Catalog 2013-2014

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Nursing

The Accelerated Option

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) may be eligible to enroll in an accelerated option that requires a minimum of three semesters to complete the nursing courses. LPNs may apply for the generic nursing program as described in the Nursing section, or they may apply for the accelerated option to bridge into the second year of the nursing curriculum. Interested LPNs should contact the Admissions Office and request information on the accelerated option in addition to the regular admission packet. Accelerated students are admitted each summer semester if space is available. Prospective students may gain admission to the college initially as Healthcare Science program students/applicants to the Nursing Accelerated Option in order to complete any learning support classes and required general education courses. The application deadline for the Nursing Accelerated Option is February 1 of the year the applicant is seeking admission to the program. Applicants must:

  • Submit completed and signed application for admission and a $20 nonrefundable application fee.
  • Submit official high school or GED transcripts and/or official college transcripts from all colleges attended in the past (see General Admission Requirements).
  • Valid COMPASS, ASSET, SAT, or ACT test scores (see COMPASS Placement Examination).
  • Submit NLN Pre-admission RN Examination, AD Composite Score of no less than the 85th percentile that is less than five years old at the anticipated date of enrollment in the program (see Selective Admission Examinations)
  • Provide proof of legal presence in the United States.
  • Submit documentation of an unencumbered LPN license valid in the State of Georgia.
  • Submit documentation showing a two year work experience (minimum of 1,000 hours) as a licensed practical nurse.
  • Submit completed and signed Intent form. Blank forms are available on the college website.
  • Complete English (ENGL 1101), mathematics (MATH 1101 or MATH 1111), human anatomy and physiology I and II (BIOL 2113, BIOL 2113L, BIOL 2114, and BIOL 2114L), introductory microbiology (BIOL 2117 and BIOL 2117L), and introductory psychology (PSYC 1101) or equivalent courses with a grade of C or better by January 1 of the year in which admission is sought. Applicants transferring from other colleges must confirm the transferability of credit for these courses with the college's director of registration and records by the February 1 admission application deadline.
  • Complete PSYC 2103-Human Development prior to the start Summer Semester.
  • Attend a pre-admission orientation session if invited (recommended).

To ensure that AASN students complete the required program clinical hours, applicants to the AASN program must have completed a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program curriculum that includes a minimum of 160 clinical hours in medical-surgical nursing and 20 clinical hours in mental health nursing.

Applicants to the Nursing Accelerated Option must take the NLN Pre-admission RN Examination no later than January to receive consideration for admission to the program. After applicants submit the required documentation to the Admissions Office, the Nursing faculty will offer the NLN Acceleration Challenge Exam (ACE I) to those applicants who meet the Nursing program requirements. Qualified applicants will receive information regarding the ACE I testing procedures. Entry into the Nursing Accelerated Option is contingent upon:

Applicants who achieve a decision score of 70th percentile or above on the ACE I and are admitted to the AASN program will receive eight (8) semester hours of credit (didactic and clinical) for RNSG 1910 (Foundations of Nursing) upon completion of the ATC Credit by Examination Request and payment of the non-refundable testing fee (25 percent of the course tuition). The Credit by Examination Request can be found on the college website.

After gaining admission to the Nursing Accelerated Option and prior to enrolling in the first nursing course, students must have the following current official documents on file in the Nursing Office:

  • Certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers.
  • Verification of health and malpractice insurance (see Malpractice Insurance).
  • Record of physical exam that is less than six months old and a physician statement that student is in satisfactory health.
  • Results of two step tuberculin skin test and/or chest x-ray.
  • Evidence of immunity to rubella, rubeola, mumps, varicella, and Hepatitis B.
  • Documentation of current TDAP (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) immunization.
  • A signed document acknowledging that the commission of a felony before or during their enrollment in this program may prevent or impede graduates from obtaining licensure as registered nurses. They are be required to complete drug testing and/or background checks at their own expense prior to participating in internships, practicums, or clinical activities at certain host sites for these activities (see Drug Testing/Background Checks). Blank documents are available from the program chair and on the college website.