Nursing - Registered, LPN to RN, A.A.S. (A45110PN)

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 LPN-RN Option, Associate Degree Nursing Program, Applicants Must Have:

1. Proof of graduation from an approved Practical Nurse Education program by diploma or transcript.
2. Candidates must show evidence of a current unencumbered North Carolina license to practice as an LPN, with no history of disciplinary action from the NCBON. License must remain current and unencumbered while enrolled in the nursing program.
3. Graduated from an approved Practical Nursing program within the last year with current employment as an LPN
   OR
4. Have one (1) year documented work experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the last two (2) years prior to admission to the program.
5. Submit a letter from your employer or supervisor on letterhead stating you are currently employed as an LPN with dates of employment (reference or recommendation not required).
6. Completed all four (4) prerequisite courses by the end of fall semester in which application is submitted.
7. Attend an LPN to RN information session. Dates for information sessions are posted on the LPN to RN page of www.gaston.edu. 
8. ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor Probability of Passing NCLEX PN minimum score of 90%. (re-takes must be taken at least 60 days apart).
9. An overall GPA of at least 2.0 in college level coursework taken.
10. It is strongly recommended that applicants complete at least one (1) fully online course to become familiar with BlackBoard and online courses/programs.

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.

• ATI PN predictor score.
• 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.
• Grade Point Average (GPA) in required general education courses (see program of study).
• Cumulative Biology Grade Point Average (GPA) (All three biology courses must be completed to qualify for points in this area) (see program of study).
• Graduate from Gaston College PN program.
• Number of pre and co-requisite courses taken at Gaston College.
• Proof of baccalaureate or higher degree.

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).

Additional Program Requirements Upon Admission into the LPN-RN Option

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) 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.

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.

Prerequisite Courses

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

• ACA 122 College Transfer Success (1 Credit Hour)
• 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)
• NUR 101 Practical Nursing I (11 Credit Hours)
• NUR 102 Practical Nursing II (10 Credit Hours)
• NUR 103 Practical Nursing III (9 Credit Hours)

FIRST 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: 80