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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 license as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. The
nurse who completes thirty additional units beyond the LVN
curriculum qualifies to take the licensing examination as a
registered nurse without completing the requirements for the
Associate Degree in Nursing.
The program is designed to prepare students for
employment as a 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 accredited by the
California Board of Registered Nursing. CURRICULUM GUIDE
Prerequisites/Corequisites
- Biology 222 Microbiology 5 Units
- Biology 226 Human Physiology 4 Units
- ADN 75 LVN Transition into the Associate Degree
Program 2 Units
COURSES REQUIRED AFTER ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM BY
PERMIT ONLY
FALL SEMESTER:
- ADN 251 Nursing Process Applied to Aging, Perception, Coordination & Mobility 4.5 Units
- ADN 252 Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing 4 Units
SPRING SEMESTER:
- ADN 253 Nursing Process Applied to Advanced Concepts 5 Units
- ADN 254 Leadership & Management in Nursing 4.5 Unit
All the above courses required by the Board of Registered Nursing to sit for the licensing exam.
All 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:
All core science prerequisite courses must have
been completed within the last 10 years.
- 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 an Associate Degree 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 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 Director may require the student to be examined by a licensed physician. If the condition is verified by the licensed physician, 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 on admission. A report of the
student's history and physical examination performed within
one years prior to admission must be on file in the Health
Science Department office before the first day of the
clinical assignment and must include a recent record of the
following:
- a negative TB skin test within one year or negative
chest X-ray within two years of admission
- hearing and vision within functional limits or corrected to functional limits
- laboratory studies as indicated on the Health Science
Department History and Physical form obtained from the
Health Office or Health Science Department Office
- current immunizations and/or titers showing immunity
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 Counseling Department 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 with prerequisite transition course the summer prior to admission.
4. The Counseling Department will evaluate academic
records and complete an admissions card. Please bring one
official copy of your high school transcripts, diploma, or
GED, and transcripts for college coursework completed to
date, to the Counseling Department. 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 Counseling
Department. The international evaluation of college
coursework should be a detailed report.
5. All applicants will be notified in writing regarding acceptance, or
non-acceptance, following the selection procedure.
6. All students admitted to the program must attend a mandatory "Student
Readiness Day" at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters.
C. Admission Process
Acceptance to the 30 Unit Option LVN to RN Program, for the
class beginning Fall 2006, will be through the use of an
admission's formula developed by the California Community
College Chancellor's Office. The student's overall
cumulative GPA for all college coursework taken, grades in
the core science courses (anatomy, physiology and
microbiology), completion of college English, and the number
of repetitions of science core courses will be used to
determine the student's eligibility. 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. A lottery will be used to
select qualified students. The program does not have a
waiting list. Each class selection will be completed using
the above process.
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
courses (ADN 251, 252) 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
An applicant who is denied admission may:
- 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. Readmission
Students may re-enter the ADN Program only one time after
completing any nursing course with less than a grade of "C".
If deemed clinically unsafe as defined in the ADN Evaluation
Procedure, the student will not be eligible for admission.
Readmission will be based on space available and completion
of recommendations for remediation. Deadline for
readmission is March 1st for fall and November 1st
for spring semesters.
H. Patient Safety-Background Checks
Based on national guidelines from the Joint Commission on
Health Care Organizations (JCHCO) 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.
I. Prior Misdemeanor and Felony Convictions
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.
J. 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.
K. 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
Advantages and Disadvantages of 30 Unit Option.
Advantages
- Fewer Science Prerequisites
- No general education requirement to sit for NCLEX.
- The R.N. licensure provides the same privileges as a
degree recipient
Disadvantages
- 30 Unit option does not provide an A.S. degree required to transfer to a 4 year college and/or university.
If the nurse completes the degree requirements after
licensure, the college or university may admit the student
for the BSN
- 30 Unit Option may not be honored in other states
REVISED: 08/2007
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