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Hagerstown Community College / HCC

Academic Catalog

2017-2018 Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2017-2018 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Paramedic to RN Transition Program


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The Paramedic to RN Transition Program is designated as a Health Manpower Shortage Program; therefore, some residents of Maryland enrolled in this program of study on the first day of the term may be eligible for in-county tuition rates for courses required for program completion.

Special Admission Requirements: Program Application Deadline: January 15 for Summer Admission

Career Programs Building, Room 110, 240-500-2380

Award: Associate of Science degree, A.S.

Total Credit Hours: A minimum of 70 credit hours.

Purpose: For licensed Paramedics who wish to complete a registered nursing program with an associate of science degree. The nursing program is approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing and accredited by the  Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The nursing program is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skill, and understanding necessary to function effectively in all areas of professional nursing. Graduates of the program are eligible to apply to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Students must have a social security number or tax I.D. number to sit for this exam.

Curriculum: The curriculum is divided into several broad areas of study and consists of lecture, laboratory, and clinical experiences. Emphasis is on the use of the nursing process to meet the needs of individuals, family members, and the community. Courses in general education provide students with the scientific and social background to function as effective people, citizens, and health care providers. Upon completion of the 33 credits of general education and successful completion of NUR 195 (8 Credits) , students will receive 17 credits for the first year of the nursing program. 

Program Outcomes

  1. Eighty percent of the RN and PN students who begin the program will successfully complete the program within a maximum of three calendar years from the date of entry.
  2. Ninety percent of the program graduates will pass the NCLEX on their first attempt.
  3. Ninety percent of the graduate survey respondents will be employed as an entry-level practitioner within 6 months of graduation.
  4. Seventy five percent of the graduate survey respondents will express satisfaction with curriculum, environment, learning resources, support services, and policies.
  5. One hundred percent of students graduating from the HCC Nursing Programs will meet all student learning outcomes.

Program Student Learning Outcomes: Graduates of the Associate of Science degree in nursing program will be able to:

  1. Utilize critical thinking in application of the nursing process to provide care for individuals in a variety of settings that promotes health throughout the lifespan.
  2. Adhere to quality of care and safety standards in all client care settings.
  3. Facilitate the continuity of care for individuals in various acute and community settings.
  4. Practice within the ethical and legal framework of the nursing profession and maintain professional standards of conduct.
  5. Provide compassionate care and serve as advocates for individuals and families, respecting their diverse cultures, values, and belief systems.
  6. Employ written and therapeutic communication skills.
  7. Collaborate with the individual, family, and interdisciplinary health professionals to promote, maintain, or restore health, and comfort the dying.
  8. Manage human, physical, and technological resources in a safe and cost-effective manner without sacrificing quality nursing care.
  9. Participate in lifelong learning activities that promote professional growth and personal development.
  10. Exercise leadership skills in the management of care.

Pre-Admission Requirement: Students must complete the nationally normed test for nursing students known as the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). The TEAS is a scholastic aptitude assessment in the areas of math, reading, English, and science. Students will not be considered for admission to the program until they achieve the required scores on the TEAS. Applicants should consult the HCC Web site at www.hagerstowncc.edu/academics/divisions/nursing/teas for specific information about the TEAS, including score requirements. This requirement should be completed prior to submission of the Supplemental Application (see below), but no later than the application deadline.

Admission Requirements: Admission to HCC does not guarantee admission to the Division of Nursing. The requirements below must be completed and submitted to the Office of Admissions and Enrollment Management by the application deadline.

  • Submit a completed program application known as the Supplemental Application for Paramedic to RN Transition Program.
  • Submit TEAS scores.
  • Official transcripts from all other colleges attended (students who took classes at HCC do not need to submit official HCC transcripts).
  • Completion of all required science courses within seven years prior to admission to the program.
  • All General Education courses completed or in progress at the time of application to the program.
  • A minimum cumulative grade point average for all college coursework of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. In addition, a minimum grade point average of 2.5 for all program courses is required.
  • In addition to the minimum grade requirement for English Composition set forth by COMAR, HCC requires nursing students to complete all General Education requirements with a minimum grade of “C” or higher. 
  • Verification from an employer of two years employment as an Paramedic within the past 5 years.
  • Satisfactory letter of recommendation from most recent employer/manager.
  • Must have certification as a Paramedic and National Board of Registry certification (NREMT-P).
  • Foreign educated students must have their college transcripts evaluated by World Education Services (WES).

