Nursing - Registered Nursing, A.A.S. (A45110RN)

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 participate in the selective admission process, an applicant must complete the following application steps:

1. Complete Residency Determination
2. Submit a Gaston College application
3. Apply for financial aid
4. Meet with an advisor and/or Attend an information session
5. Submit official high school (and college, if applicable) transcripts
6. Provide proof of course placement requirements

Students must demonstrate readiness for College level reading and math. Students can demonstrate that readiness in the following ways:

1. Provide proof of unweighted US High School GPA of 2.8 or higher within the last ten years.
2. Provide proof of an associate or bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
3. Provide proof of satisfactory scores on RISE, ACT, SAT, GED, NCDAP, COMPASS, ASSET or ACUPLACER within the last ten years.

Students who do not have recent high school transcripts or test scores within the past 10 years should prepare to take the placement test and demonstrate:

Mastery on RISE (Reinforced Instruction for Student Excellence) English placement Tier 2 and RISE Math placement Tier 2; OR successfully complete ENG 002 through TIER 2 (grade of P2) and MAT 003 through Tier 2 (grade of P2).

To be eligible to submit an application to the Associate Degree Nursing program applicants must:

1. Attend an ADN information session. Dates for information sessions are posted on the ADN page of the Gaston College website. 

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

   • ATI 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.

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 Nurse Aide I (NA I) course with a minimum grade of “B” (80%) by December 31 of the year of application submission.  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.
6. 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.

7. Students on academic probation or suspension, due to related course work, will be denied admission to the Associate Degree Nursing Program. A student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better for admission.

Selective Admission Criteria

The final selection of applicants into the program is based on the following criteria, which has been approved by the Admissions Committee, made up of the nursing faculty. The final selection of applicants into the program is made by the nursing faculty. 

1. Cumulative 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. ATI TEAS score.
4. Completion of Nurse Aide I or Nurse Aide II course at Gaston College.
5. 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.
6. Candidate may be asked to participate in a face-to-face interview with the nursing department Admission, Progression and Graduation Committee (APG).
7. Number of co-requisite courses taken at Gaston College.
8. Completion of Phlebotomy program at Gaston College.
9. Completion of ATI TEAS Prep Workshop with Gaston College.
10. Proof of baccalaureate or higher degree.
11. Completion of Nurse Aide I training through Gaston County Schools or Lincoln County Schools.

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 Director of Nursing in consultation with the nursing department Admissions, Progression and Graduation Committee (APG).

Students Admitted to Nursing Program

In addition to maintaining a 2.0 GPA and earning a minimum grade of “B” (80%) 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) and maintain listing through the first day of class.

Additional Program Requirements Upon Admission into the ADN Program

In addition to maintaining a 2.0 GPA and earning a minimum grade of “B” (80%) 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:

• 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 (BLS Healthcare provider) 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.

Clinical

Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from all clinical, laboratory, and class activities. Student clinical experiences may be scheduled afternoons, evenings, or weekends at various clinical sites, such as acute care facilities, long term care facilities, and rehabilitation facilities.

FIRST YEAR

SECOND YEAR

Humanities/Fine Arts 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)
• ENG 231 American Literature I (3 Credit Hours)
• ENG 232 American Literature 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