Visit the Nursing Program Website
DEPARTMENT CHAIR: Marcia Parker, (207) 453-5167
NURSING PROGRAMS
ADN (Associate Degree Nursing) and LPN to ADN
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS - ADN
In order to
be considered for admission into the Nursing program, applicants
must first be admitted to the College (refer to General Admission
Requirements) and designate Associate Degree Nursing as their
curriculum. Applicants must have a grade-point average (GPA) of 2.5
or higher in their current course of study (high school or college)
in order to be admitted to the program. Computer literacy is
essential. The program has a limited enrollment and only admits
generic applicants for the fall semester. Admission is on a
first-qualified, first-served basis. Applicants are encouraged to
complete the admission requirements as early as possible. Students
who wish to be matriculated while completing prerequisites should
apply to the Health Science Certificate program.
EDUCATION - GPA (current course of study is considered)
High School Applicants
- High school GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Biology - minimum grade of C (2.0) in a one-year laboratory course
- Chemistry - minimum grade of C (2.0) in a one-year laboratory course
- Math - minimum grade of C (2.0) in a one-year algebra course
All Other Applicants
- High School graduate/GED
- Completion of ten credits at KVCC (or equivalent) with a GPA of
2.5 or higher
- MAT117 College Algebra (3 credits) - minimum grade of C (2.0)
- BIO213 Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits) - minimum grade of C 2.0)
- ENG101 College Composition (3 credits) - minimum grade of C (2.0)
- Note: A transfer credit GPA of 2.5 or higher is required.
ADMISSION TESTING
Admission testing, required
developmental course work, and indicated re-testing must be
completed before applicants are admitted to the Nursing program.
This requirement is satisfied by successfully completing the HESI
Admission Assessment Exam. The test may be retaken one time only per
academic year.
Applicants should contact the Admissions Office for a current
schedule of HESI test dates and minimum exam scores for each testing
area.
BASIC LIFE SUPPORT FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS
All applicants are required to complete a current course in Basic
Life Support certification (CPR for the Healthcare Provider from the
American Heart Association or Professional Rescuer from the American
Red Cross). This certification must be maintained throughout the
Nursing course of study in order to maintain program eligibility.
IMMUNIZATIONS
All applicants are required to provide proof of immunization against tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (titer) and Hepatitis B (series and titer), and a negative test for tuberculosis (TB) using the two-step method.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS - LPN TO ADN
In order to be considered for admission
into the Associate Degree Nursing program, LPN applicants must first
be admitted to the College (refer to General Admission Requirements)
and designate Associate Degree Nursing as their curriculum.
Computer literacy is essential.
EDUCATION
LPN applicants must submit official
transcripts which provide proof of the completion of a State Board
of Nursing approved practical nursing program similar to practical
nursing programs in the State of Maine. Applicants must have
graduated with a grade-point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher from
their practical nursing program.
Licensed practical nurses have the opportunity to enter the Nursing
Program at either the 2nd or 3rd semester of the nursing curriculum:
To enter the 2nd semester nursing course (NUR122), the Licensed
Practical Nursing applicant must have completed:
BIO213, ENG101, and MAT117 with a minimum grade of "C", an
overall GPA of 2.5 or higher.
To enter the 3rd semester nursing course (NUR224), the Licensed
Practical Nursing applicant must have completed:
All general education courses in the 1st and 2nd semesters of the
nursing curriculum (BIO213, ENG101, MAT117, BIO214, PSY101) with a
minimum grade of "C" and an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher.
ADMISSION TESTING
Second Semester Applicants
Admission testing, required developmental course work, and indicated re-testing must be completed before applicants are admitted to the Nursing program. This requirement is satisfied by successfully completing the HESI Admission Assessment Exam. The test may be retaken one time only in a given academic year. Applicants should contact the Admissions Office for a current schedule of HESI test dates and minimum exam scores for each testing area.
Third Semester Applicants
Admission testing, required developmental course work, and indicated re-testing must be completed before applicants are admitted to the Nursing program. This requirement is satisfied by successfully completing the KVCC HESI Mid-Curriculum Exam. The test may be retaken one time only in a given academic year. Applicants should contact the Nursing Department for a current schedule of HESI test dates and the minimum exam scores.
BASIC LIFE SUPPORT FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS
LPN applicants are required to complete a current course in Basic Life Support certification (CPR for the Healthcare Provider from the American Heart Association or Professional Rescuer from the American Red Cross). This certification must be maintained throughout the Nursing course of study in order to maintain program eligibility.
IMMUNIZATIONS
LPN applicants are required to provide proof of immunization against tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (titer) and Hepatitis B (series and titer), and a negative test for tuberculosis (TB) (2-step PPD).
