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NURSING

Associate in Applied Science

NURSING

• Christanna Campus, Alberta, VA
• John H. Daniel Campuse, Keysville, VA
• Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, South Boston, VA

Award:  Associate in Applied Science

Length:  Sixty-nine credit hour program

Purpose:  The program in Nursing equips the student with the knowledge and skills needed to begin professional practice in the care, counseling, and education of health care consumers in a variety of settings.  Upon satisfactory completion of the program, the student is eligible to take the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensing Exam-Registered Nurse). The SVCC Nursing Program assists in providing a competent entry-level Registered Nursing workforce for health care centers and providers in Southside Virginia. SVCC works in conjunction with local PN programs and Old Dominion University’s Teletechnet BSN Program to encourage continuing education.

In addition to the courses listed under “First Semester”, the following requirements must be completed prior to enrollment in any clinical nursing course. Completion of ITE 115 or successful completion of the computer competency challenge exam, certification in AHA CPR for health Care Provider; completion of the NLN RN pre-admission exam with an A.D. Composite score >45th percentile, score of 80 or higher on the Drug Dosage Calculations Test; criminal background check and drug screening. Completion of the medical form is due prior to enrollment in NUR 111.

 Course                               Course                                     Lecture        Lab      Course

Number                                             Title                                                       Credits

FIRST SEMESTER (Spring)                                  

SECOND SEMESTER (Summer)

THIRD SEMESTER (Fall)

FOURTH SEMESTER (Spring)

FIFTH SEMESTER (Fall)

SIXTH SEMESTER (Spring)

 Total of 69 Credits for AAS in Nursing.

This program takes two and a half years to complete.

Prior to entry in NUR 111 or 115, it is recommended that pre-nursing students take NUR 120 and NUR 135.

Pre-requisites for NUR 111 or 115: SDV 100, SOC 200, PSY 230, BIO 231 & 232, HUM elective, ENG 111; NUR 226 & NUR 161 in addition to AHA CPR for Health Care Provider, urine drug screen, criminal background check, PAX-RN AD composite score of 45 or above; and a score of 80 or higher on the Drug Dosage Calculation Test. More pre-requisites are listed in the program notes.

Pre-requisites for NUR 221: SDV 100, SOC 200, PSY 230, HUM elective, ENG 111, NUR 161, 226, 111, and BIO 231 & 232.

Pre-requisites for NUR 222: SDV 100, SOC 200, PSY 230, HUM elective; BIO 231, ENG 111, NUR 161, 221, 226, 111, 221 BIO 232, HLT 230.

Pre-requisites for NUR 223:  SDV 100, SOC 200, PSY 230, BIO 231, ENG 111 & 112, NUR 161, 221, 226, 111, BIO 232, HLT 230, HUM elective.  NUR 254 is to be taken or completed during the final semester of the program. 

Note:  All of the general education courses may be taken prior to admission to the nursing program or nursing courses.

Program Goal and Outcomes: Upon completion of this program and subsequent licensure as a registered nurse after passing the NCLEX-RN, the graduate of this program will be able to enter the workforce as an entry-level nurse generalist. Program outcomes cover eight basic competencies.  Graduates possess (NLN, 2000):

1. Therapeutic communication skills. Communication in nursing is an interactive process through which there is an exchange of information that may occur verbally, non-verbally, in writing, or through information technology. 
2. Assessment skills. Assessment is the collection, analysis, and synthesis of relevant data for the purpose of appraising the client’s health status. 
3. Clinical decision making skills. Clinical decision making encompasses the performance of accurate assessments, the use of multiple methods to access information, and the analysis and integration of knowledge and information to formulate clinical judgments. 
4. Caring intervention skills. Caring interventions are those nursing behaviors and actions that assist clients in meeting their needs. 
5. Collaboration skills. Collaboration is the shared planning, decision making, problem solving, goal setting, and assumption of responsibilities by those who work together cooperatively with open professional communication. 
6. Management of patient care skills. Managing care is the efficient, effective use of human, physical, financial, and technological resources to meet client needs and support organizational outcomes. 
7. The graduates of the associate degree nursing program adhere to standards of professional practice, are accountable for their own actions and behaviors, and practice nursing within legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks.

