Associate of Applied Science

Health Technology
Major: Nursing Tracks 1 & 2nursing students

Nursing Track 1: 2 year curriculum plan

Nursing Track 2: Health Sciences Certificate plus 2 year curriculum plan

Purpose: The two year Associate of Applied Science degree curriculum in Nursing is designed to prepare selected students to qualify as contributing members of the health team, rendering direct patient care as beginning practitioners of nursing in a variety of health service facilities. Upon successful completion of the curriculum, students will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination leading to licensure as a registered nurse (RN).

Special Accreditation Status: The program is approved by the Virginia State Board of Nursing and is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc. (61 Broadway – 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006, Telephone: 800-669-1656, ext. 153, website: www.nlnac.org ).

Special Note: The Virginia Appalachian Tricollege Nursing Program (VATNP) is a three college consortium serving Mountain Empire Community College, Southwest Virginia Community College, and Virginia Highlands Community College.

Occupational Objectives: Employment opportunities for the Registered Nurse include, but are not limited to, staff positions in hospitals, nursing homes, health departments, physicians’ offices, clinics, home health agencies, day care centers, and civil service.

Admission Requirements: Admission to the Virginia Appalachian Tricollege Nursing Program is a selective process. The nursing program is open to both male and female applicants who are free of any physical or mental condition which might adversely affect performance as a member of the nursing profession. In addition to the requirements for admission to the college, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

1. Graduation from high school or satisfactory completion of the GED.
2. The completion of one unit each of algebra, biology (with laboratory), and chemistry (with laboratory) with no grade below a “C” prior to January 15 application deadline (deficiencies can be made up through developmental studies or college courses).
3. A 2.5 average for high school courses or a 2.5 curricular average for college curriculum coursework.**
4. College students must be in good standing with the institution. A curricular GPA of 2.5 must be achieved on college work.
5. Satisfactory performance (national percentile score of 45) on a nursing pre-admission test; a national percentile score of 45 or higher.
6. Completion of college assessment examination and prescribed developmental work.
7. Completion of the special physical examination, including the immunization schedule, after acceptance and prior to beginning nursing courses.
8. Completion of Health Science Programs Application for each academic year interested in being considered for the Nursing Program.

**If the student has completed a minimum of 12 college credits that are included in calculating the college G.P.A. (non-developmental courses), the 2.5 high school G.P.A. requirement will be waived.

Special Notes:
The State Board of Nursing has the authority to deny license to any applicant who has violated any of the provisions of 54.1-3007 of the Code of Virginia. Licensed nursing homes and similar organizations are prohibited from hiring persons who have been convicted of certain criminal acts. Any person wishing to enter the nursing program who has committed any legal offenses other than minor traffic violations should discuss these matters with the Dean of the Nursing Program prior to application.

Complete applications (including high school/college official transcripts; GED, if applicable; LPN Board scores, if applicable; and a college entry-level assessment examination score), must be received in the Admissions Office by January 15. Out-of-region applicants (Virginia residents) will be considered for any openings available after April 1. Out-of-state applicants will be considered for any openings available after May 1. (SVCC service region: Buchanan, Dickenson (partial), Russell and Tazewell Counties.) Qualified students will be admitted on an equal basis.

To be considered in-region, an applicant must be domiciled within the service region for 12 months prior to the program application deadline.

Advanced Placement: Currently licensed LPNs who have been accepted to the nursing program may be offered the option of entering a summer Bridge Program - providing they have completed all the general education courses required for the LPN to RN bridge program and have either become licensed or have worked as an LPN during the most recent year. If these LPNs accept the bridge program option, they will take four nursing courses in the summer semester and then move directly into the second year of the program in the fall semester.

Transfer of Nursing Credit: Students seeking to transfer credit from nursing programs at other institutions will be considered on an individual basis. The student may be asked to provide course descriptions, course syllabi, achievement tests scores and selected data from the course instructor in order to determine placement in the nursing program, subject to availability of space. Since there frequently are differences among nursing programs, students wishing to transfer should be aware that there may be an interruption in program progression. Applicants must be in good standing at their previous college with a “C” average or better. All regular admission requirements must be met. Nursing courses which are being transferred must have been completed within three (3) years prior to admission to the nursing program.

Program Requirements: The student is required to complete a sequence of courses and learning experiences provided at the college and selected community agencies such as hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, physicians’ offices and comparable facilities. The nursing faculty will observe and evaluate the student’s suitability for nursing and direct patient care. The nursing program faculty reserves the right to recommend, through appropriate channels, the withdrawal of any student who does not exhibit suitable demeanor/attendance.

Students must complete all courses listed in the first year of the curriculum before being allowed to enter the second year. Exceptions due to unusual circumstances must be approved by the Dean of the program. 

