Associate Degree Nursing

[A45110G]

Courses for this degree program are offered during the day, nights, and weekends. Courses for this program are offered in 8-week and/or 16-week terms. [NUR prefixed courses are only offered during the day]

First Year: Fall Semester (16 Semester Hours Credit)

• ACA 122 - College Transfer Success
• BIO 168 - Anatomy & Physiology I
• ENG 111 - Writing and Inquiry
• NUR 111 - Intro to Health Concepts

First Year: Spring Semester (17 Semester Hours Credit)

• BIO 169 - Anatomy & Physiology II
• NUR 112 - Health-Illness Concepts
• NUR 114 - Holistic Health Concepts
• PSY 150 - General Psychology

First Year: Summer Session (11 Semester Hours Credit)

• ENG 112 - Writing/Research in the Disc OR ENG 114 - Professional Research & Reporting
• NUR 212 - Health System Concepts
• PSY 241 - Developmental Psychology

Second Year: Fall Semester (13 Semester Hours Credit)

• BIO 175 - General Microbiology
• NUR 113 - Family Health Concepts
• NUR 211 - Health Care Concepts

Second Year: Spring Semester (13 Semester Hours Credit)

• NUR 213 - Complex Health Concepts
• --- Humanities/Fine Arts Course

Total Semester Hours Credit: 70

Students must obtain a grade of "C" or better in all NUR courses. For all other courses, students must obtain a grade of "B" or better. If a student does not maintain a "C" or better in all NUR courses and "B" or better in all non-NUR courses, he/she will NOT be allowed to progress in the curriculum. A student must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA throughout the program. If a student does not maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0, the student will not be allowed to progress in the curriculum.

Note: Clinical rotations in NUR courses may be scheduled during weekdays, evenings, or weekends.

You must select one of the following Humanities/Fine Arts courses to fulfill the Humanities/Fine Arts requirement: ART 111, ART 114, ART 115, HUM 115, MUS 110, PHI 215, and PHI 240.

The Associate Degree Nursing program understands and accepts the concept of the open-door policy for general admission to Randolph Community College. Admission to the college does not, however, guarantee admission to the Associate Degree Nursing program.  Admission to the nursing program is competitive with limited seat availability. If you have questions about the admissions process for the Associate Degree Nursing program, please call the Student Services Counselor and Career Services Coordinator at 336-633-0222.

The Associate Degree Nursing curriculum provides individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide nursing care to clients and groups of clients throughout the life span in a variety of healthcare settings. Courses will include content related to the nurse's role as a provider of nursing care, as a manager of care, as a member of the discipline of nursing, and as a member of the interdisciplinary team. Graduates of this program are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), which is required for practice as a Registered Nurse. Employment opportunities include, but are not limited to, hospitals, nursing care centers, healthcare provider offices, industry and community agencies.  

ADMISSION PROCEDURE

Applications are open each year and are completed in three phases. Applicants seeking admission into the Associate Degree Nursing program must complete the admission phases as outlined below, to be considered for acceptance for the fall semester of the applying year.  Students are encouraged to refer to the Associate Degree Nursing program’s homepage, including frequently asked questions found on the College website. 

Students are also highly encouraged to frequently check the RCC issued student email address, particularly around the established dates noted in each phase for notification and/or correspondence related to your admission process standing.

Students are highly encouraged to read all components of the Associate Degree Nursing Program located in the College Catalog and/or Nursing Student Handbook.

