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

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

• Attend an ADN information session. Dates for information sessions are posted on the ADN page of the Gaston College website as well as the Gaston College Associate Degree Nursing Facebook page.

• All applicants must take the ATI TEAS with a composite score of 65 or better. Official scores for the TEAS must be submitted to Gaston College via the testing company (Assessment Technologies, Inc.). 

  • TEAS retakes must be at least 60 days apart
  • ATI TEAS is the only accepted tests for students applying to the Associate Degree Nursing program.

• Have an overall GPA of at least 2.0 in college level coursework taken.

• Biology course needs to be within 10 years of application to program.
• Complete a state approved Nurse Aide I (NA 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.  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.

• Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) may apply to this program without completing a state approved NA I course.  Official License Verification page from North Carolina Board of Nursing is required.

Competitive Admission Criteria

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

• Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) in required biology courses (see program of study).
• Grade Point Average (GPA) in required general education courses (see program of study).
• ATI TEAS or TEAS V score.
• Completion of Nurse Aide I or Nurse Aide II course at Gaston College.
• Allied Health II course grade of “A” on high school transcript.
• 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.
• Candidate may be asked to participate in a face-to-face interview with the nursing department Admission, Progression and Graduation Committee (APG).

Admission points are calculated based on the above criteria. Students will be provided current admission points sheet with explanation during the information session.  The final selection of applicants into the program is made by the nursing department chair in consultation with the Nursing Department APG 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).

Additional Program Requirements Upon Admission into the ADN Program

• A completed Gaston College Health and Human Services Student Medical form documenting satisfactory emotional and physical health. This is required by the due date stated in the applicant’s admission letter.
• Current Adult, Infant and Child CPR certification through American Heart Association by specified date. 
• Students will be required to submit documentation of additional non-academic criteria such as, but not limited to, criminal background checks, urine drug testing, and proof of immunizations. If the clinical facility refuses to allow the student to do clinical at the facility based on said findings, the student would not be allowed to continue in the program.
• Professional liability insurance (malpractice insurance). This insurance is arranged through the Gaston College Business Office.

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, 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

Humanities Electives

Select one (1) course from the following:

• ART 111 Art Appreciation (3 Credit Hours)
• ART 114 Art History Survey I (3 Credit Hours)
• ART 115 Art History Survey II (3 Credit Hours)
• MUS 110 Music Appreciation (3 Credit Hours)
• MUS 112 Introduction to Jazz (3 Credit Hours)
• PHI 215 Philosophical Issues (3 Credit Hours)
• PHI 240 Introduction to Ethics (3 Credit Hours)

Total Program Hours: 71

Note(s):

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