The student must complete all general education and related courses either before or concurrent with nursing program requirements. A student must have a “C” or above in theory plus “satisfactory” in clinical performance in all nursing courses to remain in the program. A grade of “C” or above in any related requirements is a prerequisite for continuing in the nursing program. Most previous college credits will be accepted. However, BIO-141-142 (anatomy and physiology) must be completed within the ten (10) years prior to admission to the nursing program or concurrent with the nursing program. CPR certification must be maintained throughout the program.

Physical demands in this program include duties that frequently require squatting, bending, kneeling, reaching, and stair climbing; lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds; frequent pushing and pulling up to 200 pounds with assistance; occasional lifting up to 200 pounds with assistance and occasional carrying up to 51-74 pounds. Duties also require constant use of acute sense of sight, hearing, touch, and speech. Environmental conditions include procedures that involve handling blood and body fluids using standard precautions.

Criminal Background Check/Drug Screening: Background checks for criminal history and sex offender crimes against minors are required for entrance into clinical agencies. Students with convictions may be prohibited from clinical practice and may not complete the program. Clinical agencies also require drug testing prior to placement of students for clinical rotations. Students with positive drug tests results may be prohibited from clinical practice and may not complete the program. Cost of criminal background checks and drug testing will be the responsibility of the student.


Program Progression: Any student who earns a final grade lower than “C” in any nursing course, MTH 126, BIO 141 or 142 must repeat the course and earn a final grade of “C” or better before taking the next course in the sequence. Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in all required courses and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 to remain eligible for continued enrollment in the nursing program.

Students who are unsuccessful in NUR 111 or NUR 115 must reapply for admissions to the nursing program. In addition, a Comprehensive Drug Calculation Exam (CDCE) will be administered at the beginning of NUR 112 or NUR 115 to verify skills. Students must achieve at least 90 percent of maximum score on the CDCE with no more than three attempts in order to continue in NUR 112 or NUR 115.

A student must obtain permission from the Dean of the VATNP  to continue in the Nursing Program under the following conditions: 1) repeating a course with a grade below “C,” 2) withdrawal from a nursing course, 3) cumulative GPA below 2.0.

Virginia Community College System policy states that no course may be taken more than twice (original enrollment and one repeat). Any exception to this policy must be approved by the Program Dean and the Associate Vice President of Student Development Services.

Reapplication: An applicant not admitted to the nursing curriculum who is still interested should reapply for the next year by contacting the Admissions Office prior to the January 15 deadline.

Readmission Requirements: According to the VCCS Policy 5.7.4 “A student will normally be limited to two enrollments in the same credit course.” A student who wishes to re-enter the nursing curriculum must write a letter to the program dean requesting readmission at least one semester prior to the semester of enrollment. The student may be required to enroll in and satisfactorily complete specific courses before readmission. Additional data may be required. Each student’s application for readmission will be considered by the nursing faculty and the decision to readmit will be based on additional data, prior performance in the nursing program and space availability. The student must repeat the nursing course in which a grade of less than “C” was earned. Students who are unsuccessful in NUR 111 or NUR 115 must reapply to the program.

A student will not normally be allowed to repeat more than one nursing course. A grade of “unsatisfactory” in the clinical portion of any nursing course results in an “F” grade for the course regardless of the theory grade. A student who has withdrawn because of academic failure may not re-enroll in the nursing curriculum more than one time. Such a student may not be readmitted if the cumulative grade point average is less than 2.0, including all courses attempted other than nursing. Re-enrollment must occur no later than three years or the student will have to repeat all nursing courses.

Any exception to the above policy must have the approval of the Dean of the nursing program.

Financial Requirements: In addition to the usual college tuition and fees, the nursing program requires: Uniforms, Books, Liability Insurance, CPR Certification, a complete history and physical, HIPPA Certification, and Achievement Tests. Associated costs for criminal background checks and drug screens are the responsibility of the student.

Students are also responsible for transportation to and from the College and health agencies used for clinical experiences.


Clinical Contracts: Individual contracts are in effect with each affiliate clinical agency and these contracts differ in requirements made of students. The general stipulations are as follows:

1. Clinical agencies reserve the right to dismiss a student from their agency at any time with any due cause. This will be done with advance notice except in an emergency.

2. Proper uniform must be worn.

3. Published policies of hospital must be adhered to.

4. Immunizations must be current and include Hepatitis B and MMR. Proof of negative Tuberculin skin test (PPD) or chest X-ray must be shown on admission to the program and before beginning the second year. Previous positive reactors are exempt but must see the Program Dean.

5. Student releases hospital, its agents and employees from any liability for any injury or death to himself or damage to his property arising out of agreement of use of hospital’s facilities. Contracts for each agency are available in the VATNP office and may be reviewed by students upon request.

