3.16 Academic/Career Mobility Program in Nursing

3.16.1 System Guidelines

The Academic/Career Mobility Program in Nursing provides a seamless educational option in nursing with two exit points allowing students to choose a career as an LPN or RN.

Enrollment in the Academic/Career Mobility Program in Nursing may be limited because of available laboratory facilities in the community, as well as limited faculty and financial resources at the community 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, ;
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
5. sufficient intellectual and emotional functions to plan and implement care for

Admission

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 Academic/Career Mobility Program in Nursing.

Selection of students for the Academic/Career Mobility Program in Nursing 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 may be from the college as follows:

Admissions Officer

Associate Degree Nursing Program Coordinator

Two Practical Nursing and two Associate Degree Nursing Faculty Members

Three – Four Members-At-Large, e.g. Development Studies Counselors, General Studies Faculty

Terms for the 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 Academic/Career Mobility Program in Nursing, 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 Nursing Admissions Committee.

Licensed practical nurses who graduated within one year of admission to the program or have practiced at least one full year within the past three years and hold a current unrestricted license for practical nursing may be admitted to the ADN associate degree level.

Preference may be given to:

1. applicants with an ACT composite score of 20 or greater or its equivalent on a nationally normed RN Preadmission Exam. Examples include, but are not limited to the NLN Preadmission RN Examination or the ATI TEAS Exam; and
2. applicants who have completed 12 or more credit hours in the approved curriculum with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better from any collegiate level accredited
3. first time applicants to a nursing program

Readmission

1. In order to be considered for readmission by the Nursing Admissions Committee, the applicant must meet current admission guidelines and submit a written request to the Nursing
2. A student may be readmitted to each level (PN and ADN) of the Academic/ Career Mobility Program in Nursing 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
3. Licensed Practical Nurses who graduated more than one-year (1) year prior to readmission at the Associate Degree level shall provide verification of current employment. Current employment shall be defined as one (1) year full-time employment as an LPN within the last three years. The employment in nursing shall be defined as patient/client contact and shall be verified by the employing agency/agencies using a verification of employment
4. Licensed Practical Nurses who graduated more than three years prior to readmission at the Associate Degree level but were not employed as an LPN for at least one (1) full year within the past three years must repeat all nursing courses unless the applicant has demonstrated current competency by passing exams equivalent to comprehensive course final examinations (both written exams and clinical skills).
5. All nursing courses must be repeated if more than three years (3) have elapsed since admission to the first nursing course of any nursing program unless the applicant has demonstrated current competency by passing exams equivalent to comprehensive course final examinations (both written exams and clinical skills).

Transfer

Applicants who have attended another nursing program or wish to transfer from one KCTCS Nursing Program must:

1. Meet all admission requirements of the receiving institution;
2. Notify the Coordinator of the Nursing program in writing stating reason for transfer and anticipated entry date; and
3. Have a faculty member from the program previously attended submit a letter of recommendation to the receiving

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.

3.16.2 College Guidelines (none)