PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN TO RN ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING

Admission Information

The Associate Degree Nursing Program is a two-year program designed to prepare students for employment as a Registered Nurse providing direct care to patients. Graduates receive an Associate in Science Degree in Nursing. The program is accredited by the California State Board of Registered Nursing. Students who complete the curriculum are qualified to take the examination leading to licensure as a Registered Nurse.

CURRICULUM GUIDE

Pre-Requisites:

       Biology 125 Human Anatomy 4 Units *

       Biology 226 Human Physiology** 4 Units *

       Biology 222 Microbiology** 5 Units *

       ENGL 101 Approaches to Writing 3 Units*   

       ADN 151 Clinical Nursing Concepts (Offered only in the Spring and Summer semesters-Permit to register given only to students admitted to the program may be waived by testing.                                4 Units*  

HS045 Math for Health Professionals (optional elective for 1 unit )                                                                                                    

OTHER REQUIRED COURSES

**CHEM 110 is a prerequisite to BIOL 222 and BIOL 226 and meets the AS degree requirement for a natural science lab. 

       Math 70 Intermediate Algebra (or appropriate assessment) 4 units

       Read 23 Reading College Textbooks or equivalent (or appropriate assessment; Reading proficiency required for graduation)    3 units

       Soc 101 Introduction to Sociology 3 units*

       Spch 101 Public Address or equivalent 3 units*

       Psy 101 Introductory Psychology 3 units*

       American Institutions (one course) 3 units

       Fine Arts (one course) 3 units

       Humanities (one course) 3 units

       PE (2 Activity Courses) 2 units

Students need 27 units in this section a total of 7 units may be earned by assessment testing

(The nursing department staff recommends that student complete as many general education courses as possible before admission to the ADN Program, especially Math 70 and Reading 23 or equivalent)

COURSES REQUIRED AFTER ENROLLMENT BY PERMIT ONLY

1st Year - FALL SEMESTER:

       ADN 150 Medical/Surgical  Nursing 1 8 Units*

       ADN 154 Pharmacology 2 Unit *

1st Year - SPRING SEMESTER:

       ADN 155 Nursing Process: Childbearing Family/Women's Health 4 Units *

       ADN 156 Nursing Process: Applied to the Care of Children 4 Units *

2nd Year - FALL SEMESTER:

       ADN 250 Advance Pharmacology 1Unit*

       ADN 251 Nursing Process Applied to Aging, Perception, Coordination & Mobility 4.5 Units *

       ADN 252 Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing (waived with an active Psych Tech License) 3.5 Units*

2nd Year - SPRING SEMESTER:

       ADN 253 Nursing Process Applied to Advanced Concepts 5 Units *

       ADN 254 Leadership and Management in Nursing 4 Units*

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

Determination of Eligibility for admission to the ADN Program

A. Admission Requirements:

1. Educational requirements for program application:

a. 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.
b. Active California Psychiatric Technician License.
c. Students must meet the admission requirements for Rio Hondo College
d. Overall GPA in the core science prerequisites of at least 2.5 (anatomy, physiology, microbiology) with no grade less than “C” for each course. The student is limited to one repeat in any of the science courses to improve the grade.                                                                                                                                                                 e. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 for all college coursework taken.
f. 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.
g. 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.
h. 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.  

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 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.

B. Admission Procedure

 1. Applications for admission to the College shall be submitted to the Admissions Office.

2. Applicants to the Associate Degree Nursing 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 Associate Degree Nursing Program has once a year entry each Fall semester.

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 work completed to date to the Health Science Division (see checklist). 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 the documentation, as well as official international transcripts, to the Counseling Department.  The international evaluation of college course work 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 Associate Degree Nursing Program will be based on the 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 accepted to the program will be admitted to ADN 151, Clinical Nursing Concepts, by permission of the Health Science Division.  This course is a prerequisite for admission to the ADN 1st semester courses (ADN 150 and ADN 154) and is offered in the Spring and Summer sessions.  Students who complete ADN 151 with a grade of “C” or better will be admitted to the program in the fall semester. Licensed Psychiatrics may challenge ADN 151. 

Students who are applying for the spring ADN 151 course work must have an application, a copy of their counseling card and documentation of course work on file in the Health Science Division Office by October 1 for spring admission and March 1 for summer admission.  Students will be notified of permission to register in writing.

D. Appeal Procedure:
An applicant who is denied admission may:

1. Appeal in writing to the Dean of Health Science within ten days.
2. If the Dean of Health Science denies the appeal, the student may appeal to the Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs.
3. 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 $1000.00 the first semester, and approximately $600.00 every semester thereafter. Items purchased within the first semester may be used throughout the remainder of the Associate Degree Nursing Program.  Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to clinical facilities.

F. Student Support-Scholarships 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 Department.  Short-term loans are available in emergency situations for books and supplies through the Student Activities Office or the Scholarship Office.

G. Patient Safety and Background Checks

Based on national guidelines from the Joint Commission on Healthcare 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 strictest confidence.  See the Dean of Health Sciences 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.  Questions concerning this requirement may be directed to the Dean of Health Science.

Requirement for Licensure
The Board of Registered Nursing requires a valid social security number for licensure.  The Board of Registered Nursing may be consulted for qualifications for licensure for legal residents without social security cards. The Board of Registered Nursing can be reached at 916.322.3350.

Transfer Students All transfer students who have taken course work in nursing at another nursing program will be evaluated on an individual basis.  Previous nursing course work 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 Rio Hondo Nursing Programs.  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 course with grades below a "C" are ineligible for transfer into the Rio Hondo ADN Program. 

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: 03/01/2010