3.7 Nursing Program

3.7.1 System Guidelines

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
  • 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;
    4. sufficient communication skills (speech, reading, writing) to interact with individuals and to communicate their needs promptly and effectively, as may be necessary in the individual’s interest; and
    5. 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 Associate Degree Nursing Program.
    
    Selection of students for the Associate 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:
    • Admissions Officer
    • Associate Degree Nursing Program Coordinator
    • Two – Four Associate Degree Nursing Faculty Members
    • Three – Four Members-At-Large, e.g. Developmental Studies Counselors, General Studies Faculty
  • Terms for the Associate Degree Nursing faculty members and the Members-At-Large are for two years and are to be staggered.
    
    In order to be considered for admission to the Associate Degree Nursing Program, each applicant must submit the following credentials by the deadline date set by the program.
    1. Current application for admission to a KCTCS college.
    2. Transcripts of postsecondary work completed at other institutions
    3. Results of ACT or equivalent
  • A pre-admission conference with the Coordinator or the Coordinator’s designee is required prior to an applicant’s consideration by the Associate Degree Nursing Admissions Committee.
    
    Preference may be given to:
    1. candidates who demonstrate above average standing in high school or on the General Education Development Examination (GED);
    2. applicants with an ACT composite score of 20 or its equivalent on a nationally normed RN Preadmission Exam. Examples include, but are not limited to the NLN Preadmission RN Examination or the C-NET Pre-Nursing Assessment RN; and
    3. applicants who have completed 12 or more credit hours in the approved curriculum with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better from any regionally accredited college.
• Readmission
  1. In order to be considered for readmission by the Nursing Admissions Committee, the applicant must submit a written request to the Nursing Coordinator and meet current admission guidelines. Some colleges will require an applicant to have a nursing faculty member submit a letter of recommendation.
  2. A student may be readmitted to the Associate Degree Nursing Program one time. The Nursing Admissions Committee may recommend readmission a second time, if a student furnished sufficient evidence of remedial study, additional preparation or resolution of factors contributing to unsuccessful course completion.
  3. If more than three years have elapsed since initial enrollment in the first nursing course of any registered nursing program, an applicant must repeat all nursing courses unless the student has demonstrated current competency by passing exams equivalent to comprehensive course final examinations (both written exams and clinical skills) if available at the college to which the student is applying for admission.
• Transfer
  • Applicants who wish to transfer from one KCTCS college Nursing Program or other nursing programs must:
    1. meet all admission requirements of the receiving institution;
    2. notify the Coordinator of the Associate Degree Nursing Program in writing, stating anticipated entry date and reason for transfer; and
    3. have a faculty member from the program previously attended submit a letter of recommendation to the receiving institution.
  • 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.
• Licensed Practical Nurses
  • LPNs who apply and are admitted to a Nursing Program will receive credit for LPN prior learning and professional licensure as explained in Section VI Appendix D in the Rules of the Senate.