RIO HONDO COLLEGE
ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING PROGRAM
30 UNIT OPTION - LVN

Admission Information

This one-year program is for the applicant with a valid California Vocational Nurse License.  The Vocational  Nurse who completes  the additional thirty units described below beyond the LVN curriculum qualifies to take the licensing examination as a Registered Nurse without completing the requirements for the Associate Degree in Nursing Program.

The program is designed to prepare students for employment as a Registered Nurse, providing direct care to patients. The student should be aware that they may not change their status as a 30 Unit Option RN with the Board of Registered Nursing at any time after licensure.  Individuals who become licensed as registered nurses using this option may not be eligible for licensure in states other than California.  The program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing. The 30 unit option student will take the NCLEX-RN exam as a non-graduate.  This status will not restrict their practice within California. They may have difficulty applying to a college/university for an advanced degree.

CURRICULUM GUIDE

Prerequisites/Corequisites

*Chem 110 is a prerequisite to BIOL 222 and BIOL 226 and meets the AS degree requirements for a natural science with lab

• Biology 222 Microbiology 5 Units*
• Biology 226 Human Physiology 4 Units*

• ADN 75 LVN Transition into the Associate Degree Program (Admission by permission of the Health Science Division - Summer session only) 2 Units*
• HS 075 Math for Health Professionals (optional elective for 1 Unit)

COURSES REQUIRED AFTER ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM BY PERMIT ONLY

SECOND YEAR FALL SEMESTER:

• ADN 250 Advanced Pharmacology 1 Unit*
• ADN 251 Nursing Process Applied to Aging, Perception, Coordination & Mobility 4.5 Units*
• ADN 252 Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing 3.5Units*

SECOND YEAR SPRING SEMESTER:

• ADN 253 Nursing Process Applied to Advanced Concepts 5 Units*
• ADN 254 Leadership & Management in Nursing 4 Unit*

*The Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) requires these courses be completed to be eligible to take the RN licensing examination. All of these courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.

Determination of Eligibility for admission to the ADN Program 

A. Admission Requirements

1. Educational requirements:

• Proof of graduation from an accredited high school in the U.S.A by transcript or diploma or official international evaluation or Associate or Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education in the U.S.A. or documentation of passing score on the GED (General Education Development) exam.
• Active State of California Vocational Nurse license submitted to the Health Science Division Office by March 1st.                                                                                                                                          
• Students must meet the admission requirements for Rio Hondo College
• Overall GPA in the core science prerequisites of at least 2.5 (physiology and microbiology), with no grade less than a "C" for each course. The student is limited to one repeat in any of the science courses to improve the grade.
• Completion of ADN 75 LVN Transition into the Associate Degree Nursing Program, with a minimum grade of "C" or better.
• A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 for all college coursework taken.
• All science courses must be a minimum of four units with a lab component.
• Current CPR card (BCLS 8 hour class for health care providers, all ages & 1 person, 2-person rescuer) provided by the American Heart Association will be required after admission.
• Effective Spring 2008, students must pass a diagnostic assessment test (basic math, English, reading, science) prior to program enrollment. Students who fail to achieve a passing score will be required to complete additional pre-nursing coursework.

2. Health Requirements:

The applicant must be free from communicable disease, infections, psychological disorders and other conditions that would prevent the successful performance of the responsibilities and tasks required in the education and training of a Registered Nurse. Upon acceptance into the program, the student must satisfactorily pass a health examination by a licensed physician or a nurse practitioner and have various laboratory tests and immunizations, as needed, to determine physical and mental fitness. If a student enrolled in the program has developed a condition that would prevent successful performance of his/her responsibilities and tasks, the Dean of Health Science may require the student to be examined by a licensed physician. If the licensed physician verifies the condition, then there is sufficient cause for suspension or expulsion from the program pursuant to Board Policy. Information on specific health requirements will be provided to the student upon admission to the program.

B. Admission Procedure
1. Applications for Admission to the College shall be submitted to the Admissions Office.

2. Applicants to the 30 Unit Option LVN to RN Program should attend a nursing information session to discuss prerequisites, general education requirements for the degree, and basic skills testing. Applicants must complete and submit an Associate Degree Nursing Program application to the Health Science Division for admission consideration, when all the educational requirements are met.

3. The 30 Unit Option LVN to RN Program has once a year entry each Fall semester.

4. Please bring one official copy of your high school transcripts, diploma, or GED, and transcripts for college coursework completed to date, to the Health Science Division.  If you graduated from high school and/or college in another country, please have your transcripts evaluated by a private international evaluation service and bring documentation, as well as official international transcripts, to the Health Science Division.  The international evaluation of college coursework should be a detailed report.

5. All applicants will be notified in writing regarding acceptance following the selection procedure.

C. Admission Process
Acceptance to the 30 Unit Option LVN to RN Program will be based on selection criteria which includes the following: overall cumulative GPA, cumulative science GPA, other college degrees, current health care work experience, current medical/nursing certificates/licenses, life experience, other language spoken, ATI results after acceptance.

