Nursing, Associate of Applied Science (G3 Eligible)

CIP Code: 51.3801
Length: Minimum 5 Semesters
G3 Tuition Assistance

Purpose

The associate of applied science degree in nursing (ADN) is designed to prepare students as beginning practitioners in the art and science of nursing and to deliver direct client care in a variety of healthcare facilities and settings. At the completion of the nursing program, students will be able to integrate nursing skills, including appropriate ethical values and legal principles, with health teaching to provide safe and effective total client care. Students will also learn to coordinate the care of their clients in a variety of healthcare settings.

At the successful completion of the program, students will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN), leading to licensure as a registered nurse (RN).

Occupational Objectives

Registered nurses practice in hospitals, long-term care facilities, health departments, medical offices, clinics, school systems, and other comparable healthcare facilities and agencies. Nursing is an in-demand profession that offers excellent salaries, benefits, and professional upward mobility.

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
• Submit all official transcripts to Admissions and Records. No transfer courses will be accepted unless they are from a regional 
• 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.
• 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.
• Competency in English as evidenced by eligibility for ENG 111  in the first semester of the program
• Students will be initially in the Pre-Nursing Career Studies Certificate (CSC) for completion of the first semester curricular requirements.
• Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
• Curricular GPA of 2.5 or higher in the five courses in the first semester of the program
• Completion of the Kaplan Nursing Entrance Test within the past 3 years, with target scores of 60% overall and 45% in each category. The test may be taken up to two times in an academic year.
• Successful completion of all five courses in the first semester of the program with a grade of “C” or higher, with grades posted to transcripts preceding the admission semester.
• Completion and submission of a nursing program application by the designated deadlines for each admission cycle
• If offered a seat in the nursing program, the student must accept or deny admission by the stated due date. Failure to respond will automatically forfeit the seat in the program.
• Students that are offered a seat are considered conditionally placed in the program until successful completion of a background check and drug test. Instructions are given during orientation. 

Guaranteed Admission Eligibility

Students may be admitted to the ADN or the Practical Nursing (PN) certificate program with guaranteed admission by:

• Completion of all RCC admission requirements, including HS transcript or GED on file in A&R
• Completion of all mathematics, science, and English competencies as described above
• 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 prior to application.
• Completion of the Kaplan Nursing Entrance Test within the past 3 years, with target scores of 60% overall and 45% in each category. The test may be taken up to two times in an academic year.
• Completion of an application and submission by the deadline for the admission cycle.

NOTE: LPNs are not eligible for guaranteed admission.

Program Requirements

• ADN students attend an orientation program in the semester prior to the start of clinical nursing courses.
• Health Record Requirement: Physical examinations, including immunizations, must be completed prior to the start of clinical nursing courses. 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.
• Maintain a grade of “C” or higher in all courses in the curriculum.
• Maintain professionalism in both campus and clinical settings, especially in attitude and responsibility. Failure to meet this requirement can result in termination from the program.
• Students are responsible for purchasing the required clinical uniforms and name tags through the college’s designated supplier.
• Standardized tests will be taken after each module/semester or at other stated intervals in the nursing program. The cost of the standardized testing packages is the responsibility of the student.
• Conviction of a felony, misdemeanor, or any offense substantially related to the qualifications, functions, and duties of a registered nurse may constitute grounds for not allowing a candidate to take the licensing exam. The State Board makes this decision of Nursing. For questions regarding this issue, call the Virginia Board of Nursing at 804-367-4515.
• Criminal Background Checks and Drug Screens: A criminal background check and urine drug screen are required of each student and must be conducted by the college-designated contractor. Information will be provided at orientation. The costs of the background check and the drug screen are the responsibility of the student.
• Nursing students should be in good standing from all previous healthcare employers. Students may be denied clinical placement based on previous work history and thus, cannot be entered into or possibly complete the nursing program.
• Nursing students enrolled in clinical nursing courses are required to have malpractice insurance. Students may purchase malpractice insurance from independent providers.
• Some clinical agencies may require student health insurance for attendance at their facility. All students are not required to meet this criterion unless required by the clinical agency but are advised to seek appropriate resources to protect their health.
• Students are responsible for following the clinical policy for safe handling of bio-hazards and utilizing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in the prevention of blood-borne pathogens and communicable diseases. Additionally, students are responsible for employing appropriate ergonomics to prevent injury. Students will be responsible for medical costs for any injury received while in a clinical setting, including injuries for which clinical agencies require testing. Rappahannock Community College is not responsible for student accidents/incidents which occur in the classroom, clinical, or lab setting.
• RCC does not provide any student health services. The student assumes financial responsibility for accidents/incidents requiring medical attention.
• RCC does not provide any student health services. The student assumes responsibility for accidents, incidents, and/or illnesses that require medical attention. 
• All students will sign an Assumption of Risk form at the beginning of the program that shall remain in force for the duration of the student’s program. 

