Catalog 2010-2011 - South Texas College

Associate Degree NursingAssociate Degree NursingAssociate of Applied ScienceThe Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program isaccredited by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). Uponcompletion of the two year, five semester program thegraduate will be able to sit for the National CouncilLicensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) administered by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON).After successful completion of this exam, the individualwill be a Registered Nurse.The program prepares the graduate to beginpractice as a professional nurse in a hospitalor other structured health care setting. Throughassessment of an individual, the nurse plans,implements and evaluates direct nursing carefor individuals and their families and is able tomonitor and direct peers and ancillary workers inproviding nursing care, coordination of care andas a member of the nursing profession. Studentsseeking entry in the Associate Degree NursingProgram (ADN) must attend an advisement,complete the Introduction to Nursing with a gradeof “B” or better, (must meet ACT requirementbefore being allowed to register for the Introductionto Nursing course) and complete an application forconsideration for the program. Students must seean ADN faculty advisor during the Fall or Springsemester to register for the Introduction to Nursingcourse the following semester.Program Admission RequirementsA. All applicants must meet general admissionrequirements to South Texas College.B. High School graduation or GED equivalent.C. Demonstrate proficiency in state-mandatedgeneral knowledge content through approvedmeans; i.e., Texas Higher EducationAssessment (THEA), ACCUPLACER, ASSET,and/or COMPASS with program specificexemptions accepted.D. Achieve a composite score of 19 or above on theACT (minimum of 16 in all areas) or SAT of910 or above. Scores must be within the pastfive years.E. Satisfy program specific requirement for mathproficiency.F. Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, on a4.0 scale in all courses in the ADN degree plan.G. Earn a minimum grade of “B” in “Introduction toNursing” course within past two years.H. Complete prerequisite courses with aminimum grade of “C” as listed in the degree plan.I. Satisfy program specific requirements forclinical practice.J. Submit a completed ADN program application.Successful applicants pass a criminal backgroundcheck, drug screen, and complete all requiredimmunizations, including the Hepatitis seriesbefore beginning nursing clinical courses.Selection CriteriaThe ADN selection criteria are based upon a pointsystem score comprised of degree plan courseG.P.A., number of degree plan courses completed,and required test scores (application points areautomatically calculated by the online application).All information requested on the application mustbe on-file with the college and accessible on-lineto be accepted for program enrollment.Due to program size limitations, a number ofapplicants who meet the program admissionsrequirements may not be admitted to the program.Qualified applications are ranked from highest tolowest points. A random draw of applicants with thesame acceptance score is used when necessaryto complete enrollment.Program ApplicationA new applicant pool is established for eachadmission period. All students interested in theprogram who are not granted admission (qualifiedand nonqualified) must reapply each semesterif they wish to be considered for enrollment.Application deadlines are the last week in May forfall semester and the second week in October forthe spring semester. Applications will be submittedafter meeting with Faculty Advisor.NOTE: Please see program WEB page for up-to-dateinformation regarding admission requirements, curriculumchanges, selection criteria and procedures, and applicationrevisions at http://nah.southtexascollege.edu/Graduation RequirementsTo graduate with an Associate of Applied ScienceDegree in Nursing, a student must maintain aminimum grade point average of 2.0 in all nursingcourses and achieve a minimum grade of “C” inall academic/support courses in the degree plan.Students must achieve a minimum score of 75percent to pass all nursing courses.Licensures of Persons with CriminalConvictionsNurse Practice Act for the State of Texas (Section301.257) the Texas Board of Nursing may deny aperson admission to its licensure examinations andmay refuse to issue a license to any individual whohas been convicted of a felony, a misdemeanorinvolving moral turpitude, or engaged in conductresulting in a revocation of probation imposedpursuant to such conviction.The STC Board of Trustees approved BoardPolicy #3337 on July 15, 2004 for all studentsparticipating in a nursing or allied Health programclinical course. This policy requires all studentspass a criminal background check prior to enrollingin a clinical course. This policy is implementedto ensure compliance with health care agencystandards and state licensing regulations. Studentshaving questions about this rule should see theClinical Compliance Specialist, ADN ProgramDirector, or the Dean of Nursing and Allied Health.All consultations are confidential.ADVISORY COMMITTEEMaggie Barreiro, MSN, RN, Chief Nurse Executive, WeslacoRehabilitation Hospital; Chair, Pamela Bond, RN, MBA,Education Director, Rio Grande Regional Hospital; ElmaLopez, RN, Starr County Memorial Hospital; Sally Roach,MSN, RN, BSN Faculty, UTB/TSC; Katherine Dassler,MSN, RN, Chief Nursing Executive, Rio Grande RegionalHospital; Mary Thomas, RN, Education, Mission RegionalMedical Center; Candi Constantine, MSN, RN,F.A.C.H.E.,CCRN, CEN, Systems CNO, South Texas Health System;Gloria Vela, RN, MSN, Education Coordinator, McAllenMedical CenterNursing and Allied Health199