PLEASE NOTE:
Applicants who consider a career in nursing should be aware
that during the course of their education and subsequent
employment, they will be working in situations where
exposure to infectious diseases is probable. This is an
occupational risk for all health care workers. Persons
should not become health care workers unless they recognize
and accept this risk. Proper education and strict adherence
to well-established infection control guidelines, however,
can reduce the risk to a minimum. Thorough education in
infection control procedures is an integral part of each
health care program.
Additionally, applicants should be aware that exposure to
natural rubber latex (NRL) is likely. Individuals exposed
to NRL products may develop allergic reactions such as skin
rashes, hives, nasal, eyes, or sinus symptoms, and, rarely,
shock.
|
ADN Program
~ Associate in Science Degree ~
Approved by the Maine State Board of Nursing
161 Capitol Street, 158 State House Station,
Augusta, Maine 04333-0158
Tel: (207) 287-1333
Website: www.state.me.us/boardofnursing
Accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting
Commission, Inc. (NLNAC)
3343 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, Georgia, 30326
Tel: (404) 975-5000
Web site: www.nlnac.org
DESCRIPTION
The Nursing Program prepares women and men for
entry-level positions in the nursing profession. Successful
completion of the ADN program of study qualifies graduates to
receive an Associate in Science Degree in Nursing (ADN). The ADN
qualifies the graduate for the National Council Licensure
Examination (NCLEX-RN) and application for state licensure as a
registered nurse (RN) in the state of Maine. The program is approved
by the Maine State Board of Nursing (MSBN) and accredited by the
National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).
The program of study combines general education and
nursing studies in the classroom with selected laboratory and
clinical experiences in providing nursing care to patients in a
variety of health care settings. Students may be scheduled for day,
evening, and weekend clinical experiences throughout the program. It
is expected that students will be able to make the necessary
arrangements in order to complete all scheduled rotations. Nursing
courses require students to participate in approximately 18 to 24
hours per week of classroom and clinical activities. Attendance is
essential. General education courses supportive to the nursing major
must be taken prior to or concurrent with nursing courses as
stipulated in the curriculum design. Completion of all non-nursing
general education courses is strongly recommended prior to program
entry. Nursing courses must be taken in consecutive semesters.
Students must achieve a minimum grade of "C" in all required general
education and nursing courses in order to progress through the
curriculum. A course may only be repeated once in
order to achieve the minimum grade.
Applicants to the Nursing Program should be aware
that nursing at the Associate Degree level involves the provision of
direct care to patients. A student in the Nursing Program must have
the knowledge and ability to effectively assess a patient’s biopsychosocial needs. Furthermore, the student must be able to
analyze data in order to state a patient’s problem, comprehensively
plan independent and collaborative interventions, implement the plan
of care, and evaluate the care given, as well as the patient’s
response to the care. Therefore, the student must have
observational, communication, motor, cognitive, psychosocial, and
behavioral abilities sufficient to carry out the above
responsibilities. Technological accommodation can be made available
for some disabilities in some of these areas, but a student must be
able to perform in a reasonably independent manner. The use of a
trained intermediary is not permitted since a student’s judgment
would be influenced by someone else’s observations.
In order to be considered for admission or to be
retained in the Nursing Program, all applicants must have the
following abilities and skills:
- A visual acuity with corrective lenses to identify: cyanosis,
absence of respiratory movement in patients; read small print
on medication containers, physicians’ orders, monitors, and
equipment calibrations.
- A hearing ability with auditory aids to: understand the normal
speaking voice without viewing the speaker’s face; hear monitor
alarms, emergency signals, call bells from patients and telephone
orders; take/hear blood pressure, heart, lung, vascular, and
abdominal sounds with stethoscope.
- The physical ability to stand for prolonged periods of
time, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, transfer, move, and
reposition patients, and move from room to room or maneuver in
limited spaces.
- Effective communication in verbal and written form by speaking
clearly and succinctly when explaining treatment procedures,
describing patient’s conditions, and implementing health teaching.
Write legibly and correctly in patient’s chart for local
documentation.
- The manual dexterity to use sterile techniques to insert
catheter, withdraw blood, and prepare medications / administer
medications (oral and parenteral routes).
- The tactile ability to palpate pulses, determine warmth and
coolness, detect enlarged nodes and lumps.
- The ability to function safely under stressful conditions and
the ability to adapt to an ever changing environment inherent in
clinical situations involving patient care.
The Nursing Program is designed to keep pace with current health
care trends and technology in order to meet the dynamic health care
needs of the community, and to prepare students for the challenges
of the nursing profession. The curriculum is subject to change
without notice in order to comply with the requirements of
accrediting agencies, clinical facilities, and/or the College.