PHASE I - Completed by June 1 of each applying year

1. New students - complete general admission requirements of Randolph Community College including placement assessment, if necessary. If you are a current student, please skip to step 2.
   • Complete an RCC application at randolph.edu/admissions/apply-now.
   • Provide official copies of high school transcript and/or high school equivalency test scores and all college transcripts. High school seniors must submit current high school transcripts by the deadline date, and an official high school transcript, upon graduation. Additional information may be found at randolph.edu/admissions/transcripts.
   • Take placement test, if needed. Students must be eligible to enter ENG 111 and MAT 143 without a co-requisite. Additional information may be found at randolph.edu/student-success/placement-assessment.
   • Meet with Financial Aid Office if necessary. Additional information may be found at randolph.edu/financial-aid/types-of-financial-aid. Please note that students who wish to be eligible for nursing scholarships must have a current FAFSA form completed.
2. Evidence of “B” or greater in the following:
   • High school biology, or college-level biology, or SCI 095.
   • High school algebra, college algebra, or eligible to enter MAT 143 without a co-requisite.
3. A 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) on the most recent transcript, college or high school. NOTE: A 2.0 GPA must be maintained throughout the admissions process.
4. Attend a Nursing Program Information Session for the year that you plan to enter the program. Information sessions are conducted on-campus or virtually, and dates and times can be located on the RCC Associate Degree Nursing homepage. Attendance in a past year(s) does not fulfill this requirement. Please view additional information located in the “Information Session” section of this catalog.
5. Take the standardized nurse entrance exam, the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) offered by Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI). Students must submit the most current version of the TEAS assessment and must be taken within three (3) years from the date of application.  Students must have a minimum composite score of 67 on the TEAS.  Official scores for the TEAS assessment must be submitted to Randolph Community College via the testing company, Assessment Technologies Institute Inc.  NOTE:  There is a fee for the exam which may vary amongst colleges and/or testing centers.  Students are highly encouraged to complete a TEAS preparation course offered by Randolph Community College’s Workforce Development and Continuing Education department and/or seek preparation resources at atitesting.com.  Please reference the “Transfer of TEAS Scores” section of this policy and procedure for additional information. 

By June 15^th, students will be notified by the student issued RCC email address of conditional acceptance into the Associate Degree Nursing program for fall enrollment. Students must respond by email within seven calendar days to accept placement in the program. If a student declines or does not respond by the deadline, an alternate student will be offered placement. 

PHASE II – Completed by July 15^th of each applying year

After conditional acceptance is granted in Phase I, applicants must provide successful completion of the below.  Students will receive a formal letter, indicating remaining program requirements, including the required RCC Health Sciences medical form, information about how to submit the required documents, and orientation dates and times.

1. Submit a completed RCC Health Sciences Medical Form. The medical form will be emailed to applicants who are conditionally accepted into the ADN program, and must be completed by a physician, physician’s assistant, or a nurse practitioner. The medical form must be completed within six-months of the fall semester start date. Please note, some of the required immunizations may take six months to complete, so students should consider prior to applying. The Associate Degree Nursing Department Head, or designee will verify the medical compliance and documentation. Please view the additional information noted in the “Physical and Emotional Expectations of a Student Nurse” section of the College student handbook.
2. Submit a certificate of satisfactory completion from a DHSR (Division of Health Service Regulation) approved Nurse Aide, Level I program, and current unrestricted certification in Nurse Aide, Level I as listed on the NC Nurse Aide registry (https://info.ncdhhs.gov/dhsr/hcpr/nat.html). NOTE: Applicants need to verify the NA program can award the certification. Some one-day programs do not offer this certification; therefore, the course needs to be taken in its entirety.
3. Current CPR Certification for Basic Life Support for the Healthcare Provider to include adult/child/ infant and AED offered by the American Heart Association.

Students will be notified by the student issued RCC email address of continued conditional acceptance into the Associate Degree Nursing program for fall enrollment. If a student does not submit the required Phase II documents, the student will forfeit placement and an alternate student will be offered conditional acceptance.  If an alternate student is offered conditional acceptance, the deadline for Phase II submission may be extended at the discretion of the Department Head of Nursing or designee.

