Additional Admissions Information
Associate Degree Nursing Admissions Policies & Procedures
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. If you have questions about the admissions process for the Associate Degree Nursing program, please call the Admissions Office at 336-633-0224.
In addition to the Randolph Community College requirements for admission, the following are minimum requirements for admission to the Associate Degree Nursing program:
PHASE I (Completed by January 15)
1. Complete general admission requirements of Randolph Community College including placement testing.
A. Complete an RCC application for Nursing for the 2011 fall semester.
B. Complete an Associate Degree Nursing Application of Intent for 2011 admission.
C. Provide official copies of high school transcript and/or GED test scores and all college transcripts. High school seniors must submit current high school transcripts by January 15 and an official high school transcript, upon graduation, by June 15.
D. Take placement tests. Call 336-633-0224 to schedule. SAT/ACT scores may be used to fulfill general admission requirements. Students who do not meet the cut scores on placement test(s) must complete and pass Developmental Studies courses with a grade of “C” or better.
E. Meet with Financial Aid Office if necessary.
2. Evidence of “C” or greater in the following:
• High School biology, or college-level general biology, or SCI 095.
• High school chemistry, or college-level chemistry, or SCI 095.
• High school algebra, college algebra, has met the placement test cut score for MAT 070 or has successfully completed MAT 070.
3. A 2.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA) on the most recent transcript, college or high school.
A 2.5 GPA must be maintained throughout the admissions process.
PHASE II (Completed by March 15)
1. Attend mandatory information session (will be notified by mail of date and time). Students will receive an invitation to the information session and must attend before taking the HOBET.
2. Take the Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test (HOBET). There will be a $22.50 charge to students to take the HOBET. Students must meet the minimum cut score, however, the higher the score the more points the student will receive in the ranking process for competitive admissions.
Students will be notified by certified mail of acceptance into the Associate Degree Nursing Program by April 1 for fall enrollment. Students must respond in writing within seven calendar days to accept placement in the program. If a student declines or does not respond by the deadline, another student will be offered placement.
PHASE III (Completed by June 15 of each applying year)
1. Proof of successful completion of a state-approved Nurse Aide 1 Training program, including clinical component.
2. Verification of NAI listing on the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Facility Services, Health Care Personnel, NAI Registry.
3. Current CPR Certification for adult/child/infant/AED as offered by the American Heart Association.
4. Completion of student medical information form and evidence of physical and emotional health as defined by the North Carolina Board of Nursing Standards for Educational Unit in Nursing within one year of admission date into the program. Associate Degree Nursing program director or designee will verify medical compliance and documentation.
PHASE IV (Completed June - August)
1. Attend New Nursing Student Orientation. Students will be notified of date and time.
2. Attend the College Orientation/Registration session (new students only) during regular registration.
3. Meet with advisor to register for classes.
4. Pay tuition. Purchase liability insurance. Liability insurance is purchased at the time fees are paid each fall while enrolled in the ADN program.
5. Purchase textbooks, uniforms, and other required nursing supplies.
6. Meet any additional clinical facility requirements.
NOTIFICATION OF ADMISSIONS/INFORMATION SESSION
When Phase I of the admissions process has been successfully completed, applicants will be notified by letter to attend a required information session. The purpose of the information session is to answer questions about the program and for representatives from the ADN program to share important information.
The Admissions Office will begin making early offers of admission to a selected number of highly qualified applicants in March. Applications received after January 15 will be considered on a space available basis.
Applicants who are not admitted may reapply before the January 15 deadline of the next year. Applicants are only admitted in the fall semester.
READMISSIONS
Readmission to the Associate Degree Nursing program is on a space-available basis. Readmission is limited to one time only and only for the following year. After one year, the student must complete the entire admissions process again.
Students must request readmission to the College through the vice president for student services. The written request must be received by March 1 for readmission in the fall, October 1 for readmission in the spring, and February 1 for readmission in the summer. The circumstances for leaving the program must be clearly documented and include a compelling reasons why readmission should be granted. Requests for readmission will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee of the College. If readmission is granted, the Admissions Committee may impose certain requirements and/or restrictions upon the student.The Admissions Committee of the College will consist of the vice president for student services, the department chair, and the director of admissions/registrar. The director of the Associate Degree Nursing program will serve as the designee for the Health Sciences and Public Service Division chair in regards to a nursing student admission.
TRANSFER CREDIT FOR NURSING COURSES
Students requesting transfer credit for a nursing course from another college or university are required to submit a copy of the course outline and syllabus for the course. The student is required to successfully complete a written and practical competency exam for the course prior to transfer credit being granted. Transfer credit for the Associate Degree Nursing program courses shall be approved by the Associate Degree Nursing program director.
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 such that he/she can be expected to provide safe nursing care to the public. This is documented initially on the medical form completed by a physician.
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 believes that he/she cannot meet one or more of the standards without accommodations or modifications, the student will be directed to disability 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, which 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 Health Sciences and Public Service Division chair.
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.
The examples given are representative of those activities required and are not all-inclusive.
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. Please reference Nursing Practice Act, State of North Carolina 90-171.37.
Affiliating clinical agencies may require a criminal background check and drug screening as a prerequisite for clinical learning experiences. Positive results can result in the clinical agency denying the student access to clinical practice in the facility. Any student who is denied access to any clinical facility will not be allowed to progress in the program.
NUMERICAL RANKING SYSTEM
The numerical ranking system was implemented as an objective means for evaluating nursing applicants. Applicants will be ranked based upon points earned. Students with the highest number of points will be selected for admission into the Associate Degree Nursing program.
When two or more students have the identical point count total, the highest score on the reading comprehension portion of the HOBET will be the deciding factor. If additional distinctions need to be made due to identical scores, the highest score on the math skills portion of the HOBET will be the next deciding factor. Should additional distinctions need to be made due to identical scores, letter grades in science courses will be the final deciding factor. The point value for Residency of Randolph County may be used as a final tie breaker if two students have equal point values. The Randolph County resident would be given preference.
HOBET: Students must achieve the minimum score, or above, when tested in essential math skills and reading comprehension. Students must also meet the minimum composite score. Failure on any one section will result in not meeting this requirement. The test scores are good for three years. Students may test twice in a one-year period, but must wait at least six months to retest.
The lowest acceptable score for the HOBET:
Math: 52
Reading Comprehension: 47
Composite: 49GPA: A minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA) on the most recent transcript, college or high school is required.
GENERAL COLLEGE COURSES: Points will be awarded in the ranking process for a grade of “C” or better in CIS 110 and PSY 150 or PSY 241 or Humanities/Fine Arts elective.
High school students pursuing admission to the Associate Degree Nursing program are encouraged to take advantage of the Huskins and/or Dual Enrollment programs at Randolph Community College while still in high school to remain competitive in the admissions process.
SCIENCE: Letter grades in College BIO 168 and BIO 169 or High School Biology and Chemistry on the most recent transcript will be used in the ranking process. The grade in SCI 095 may take the place of the Biology and/or Chemistry requirement.
