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Section IV

    3.7.2.4 Owensboro Community and Technical College

    The system guidelines will be followed except:

    Enrollment in the Associate Degree Nursing Program may be limited because of available laboratory facilities in the community, as well as limited faculty and financial resources at the college.

    Technical Standards/Essential Abilities

    Nursing at the technical level involves the provision of direct care for individuals and is characterized by the application of verified knowledge in the skillful performance of nursing functions. All students should possess:

    1. sufficient visual acuity, such as is needed in preparation and administration of medications and for the observation necessary for patient assessment and nursing care;
    2. sufficient auditory perception to receive verbal communication from patients and members of the health team and to assess health needs of people through the use of monitoring devices such as cardiac monitors, stethoscopes, IV infusion pumps, Doptones, fire alarms, etc;
    3. sufficient gross and fine motor coordination to respond promptly and to implement the skills, including the manipulation of equipment required in meeting health needs; sufficient communication skills (speech, reading, writing) to interact with individuals and to communicate their needs promptly and effectively, as may be necessary in the individuals' interest; and
    4. sufficient intellectual and emotional functions to plan and implement care for individuals.

    In addition to the other qualifications, the college will, in compliance with KCTCS regulations and in the manner and to the extent permitted by law, endeavor to provide opportunities to all students in order to promote diversity among the student population in the Associated Degree Nursing Program.

    Nursing Admissions Committee

    Selection of students for the Associated Degree Nursing Program will be made by the President of the College or the President's designee after considering the recommendations of the Admissions Committee, which is to be appointed for this purpose. Membership on this committee shall be from the college as follows:

    1. Nurse Administrator/Program Coordinator;
    2. Nursing Faculty Members (4); and
    3. Members-At-Large (3-4), e.g. Counselors, General Studies Faculty.

    Terms for Nursing faculty members and the Members-At-Large are for two years and are to be staggered.

    The Owensboro Community and Technical College Associate Degree Nursing Program is a selective admissions program. Space is limited.

    1. The Nursing Admissions Committee reviews the list of applicants, who are objectively ranked by points. The point system used is available on the Program of Nursing website.
    2. The Nursing Admissions Committee determines the number of applicants who will be admitted. The number of admissions may vary from semester to semester.
    3. Applicants, who have not been previously admitted to a Nursing Program, with the highest total points are offered seats. Students seeking readmission are considered not only by point ranking but also by faculty recommendation, readmission application and results of the competency exam (see readmission for more details).
    4. Other qualified applicants who are not accepted for admission are placed on a waiting list (may not apply to students seeking readmission). Applicants on the waiting list may be admitted, if space becomes available.

    Regular Admission Requirements

    The system guidelines will be followed except:

    In order to gain admission into the nursing program applicant(s) must meet the deadline published by the program:

    1. Submit a current application for admission to a KCTCS college;
    2. Submit transcripts of postsecondary work completed at other institutions (not within the Kentucky community and Technical College System);
    3. View an online Pre-Admission Conference for each admission cycle;
    4. Complete a Personal Data Form application for each admission cycle (form embedded in online Pre-Admission Conference);
    5. Meet one (1) of the two (2) criteria listed below:
      • ACT Composite score of 20 or above
      • Meet benchmark score published by the program of a nationally normed admission test selected by the nursing faculty
    6. Meet one (1) of the two (2) listed below:
      1. Earn a minimum 2.75 Grade Point Average (GPA) calculated on the basis of all completed General Education courses required for the nursing program. In order for a grade to be considered, it must be available on or before the application deadline. Grades in PSY 110, a Quantitative Reasoning course at the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science level (MAT 150 preferred), BIO 137, BIO 139, BIO 225, ENG 101, and a heritage or humanities course will be included in the calculation, when completed. If an applicant has taken more than one heritage or humanities course, the course with the highest grade will be used in the Grade Point Average (GPA) calculation.
      2. Earn a minimum 2.75 cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) calculated on all college courses taken within the Kentucky Community and Technical College System and applicable transfer credit.
      3. Note: For the purposes of ranking, an applicant’s highest Grade Point Average (GPA) (see option 6a and option 6b above) will be used for admission.
    7. In order to be considered for Nursing Program admission, students must have successfully completed PSY 110, a Quantitative Reasoning course at the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science level (MAT 150 preferred), and BIO 137. Grade of “C” or higher in the Quantitative Reasoning and Science courses required.
    8. Preference within each applicant pool may be given to applicants demonstrating proof of a prior Allied Health Degree involving direct patient care and who are actively employed in that field for 12 of the past 36 months, as well as applicants who have earned a college degree in any field of study and Veterans (see Point System for details).

    Direct Admission

    “Direct admission” (early notification of acceptance) will be considered for students who are seeking admission to the nursing program for the first time. Students who have had unsuccessful attempts (grade of “D”, “E”, “W” or the equivalent) for nursing classes in any nursing program, including OCTC, will not be considered for “direct admission”. Students must have a complete application on file and meet the following requirements:

    1. Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher is required for “Direct Admission”. Applicants must have completed PSY 110, a Quantitative Reasoning course at the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science level (MAT 150 preferred) and BIO 137. Note: A qualifying Grade Point Average (GPA) can include either the Grade Point Average (GPA) calculated with the grades of completed General Education courses required for the Nursing Program or the cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of all college courses taken within the Kentucky Community and Technical College System and applicable transfer credit.
    2. Achievement of the benchmark score published by the program of a nationally normed admission test selected by the faculty.

