Mar 28, 2024  
2015-2016 Gaston College Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Gaston College Catalog [THIS CATALOG IS OUT-OF-DATE. USE THE CURRENT CATALOG TO FIND CURRENT PROGRAMS.]

Nursing - Registered Nursing, A.A.S. (A45110)


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The Associate Degree Nursing curriculum provides knowledge, skills, and strategies to integrate safety and quality into nursing care, to practice in a dynamic environment, and to meet individual needs which impact health, quality of life, and achievement of potential.

Coursework includes and builds upon the domains of healthcare, nursing practice, and the holistic individual. Content emphasizes the nurse as a member of the interdisciplinary team providing safe, individualized care while employing evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and informatics.

The Gaston College Associate Degree Nursing Program is nationally accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) http://acenursing.org/. Graduates of this program are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). Employment opportunities are vast within the global health care system and may include positions within acute, chronic, extended, industrial, and community health care facilities.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates will:

  1. Practice professional nursing behaviors incorporating personal responsibility and accountability for continued competence.
  2. Communicate professionally and effectively with individuals, significant support person(s), and members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team.
  3. Integrate knowledge of the holistic needs of the individual to provide an individual centered assessment.
  4. Incorporate informatics to formulate evidence-based clinical judgments and management decisions.
  5. Implement caring interventions incorporating documented best practices for individuals in diverse settings.
  6. Develop a teaching plan for individuals, and/or the nursing team, incorporating teaching and learning principles.
  7. Collaborate with the interdisciplinary healthcare team to advocate for positive individual and organizational outcomes.
  8. Manage health care for the individual using cost effective nursing strategies, quality improvement processes, and current technologies.
  9. Prioritize assessments and client-centered nursing interventions relevant to clinical decision making.

Admission Information


Students applying for admission to the Gaston College Associate Degree Nursing program MUST meet all Gaston College admission requirements for GENERAL ADMISSION to the college.

To be eligible to submit an application to the associate degree nursing program applicants must:

  1. Attend an ADN information session. Session dates/times are listed online at the ADN webpage.
  2. Have a minimum composite score of 65 on the TEAS V taken within five (5) years from the date of application.  Official scores for the TEAS must be submitted to Gaston College via the testing company (Assessment Technologies, Inc.).  This requirement is optional for those with a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university.
    • TEAS retakes must be at least 60 days apart
    • TEAS V is the only accepted test for students applying to the Associate Degree Nursing program.
  3. Have an overall GPA of at least 2.0 in college level coursework taken.
  4. Biology course needs to be within 10 years of application to program.
  5. Complete a state approved Nursing Assistant I course or N.C. Health Occupations class with a minimum grade of “C” by December 31 of the year prior to year application is being submitted for.  Listing on the Nurse Aide Registry is required by May 1 prior to fall admission in the ADN program.  An acceptable NA I course must have approximately 120 hours and a clinical component.  A transcript or certificate must be submitted to the Associate Degree Nursing office when requesting the application to verify completion of or enrollment in an approved NA I course.  State listing on the Nurse Aide Registry does not provide documentation of an acceptable NA I course.

Competitive Admission Criteria

The following are used by the nursing department admissions committee in the selection process of qualified applicants:

  1. Grade Point Average (GPA) in required biology courses (see program of study).
  2. Grade Point Average (GPA) in required general education courses (see program of study).
  3. TEAS V score.
  4. Completion of Nursing Assistant I or Nursing Assistant II course at Gaston College.
  5. Allied Health II course grade of “A” on high school transcript.
  6. Total number of required general education courses completed (with a minimum grade of “C”) by the end of fall semester prior to the year you are making application for.
  7. Candidate may be asked to participate in a face-to-face interview with the nursing department Admissions Committee.

Admission points are calculated based on the above criteria. The final selection of applicants into the program is made by the nursing department chair in consultation with the Nursing Department Admissions Committee.

Students Admitted to Nursing Program

In addition to maintaining a 2.0 GPA and earning a minimum grade of “C” in all nursing curriculum courses, applicants accepted into the ADN program must meet the following requirements in order to enroll and continue in nursing courses:

  • Attend the scheduled orientation session for Associate Degree Nursing summer before beginning classes in the fall
  • Nurse Aide I registry listing with no findings (no later than May 1)
  • Adult, Infant and Child CPR certification through American Heart Association http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/CPRAndECC/CPR_UCM_001118_SubHomePage.jsp
  • Immunizations required by the clinical agencies
  • Satisfactory physical and emotional health examination documented on a Gaston College Health and Human Services Division Student Medical Form provided by the nursing department
  • Criminal background check and finger-printing
  • Drug screen

Clinical agencies reserve the right to deny a student access to the facility based on failure to meet the above requirements. If a student is denied access to any clinical agency, the student will be not be allowed to continue in the nursing program. Detailed information regarding these agency requirements will be provided upon conditional acceptance into the nursing program.

Program Costs

In addition to tuition and textbooks, costs of this program include the following: uniforms, lab coat, stethoscope, a physical examination, immunizations, criminal background check, FBI fingerprinting, drug screening at a time designated by the nursing faculty, and fees for application for licensure for NC State Board of Nursing and National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). Students also must maintain current CPR certification and annual PPD testing.

Clinical Sites

Clinical sites for the Associate Degree Nursing Programs are:

  • CaroMont Regional Medical Center, Gastonia, NC
  • Carolinas HealthCare System Lincoln, Lincolnton, NC
  • Carolinas HealthCare System Kings Mountain, Kings Mountain, NC
  • Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC
  • Carolinas HealthCare System Cleveland, Shelby, NC
  • Frye Regional Medical Center, Hickory, NC
  • Catawba Valley Medical Center, Hickory, NC
  • Local Long-Term Care Facilities

Additional clinical sites may be added in order to achieve student learning outcomes. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from all clinical, laboratory, and class activities. Clinical experiences may be scheduled mornings, afternoons, evenings, and/or weekends at various clinical sites. Clinical times and schedules will vary from semester to semester. Any associate degree nursing student may be assigned an alternate schedule and time frame with adequate notice given for planning purposes.

FIRST YEAR


SECOND YEAR


Total Program Hours: 70


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