Nursing

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. The manual dexterity to use sterile techniques to insert catheter, withdraw blood, and prepare medications / administer medications (oral and parenteral routes).
6. The tactile ability to palpate pulses, determine warmth and coolness, detect enlarged nodes and lumps.
7. 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:

1. the overall past performance of the applicant;
2. completion of actions taken by the applicant for remediation;
3. availability of space in the Nursing Program;
4. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. a respectful communicator who is able to listen and respond thoughtfully in a therapeutic and professional manner, both verbally and non-verbally.
4. a culturally sensitive person who recognizes and respects diversity within and between groups of people.
5. a responsible and accountable practitioner who functions within the legal and ethical boundaries of the nursing profession.
6. a person who practices self-care activities and continuing personal and professional growth.
7. an efficient and effective manager of complex nursing care who utilizes appropriate resources and personnel for a group of patients.
8. 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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