Program Requirements: Students practice selected procedures on each other in the college laboratory. All nursing students must receive:

  1. A minimum overall grade of 75% in each nursing course.
  2. A minimum exam grade average of 75% in each nursing course.
  3. A minimum grade of 75% on 50% or more of the total exams for the course during the second year of the program (NUR 126 , NUR 226 , NUR 228 )
  4. A minimum grade of 90% on a drug calculation exam in each nursing course.
  5. A mark of satisfactory for both the simulation laboratory and clinical experiences. Students who receive a final mark of unsatisfactory in the clinical laboratory or clinical experience, or fail the drug calculation exam, despite a passing theory grade, will not be permitted to progress in the nursing program and will receive a final grade of “F” for the course.
  6. Upon completion of nursing coursework, students must achieve 92% of probability of passing the NCLEX on the first attempt on the ATI Comprehensive Predictor Exam. Students who do not achieve this score will be allowed to retake the exam after remediation until they achieve the required score.

Students who do not meet program or course standards that result in dismissal from the nursing program are not eligible for readmission. This includes students who cannot meet safety standards, and students who violate the college’s Honor Code and Code of Conduct, the nursing program’s Standards of Student Conduct, and the American Nurses’ Association Code of Ethics for Nurses.

Fact Sheet

Program Pathway

Preclinical Semester I   Preclinical Semester II
Course Number Course Name Credits   Course Number Course Name Credits
ENG 101 English Composition 3   ENG 102 Composition and Literature 3
Gen Ed Mathematics 3   BIO 204 Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4
BIO 203 Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4   SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology 3
Gen Ed Arts/Humanities 3   PSY 204 Developmental Psychology: Lifespan Human Development 3
PSY 101 General Psychology 3   BIO 205 Microbiology 4
TOTAL   16   TOTAL   17

 

Semester I
Course Number Course Name Credits
NUR 195 Paramedic-RN Transition 8
TOTAL   8

 

Semester II   Semester III
Course Number Course Name Credits   Course Number Course Name Credits
NUR 224 Pharmacology for Nursing Practice 2   NUR 126 Nursing Care of Women and Infants 4
NUR 226 Behavioral Health Nursing 4   NUR 228 Contemporary Trends in Nursing and Leadership 2
TOTAL   6   TOTAL   6

General Education Requirements (33 Credits)


Arts/Humanities


English


Mathematics


Program Requirements (37 Credits)


Degree Requirement (70 Credits)


Selection Criteria


Students will be admitted to the paramedic to registered nursing course sequence each summer. The nursing program is an over subscribed program which means that there are more applicants than there are available seats in the program. Students are selected for admission based on classes completed, the student’s grade point average, and the number of available class seats. Students who have been accepted for admission will be notified of the decision by mail. The offer of admission is for the specified year only. Students who desire admission to the nursing program in a subsequent year, must fill out another Supplemental Application for Paramedic to RN Transition Program form and follow the admission guidelines above.

Final Acceptance


Final acceptance into the program is contingent upon the following criteria. Students unable to meet these criteria will be withdrawn from the program and the seat filled by a student from the standby list.

  • Those students accepted into the program must submit a $50 enrollment deposit when accepting their spot in the program. This deposit will be applied to your tuition for the semester and is not refundable. 
  • Successful completion of program requirements in progress at the time of application.
  • Students must pass a dosage calculation exam with a score of 90% or above.
  • Students must successfully pass a drug screen and criminal background check.
  • Students must be able to meet the program’s technical standards.
  • Satisfactory completion of a health examination record and all required tests and immunizations.
  • Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support CPR certification.

Criminal Background Checks


All nursing students who are offered admission to the nursing program will be required to complete a criminal background check. A separate criminal background check may also be required by a clinical site prior to beginning a clinical experience. Criminal background check results are disclosed to clinical facilities as required. If a student is denied access by a clinical site because of the background check, and as a result, cannot meet program requirements, the student may be dismissed from the nursing program.

