Nursing - Registered, LPN to RN, 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 LPN-RN Option, Associate Degree Nursing Program

Applicants Must Have:

• A current licensure as a licensed practical nurse.
• Graduated from an approved Practical Nursing program within the last year
  OR
  Have one (1) year documented work experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the last two (2) years prior to admission to the program.
• Completed all four (4) prerequisite courses by the end of fall semester in which application is submitted.
• Attend an LPN to RN information session.  Session dates/times are listed online at the Gaston College LPN-RN Alternate Schedule Option.
• A minimum composite score of 65 on the TEAS V examination. Admission test scores must be within five (5) years of the date of application to the nursing program. TEAS examinations must be taken at least 60 days apart to be eligible for admission criteria.
  *The TEAS score requirement will be waived for students who hold a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university. Official transcripts must be sent to the admissions office for documentation of this degree.
  OR
  Completed BIO 168, BIO 169 and BIO 275 with a cumulative 3.0 grade point average. Transfer credit for equivalent biology courses taken at an institution other that Gaston College will be considered to fulfill these criteria and will require departmental approval. Biology courses must be completed within 10 years of application to the program.
• An overall GPA of at least 2.0 in college level coursework taken.

Competitive Admission Criteria

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

• TEAS score OR Baccalaureate or higher degree OR cumulative GPA of 3.0 in BIO 168, BIO 169, and BIO 275.
• Number of required general education courses completed (with a minimum grade of “C”) by the end of the fall semester in which application is made.
• Completion of an online course.
• Grade Point Average (GPA) in required general education courses (see program of study).
• Must have successfully completed NUR 101, NUR 102 and NUR 103.  Additional admission points will be given to applicants that are graduates of the Gaston College Practical Nursing Program.

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 Coordinator of the LPN-RN Option and the nursing department Admissions, Progression and Graduation Committee (APG).

Additional Program Requirements Upon Admission into the LPN-RN Option

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:

• 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 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 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 Health Care System Lincoln, Lincolnton, NC
• Carolinas Health Care System Kings Mountain, Kings Mountain, NC
• Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC
• Carolinas Health Care System Cleveland, Shelby, NC
• Frye Regional Medical Center, Hickory, NC
• Catawba Valley Medical Center, Hickory, NC

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 afternoons, evenings, or weekends at various clinical sites. Clinical experiences that do not fall into these time frames will be scheduled with adequate notice given to students for planning purposes.

Prerequisite Courses

These courses must be completed by the end of fall semester in which application is submitted.

• BIO 168 Anatomy and Physiology I (4 Credit Hours)
• BIO 169 Anatomy and Physiology II (4 Credit Hours)
• PSY 150 General Psychology (3 Credit Hours)
• ENG 111 Writing and Inquiry (3 Credit Hours)

FIRST YEAR

Humanities Electives

Select 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)

Calculation of Total Hours is as follows:

Total credit hours of non-nursing required courses = 27 Credit Hours
Total credit hours of nursing required courses = 22 Credit Hours
Total credit hours earned after successful completion of NUR 214  = 21 Credit Hours

Total Program Hours: 70

Note(s):

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