For related NSG programs, Related Programs Listing .

G3 Eligible Program: The G3 Program is a tuition assistance program for any Virginia resident who qualifies for in-state tuition and whose family income falls below an identified threshold. For more information, visit www.nr.edu/g3.  

Purpose: The associate degree program is designed to prepare a student to utilize the art and science of nursing to provide care to patients in a variety of health settings by serving in the roles of caregiver, teacher, advocate, and coordinator of the nursing team. Graduates of the program are eligible to apply to take the examination required for licensure as a registered nurse (RN).

Occupational Objectives: Employment opportunities include Clinics • Civil Services • Health Departments • Home Health Care • Hospitals • Hospice • Industries • Long-Term Care Facilities • Physicians’ Offices • School Systems

Application and Admission to the Clinical Component: Admission to the nursing program is a process that occurs separately from, and in addition to, admission to the college. Because the number of applicants to the nursing program generally exceeds the clinical capacity of the program, some applicants may not be accepted even if the minimum requirements for admission are met. Therefore, acceptance to the college does not guarantee admission to the clinical component of the associate degree nursing program.

Applicants should note that the Virginia Board of Nursing has the authority to deny licensure to an applicant who has violated any federal, state, or other statute. Examples include conviction of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, and alcohol or drug-related issues.

A prospective student who has been convicted, or pled guilty or nolo contendre to any illegal offenses other than minor traffic violations should contact the program director prior to making application to the program. Additional information may be obtained from the Virginia Department of Health Professions, Virginia Board of Nursing, located at Perimeter Center, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA 23233 (phone 804-367-4515).

Applicants should note that health care agencies require a criminal background report and a negative urine drug screen prior to participating in clinical activities. A health care agency may deny clinical participation for findings on the reports. Some health care agencies may also require that students be finger-printed. Affiliation agreements prevent the placement of a student who is denied clinical participation at one facility into a clinical group at another agency. Inability to meet the clinical requirements prevents the student from satisfactorily achieving the course objectives, resulting in failure of the course. Criminal background checks will be completed as part of the admission process and prior to beginning the clinical component of any nursing classes. Both criminal background checks and urine drug screenings must be done adhering to a specific policy and process, and data provided by other means are not acceptable. Further information will be provided on actions to take to complete the two requirements. Prospective students are responsible for all associated costs.

Nursing is a physically, emotionally, and intellectually demanding profession. Students engaged in clinical experiences while enrolled in the program perform in the role of a registered nurse. The chart below, based on expectations published by the Council on Collegiate Education for Nursing, describes activities associated with class and clinical requirements.

Category	Examples of Clinical Competencies and Responsibilities*
Analytical and Critical Thinking	Read and understand written documents in English (e.g. protocols), focus attention on task in distracting/chaotic environment, identify cause-effect relationships, use long and short-term memory, prioritize tasks.
Professional Relationships	Deal with the unexpected (e.g. patient crisis), handle strong emotions of others while controlling personal responses.
Communication	Communicate in English with patients, families, and agency staff members (both orally and written).
Mobility	Move within confined spaces, reach above shoulders (e.g. I.V. poles) and reach below waist (e.g. plug in electrical appliances), walk six to eight hours, stand at bedside up to 60 minutes to assist with procedures.
Motor Skills	Perform CPR, operate a fire extinguisher, key/type (e.g. use a computer), manipulate a syringe, manipulate an eye dropper.
Hearing	Hear faint body sounds (e.g. blood pressure, heart, lung, and abdominal sounds), hear monitor alarms, hear in situations when not able to see lips (e.g. when masks are used).
Visual	See objects near (e.g. computer screen), see objects far (e.g. patient at end of the hall), distinguish color intensity (e.g. flushed or pale skin), read digital displays, read graphic printouts, read small medication labels.
Tactile Sense	Use sense of touch to gather assessment data (e.g. palpate pulses, detect warmth vs. coolness).

*Examples are intended as clarification, not as an exhaustive list.