Program Progression

• The student must complete all support courses either preceding or concurrently with the appropriate nursing course, as indicated in the curriculum plan. All courses in the nursing sequence must be completed each semester successfully to progress. Specific clinical courses must be taken with the corresponding didactic course as listed in the course sequence.
• The student is required to complete a sequence of courses and learning experiences provided at the college and selected community agencies. The nursing faculty will observe and evaluate the student’s nursing performance and direct patient care in the clinical sites.
• The student must maintain at least an 80% competency level in all courses in the nursing sequence to progress to the next semester. The student will earn at least a grade of “C” in all general education courses in order to progress to the next semester.
• A student must apply for re-entry into the nursing program if they are unsuccessful by 1) receiving a grade below “C” in any general education course or 2) withdrawal from any curricular courses, including those courses in the nursing sequence. In accordance with VCCS policy, a student cannot enroll in the same course more than twice without administrative approval. Additional policies for the program are listed in the Nursing Student Handbook. The handbook is given to all entry-level nursing students and is available online via Canvas to admitted students.
• Clinical agencies reserve the right to deny access to or dismiss a student from their agency at any time with due cause.
• The student releases the hospital, its agents, and its employees from any liability for any injury or death to himself or damage to his property arising out of the clinical agreement or use of the hospital’s facilities.

Graduation Requirements

The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing follows the guidelines of the RCC graduation requirements. Students in the final nursing semester are responsible for completing an application to the Virginia Board of Nursing and the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX-RN).

Accreditation and USDOE Standards

The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing is approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing, located at Perimeter Center, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, Virginia 23233-1463.

The Associate nursing program at Rappahannock Community College, located in Glenns and Warsaw, Virginia, is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN). Contact the ACEN at 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30326. (404) 975-5000.

USDOE Standards 
Pursuant to United States Department of Education (US DOE) regulation 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v), the Rappahannock Community College Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program provides the following information for all prospective and current students:

The Rappahannock Community College ADN program meets all Virginia Board of Nursing requirements for pre-licensure nursing education programs in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  In addition, Rappahannock Community College ADN program meets all requirements for nationally recognized accreditation by the Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing.  

Pre-Licensure: Rappahannock Community College’s ADN program adheres to the regulations of the Virginia Board of Nursing to meet the requirements for students to be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN). Successful completion of the ADN program and NCLEX-RN leads to a Virginia Nursing License.  States that the program does not meet educational requirements for professional licensure are: AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY.

Post Licensure: The Commonwealth of Virginia participates with 42 other states in the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) National Licensing Compact (NLC) to allow nurses licensed in one state to provide nursing care across state lines in other compact states. The Uniform Licensing Requirements (ULRs) are found here.   

States currently in the NLC are found at:  https://www.nursecompact.com/ Prospective and current students are strongly encouraged to evaluate all state requirements in jurisdictions where they intend to practice nursing.  A list of all state requirements is found at:  https://www.ncsbn.org/14730.htm.

Once students have earned their license, they will have earned a multi-state privilege with the NLC states.

Student Estimated Costs

* Tuition and Fees are subject to change. Costs are estimates only.