Students in
the Nursing Program are expected to be computer proficient in
computer keyboarding, word processing, and the use of the Internet.
All nursing courses are Blackboard enhanced courses. Ideally,
students should have off-campus Internet access in order to complete
online course activities.
Students who
are not successful in a nursing course do not progress to the
subsequent nursing course; unsuccessful students must withdraw from
the Nursing Program. Students who are not successful in completing a
nursing course may be considered for re-admission to the Nursing
Program one time only. Acceptance for re-admission depends upon:
- the overall past performance of the applicant;
- completion of actions taken by the applicant for remediation;
- availability of space in the Nursing Program;
- program duration limits.
Students who are not successful in the first semester nursing
course (NUR118) must apply to restart the Nursing Program through
the Admissions Office. Current admission requirements must be met.
Re-entrance into the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th semesters is done by
petitioning the nursing faculty and the Academic Dean.
NOTE: All applicants to the Nursing Program should be aware that
the Maine State Board of Nursing may refuse to grant a license on
the basis of criminal history record information relating to
convictions denominated in Title 5, Chapter 341, subsection 5301 of
the Maine Revised Statutes Annotated.
PROGRAM MISSION
The purpose of the Nursing Program is to educate graduates who will
function competently as entry level Associate Degree nurses. The
program is designed to meet the learning needs of students who are
pursuing an initial career in nursing, or students who wish to
change career goals. Graduates of the Nursing program are prepared
to provide nursing care to individuals, within their scope of
nursing practice, in a variety of acute, long-term, and community
health care settings.
EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of the ADN Nursing
Program, the graduate is expected to be:
- a competent provider of nursing care who uses the nursing
process with individuals and groups to promote and maintain health,
prevent illness, and facilitate adaptation to stressors.
- a provider of nursing care consistent with the Maine State
Nurse Practice Act, the Maine State Board of Nursing Rules and
Regulations, and professional standards of nursing practice.
- a respectful communicator who is able to listen and respond
thoughtfully in a therapeutic and professional manner, both verbally
and non-verbally.
- a culturally sensitive person who recognizes and respects
diversity within and between groups of people.
- a responsible and accountable practitioner who functions within
the legal and ethical boundaries of the nursing profession.
- a person who practices self-care activities and continuing
personal and professional growth.
- an efficient and effective manager of complex nursing care who
utilizes appropriate resources and personnel for a group of
patients.
- a critical thinker who uses knowledge and skill to solve
problems and to make decisions.
CRITERIA FOR GRADUATION
To graduate, students must achieve a minimum grade
of "C" in all courses in the nursing curriculum design (a final GPA
of 2.0 or higher) and a "satisfactory" rating in all clinical
rotations. (Students are graded "satisfactory" or "unsatisfactory"
in the clinical component of each nursing course.)
Program Requirements
for
Nursing
- ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE DEGREE -
| FIRST
SEMESTER |
|
CREDIT HOURS |
| BIO213 |
Anatomy and Physiology I |
4 |
| ENG101 |
College Composition |
3 |
| MAT117 |
College Algebra |
3 |
| NUR118 |
Foundations of Nursing |
9 |
| |
TOTAL FIRST SEMESTER CREDITS |
19 |
|
SECOND SEMESTER |
|
CREDIT HOURS
|
| BIO214 |
Anatomy and Physiology II |
4 |
| NUR122 |
Nursing Across the
Lifespan I |
9 |
| PSY101 |
Introduction to Psychology |
3 |
| |
TOTAL SECOND SEMESTER
CREDITS |
16 |
|
THIRD SEMESTER |
|
CREDIT HOURS |
| BIO219 |
Microbiology |
4 |
| NUR224 |
Nursing Across the
Lifespan II |
9 |
| PSY215 |
Developmental Psychology |
3 |
| |
TOTAL THIRD SEMESTER CREDITS
|
16 |
|
FOURTH SEMESTER |
|
CREDIT HOURS |
| COM104 |
Introduction to
Communication |
3 |
| NUR227 |
Nursing Across the
Lifespan III |
7 |
| NUR229 |
Transition into Nursing
Practice for the ADN |
2 |
| ______ |
Humanities Elective |
3 |
| ______ |
Sociology Elective |
3 |
| |
TOTAL CREDITS FOURTH
SEMESTER |
18 |
| |
TOTAL CREDITS |
69 |
| NUR124 |
LPN to ADN Role
Transition |
2 |
NUR124 is required of all practical nurses and must be
completed prior to entering NUR224 (third semester of the
curriculum).
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