Individuals applying to take the NCLEX-RN exam may be required to submit to an additional criminal background check depending upon the state in which the individual seeks licensure. State boards of nursing may deny an individual the opportunity to sit for an examination, or grant licensure, even if the individual has completed all course work and graduated from the program, if the individual has a criminal history, has been convicted, or pleads guilty, or nolo contendere to a felony or other serious crime.

Drug Screen


All nursing students who are offered admission to the nursing program will be required to submit to a drug screen. Drug screen results are disclosed to clinical facilities as required. A random drug screen may also be requested at any time during the nursing program if a nursing faculty member or a clinical facility representative has reasonable cause to suspect that a student is impaired and poses a safety concern to patients or others. If a student is denied access by a clinical site because of drug screen results, and as such, cannot meet program requirements, the student may be dismissed from the nursing program

Readmission to the Nursing Program


 Students who fail NUR 195  and desire readmission to the nursing program must reapply as a first time student according to the standards listed above. Students who withdraw from, or fail other courses in the nursing sequence and desire readmission to the nursing program, must submit their request in writing to the Director, Nursing Division. In addition, students who fail a course because of failing the course’s required drug calculation exam are required to successfully complete a drug calculation exam for readmission to the program. Readmission cannot be assured and is based on the progression criteria for each course and the availability of seats, faculty, and clinical facilities. Readmission to the nursing program must take place within one year of leaving the program. The curriculum under which a student seeks readmission may be different from the one under which the student left. Students who are accepted for readmission must complete the degree requirements in place at the time of readmission. Students who fail or withdraw from a nursing course after readmission are not eligible to be readmitted a second time.

Transfer from Other Colleges


 Students transferring to HCC from other colleges who seek admission as a first time student into the nursing program must be enrolled as an HCC student and complete the Supplemental Application for the Paramedic to RN Transition Program form by the established deadline dates. In order to be considered for admission, students must meet the same requirements as other first time students and will be selected according to the same criteria. Official transcripts from all colleges attended must be received by the application deadline. A transfer evaluation will be done on all transcripts by the Office of Admissions and Enrollment Management to determine which courses a student may transfer to HCC for credit. Required science courses that are older than seven years must be repeated.  Online science labs are not accepted in transfer.

Transfer from Other Nursing Programs


 Students transferring to HCC who have been enrolled in another nursing program must be enrolled as an HCC student, complete the appropriate Supplemental Application for Selective Admissions Programs form, take and submit results for the TEAS test, and submit transcripts from all colleges attended by the established deadline dates. A transfer evaluation will be done on all transcripts by the Office of Admissions and Registration to determine which courses a student may transfer to HCC for credit. Required science courses that are older than seven years must be repeated. In addition to the transfer evaluation, the student’s transcript will be forwarded to the Director, Nursing Division for an additional evaluation. An interview with the Director, Nursing Division and a reference check from the student’s previous nursing program may be required. A decision is then made by the Director as to whether the student will be admitted to the nursing program.

No more than half of the baccalaureate degree, with a maximum of 70 non-nursing credits, will be accepted from a community college. Nursing credits will not be transferred. However, Registered Nurses with an active, unencumbered Maryland or compact RN license articulating to the baccalaureate level, are awarded a minimum number of thirty (30) upper division nursing credits in the programs they are entering.
(http://mbon.maryland.gov/Pages/articulation.aspx)

Transfer to Baccalaureate Nursing Programs


No more than half of the baccalaureate degree, with a maximum of 70 non-nursing credits, will be accepted from a community college. Nursing credits will bot be transferred. However, Registered Nurses with an active, unencumbered Maryland or compact RN license articulating to the baccalaureate level, are awarded a minimum of thirty (30) upper division nursing credits in the program they are entering. (http://mbon.maryland.gov/Pages/articulation.aspx

Technical Standards


 There are technical standards and skill requirements which students are expected to possess and demonstrate in order to be successful in this program.  More information on these standards can be found on the Web page for this program.

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