Employment Possibilities:  Include beginning staff nurse positions in hospitals, nursing homes, physicians’ offices, clinics, and other comparable health care facilities and agencies.

Program Approval and Accreditation:  The Virginia Board of Nursing and the State Council for Higher Education have approved and/or accredited the development, implementation, and continuation of this program.

In Virginia, a State License is required for this profession.  More information may be obtained from the Virginia Department of Health Professions; Board of Nursing, Perimeter Center, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, Virginia 23233-1463 Phone:  (804) 367-4515.

SVCC intends to seek accreditation by the National Leagues for Nursing Accrediting Commission.  The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission may be contacted at 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY  10006.  (212) 363-5555 x 153.

Nursing (for RN licensure) Program Notes: 

Requirements for Application: 

1. Follow all steps for Admission for Curricular Students on page 12 of the College Catalog 2006-2008.
2. Evidence of C or better in high school biology or pass BIO 01 (LPNs applying to the nursing program for RN licensure must also meet this requirement)
3. Evidence of C or better in high school algebra and one other math with C or better; or pass MTH 02 & MTH 03.
4. Evidence of C or better in high school chemistry or pass CHM 05. Consumer Chemistry taken in high school will not meet the Nursing Program HS Chemistry requirement.
5. Have C or better in ITE 115: Basic Computer Literacy.
6. Score of 45th percentile or higher in the AD Composite Score on the PAX-RN – pre-entrance exam.  If you have a current, unrestricted, VA LPN, Paramedic, RT, or PT license, OR a 4 year college degree, you do not have to take this exam.
7. Score of 80 or higher on the Drug Dosage Calculations Test. This test is offered in the fall and spring semesters on the Alberta and Keysville Campuses. Please refer to the college website, then click on Programs, then click on Nursing to view the location, times, and places for the test. An example of the exam is also provided at that location. Dosage Calculations are an integral component of the nursing program and skills related to this area are paramount to patient/client safety. Students must be able to perform basic math, basic algebra, and solve for x in order to be successful on the test. The use of calculators is not permitted for this test.
8. Complete the general education courses for the first and second semesters of the nursing program as listed in the nursing curriculum with a C or better.  These courses are:  SDV 100: College Success Skills; SOC 200 Principles of Sociology; PSY 230: Developmental Psychology; BIO 231: Anatomy & Physiology I); ENG 111: College Composition I; the elective.
9. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in all VCCS courses (VCCS Nursing Programs’ Policy).
10. Submit a copy of a current American Heart Association CPR certification for Health Care Provider.

Nursing Program Policies

1. A grade of C or better in each and every course included in the Nursing Program Curriculum is required for graduation.
2. After completing the requirements and upon acceptance into the second semester of the nursing program, students will enroll in and complete BIO 232: Anatomy and Physiology II, NUR 226: Health Assessment; NUR 161: Nursing Perspectives.
3. The affiliated clinical agencies require that each student submit to a urine drug screen and a criminal background check.  The criminal background check must be completed prior to acceptance into the Nursing Program.  The Nursing Program Head provides information to students regarding these procedures.  The Virginia Board of Nursing has the authority to deny licensure to any applicant who has violated any of the provisions of S54-367.32 of the Code of Virginia.  Attending clinical laboratories in the clinical agencies is a privilege.  Students must be able to attend clinical laboratories in the clinical agencies in order to apply to the nursing program. Any student entering the nursing program who has been convicted of any illegal offenses other than minor traffic violations should confidentially discuss these matters with the Nursing Program Head prior to submitting an application to the program for clarification.  The Virginia Board of Nursing has issued a position statement on this topic.  Students must review this document:  http://www.dhp.state.va.us/nursing/nursing_guidelines.htm - then review Document 90-55.
4. Accepted nursing students must complete NUR 226 and NUR 161 the semester prior to entering clinical nursing courses or the LPN transition course.
5. In order to be admitted to NUR 111 or 115 or any clinical nursing course, students must meet all the pre-requisites and/or general education courses as listed in the curriculum.
6. Students must present the fully completed medical entrance exam forms (available on the Nursing Program Website) and American Heart Association CPR certification for Health Care Providers card to the nursing program head two weeks prior to the first day of class of any of the following courses: NUR 111, 115, 221, 222, 223, 254.
7. Students with Disabilities:  Students with disabilities may be admitted to the program provided that they meet the program prerequisites, pass the medical exam and submit the medical form signed by a physician or nurse practitioner stating that they are physically and mentally able to successfully undertake the rigors and requirements of the nursing program.
8. Students are required to complete a sequence of courses and learning experiences provided at the college and at selected community agencies such as: special and general hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, physicians’ offices, day care centers, and schools.  The nursing faculty members observe and evaluate the students’ suitability for nursing and providing direct patient care.
9. See degree requirements for sequencing of the courses in the nursing program curriculum.

