a grade of C or better to progress to the next level. Graduation and transfer requirements are in the College Catalog at www.imperial.edu under the Courses & Programs tab. Summary of Course Requirements Prerequisite Courses Title ENG 110 (or ENG 101) Composition & Reading 4 (or 3) PSY 101 General Psychology 3 BIOL 090* Anatomy & Physiology for Health Occupations 3 AHP 100 Medical Terminology 3 *Note: Science classes have a 7-year time limit. Higher level Anatomy & Physiology courses accepted only if equivalent and taken within time limit. More than two (2) repeated grades (W, D, or F) may impact points. All A/P courses completed count toward Science GPA. A higher GPA results in higher points. A lower than 2.0 GPA does not meet eligibility. Co-requisite: PSY 204 Developmental Psychology 3 Elective Courses Course Title READ (or ENG) 111 Reading IV: Analytical and Critical Reading 3 ENG 201 Advanced Composition 3 MATH 091 (or higher) Intermediate Algebra 5 NURS 100 Medication Mathematics 1 To obtain the Associate of Science degree in Vocational Nursing, the following courses will be required, in addition to the prerequisites: Course Title SPCH 100 Oral Communication 3 American Institutions POL SCI 102 & HIST 120 or 121 3/3 Humanities Elective As Required in College Catalog 3 PE 100 Lifetime Exercise Science 2 PE Elective PE Activity Course 1 MATH 091 Intermediate Algebra, or Equivalent 5 For More Information Contact the Nursing Department Office at 760-355-6348 or email laura.hartsock@imperial.edu
Admission Criteria Grid for Selection by Points For calculating the GPA, log on to http://www.back2college.com/gpa.htm Required Criteria Points Point Distribution 5 points GPA = 4.0 5 points Overall GPA - 2.0 Minimum to Apply Degree Applicable Classes counted GPA from all colleges attended will be calculated General Ed GPA - 2.0 Minimum to Apply ENG 110 (or 101) or higher AHP 100 (Medical Terminology) PSY 101 (Intro to Psychology) PSY 204 (Develop Psychology) GPA Science - 2.0 Minimum to Apply BIOL 090, or higher level Anatomy and Physiology Courses (both required) Optional Criteria Academic Degree (or diplomas from U.S. colleges only), or Relevant Certification or Work or Volunteer Experience (in healthcare within past 3 years and no more or no less than 25 hours) Life Experience or Special Circumstances Includes the following areas: a. Veteran or Active Military Status b. Recent Difficult Personal/Family Situation or Circumstance c. Low Family Income d. Need to Work during prerequisites e. Disadvantages, social or educational environment f. First generation of family to attend college g. Disabilities h. Refugee Status Alternate Language Proficiency Able to speak, in a healthcare setting, in any language other than English such as: American Sign, Spanish, Tagalog, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Russian, and/or various languages of Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia or other language 5 points 5 points Points 3 points 1 point 1 point Total Points 20 GPA = 3. 5 3.99 4 GPA = 3.0 3.49 3 GPA = 2.5 2.99 2 GPA = 2.0 2.49 1 GPA = 4.0 5 points GPA = 3.5 3.99 4 GPA = 3.0 3.49 3 GPA = 2.5 2.99 2 GPA = 2.0 2.49 1 GPA = 4.0 5 points GPA = 3.5 3.99 4 GPA = 3.0 3.49 3 GPA = 2.5 2.99 2 GPA = 2.0 2.49 1 Master s 3 points Bachelor s 2 Associate s 1.5 Paramedic/Certified MA 1.5 CNA, EMT, or healthcare Cert 1 Work or Volunteer Experience 1 One category counted for point - a. If yes, submit copy of DD214 Form or Veteran or Military ID b. If yes, submit typed statement describing situation that pertains to single parent, deployed spouse, family caregiver, death of family member in past 6 months, medical problem, or financial issue c. If financial need, submit proof of eligibility of Financial Aid, CalWorks, BOGG, Federal Pell Grant, or EOPS d. If employed while taking prerequisites, submit letter from employer on company letterhead verifying dates e. If disadvantages or social or educational environment, must submit typed statement describing situation f. If first generation, submit typed statement g. If documented disability(s), submit copy of DSPS evaluation or letter from physician documenting disability h. If refugee, submit copy of card indicating refugee status Choose one form to verify proficiency - Identify advanced level classes on transcript, or Official letter verifying language other than English can be spoken