Students will be chosen on the basis of the selection criteria. Students who have at least an overall  cumulative GPA of 2.5, for all college coursework taken, GPA of 2.5 in the science core courses, with no grade less than “C” for each course, had no more than one repetition of any of the science core courses and completed English 101 with a grade of "C" or better will be considered eligible for admission.

Students who are applying for the LVN to 30 Unit Option RN Program must have an application, a copy of their counseling card and documentation of course work on file in the Health Science Department Office by March 1.  Students will be notified of permission to register in writing.

ADN 75 - LVN Transition into the Associate Degree Program is a prerequisite for admission to ADN 2nd  year course (ADN 251) and is offered in the summer session only.  Following admission, the student will be given a permit to register for ADN 75. Following completion of ADN 75, with a grade of "C" or better, the student will be admitted to the program for the Fall semester.

D. Appeal Procedure

• Appeal in writing to the Dean of Health Science within ten days.
• If the appeal is denied by the Dean of Health Science, to the Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs.
• In the event that the above steps do not result in satisfaction to the applicant, the applicant may initiate a grievance through the grievance policy adopted by the Board of Trustees. 

E. Expenses
Uniforms, books health and safety screenings and miscellaneous expenses will total approximately $1000 the first semester, and approximately $600 every semester thereafter. Items purchased within the first semester may be used throughout the remainder of the 30 Unit Option LVN to RN Program. . Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to clinical facilities.

F. Student Support-Scholarship and Financial Aid                                                                                                  
Rio Hondo College participates in a variety of federal and state financial aid programs.  These programs are designed to assist students with tuition, fees, books/supplies, transportation and room and board.  Eligibility is limited to students who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or other eligible non-citizens.  Additional eligibility requirements apply to each program and information may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office.  There are numerous scholarships available to Rio Hondo College nursing students.  These scholarships are funded and sponsored by a variety of on and off campus resources including community hospital partners of the nursing program.  Scholarships are granted based on a variety of qualifications.  Scholarship information is available in the College Scholarship Office located in the Financial Aid Office or in the Health Science Division.  Short-term loans are available in emergency situations for books and supplies through the Student Activities Office or the Scholarship Office.

G. Patient Safety-Background Checks                                                                                                                      
Based on national guidelines from the Joint Commission on Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) and clinical facility policies, nursing students must have clear criminal background checks to participate in clinical courses.  Specific procedures will be shared with the student upon admission.  The student is responsible for the cost of the background check.  If the background check is not clear, the student will be responsible for obtaining documents showing rehabilitation and/or having the record corrected.  The Dean of Health Science is responsible for determining if clinical placement is appropriate through consultation with the Human Resource Departments at the clinical site.  Student information will be held in the strictest confidence.  See the Dean of Health Science with questions concerning this procedure.

The student will be required to undergo drug testing at their expense before caring for patients in the clinical setting.  Specific procedures will be shared with the student upon admission.  Evidence of drug or alcohol use would jeopardize the admission of the student to the clinical setting.

                                                                                                      
The Board of Registered Nursing requires the applicant for licensure as a registered nurse to disclose prior misdemeanor and felony convictions.  The applicant must explain the circumstances of the conviction and provide documentation of rehabilitation.  The Board considers the nature and severity of the offense, subsequent acts, recency of acts or crimes, compliance with court sanctions and evidence of rehabilitation in determining eligibility for licensure.   Questions concerning this requirement may be directed to the Dean of Health Science.

H.  Requirement for Licensure                                                                                                                                      The Board of Registered Nursing requires a valid social security number for licensure.  The Board of Registered Nursing may provide additional information for legal residents without a social security card. The Board of Registered Nursing can be reached at 916.322.3350.

I. Transfer Students                                                                                                                                                        
All transfer students who have taken course work in nursing at another nursing program will be evaluated on an individual basis.  Previous coursework must be no older than three years. The student must present a letter from the director of the former nursing program, stating the circumstances necessitating the transfer and evaluation of clinical safety.  Students who are deemed unsafe in the clinical area are not eligible for transfer to the Rio Hondo Associate Degree Nursing Program.  Transfer students must demonstrate competence in clinical skills and pass a pharmacology math quiz, with a score of %100, before admission to the program. Students who have completed two nursing courses with grades below a "C" are ineligible for transfer into the Rio Hondo ADN Program  

K. Nursing Division Philosophy The philosophy of the nursing program is in harmony with the mission, vision, and goals of Rio Hondo College. The Associate Degree Nursing Program strives to be an exemplary nursing program that provides opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures to be educated., responsible and caring community members. Graduates are prepared for licensure as registered nurses. The faculty recognizes the importance of also preparing students to practice in a variety of settings as health care delivery evolves. Teaching/learning strategies will embrace student centered competency-based instruction. In addition, the program has established quality improvement measures to assure that educational competencies have been met.

Above information subject to change.                                                                                                                     

Modified: 03/02/2010