Nursing - Practical Nursing Diploma (D45660)

Admission Information

Students applying for admission to the Gaston College Practical 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 Practical Nursing program, applicants must:

1. Attend a Practical Nursing information session. Dates/times are listed on the Practical Nursing webpage.
2. Submit a minimum composite score of 60 on the ATI TEAS examination. Must be taken within five (5) years of application deadline. ATI TEAS examinations must be taken at least 60 days apart to be eligible for admission criteria.
3. Must have grades of “C” or better in all required college courses listed as part of the nursing major (PNE).
4. The required courses in Anatomy & Physiology must be taken within the last ten (10) years of application deadline.
5. Students on academic probation or suspension, due to related course work, will be denied admission to the Practical Nursing Education Program. A student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better for admission.                                                       

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

Selective Admission Criteria

1. ATI TEAS score.
2. Number of required courses completed by end of the Fall Semester prior to entering program.
3. Grade Point Average (GPA) in required courses only.
4. Completion of Gaston College Nurse Aide I or Nurse Aide II course.  (This is not required to be admitted to the PN program).
5. Completion of Gaston College Phlebotomy program. (This is not required to be admitted to the PN program).
6. Number of co-requisite courses taken at Gaston College.
7. Completion of ATI TEAS Prep Workshop with Gaston College.
8. Proof of baccalaureate or higher degree.
9. Completion of Nurse Aide I training through Gaston County Schools or Lincoln County Schools.

Additional Program Requirements Upon Admission

• A Gaston College Health and Human Services Student Medical form, documenting satisfactory emotional and physical health, completed and signed by a health care practitioner.
• The documentation of additional non-academic criteria includes criminal background checks, urine drug testing, and proof of immunizations. Students are to complete these requirements by registering and paying a fee to a third party vendor. Instructions will be provided by the compliance specialist.
• Professional liability insurance (malpractice 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.

Individuals interested in additional information about the Practical Nursing Program should contact the  Admissions Specialist for the Nursing Programs at 704-922-6469 or 704-748-5221. Deadline for Practical Nursing Application: March 1 of each year.

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.

Fall

• PSY 150 General Psychology (3 Credit Hours)
• BIO 168 Anatomy and Physiology I (4 Credit Hours)
• NUR 101 Practical Nursing I (11 Credit Hours)

Spring

• ENG 111 Writing and Inquiry (3 Credit Hours)
• BIO 169 Anatomy and Physiology II (4 Credit Hours)
• NUR 102 Practical Nursing II (10 Credit Hours)

Summer

• NUR 103 Practical Nursing III (9 Credit Hours)

Total Program Hours: 44