Oct 03, 2024  
2023-2024 College Catalog and Student Handbook 
    
2023-2024 College Catalog and Student Handbook [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Pre-Nursing Career Studies Certificate (G3 Eligible)


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CIP Code: 51.3801​
Length: 2 Semesters

G3 Tuition Assistance

Purpose

The purpose of the Pre-Nursing Career Studies Certificate (CSC) is to prepare students for competitive admission or guaranteed admission to the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program or the Practical Nursing (PN) Certificate program with the general education courses completed. All courses in the first semester of this CSC earn curricular credits needed for ranking of applicants.  

Admission Requirements

  • High School graduate or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) completion with verification on file in Admissions and Records (A&R)
  • Completion of all RCC admission requirements
  • Competency in science knowledge as evidenced by completion of high school (HS) biology (BIO) and chemistry (CHM) or the college equivalents; in certain circumstances, students who have successfully completed BIO 141  and BIO 142  or its equivalents with a grade of “C” or higher may have this requirement waived.
  • For ADN applicants: competency in mathematics, as evidenced by a minimum of MTH 154   readiness Students that need additional math to be deemed ready should complete MDE 10 as described in the crosswalk pathway. Students may request an evaluation of other measures to satisfy this requirement.
  • For PN applicants: competency in mathematics as evidenced by a readiness to enroll in MTH 154 . Students may request an evaluation of other measures to satisfy this requirement.
  • Competency in English as evidenced by eligibility for ENG 111  in the first semester of the program
  • Successful completion of the first five courses in the CSC allows the student eligibility to apply to either nursing program.

Guaranteed Admission Eligibility

Students may complete both semesters of the Pre-Nursing CSC and become eligible for guaranteed admission to either the ADN or PN programs. The following requirements must be met:

  • Completion of all RCC enrollment requirements, including HS transcript or GED on file in A&R
  • Completion of all mathematics, science, and English competencies as described above
  • Placement in the Pre-Nursing CSC program plan
  • Successful completion of all courses in the two-semester Pre-Nursing CSC with no grade less than a “C” in any course, no repeated courses, and a curricular GPA of 3.0
  • Attendance at a nursing program information session
  • Completion of the Kaplan Nursing Entrance Test within 2 years of application (Kaplan scores may be used to advise students to enter one program or the other)
    See ADN or PN programs for minimum levels of competency on this test.
  • Completion of an application and submission by the deadline for the admission cycle.

Admission to Pre-Nursing CSC does not guarantee admission to the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program or the Certificate Program in Practical Nursing (PN) except under the guaranteed admission provisions stated above. All students must be placed in the Pre-Nursing program plan if they are to advance to the ADN program.

Program Requirements

Students who are required to perform clinical rotations in cooperating healthcare agencies must be willing and able to conform to all clinical requirements of participating clinical agencies, including but not limited to: a criminal background investigation; drug screening; immunizations including seasonal influenza vaccines; Tuberculosis screening; employment verifications; and, successful completion of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification. (CPR certification must be the American Heart Association Certification for HealthCare Providers). Students are responsible for all costs associated with these requirements. It is the responsibility of the student to maintain current records throughout the program. RCC uses a third-party vendor for all screenings and for the maintenance of documents. Your instructor will provide you with all details to purchase this service, including deadlines for completion. 

Progression Requirements

Students who intend to apply to the ADN program under general admission criteria must complete the first semester of the Pre- Nursing CSC with a curricular GPA of 2.5. Grades less than a “C” in any curricular courses will not be accepted for progression to either nursing program. However, students may still be awarded the Career Studies Certificate if the student earns a “D” in a curricular course.  

Curriculum


First Semester: Prerequisites


Courses in the first semester constitute the prerequisite courses required for application to the ADN program. These courses may also be used to apply to the PN program. All courses must be successfully completed with a grade of “C” or higher. These courses are included in the total credit amount for award of the AAS degree in Nursing. 

First Semester Total Credits: 14


Milestone: Eligible to apply to the ADN Program


Second Semester


Courses in the second semester of the Pre-Nursing CSC will provide the opportunity for the student to be admitted on either the ADN or PN programs with guaranteed admission.

Second Semester Total Credits: 14


Milestone: Eligible to apply to the Nursing Programs with Guaranteed Admission


Total Credits:28


1 SDV 101  strongly encouraged; SDV 100  may be substituted 
2 BIO 205  may be substituted. 
3 PHI 220  is strongly encouraged. ART, HUM, MUS, PHI, REL, and ENG (Literature) may be substituted. Skills-based courses are not acceptable. 

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