Frequently Asked Questions 1. When is the best time to apply for LVN? The best time to apply is when students have completed all prerequisite courses successfully. Students with courses in progress are eligible to apply but may not be considered if there are more applications received with completed courses than the 20-24 slots available. 2. How am I selected? Students are ranked by a point system using the LVN Admission Criteria Grid. The top 20-24 are invited to join the class. Refer to the Admissions Criteria Grid on the LVN website for specific points. The higher the points, the higher the chance for being admitted. 3. What paperwork is required to apply? The Application, Applicant Checklist, copy of the high school transcript or diploma verifying graduate status, or the GED, a copy of the IVC transcript (if attended), a copy all other college transcripts from all colleges attended, and the DegreeWorks Audit for LVN. Optional criteria is also included as it applies to the student. Refer to the LVN Admissions Criteria Grid. 4. What is the DegreeWorks Audit? DegreeWorks is a program that lists the required classes for the major declared by the student. The student must sign in using their Student ID and Pin #. DegreeWorks is found under the For Students tab of the IVC Homepage. The audit must be current and identify the major declared. 5. What transcripts do I submit? Transcripts from all colleges attended, including IVC, are submitted with the application, including those already filed with the College. A copy of the high school transcript, diploma, or GED verifying graduation or completion is also required. Official or unofficial copies are accepted. 6. I completed high school in another country, is my transcript accepted? Only transcripts from U.S. regionally accredited schools are accepted with the application, however, students can request for their foreign transcript to be formally evaluated. Contact a professional credentials service or The International Education Research Foundation at http://www.ierf.org/ or by phone 310-258-9451. 7. What is the minimum GPA I need to have to apply? A minimum GPA of 2.0 meets eligibility for applying to the program. A higher GPA constitutes higher points toward the application. 8. When are applications accepted? Every three (3) semesters, or every other year, during the month of March or September. The LVN webpage has the open enrollment dates, or contact the Nursing Department at 760-355-6348. 9. Do I need to attend a Nursing Information Session? Yes. Attending an Information Session is required to have a knowledge base of the program you are applying to. Sessions are scheduled once a month during Fall and Spring semesters and dates are posted on the Nursing website. 10. Should I meet with a counselor before applying? Yes. It is strongly advised that students meet with their counselor, or the program counselor before submitting an application to make sure of all program requirements and College resources available. 11. Is a Pre-entrance test required? No. The LVN Program does not require a pre-entrance test for admission.
12. When am I notified if I ve been selected? Students are notified by email up to 60 days from the deadline date. For example, if the deadline was September 30 th, it would be up to 60 days from this date. 13. What should I do if I m not selected? Meet with a counselor, or the program counselor to review your options. Increasing the GPA is possible by completing the approved elective classes for LVN and getting a higher than C grade. Classes cannot be repeated at IVC once a C grade has been obtained. 14. Am I able to apply to RN while in the LVN Program? No, students enrolled in the IVC LVN Program will not be considered for RN if enrolled. Students are eligible to apply for RN when they have completed the LVN program and have obtained the LVN license and met the RN admission criteria. 15. What if I have a previous conviction or misdemeanor? Students who have a previous conviction, misdemeanor, or traffic citation over $1,000 are advised to submit a written statement of the occurrence(s) with the application, and attach copies of court documents (if applicable). This information cannot be nor will be used to determine eligibility in the program, but it does allow the Program Director to guide the student on Board of Nursing requirements when applying for licensure. Once admitted to the program, students will be required to complete a background check and drug screen. If the background check is flagged or negative, further review will be necessary before the student can continue in the program. When applying for the licensing exam, certified court documents will be needed. More information is available on the California Board of Vocational Nurse and Psychiatric Technician s website at http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/enforcement/ Still have questions? Contact the IVC Nursing Department at 760-355-6348 or by email laura.hartsock@imperial.edu