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.
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