PHASE III – Completed by the deadlines provided during conditional acceptance and/or upon enrollment in the program

1. Attend Nursing Orientation held by the nursing faculty on-campus, virtually, and/or via Moodle. Information regarding the dates and method of delivery for the nursing orientation will be emailed. Many aspects of the program will be discussed and may include, but not limited to, tuition, textbooks, schedules, program expectations for class, lab and clinical.
2. Complete clinical clearance requirements. Affiliating clinical agencies may require credentialing clearance as a prerequisite for clinical learning experiences throughout the curriculum. This credentialing clearance may include, but is not limited to, a criminal background check, urine drug screen, medical examination, vaccinations, and clinical site orientation. Positive results or failure to complete any agency requirement may result in the clinical agency denying student access to clinical practice in the facility. Any student who is denied access or fails to comply with clinical agency credentialing procedures and policies will not be allowed to progress in the program because competencies cannot be achieved without attending the clinical component. NOTE: Clinical clearance often begins at least 4 weeks prior to the start of clinical for each semester.  Therefore, students may experience denial of clinical clearance at any point in the program.  Students are responsible for paying all costs associated with this requirement.

INFORMATION SESSION

The purpose of the Associate Degree Nursing Information Session is to share important information about the admission policy and requirements, program components, expectations and to answer questions about the program. Students are highly encouraged to attend an Information Session as soon as possible to best prepare for the admission process.  The dates, times and location of the session are posted on the Associate Degree Nursing homepage, and registration is not required.

TRANSFER OF TEAS ASSESSMENT SCORES

RCC will consider accepting TEAS scores from other institutions, via www.atitesting.com, pending proof that the latest version has been completed, all four sections have been completed within three years and/or minimum scores have been met. RCC reserves the right to refuse TEAS assessment scores from other institutions should there be concern that all four sections have not been completed.

RANKING SYSTEM and SELECTION PROCESS

The ranking system is implemented as an objective means for evaluating nursing applicants. Applicants will be ranked accordingly:

• A minimum composite score of 67 on the TEAS Assessment is required.
• Candidates will be ranked from highest to lowest based on the TEAS Composite score.
• Candidates having identical scores will complete a second step in ranking. Candidates will earn points for BIO 168 and BIO 169; an A=2 points and B=1 point.
• If additional distinctions should be needed due to identical ranking, the highest score on the science individual score of the TEAS will be the deciding factor.
• If two students have equal point values, residency of Randolph County may be used as a final deciding point.

Applicants accepted for admission must complete all admission requirements by the date(s) specified in the College catalog.  Applicants who fail to complete all admission requirements for the ADN program will be removed from the acceptance list and replaced by applicants on the alternate list.

ALTERNATE LIST

As vacancies arise on the acceptance list, applicants on the alternate list are contacted in rank order and offered acceptance to the program.  Applicants on the alternate list who are not offered acceptance to the ADN program for the year in which they have applied to enter will not be carried over to a waiting list the following year.  Applicants must apply each year they wish to be considered for admission into the nursing program.  

NOTIFICATION OF ADMISSIONS

The ADN program only accepts students in the fall. Students will be notified by the RCC student issued email address regarding standing of admission. Please be sure to frequently check your email around the established dates noted in each phase for notifications and/or correspondence related to your admission process standing. Applications received after June 1^st will be considered on a space available basis.

CRITERIA FOR PROGRESSION

Progression policies specific to the nursing program are in the Associate Degree Nursing Student Handbook.

LEGAL LIMITATIONS OF LICENSURE

Students who enroll in the Associate Degree Nursing program should be aware that the application for licensure at the completion of the program might be denied or restricted by the North Carolina Board of Nursing.

1. The nursing faculty must recommend a student as a candidate for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nursing based on academic achievement and professional accountability.
2. The North Carolina Board of Nursing application for licensure includes a criminal background check. Before an individual can sit for a licensure exam (NCLEX-RN), the application process must be completed. An applicant may then sit for the licensure exam; however, an individual may be denied licensure based on a criminal background check. If the individual has been convicted of a felony or any other crime involving moral turpitude, the NCBON may deny that individual a license even if he or she has passed the NCLEX exam. This process is between the individual and the North Carolina Board of Nursing. The nursing program validates only the successful completion of the program. Additional information can be found at ncbon.com. 

READMISSION TO THE PROGRAM

Readmission to the Associate Degree Nursing program is based upon successful completion of the requirements for readmission and space availability. A student may be readmitted to the ADN program one time only, and this admission must occur within one academic year of separation. Students dismissed for behavioral or unsatisfactory clinical performance are not eligible for readmission. Students dismissed for academic failure are eligible for readmission, pending successful completion of the readmission process and final approval of ADN Department Head. The number of students approved for readmission will be based upon space availability.     