 

The college offers two options for the prospective student seeking admission to the associate degree nursing program:

• Nursing AAS (Traditional Placement Option)  
• Advanced Placement Option (APO)

Student Responsibilities for all Associate Degree Nursing Students

• An initial health form must be completed following acceptance and prior to beginning any clinical. The deadline will be communicated by the program director following admission to the program. To comply with clinical agency affiliation agreements, health screening, immunization documentation (including seasonal influenza vaccine), and a urine drug screen with negative results are required. Drug testing must follow specific date and procedural stipulations. Further information will be provided on actions to take following acceptance to the nursing program. A repeat health form must be completed annually thereafter.  It is the responsibility of the student to maintain current records throughout the program.  NRCC uses a third party vendor for maintenance of documents for the program. The student is responsible for all associated costs;
• The student is responsible for costs associated with textbooks, uniforms, accessories, lab supplies, supplemental resources, and required achievement testing;
• The student is responsible for transportation to and from clinical sites. Clinical experiences may be scheduled during day and evening hours, and weekday or weekends, depending on availability of clinical facilities and community experiences;
• The student must obtain and maintain current CPR certification throughout the program. Please note: CPR certification courses must be either American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) or Red Cross Basic Life Support. These certifications are specific to the healthcare provider;
• The student must have health insurance and is responsible for the cost;
• The student is responsible for the costs of personal medical care incurred as a result of accidents or incidents in the clinical or laboratory setting;
• The student is responsible for fees associated with the application to take the exam for licensure as a Registered Nurse;
• The student is responsible for fees associated with criminal background reports. Criminal background checks will be completed as part of the admissions process and prior to beginning the clinical component of any nursing classes. Background checks must follow specific procedural requirements. Information is provided on actions to take to complete the background check;
• The student is responsible for the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) fee, which is non-refundable;

Readmission Requirements to the Associate Degree Nursing Program

Readmission to the program is dependent upon clinical placement availability in the desired class. Prior to readmission the student must:

• Notify the program director in writing with readmission request as soon as possible in the semester prior to readmission. The formal letter must include a detailed plan for success should readmission be offered;
• Have a 2.5 curricular GPA at the time of readmission. Priority will be given to students with higher GPAs and higher TEAS scores.

Students applying for readmission who have been absent one or more semesters must validate dose calculation competency by completing the Dose Calculation Competency Assessment with 80% accuracy or higher prior to approval for re-admission.
Readmission to the program is not assured. The program director will contact the student with a determination on readmission status at the end of the semester before the requested readmission date. Preparation to pass the licensure exam is more than a mere collection of credits. The curriculum is designed in a synergistic manner, intended to be completed in four consecutive semesters. Therefore, students absent from the program for more than one semester will be required prior to readmission to audit one or more of the previously credited courses or demonstrate competency in nursing content areas in required curricular nursing courses satisfactorily completed previously. Students absent from the program for two or more semesters must repeat all nursing courses. Students returning to the program are responsible for all program requirements in place at the time of readmission.

Nursing Transfer Admission

Nursing transfer students are students who are currently enrolled in a nursing program or who have been enrolled in a nursing program at another institution. Nursing students who wish to transfer from another nursing program may do so on a seat available basis. Nursing transfer students must meet all NRCC and nursing program admission requirements.  In addition to applying for admission to NRCC, nursing students must submit a transfer nursing admission application, a letter of good standing from the program director of their previous nursing program, and official transcripts to NRCC. Transfer students may be asked to provide the Dean of Health Professions with copies of previous nursing course syllabi if courses were taken outside of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS).

The nursing courses to be transferred will be evaluated for transfer credit on an individual basis.  A grade of “C” or better is required for all accepted transferred nursing courses.  Students applying for transfer must validate dose calculation competency by completing the Dose Calculation Competency Assessment with 80% accuracy or higher prior to approval for admission.

Students absent from a nursing program for three semesters will be required to demonstrate competency in the previously credited course content areas.

Students absent from a nursing program four semesters or more must repeat all nursing courses.

Acceptance of transfer and substitute credits in nursing to meet requirements of the curriculum will be determined by the Dean of Health Professions. A student who transfers into the nursing program at NRCC will be required to repeat any nursing or other required courses which are not considered comparable to the NRCC nursing program which follows the VCCS curriculum or in which the grade earned is lower than a “C.” Transfer students must meet the same standards as other students in the program.

Students seeking to transfer nursing credits to NRCC should contact the nursing admissions specialist. Students from other colleges who are transferring only non-nursing credits should apply through the usual means for new students.

