2015-2016 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Paramedic to RN Transition Program, A.S.
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Special Admission Requirements: Program Application Deadline: December 1 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 is pending accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) formerly known as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). 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).
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. The student will then complete NUR 224 in the summer and enter the second year of the nursing program with the traditional RN students.
Program Outcomes
- 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.
- Ninety percent of the program graduates will pass the NCLEX on their first attempt.
- Ninety percent of the graduate survey respondents will be employed as an entry-level practitioner within 6 months of graduation.
- Seventy five percent of the graduate survey respondents will express satisfaction with curriculum, environment, learning resources, support services, and policies.
- One hundred percent of students graduating from the HCC Nursing Programs will meet all student learning outcomes.
Student Learning Outcomes: Graduates of the Associate of Science degree in nursing program will be able to:
- 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.
- Adhere to quality of care and safety standards in all client care settings.
- Facilitate the continuity of care for individuals in various acute and community settings.
- Practice within the ethical and legal framework of the nursing profession and maintain professional standards of conduct.
- Provide compassionate care and serve as advocates for individuals and families, respecting their diverse cultures, values, and belief systems.
- Employ written and therapeutic communication skills.
- Collaborate with the individual, family, and interdisciplinary health professionals to promote, maintain, or restore health, and comfort the dying.
- Manage human, physical, and technological resources in a safe and cost-effective manner without sacrificing quality nursing care.
- Participate in lifelong learning activities that promote professional growth and personal development.
- 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 Registration 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
- Completion of all required science courses within seven years prior to admission to the program
- A minimum of 23 credits completed or in progress to be completed at the time of application to the program. The courses include ENG 101 , a Math General Education course from the approved General Education course list , SOC 101 , PSY 101 , PSY 204 , BIO 103 , and BIO 104
- 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
- A grade of “C” or higher is required for all general education requirements
- Verification from an employer of two years full-time employment as an Paramedic within the past 5 years
- Must have Maryland State certification as a Paramedic and National Board of Registry certification (NREMT)
- Applicants must be graduates of the program accredited by either the CCAHEP or the Maryland EMS Board.
- Foreign educated students must have their college transcripts evaluated by World Education Services (WES ) or AACRAO, International Education Services (IES)
Program Requirements: Students practice selected procedures on each other in the college laboratory. All nursing students must receive:
- A minimum overall grade of 75% in each nursing course.
- A minimum exam grade average of 75% in each nursing course.
- 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 , NUR 230 , NUR 231 ).
- A minimum grade of 90% on a drug calculation exam in each nursing course.
- 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.
- Upon completion of nursing coursework, students must achieve an Adjusted Individual Score of 70% or higher 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 termination from the nursing program by the Director of Nursing/Vice President of Academic Affairs, are not eligible for readmission. This includes students who cannot meet safety standards, and students who violate the college’s Honor Code and Standards of Conduct, the nursing program’s Standards of Conduct, and the American Nurses’ Association Code of Ethics for Nurses.
Fact Sheet
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General Education Requirements (33 Credits)
Behavioral/Social Sciences
Biological/Physical Science
Program Requirements (37 Credits)
Degree Requirement (70 Credits)
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.
- 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 “Healthcare Provider” CPR certification.
Eligibility Requirements
Paramedics who wish to enroll in the ADN program and take the alternative path offered by NUR 195, must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Proof of graduation from an approved program for paramedic within the past year OR
- Proof of one full year of full-time employment (2080 hours) as a Paramedic within the past five years.
- Proof of Paramedic licensure in the state of Maryland.
- Satisfactory letter of recommendation from a recent manager.
- Completion of required prerequisite courses (BIO 103, BIO 104, BIO 205 and PSY 204) and all general education courses before NUR 195.
Paramedics must complete and submit all necessary application forms by the application deadline. Transcripts from all other colleges attended must be submitted. All college placement tests must be completed, and any preparatory courses required as a result of the placement tests must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. All general education and prerequisite courses must be completed before beginning NUR 195.
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 will 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 will be dismissed from the nursing program Readmission to the Nursing Program
Students who fail NUR 116 and NUR 117 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 Nursing Program (RN) 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 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. 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 Supplemental Application for Selective Admissions Programs form, take and submit results for the TEAS test version V, 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. 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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