    The waiting time for notification of “direct admission” will vary and depends upon available resources. Typically, an applicant will be notified of his or her early acceptance within ten (10) business days of application receipt. Applicants can request a meeting when applying to verify eligibility for early acceptance. “Direct admission” will occur on a first come, first serve basis.

    Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse (LPN-RN) Admission

    Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse (LPN-RN) candidates will be ranked according to the same criteria as the Associate Degree Nursing student listed above and must meet all requirements listed for admission (with the exception of State Registered Nurse Aide licensure). Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse (LPN-RN) applicants are required to demonstrate:

    1. Evidence of active status, unrestricted licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Kentucky or another compact state (on or before the first day of NSG 219/NSG 212 or their equivalent).
    2. Evidence of continuing student status or employed as a full-time Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) 12 of the past 36 months.
    3. Demonstrate competency by meeting benchmark score published by the program on the first attempt of a comprehensive exam equivalent to the first nursing course content.
    4. Demonstrate competency by meeting benchmark score published by the program on the first attempt of a dosage calculation exam equivalent to the first nursing course content.

    Accepted Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse (LPN-RN) candidates will be granted placement into the 2nd semester Associate Degree Nursing courses.

    Readmission

    The system guidelines will be followed except:

    In order to be considered for readmission by the Nursing Admissions Committee, the applicant must:

    1. Meet current college guidelines of 2.0 minimum Grade Point Average (GPA). Grade Point Average (GPA) in all previously attempted general education and nursing courses required for the nursing program will be considered. Additionally, the cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) in all college courses completed within the Kentucky Community and Technical College System and applicable transfer credit will be determined. Grade of
      “C” or higher in the Quantitative Reasoning and Science courses required.
    2. Submit a readmission application published by the program detailing:
      1. semester and course to which the student is requesting readmission;
      2. reason(s) for previous unsuccessful progress in the nursing program;
      3. plans to increase chances for success if readmitted.
    3. Demonstrate competency by meeting benchmark score published by the program on the first attempt of a comprehensive exam equivalent to the content of the prior successful semester completed if seeking readmission into a Medical/Surgical course.

    Students may be readmitted to the Nursing Program one time. Students will be afforded no more than two (2) opportunities for successful completion of the Nursing Program. The Nursing Admissions Committee will consider the recommendation of Nursing Faculty, the Readmission Application and results of the competency exam (when applicable) for all students seeking readmission. The Nursing Admissions Committee reserves the right to consider an additional
    attempt for students who exit the program under extraordinary circumstances or applicants with previous nursing school unsuccessful attempts in which five (5) years or more has
    passed.

    Readmission must occur within three (3) years of the initial admission date. If more than three years have elapsed since initial enrollment in the first nursing course in any registered nursing program, an applicant must repeat all nursing courses.

    Readmission to the Nursing Program will be dependent upon available resources.

    Readmission – Fundamentals of Nursing

    Applicants previously admitted to a fundamental nursing course (NSG 101 or its equivalent) at Owensboro Community and Technical College will be considered for readmission to NSG 101 (or its equivalent) one time. The Nursing Admissions Committee will consider the recommendation of Nursing Faculty, the Readmission Application and results of the competency exam (when applicable) for all students seeking readmission. A student will be afforded no more than two (2) attempts to successfully complete the Nursing Program. The Nursing Admissions Committee reserves the right to consider an additional attempt for students who exit the program under extraordinary circumstances or applicants with previous nursing school unsuccessful attempts in which five (5) years or more has passed.

    Applicants previously admitted to another nursing program other than Owensboro Community and Technical College, and who have earned one (1) unsuccessful attempts (defined as a grade of D or below or withdraw status) in a nursing course or program are eligible to be considered for admission.

    Applicants previously admitted to another nursing program other than Owensboro Community and Technical College, and who have earned two (2) unsuccessful attempts (defined as a grade of D or below or withdraw status) in a nursing course and/or program are ineligible for admission. The Nursing Admissions Committee reserves the right to consider students who exit a program under extraordinary circumstances or applicants with previous nursing school unsuccessful attempts in which five (5) years or more has passed.

    Students who apply for readmission will be considered on a case-by-case basis and not by point ranking alone.

    Students who are granted readmission into NSG 101 (or its equivalent), must repeat all nursing courses in the curriculum in order to successfully complete the program (regardless of the grade earned in previous attempts, when applicable).

    Transfer

    The system guidelines will be followed except:

    Applicants who wish to transfer from one Kentucky Community and Technical College System Nursing Program or other nursing programs must:

    1. meet all admission requirements of the receiving institution;
    2. notify the Coordinator/Director of the Associate Degree Nursing Program in writing, stating anticipated entry date and reason for transfer; and
    3. request the Coordinator/Director from the program previously attended to submit a letter to the receiving institution indicating the student is in good standing in both the clinical and didactic setting.

    Applicants previously admitted to another nursing program other than Owensboro Community and Technical College, and who have earned a failing grade (defined as a grade of D or below or withdraw status) in a nursing course or program are ineligible for transfer. However, applicants who are transferring from another college and desire entry into NSG 101 (or its equivalent) may be eligible for admission. Students granted NSG 101 (or its equivalent) admission must repeat all nursing courses in the curriculum in order to successfully complete the program (regardless of the grades earned in previous attempts, when applicable).

    Transfer into the program may be limited due to availability of clinical facilities, faculty, and financial college resources. Applicants will be considered for transfer only if a vacancy exists.