6. Certain clinical facilities require a criminal history record check as a condition for placement. All nursing students will be required to provide proof of the background checks. Associated costs for the background checks are the responsibility of the student.

Nursing Track 1: Two year curriculum plan
The VATNP offers an opportunity for recent high school graduates and other eligible adults to complete the nursing degree program after two years of full time attendance (4 semesters and 1 summer session). This is a rigorous and academically challenging program.

         
Course
Number		 Course Title Lecture
Hours		 Lab
Hours		 Course
Credits
First Semester
SDV 108 College Survival Skills 1 0 1
ENG* 111 College Composition I 3 0 3
MTH 126 Mathematics for Allied Health 2 0 2
BIO 141 Human Anatomy & Physiology I 3 3 4
NUR 111 Nursing I 4 9 7
NUR 136 Principles of Pharmacology I 1 0 1
TOTAL 14 12 18
         
  Second Semester      
ENG* 112 College Composition II 3 0 3
BIO 142 Human Anatomy & Physiology II 3 3 4
NUR 112 Nursing II 4 12 8
NUR 137 Principles of Pharmacology II 1 0 1
  TOTAL 11 15 16
         
  Summer Semester      
NUR 226  Health Assessment 2 3 3
         
  Third Semester      
AST 232 Microcomputer Office App. 3 0 3
or
ITE 115 Basic Computer Literacy 3 0 3
NUR 211 Second Level Nursing I 4 12 8
NUR 236 Principles of Pharmacology III 1 0 1
PSY 231 Life Span Human Devel. I 3 0 3
  TOTAL 16 12 15
         
  Fourth Semester      
NUR 212 Second Level Nursing II 4 12 8
NUR 254 Nursing Dimensions 2 0 2
NUR 237 Principles of Pharmacology IV 1 0 1
PSY 232 Life Span Human Devel. II 3 0 3
Elective Humanities/Fine Arts 3 0 3
TOTAL 13 12 17

Total Minimum Credits for the Nursing Major 69

* Students who do not wish to pursue a Baccalaureate degree in Nursing may substitute
ENG 101-102 for ENG 111-112.
Humanities elective: ART 101-102, ART 201-202; ENG 241-242, ENG 243-244, ENG
251-252; FRE 101-102; MUS 121-122; PHI 101; REL 200-210; SPA 101-102; SPD 130, 151, 152

Nursing Track 2: Health Sciences Certificate plus 2 year curriculum plan

Students in this track will complete all general education courses required by the nursing curriculum and receive a health care science certificate before beginning nursing classes. This option takes three years or longer depending on the amount of time taken to complete the general education classes. Many students, who have families, work or other responsibilities often choose this track.
 

         
Course
Number		 Course Title Lecture
Hours		 Lab
Hours		 Course
Credits
First Semester (Fall-Health Sciences)
SDV 108 College Survival Skills 1 0 1
ENG 111 College Composition I 3 0 3
MTH 126 Mathematics for Allied Health 2 0 2
BIO 141 Human Anatomy & Physiology I 3 3 4
HLT 143 Medical Terminology I 3 0 3
PSY 231 Life Span Human Development I 3 0 3
TOTAL 15 3 16
         
  Second Semester (Spring-Health Science)      
ENG* 112 College Composition II 3 0 3
BIO 142 Human Anatomy & Physiology II 3 3 4
ITE 100 Intro to Info Systems OR 3 0 3
ITE 115 Intro to Computer Apps & Concepts      
PSY 232 Life Span Human Development II 3 0 3
EEE *Humanities/Fine Arts 3 0 3
  TOTAL 15 3 16
         
  Third Semester (Fall-Nursing)      
NUR 111 Nursing I 4 9 7
NUR 136 Principles of Pharmacology I 1 0 1
  TOTAL 5 9 8
         
  Fourth Semester (Spring-Nursing)      
NUR 112 Nursing II 4 12 8
NUR 137 Principles of Pharmacology II 1 0 1
TOTAL 5 12  9
Summer Session - Nursing
NUR 226 Health Assessment 2 3 3
  TOTAL 2 3 3
         
  Fifth Semester (Fall- Nursing)      
NUR 211 Second Level Nursing I 4 12 8
NUR 236 Principles of Pharmacology III 1 0 1
  TOTAL 5 12 9
         
  Sixth Semester (Spring - Nursing)      
NUR 212 Second Level Nursing II 4 12 8
NUR 254 Nursing Dimensions 2 0 2
NUR 237 Principles of Pharmacology IV 1 0 1
TOTAL 7 12 11

Total Minimum Credits for the Nursing Major 72

* Humanities elective: ART 101-102, ART 201-202; ENG 241-242, ENG 243-244, ENG
251-252; FRE 101-102; MUS 121-122; PHI 101; REL 200-210; SPA 101-102; SPD 130, 151, 152