Admission Information

The Vocational Nursing Program is a two semester program following the completion of prerequisite courses. It is designed to prepare students for employment as staff nurses, giving care to patients in a variety of settings, such as acute hospitals, extended care facilities, home health care, surgical centers & medical offices. The program is accredited by the California State Board of Vocational Nurse and Psychiatric Technician. Students who complete the curriculum and achieve the certificate of completion, are qualified to take the examination leading to licensure as a Licensed Vocational Nurse.

A 2.5 or better grade point average in all required courses or equivalent courses in the VN curriculum, is required for completion of the program and qualification to take the examination leading to licensure as a Licensed Vocational Nurse.

CURRICULUM GUIDE

Academic Requirements:

• Math 20 Basic Mathematics
• English 35 Intermediate Composition for Developing Writers
• Reading 23 Fundamental Reading Skills

Pre-Requisites:

• Health Science 60 Health Science Core 5 Units (See Nursing Counselor for permit)
• Psychology 101 Introductory Psychology 3 Units
• VN 61 Basic Fundamentals of Nursing 3.5 Units *
• VN 61L Basic Fundamentals of Nursing (Lab) 5 Units *

TOTAL UNITS: 16.5 Units

* VN 61 and VN 61L are offered in spring semester only by permit. (See the Nursing Counselor)

FALL SEMESTER (I):

• VNL 71L Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing Lab 3.5 Units
• VN 73 Basic Pharmacology 2 Units
• VN 74 Older Adult & Integumentary/Ortho Nursing Problems 2.5 Units
• VN 75 Endocrine Nursing Problems 1 Unit
• VN 76 Gastrointestinal & Renal Nursing Problems 3.5 Units
• VN 77 Cardiovascular & Respiratory Nursing Problems 3 Units
• VN 72L Intermediate Medical-Surgical Nursing Lab 3.5 Units

TOTAL UNITS: 19 Units

SPRING SEMESTER (II):

• VN 81L Maternal/Child & Pediatric Nursing Lab 3.5 Units
• VN 83 Applied Pharmacology 2 Units
• VN 84 Maternal/Child & Pediatric Nursing Problems 4 Units
• VN 85 Leadership & Supervision for Vocational Nursing 0.5 Units
• VN 86 Mental Health & Neurological Nursing Problems 3 Units
• VN 87 Cancer Nursing Problems 1 Unit
• VN 82L Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing Lab 3.5 Units

TOTAL UNITS: 17.5 Units

Recommended Courses:

• English 101 Approaches to Writing
• Reading 134 Effective Study Methods

General Information for Admission to the Vocational Nursing Program

Admission Requirements:                                                                                                                                                 1. Educational requirements

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 or higher education in the U.S.A. or  successful completion of the G.E.D. (General Education Development) examination. 
b) Students must meet the admission requirements for Rio Hondo College.
c) GPA of 2.5 or above in Health Science Core 60 or equivalent and Psychology 101. Documentation of in progress work must be on file in the Health Science Office by October 31.
d) Reading 23, English 35, Math 20 or equivalent  with a grade of "C" or better or exemption through assessment testing
e) Completion of VN61, VN61L with a grade "C" or better. VN61 and VN61L are offered in the Spring semester through permission of the Health Science Division only. VN61 Basic Fundaments of Nursing and VN61L Basic Fundamentals of Nursing Lab are prerequisites for admission to the first semester of the VN Program.
f) Current CPR card (BCLS Level 8 hours class for Health Care Provider. All ages 1-person, 2-person rescuer) by the American Heart Association will be required after admission.
g) 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 Vocational 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.  Information on specific health requirements will be provided to the student upon admission to the program.

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

2.  Applicants to the Vocational 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 a Vocational Nursing Program application to the Counseling Department for admission consideration, when all the educational requirements are met.

3.  The Vocational Nursing Program has once a year entry each Fall semester.

4.  The Counseling Department will evaluate academic records and complete an admission care. Please bring one official copy of your high school transcripts, diploma or GED, and transcripts for college work 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 the documentation, as well as official international transcripts, to be Counseling Department.  The international evaluation of college course work 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.

Admission Process
Acceptance to the Vocational Nursing Program, for the class beginning in Fall 2006, will be through the use of an admissions' formula developed by the California Community College Chancellor's Office. The student's overall cumulative GPA for all college coursework taken, grades in the Health Science Core 60, or equivalent, and Psychology 101, completion of college English 35, Reading 23, and Math 20 or exemption through assessment testing, will be used to determine the student's eligibility. Students who have at least a GPA of 2.5 in the Health Science Core 60 or equivalent, and Psychology 101, with no grade less than "C" for each course, and completed English 35, Reading 23, and Math 20, or equivalent, with a grade of "C" or better, or exemption through assessment testing, 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. Student will be notified by the Health Science Division of permission to register in writing.

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 appeal is denied by the Dean of Health Science, 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.

 Expenses
Uniforms, books, health and safety screenings, and  miscellaneous expenses will total approximately $1000.00 the first semester, and approximately $600 every semester thereafter. Items purchased within the first semester may be used throughout the remainder of the Vocational Nursing Program. Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to clinical facilities.

Student Support-Scholarship and Financial Aid  Rio Hondo College participates in a variety of federal and state 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. Scholarships 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.

Patient Safety and Background Checks
Based on national guidelines from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of 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 department at the clinical sites. Student information will be held in 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 use would jeopardize the admission of the student to the clinical setting.

The Board of Vocation Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians requires the applicant for licensure as a Vocational 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.

Requirement for Licensure
The Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians requires a valid social security number for licensure. The Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians should be consulted for qualifications for licensure for legal residents without social security cards. The Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians can be reached at 916.263.7800.

Transfer Student
All transfer students who have taken coursework in nursing at another nursing program will be evaluated on an individual basis. Previous nursing coursework must be no older than five years. The student must present a letter from the director of the former nursing program, stating the circumstances necessitating the transfer, and an evaluation of clinical safety. Students who are deemed unsafe in the clinical area are not eligible for transfer to Rio Hondo Vocational Nursing Program.  Any student failing two nursing courses are not eligible for Rio Hondo's LVN program. 

Above information subject to change.

 REVISED: 08/2007