A student applying for readmission into the program should follow the below requirements:

1. Respond to the Dismissal Notification via email of intent to be considered for readmission within 30 days of receiving the notification.
2. Must meet Phase I, Phase II and Phase III admissions requirements.
3. Participate in a meeting with the ADN Department Dead and/or designee to advise the student and ensure the student has met or will meet admission requirements as outlined in the current college catalog.
4. If the student is unsuccessful in the first semester (NUR 111), then the student may be eligible to re-enter NUR 111.
5. If the student is unsuccessful in the second through fifth semester, the student may be eligible to re-enter into the course in which the student was unsuccessful.
6. Eligible readmission applicants will be ranked with readmission applicants using the same criteria as that located in the Ranking System and Selection Process section of this policy and procedure.
7. Receive written approval for readmission from the ADN Department Head and/or designee.
8. Attend Nursing Student Orientation at the discretion of the ADN Department Head and/or faculty.

If readmitted, the ADN Department Head and nursing faculty reserve the right to impose additional requirements and/or recommendations in the form of an academic contract intended to improve the student's opportunity for successful completion of the program. The individual who fails to complete the readmission procedure is denied readmission.

TRANSFER CREDIT FOR NURSING COURSES

Admission into the nursing program for a transfer student is based upon availability. Transfer students must meet the same admission criteria as all new students. Please reference each phase noted in this policy and procedure. 

To qualify for admission as a transfer student, an applicant must submit an intent to apply for admission no later than 30 days preceding the intended start date.

Students requesting transfer credit for a nursing course from another college are required to submit a copy of the course outline and syllabus for each successfully completed nursing course to the ADN department head and/or designee. Additional documents may be requested, depending on content located in the course syllabus and outline. The student must also submit a letter from his/her former nursing program head, which states the student is in good academic and disciplinary standing.  Students who were dismissed due to behavioral and/or unsafe clinical practice are not eligible for admission.

Students may not transfer from a university nursing program, nor will students transfer after completion of the third semester in another nursing program.

Transfer credit for any NUR course is at the discretion of the Department Head of Nursing and ADN faculty and may only be considered for a course in which a student has earned a C or better. Transfer credit for any non-NUR course required for the program will only be considered with a grade of "B" or higher. The student is required to meet with the ADN Department Head and/or nursing faculty at Randolph Community College no later than 30 days preceding the intended start date.

Once a student is granted transfer credit into RCC's Associate Degree Nursing program, acceptance is contingent upon submitted required documents as noted in Phase I, Phase II and Phase III. 

PHYSICAL & EMOTIONAL EXPECTATIONS OF A STUDENT NURSE

The Board of Nursing Standards for Educational Units in Nursing require that there be evidence that the physical and emotional health of the student be expected to provide safe nursing care to the public. This is documented initially on the medical form completed by a physician, physician’s assistant, or a nurse practitioner.

If a physical or emotional health problem threatens to prevent or prevents satisfactory classroom or clinical performance, the student is referred to an appropriate professional. The recommendation of the professional will be utilized to determine whether admission or continued enrollment in the program is appropriate. Applicants or students may be denied admission or continued enrollment until the identified problem is satisfactorily corrected.

Nursing is a practice discipline with cognitive, sensory, affective, and psychomotor performance requirements. For the purposes of nursing program, compliance with the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, a "qualified individual with a disability" is one who, with or without reasonable accommodation or modification, meets the essential eligibility requirements for participation in the nursing programs.

Admission to and progression in the ADN program is not based on these standards. Rather, the standards should be used to assist each student in determining whether accommodations or modifications are necessary. Standards provide an objective measure upon which a student and the advisor base informed decisions regarding whether a student is "qualified" to meet requirements.

If a student should believe that one or more of the standards cannot be met without accommodations or modifications, the student will be directed to the disability services coordinator in Student Services.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR STUDENTS IN THE ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING PROGRAM

In compliance with the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, the following standards have been established.

