Mar 29, 2024  
2017-2018 Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nursing A.S.N.


**Application requirements have changed for the fall 2018 cohort.  Please check with the Nursing Department for updated criteria!

Program Overview

The Associate of Science Degree in Nursing (ASN) is designed to prepare the graduate to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for registered nurses and to enter a career as a beginning practitioner of nursing. It is intended that the courses in nursing will provide the students with an awareness of the value and dignity of people and a view of the patient as an integrated, unique individual requiring nursing knowledge and skill.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Blue Ridge Community and Technical College Associate of Science in Nursing Program is to enhance the health status of the region by educating professional nurses for entry into practice as caring and competent nurse generalists.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the Associate of Science in Nursing Program, the graduate will:

Caring

  1. Provide compassionate nursing care to patients regardless of different values, beliefs, culture, and lifestyles.

Communication

  1. Demonstrate appropriate verbal, non-verbal, therapeutic, and professional communication skills.

Clinical Judgment

  1. Utilize the nursing process to apply knowledge of nursing science and disease processes; critical thinking skills; and evidence based findings to demonstrate proficiency in planning safe and effective patient care.

Professionalism

  1. Provide nursing care according to legal, ethical and professional standards.

State Accreditation

West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses

90 MacCorkle Avenue, SW • Charleston, WV 25303 • (304) 558-3596

National Accreditation

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.

3343 Peachtree Rd NE • Suite 850 • Atlanta, GA 30326 • (404) 975-5000

Fax (404) 975 - 5020 • Email info@acenursing.org • www.acenursing.org

APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO THE NURSING PROGRAM

Nursing Application 2018

Application Deadlines

The deadline for nursing applications will be each year on January 31st.  Refer to the Current Nursing A.S.N. description for details.

To be considered for admission into the Nursing ASN Program students must:

  • Be a degree seeking student in Healthcare Professions, A.A.S. 
  • Have a GPA of 2.5 or better.
  • Have completed or be registered to take ENGL 101 and MATH 114 by the semester of application.
  • Receive a “C’ or better in all required course for the program.
  • Achieve a 58.7% or higher on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) composite score.
  • Be enrolled in or have completed NURS 111 - Introduction to Nursing (2).

Pre-Requisites

TEAS Test

Steps to register for the TEAs Test:

  1. Go to www.blueridgectc.edu home page;
  2. Click on “Current Students” at the top of the page;
  3. Click on “Register for an Exam” on the left side of the page;
  4. Follow instructions to pay for and sign up for the TEAS test;
  5. All tests are given in the testing center on the first floor;
  6. After testing, and receiving the required grade of 58.7% overall composite score, the registrar will open up NURS 111 for you to register for the course.

Students may only take the TEAS Test twice a year, with a 30-day minimum between tests. A composite score of 58.7 on the TEAS test is required to be eligible for admission.

Decision Criteria and Process

Failure to fully complete the application, provide truthful information, send required documentation, or failure to report ANY felony or misdemeanor conviction, plea of nolo contendere or pending court cases in this application will result in immediate disqualification and/or dismissal from the Nursing Program and any subsequent application may not be considered. Information provided to the Department of Nursing is confidential and is used only for selection purposes.

After application, transcripts will be reviewed by the Program Director. If an applicant does not meet all the academic pre-requisite courses they will not be considered for admission. Both admitted and non-eligible students will be notified via the BRCTC email provided on the application. Applications for non-admitted applicants are not retained.

Criteria and scoring for admission decisions are available on the application form. Scores are ranked from highest to lowest, and the top 48 students are offered admission to the nursing program. Students must accept the admission within 14 business days of the email date or their placement will be offered to the next qualified student. There is no waiting list for admission. Accepted students must attend nursing orientation scheduled before the end of the application semester.  Students not attending orientation will have acceptance revoked and offered to another student.

Core Performance Standards

Because the Nursing Program seeks to provide a safe environment for nursing students and their patients, students will be required to demonstrate physical and emotional fitness to meet the essential requirements of the nursing program. Such essential requirements include freedom from communicable disease, the ability to perform certain physical tasks, and suitable emotional fitness. Any appraisal measures used to determine such physical and emotional fitness will be in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, so as not to discriminate against any individual on the basis of handicap.

The essential requirements of the nursing program with examples of activities required of students during their nursing education are listed in the Essential Requirements of Nursing Programs document. This document is based on The Americans with Disabilities Act: Implications for Nursing Education. Southern Regional Education Board (March 1993), www.sreb.org.

Special Requirements for Nursing Majors

  • Submission of completed health data requirement prior to beginning of first semester following acceptance into the program.
  • Submission of yearly PPD results (or chest x-ray, if appropriate).
  • Evidence of CPR certification.
  • Undergo a criminal background check and urine drug screening.
  • Adhere to the policies and procedures in the Nursing Student Handbook and Policy Manuals.
  • Special fees for standardized testing and clinical courses are required in addition to tuition.
  • Obtain physical examination and proof of immunity to communicable diseases.

Progression

In order to progress and graduate, the student enrolled in the ASN program must:

  • Receive a C or better in all courses required for the nursing program.
  • Maintain a minimum of 2.5 cumulative grade point average.
  • Complete all course work within three years of admission into the program.

Ratio Clock to Credit Hour

The ratio of theory clock hour to credit hour is 1:1. The ratio of clinical and lab clock to credit hours is 3:1.  The ratio of internship to credit hours is 5:1. A clock hour equals 50 minutes.

Graduation

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply to any state Board of Nursing to take the NCLEX-RN examination. Each state has individual requirements of applicants for licensure for examination.

Eligibility for Licensure

The nursing law of West Virginia addresses criteria for application for licensure. The West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses has the power to deny opportunity to procure licenses through testing if the applicant has willfully committed a felony under the laws of West Virginia.

Career Options

Our growing population yields a high demand for skilled nurses. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that career opportunities for nurses are expected to grow 22% between now and 2018, giving nursing students peace of mind that they can secure jobs in settings including hospitals, clinical practices, nursing homes, home healthcare, or in military service.

Reportable Statistics

Information based on academic year 2014-15:

NCLEX Pass Rate: 92.8%

Completion of Program: 95%

Graduates obtaining jobs after graduation: 100%

Curriculum for an Associate of Science in Nursing Degree (ASN)


General Education Core

25

Nursing Core

Laboratory Credits to Clock Hours - 1:2

Clinical Credits to Clock Hours (Instructor Led) - 1:3

Preceptorship/Capstone (Agency Dependent) - 1:5

Total Clinical Clock Hours - 589.5

35
Total Credit Hours Required

60

This major requires 60 credits over five semesters.

PreAdmission Requirements


To be considered for admission into the Nursing ASN Program students must:

Suggested Course Progression


Pre-admit semester courses must be completed before starting the Nursing Program and must be enrolled or in progress before an application is submitted.  General education classes may be taken before the suggested semester but must be completed by the semester listed in order to progress forward in the Nursing Program.  However, nursing (NURS) class must be taken in the order and semester listed below.