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Program Type: Certificate of Achievement

Division: Health Sciences

Program Description:
I. General admissions requirements for the Registered Nursing and Vocational Nursing Programs:

1. The student must formally apply to the college and is encouraged to make an appointment to see a counselor before enrolling in nursing prerequisite courses.

2. The student must be a United States high school graduate or have a G.E.D. or equivalent.

3. The student must have and maintain a current AHA CPR/Basic Life Support Card, for health care provider. (Nursing 214 or equivalent.)

4. Students who have completed previous college nursing course work and are requesting advanced placement must provide transcripts and submit a petition to the college for advanced placement. If the petition is approved, an examination in theory and lab skills may be administered. A grade of C or better must be achieved on this examination.

Note: A copy of course syllabi and/or catalog description must be attached to the petition.

II. Other Requirements

1. Admission to and continuation in a nursing program requires the student to maintain a grade of C or better in all required nursing courses (prerequisites, requisites, and corequisites).

2. Once accepted into a nursing program, the student is required to submit evidence of good health documented by a recent physical examination (within the last year), with the required immunizations.

3. Students are expected to comply with the department's clinical uniform standards.

4. Students must provide their own transportation to all on- and off-campus clinical sites. Assignments are scheduled between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m., daily.

5. Each theory course has a corequisite, a laboratory course, that must be taken concurrently with the theory course.

6. Nursing students must have the ability to communicate effectively. To enhance success in a nursing program, students who have English as a second language are encouraged to enroll in Speech 3, 10, 121 and/or 125 and Medical Assisting 115.

7. The California Board of Registered Nursing and the California Board of Vocational Nurses and Psychiatric Technician Examiners are required to protect the public by screening applicants for licensure to identify potentially unsafe practitioners. The law provides for denial of licensure for crimes or acts which are related to nursing qualifications, functions and/or duties. Program applicants who have questions related to eligibility for licensure may contact the Health Sciences Division for referral to the appropriate licensing board.

III. Selection of Students:

ALL ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS WHO MEET THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS AND COURSE PREREQUISITES WILL BE SELECTED ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

VOCATIONAL NURSING

1. New applicants to the VN program. (Consideration is given for completion of Physo 100.)

2. Students who withdrew from the VN program a year ago and are eligible for readmission.

3. Transfer students.

CAREER LADDER - LVN TO REGISTERED NURSING

1. Completion of all prerequisites and general education requirements.

2. Completion of all life sciences courses.

The Division of Health Sciences will inform RN, LVN to RN, LVN and approved CNA candidates of the results by mail approximately six (6) weeks after the application deadline.

The Vocational Nursing curriculum provides students with skills that will afford them the opportunity to seek employment in hospitals, clinics, private physicians' offices, and skilled nursing in extended and long-term care facilities.

Emphasis is on nursing theory, development and application of nursing skills in the basic care of individuals throughout the life span.

Upon completion of this curriculum the student will receive a Certificate of Achievement and will be eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination-Vocational Nurse (NCLEX-VN) and if successful will qualify to receive a license from the Board of Vocational Nurse and Psychiatric Technician Examiners regulations to practice in the State of California.

A grade of C or better in all Vocational Nursing course work is required to meet the California Board of Vocational Nurse and Psychiatric Technician Examiners regulations.

NOTE: The following sequence must be followed.

Vocational Nursing Curriculum
Requirements for the Certificate of Achievement (50 units - includes prerequisites):

Sequence must be followed:

Prerequisites:

Nurs 103 or a valid CNA Certificate
Math 401C or 402
Nutri 11*
Psych 24*
Valid AHA CPR/Basic Life Support Card, Course-C

*It is recommended that students take these courses and Physo 100 during the year prior to enrollment in the program. Completion of these courses will also enhance Likelihood of acceptance to the program.

Program Outcomes:

The PCC Nursing Program's outcomes reflect standards of competency as delineated by the
California State Boards of Nursing and the Department of Health Services.

SLO's are synthesized in all courses as noted:

1. Nursing students will apply theoretical knowledge and concepts of nursing roles through foundations of nursing care, beginning nursing care, intermediate care, and advanced nursing care, ending with the program outcomes of advocate, clinician, critical thinker, leader and teacher. (Nurs 50/50L, 51/51L, 52/52L, 53/53L, 125/125L, 126/126L, 127/127L)

2. Nursing students will communicate theoretical knowledge and concepts of nursing roles through foundations of nursing care, beginning nursing care, intermediate care, and advanced nursing care, ending with the program outcomes of advocate, clinician, critical thinker, leader and teacher. (All Nurs courses)

3. CNA students will demonstrate safe and effective basic procedural skills with emphasis on elderly patients. (Nurs 103)

(Following sequence effective Summer 2006.)

None

Recommended Electives

None