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.

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

Admission to the program is not guaranteed. Campus locations are also not guaranteed. All potential students must:

• High School diploma 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 regionally accredited school.
• 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.
• Students that are offered a seat are conditionally placed in the program until a cleared background check and drug test are received. Instructions are given during orientation. 
• Refer to the ADN Nursing Handbook or further details.

Program Requirements

• Health Record Requirement: Physical examinations, including immunizations, must be completed prior to the start of the first semester. Students are required to perform clinical rotations in cooperating healthcare agencies and must be willing and able to conform to all clinical requirements of participating clinical agencies.
• RCC uses a third-party vendor for all screenings and for the maintenance of documents. Instructions given at orientation.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Malpractice insurance is required, and is purchased from independent provider.
• Some clinical agencies require 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 Health Precautions Policy in the ADN Nursing Handbook regarding safe handling of bio-hazards, utilizing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and using appropriate ergonomics to prevent injury. Students will be responsible for all costs for any injury or illness received while in a clinical setting. 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.
• 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. 
• Additional program policies are found in the ADN Nursing Handbook.

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.