Nursing, AAS

Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Nursing with a major in Nursing

Length: Four-semester (two-year) program

Purpose: The two-year Associate Degree program is designed to prepare students educationally as contributing members of the health team, rendering direct patient care as beginning practitioners of nursing in a variety of health services facilities. At the successful completion of the program, students will be eligible to make application to the Board of Nursing for their respective state to be considered for eligibility to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) leading to licensure as a registered nurse (R.N.). The program is fully approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and the Virginia State Board of Nursing. It has received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) [3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Georgia 30326, (404) 975-5000)]. This may be used as a resource for program information.

Academic Graduating Class/Year	Graduate Success on NCLEX-RN/Licensure for all First Time Test Takers: Timeframe of Jan. 1 thru Dec. 31 of each calendar year.	Students Completion of WCC Associate Degree Level Nursing Program:(Combined-generic and LPNRN). Timeframe of August for generic, and January for LPN-RN start dates to graduation dates of May (2 year graduation cycles).	Graduates Employment Rates: (Combinedgeneric and LPN-RN). Graduation employment rates collected from June 1st, thru December 31st, annually.
2013	93.0% (generic)	43 graduates	100%
2014	86.0% (LPNRN)	52 graduates	100%
2015	82.5% (generic)	48 graduates	100%
2016	77.14% 1st time test takers)	36 graduates	100%

Occupational Objectives: Employment opportunities for the Registered Nurse include positions in the following:
Hospitals
Nursing Homes
Health Departments
Physicians’ Offices
School Systems
Clinics
Industries
Civil Service
Hospice agencies
Day care centers
Home health care agencies
E ntrepreneurial opportunities

Minimum Requirements: (Must be met by February 15–if the class does not fill in February, there may be a second round of admissions in June)

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• In addition to the admission requirements established for the college, entry into the Nursing program requires competency in English and Math Essentials  MTE 1-4 as demonstrated through the placement and diagnostic tests, or by satisfactorily completing the required MTE units or equivalent.;
• One unit each of high school chemistry and high school biology with a “C” grade or better. If the applicant does not meet the high school prerequisites, he/she may gain proficiency through the college’s developmental courses. The high school requirements may be waived if BIO 141  and BIO 142  (Anatomy and Physiology I and II) are completed with a grade of “C” or better;
• Score at or above the 45th percentile rank on the ATI/TEAS V, as mandated by the VCCS. Equivalent scores for the NET, or NLN nursing preadmission tests will be considered if taken within three years. Students have unlimited opportunities to obtain a satisfactory score and must wait 30 days before retesting;
• A 2.5 average for high school courses or a 2.5 cumulative average for all college coursework.

**Curricular GPA may be considered if the cumulative GPA is less than 2.5
**If the student has completed a minimum of 12 college credits that are included in calculating the college GPA (non-developmental courses), the 2.5 high school GPA requirement will be waived.

In the event there are more applicants who apply in a given year than there are slots available the college will employ selective admission. Please consult the Health Professions Admission Packet for a detailed description of the selective criteria, readmission, and LPN transition information. The packet is available through the Admissions Office.

Advanced Placement:
The licensed practical nurse (LPN) may receive credit for the first-year nursing courses and enter into the second year of the program providing the following requirements are met:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Satisfactory scores in English and math placement tests or completion of MTE units 1-4 and developmental English at WCC or equivalent college course work
• One unit each of high school chemistry and high school biology with a “C” grade or better. If you do not meet the high school prerequisites, you may gain proficiency through the college’s developmental courses.
• A cumulative or curricular GPA of 2.5.
• Score at or above the national 45th percentile rank on the ATI/TEAS V. Test Scores are good for three years. Students are allowed unlimited attempts at least 30 days apart.
• Submission of transcripts of the School of Practical Nursing.
• Submission of copy of current unencumbered valid LPN license. Students who have probationary status, a suspended or revoked LPN license are not eligible to enter the nursing program.
• Successful completion of BIO 141  and BIO 142 (Anatomy & Physiology I & II), and 80% of the general education classes to be considered for admission to NUR 115 LPN Transition .
• If more students who meet the above admission requirements apply for admission than there are positions available, students who have completed all co-requisite course work and NUR 226 Health Assessment  will be considered first. Students who have completed all co-requisite course work will be considered second and then students will be ranked using criteria such as GPA, ATI TEAS Test score, clinical experience, and number of college courses completed.
• Upon successful completion of NUR 115 LPN Transition the student may enter the second year of the nursing program – NUR 195 Topics In Geriatric Nursing  and NUR 190 Coordinated Internship (Nursing III) .
• The licensed practical nurse who chooses to enter as a freshman nursing student and who is not successful in NUR 106 Nursing Principles and Health Assessment  or NUR 218 Integrated Concepts IV  may not apply to be admitted to NUR 115 LPN Transition .
• The LPN will be afforded one opportunity to complete NUR 115 LPN Transition . If unsuccessful, the student may request admission to NUR 106 Nursing Principles and Health Assessment .
• If the LPN does not have an unencumbered, valid LPN license by the beginning of fall semester, he/she may not continue in the sequence. The student, however, may request admission into the generic tract of the nursing program. Students who have probationary status, a suspended or revoked LPN license are not eligible to enter the nursing program.
• The LPN student must enter the second level nursing classes within three months of successful completion of NUR 115 LPN Transition .

The following is a list of technical abilities and skills applicants for admission should possess:

• Critical Thinking: Critical thinking ability sufficient
• Interpersonal: Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds
• Communication: Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form
• Mobility: Sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces
• Motor Skills: Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe care
• Hearing Acuity: Ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs
• Visual: Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in nursing care
• Tactile: Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment

All applicants should be advised that the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Nursing Statutes and Regulations (54.1-3007) state the following:

Regarding refusal, revocation, or suspension, censure or probation. The Board may refuse to admit a candidate to any examination, refuse to issue a license or certificate to any applicant and may suspend any license or certificate for a stated period or indefinitely, or revoke any license or censure or reprimand any licensee or certificate holder or place him on probation for such time as it may designate for any of the following causes:

1. Fraud or deceit in procuring or attempting to procure a license;
2. Unprofessional conduct;
3. Willful or repeated violation of any of the provisions of this chapter;
4. Conviction or any felony or any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;
5. Practicing in a manner contrary to the standards of ethics or in such a manner as to make his practice a danger to the health and welfare of patients or to the public; Use of alcohol or drugs to the extent that such use renders him unsafe to practice, or any mental or physical illness rendering him unsafe to practice;
6. The denial, revocation, suspension or restriction of a license or certificate to practice in another state, the District of Columbia or a United States possession or territory; or
7. Abuse, negligent practice, or misappropriation of a patient’s or resident’s property.

Any student receiving a final grade lower than a “C” in any course in the NUR prefix, BIO 141 -BIO 142  will be ineligible to continue in the program and will need to contact the program head for readmission requirements.

The following list is a suggested sequence in which students may plan their class schedules to ensure graduation in two years.