The following are examples of the kind of activities that a student in the Associate Degree Nursing program would be required to perform in order to successfully complete the program. If an accepted applicant believes that he/she cannot meet one or more of the standards without accommodations or modifications, the applicant should consult with the Department Head of Nursing and/or designee.  The examples given are representative of those activities required and are not all-inclusive. 

1. Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment. Example: Identify cause and effect relationship in clinical situations, develop nursing care plans.
2. Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. Example: Establish a relationship with patients and colleagues.
3. Communicate with others orally and in writing. Example: Explain treatments and medications, document nursing actions, record patient responses to treatment.
4. Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces. Example: Answer calls from patients, retrieve equipment, and move about in patient rooms.
5. The ability to manipulate equipment and to assist patients with physical limitations. Example: Use equipment, calibrate equipment, position patients, administer CPR, administer injections, and insert catheters.
6. Hearing ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs. Example: Hear a monitor alarm, listen to heart and breath sounds, hear a cry for help.
7. Vision sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in nursing care. Example: Observe patient responses to treatment, see a change in skin color, read the scale on a syringe.
8. Sense of touch sufficient to perform a physical examination and to detect movement. Example: Detect pulsation.

Randolph Community College’s Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program is fully approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. 

4516 Lake Boone Trail
Raleigh, NC 27607
Phone: 919-782-3211
Website: ncbon.com

Further information regarding the approval and accreditation status of the RCC ADN program can be obtained by contacting the department head of Associate Degree Nursing at 336-633-0201.

In compliance with the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, the following standards have been established. The following are examples of the activities you would be required to perform to complete the ADN program successfully. If you believe that you cannot meet one or more of the standards without accommodations or modifications, consult with the Associate Degree Nursing Program Department Head, who may refer you to Student Services for additional guidance. The examples given are representative of those activities required and are not all-inclusive. The essential functions include:

1. Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment. Example: Identify cause and effect relationships in clinical situations, develop nursing care plans.
2. Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. Example: Establish a relationship with patients and colleagues.
3. Communicate with others orally and in writing. Example: Explain treatments and medications, document nursing actions, record patient responses to treatment.
4. Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces. Must be able to lift more than 50 lbs. Example: Answer calls from patients, retrieve equipment, and move about in patient rooms.
5. The ability to manipulate equipment and to assist patients with physical limitations. Example: Use equipment, calibrate equipment, position patients, administer CPR, administer injections, and insert catheters.
6. Hearing ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs. Example: Hear a monitor alarm, listen to heart and breath sounds, and hear a cry for help.
7. Vision sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in nursing care. Example: Observe patient responses to treatment, see a change in skin color, read the scale on a syringe.
8. Sense of touch sufficient to perform a physical examination and to detect movement. Example: Detect pulsation.
9. Able to perform lifting, transferring, standing, stooping, bending, walking, stretching, reaching and use full range of body motions. Example: Assisting patient transfers from chair to bed and from bed to chair.

EXAMPLES ARE NOT ALL-INCLUSIVE.
Randolph Community College is an ADA-compliant institution. The College does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admissions process or in access to its programs, services and/or activities for qualified individuals who meet essential eligibility requirements. The College will provide reasonable accommodations for documented disabilities of individuals who are eligible to receive or participate in college programs, services and/or activities. Student Services provides a disability counselor to assist students in requesting disability-related accommodations. If a student believes that they cannot meet one or more of the essential functions without accommodations, the student is encouraged to disclose the disability to the disability counselor as soon as possible. Students must certify the ability to meet essential functions of the curriculum by a signed statement when they begin the program.

Virtual Nursing Information Sessions in Microsoft Teams:

• Nov. 13 at 9 a.m.
• Dec. 4 at 12 p.m.

Spring Information Sessions will be added at a later date.

Information Session Material:

• Student Medical Form

For more information about admissions, please contact Elaine Sill at 336-633-0222.

Dates TBA

Register at this website

This test is given on a computer. It currently costs $87. (4/12/2023)