Nursing, Associate Degree (A45120)
Associate in Applied Science

Courses will include content related to the nurse’s role as provider of nursing care, as manager of care, as member of the discipline of nursing, and as a member of the interdisciplinary team.

Graduates of this program are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) which is required for practice as a Registered Nurse. Employment opportunities include hospitals, long term care facilities, clinics, physicians’ offices, industry, and community agencies.

Associate Degree Nursing Program
Admissions Criteria
The Associate Degree Nursing program has admission criteria beyond the regular requirements of RCC. Students interested in this program are required to obtain an Associate Degree Nursing Admission Information Packet from the Student Development Office and are encouraged to discuss these special criteria with an admissions counselor. A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or greater is required as part of the admissions criteria and must be maintained throughout the program. Related and general education courses that are part of the nursing curriculum may be taken before nursing (NUR) courses and before the sequence time in the catalog; however, courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better and not adversely affect the required GPA. A student must not fall behind the sequence of the curriculum plan stated in the catalog. A “D” grade in any nursing curriculum course will cause the student to fall behind the sequence of the curriculum plan and no longer be eligible for continuation in the program. No “D” grade is allowed in any nursing curriculum or related courses.

Admission Requirements
The Associate Degree Nursing program is a limited-enrollment program. Eligible students are admitted on a space available basis to the program in the fall semester, provided they have met both general and program admission requirements.

Students who are interested in the program must obtain an Associate Degree Nursing Admission Information packet from the Student Development Office. Once a student has completed all requirements noted on the check sheet, he/she may submit the Review Form and required documentation to the Student Development Office.

There is one review period deadline. This deadline occurs in February. Incomplete Review Forms or forms submitted after these deadlines will not be considered. Students whose applications are reviewed and are found ineligible for consideration for the current year’s class must submit a new Review Form and required documentation for the next year’s class.

Prior Biology Courses
In order to receive credit, curriculum biology courses (BIO 168 and BIO 169 or equivalents) that have previously been taken must have been completed with a “C” or better within seven calendar years of the start of the program.

Readmission Requirements for Former RCC Students Who Wish to Re- Enter the Program
Former RCC students enrolled in the Associate Degree Nursing program who have completed at least one semester and wish to be considered for readmission should obtain a copy of the Readmission Policy and Procedures for Former RCC Nursing Students, available in the Student Development Office.

To insure the public health and safety of all clients, the NC Board of Nursing requires licensure to work as a registered nurse. The Board of Nursing requires criminal records check as part of the initial application process for licensure.

Once admitted into the nursing program, drug testing and criminal background checks will be required before students are allowed to participate in clinical activities. Drug screening and criminal record check policies will be reviewed at the onset of the program. Positive drug screens may result in dismissal from the program. Clinical affiliates can deny a student access to their facilities based on the findings of the criminal record check.

Applicants should be aware that admission to the nursing program is dependent upon physical and emotional health which is compatible with the ability to provide safe patient care.

The following procedures are examples of the kind of activities which a student in the nursing program would be required to perform in order to successfully complete the program. If an applicant believes that he or she cannot meet one or more of the standards without reasonable accommodations or modifications, the applicant should consult with a Student Development counselor for an evaluation of career suitability.

Performance Standards
Critical Thinking: The nursing student must possess critical thinking skills sufficient for clinical judgement. For example, the student must be able to use the nursing process as a basis for solving nursing problems. This involves identifying cause and effect relationships in clinical situations and developing nursing care plans.

Interpersonal Skills: The nursing student should possess interpersonal skills sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds. For example, the student should be able to establish a helping relationship with patients, families and colleagues.

Communication: The nursing student should possess communication skills sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written format. For example, the student must be able to convey nursing actions and patient responses to health care team members, both verbally and in writing.

Mobility: The nursing student should possess physical skills sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces. For example, the student must be able to move around in patient rooms, work spaces and treatment areas and to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Motor Skills: The nursing student should possess gross and fine motor skills sufficient to provide safe and effective nursing care. For example, the student must be able to calibrate and use equipment, administer injections, insert catheters, manipulate intravenous equipment and position patients.

Hearing: The nursing student should possess auditory skills sufficient to monitor and assess health needs. For example, the student must be able to hear monitor alarms, emergency signals, auscultatory sounds and cries for help.

Visual: The nursing student should possess visual skills sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in nursing care. For example, the student must be able to observe patient responses, see a change in skin color and read a scale on a syringe.

Tactile: The nursing student should possess tactile skills sufficient for physical assessment. For example, the student must be able to palpate a pulse.

Weight-Bearing: The nursing student should possess the ability to maneuver and move 40-50 lbs. on a weekly or daily basis. For example, the student must be able to position and transfer patients.

Associate Degree Nursing students should be prepared to incur additional expenses beyond college fees and tuition. Estimates of these include:

TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS:—71

Students who wish to have post-secondary course work from other colleges or universities transferred into RCC and be used in the Associate Degree Nursing curriculum must request a transcript evaluation by the Registrar.