Continuing Nursing Education Following Completion of an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing

Articulation agreements with senior colleges and universities facilitate the educational mobility of graduates of associate degree nursing programs into RN-to-BSN completion programs. Most RN-to-BSN programs require students to pass the licensure exam, complete additional general education courses, and enroll in upper division nursing courses. The specific requirements and length of BSN completion programs vary among senior institutions, and students are encouraged to contact senior institutions for advising.

Advanced Placement Option - LPN to ADN Information

The Advanced Placement Option is for LPNs who wish to earn an associate degree in nursing. The college values all levels of nursing education and is committed to reducing barriers to educational mobility. Students must complete all other courses in the curriculum. Please note that all criteria described under Application and Admission to the Clinical Component in the TPO information section are applicable to the Advanced Placement Option.

Students seeking admission to the Advanced Placement Option must complete the following:

• Requirements for general admission to the college completed by November 1 for spring semester admission;
• An application to the college specifying an intent to be considered for admission to the nursing program. Completed applications for the APO are accepted until November 1 for spring enrollment. An application checklist can be found at www.nr.edu/nursing/pdf/admisioninfo.pdf. Applications received after November 1 will be considered for spring admission the following academic year. Documentation required for admission consideration should be hand-delivered or delivered via postal mail to the Nursing Admissions Advisor in the Admissions & Records Office in Rooker Hall;
• Official copy of high school transcript or certificate of GED;
• Official copies of all college transcripts if you have attended a college other than NRCC (If your name has changed please notify the Nursing Admissions Advisor);
• Application to the Associate Degree Nursing Program by November 1 for spring enrollment;
• Participation in a general information session for students interested in applying to the associate degree nursing program Advanced Placement Option;
• Satisfactory completion of BIO 141 , prior to November 1;
• Hold a current unrestricted license to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) by November 1;
• Current professional-level CPR certification. CPR certification must be valid to begin clinicals as soon as the first week of class in the spring semester and must be submitted prior to the start of the semester. Certification must be kept current throughout enrollment in the program. CPR certification courses must be either American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) or American Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS). The certifications are specific to the healthcare provider;
• Mathematics readiness indicated in one of the following ways:
  • MTH 130  or higher with a grade of C or higher within two years prior to the application deadline
  • Completion of the MTH 130  competency exam with a grade of 80% or higher (only available to applicants who previously completed a college math course at the MTH 154 level or higher)
• Admission Test: The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) assesses knowledge and skills in reading comprehension, science, English and math. Minimum scores are expected to be at least in the 45th national percentile. Priority is given to students who score higher on the admission assessment. A student may take the TEAS one time per year. 
• Preference is given to applicants who are residents of NRCC’s service region (Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, and Pulaski Counties and the City of Radford).

Curriculum for Advanced Placement Option:

Completion of ENG 111 , BIO 141 , PSY 230 , SDV 101 , (or SDV 100 ) and MTH 130  with a grade of C or higher by November 1 for spring admission;

Minimum 2.5 GPA determined using grades earned in ENG 111 , BIO 141 , PSY 230 , SDV 101 , (or SDV 100 ) and MTH 130 . Priority is given to students with higher GPAs.

Students are encouraged to complete as many of the general education and support courses within the nursing curriculum as possible prior to beginning the three-semester sequence of nursing courses.

Students are strongly encouraged to take BIO 150  prior to the spring semester of entering the program.

A grade of “C” or better is required in all courses. A rating of “satisfactory” is required for the clinical aspect of all nursing courses with associated clinical components. A student who receives a grade of D, F, or W, or an unsatisfactory clinical rating will be required to retake the course to attain the minimum passing grade. Progress through the program will be impeded due to course prerequisites. See course descriptions for more information.

LPN students in good standing will receive advanced standing for the courses in the first two semesters of the nursing sequence (NSG 106 , NSG 152 , and NSG 170 ) upon successful completion of the spring semester and maintenance of an unencumbered license to practice as an LPN. The student will graduate with the same number of credits as the ADN student completing the TPO.

Clinical Hours

Spring semester 
NSG 115  - direct care clinical hours: 90
3rd Semester
NSG 210  - direct care clinical hours: 90
NSG 211  - direct care clinical hours: 90
4th Semester
NSG 270  - direct care clinical hours: 90