Licensed Practical Nurses Transition:

1. Licensed Practical Nurses who meet program admissions requirements may qualify to receive advanced placement in the nursing program.
2. LPNs must submit proof of their current and unrestricted Virginia License with the application to the nursing program.
3. LPNs may qualify for NUR 115 based upon their educational background.
4. LPNs may substitute with a C or better: NUR 115 for NUR 111; PNE 173 for NUR 161; and/or HLT 138 and HLT 100 for HLT 230. 
5. Accepted nursing students who are LPNs must complete NUR 226 prior to entering NUR 111 or 115.
6. LPNs not required to take NUR 111 must complete NUR 115 and NUR 226 with a C or better and must also begin clinical nursing courses within one year of completion of these two courses. 
7. Students should contact the program head for further information.

Re-Admissions:

1. Students who wish to re-take a nursing course may re-enroll in the nursing course, on a space available basis, after all other qualified applicants have been accepted. Students must notify the nursing program head of their intent.
2. In accordance with VCCS policy, students may not normally enroll in the same course more than twice without the permission from the Campus Provost. Two failures in any nursing course will result in dismissal from the program. Students have three years to complete the nursing program once they begin a clinical nursing course. Students dismissed from the program are not eligible to enroll in any of the nursing courses in the Associate Degree Nursing Program. Further policies for the program are in the Nursing Program Policy and Procedure Manual. The manual is given to all students accepted into the nursing program and is available in the program head and nursing faculty members’ offices for review.

Clinical Contracts:  Individual contracts are in effect with each affiliated clinical agency and these contracts may differ in requirements made of students.  The general stipulations are as follows:

1. Clinical agencies reserve the right to dismiss a student from their agency at any time with due cause.  This will be done with advance notice except in an emergency.
2. Proper uniform with plain, white leather shoes must be worn.
3. Published clinical agency policies must be adhered to.
4. Documented proof of current immunizations must be on file with the nursing program faculty members.
5. The clinical agency, its agents, and employees are released from any liability for any injury or death to students or damage to their property arising out of the clinical agreement or use of the clinical agencies’ facilities.
6. The College recommends that all students carry accident insurance and personal health insurance due to the inherent risk of exposure to disease. The College does not assume responsibility for accident/incidents which occur in the clinical setting; nor does it provide any student health services. The student assumes financial responsibility for accidents/incidents requiring medical attention. All registered students taking three or more credit hours are eligible to enroll in the Virginia Community College System Health Insurance Plan.  Information on rates and coverages is available in the Student Development Office on either campus.
7. Documented proof of current American Heart Association CPR certification: BLS for Health Care Provider (minimum requirement) must be on file with the nursing program faculty members.
8. Students may not be allowed to attend clinical laboratory sessions if they have been convicted of anything other than minor traffic violations or have positive urine drug screens.
9. Contracts for each clinical agency are available in the Nursing Program office and may be reviewed by students upon request.

Special Costs:  In addition to the regular college tuition and fees, the nursing program requires:

              Uniforms and shoes:                                                  $200.00

              Books per semester                                                  $350.00

                                                          (First semester may cost $600.00)   

              Nursing Technology Fee                                           $400.00*

              Medical exam                                                           Varies

              Graduation Pin                                                          $50.00

              Campus Laboratory Kit                                            $90.00

              Criminal Background Check                                     Varies

              Urine Drug Screen                                                    Varies

The above costs are subject to change. The student should also consider childcare, transportation, meal, and possibly parking costs, as the program requires travel to clinical facilities to complete clinical assignments.

*All students must pay a technology fee for assessment testing and comprehensive testing with NUR 111, 221, 222, and 223. The $400.00 technology fee is inclusive for all four courses, but is subject to change.