Associate of Applied Science

Health Technology
Major: Nursing Tracks 1 & 2nursing students

Nursing Track 1: 2 year curriculum plan

Nursing Track 2: Health Sciences Certificate plus 2 year curriculum plan

The Virginia Appalachian Tri college Nursing Program ( VATNP ) is a three college consortium serving Mountain Empire Community College, Southwest Virginia Community College, and Virginia Highlands Community College.

Purpose: The two year Associate of Applied Science degree curriculum in Nursing is designed to prepare selected students to qualify as contributing members of the health team, rendering direct patient care as beginning practitioners of nursing in a variety of health service facilities. Upon successful completion of the curriculum, students will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination leading to licensure as a registered nurse (RN).

State Approval and Accreditation Status: The program is approved by the Virginia State Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc. (3343 Peach Tree Road NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, GA, 30326, telephone: 404- 957-5000, website: www.nlnac.org  ).

Occupational Objectives: Employment opportunities for the Registered Nurse include, but are not limited to, staff positions in hospitals, nursing homes, health departments, physicians’ offices, clinics, home health agencies, day care centers, and civil service.

Admission Requirements: Admission to the Virginia Appalachian Tricollege Nursing Program is a selective process.

The program is open to both male and female applicants who are free of any physical or mental condition which might adversely affect performance as a member of the nursing profession. In addition to the requirements for admission to the college, the applicant must meet the following requirements:
1. Graduation from high school or satisfactory completion of the GED.
2. The completion of one unit each of algebra, biology (with laboratory), and chemistry with no grade below a “C” prior to January 15 application deadline (deficiencies can be made up through developmental studies or college courses).
3. A 2.5 average for high school courses or a 2.5 curricular average for college curriculum coursework.**
4. College students must be in good standing with the most recently attended institution. A curricular GPA of 2.5 must be achieved on college work. 
5. Satisfactory performance (national percentile score of 45 or higher) on a nursing pre-admission test; a national percentile score of 45 or higher.
6. Completion of college assessment examination and prescribed developmental work.
7. Completion of Health Science Programs Application for each academic year interested in being considered for the Nursing Program.

**If the student has completed a minimum of 12 college credits that are included in calculating the curricular GPA (non-development courses), the 2.5 high school GPA requirement will be waived.

Special Notes:
The State Board of Nursing has the authority to deny license to any applicant who has violated any of the provisions of 54.1-3007 of the Code of Virginia. Licensed nursing homes and similar organizations are prohibited from hiring persons who have been convicted of certain criminal acts. Any person wishing to enter the nursing program who has committed any legal offenses other than minor traffic violations should discuss these matters with the Dean of the Nursing Program prior to application.

A Health Science Programs Application must be completed for each academic year and must be received in the Admissions Office by January 15. Out-of-region applicants (Virginia residents) will be considered for any openings available after April 1. Out-of-state applicants will be considered for any openings available after May 1. (SWCC service region: Buchanan, Dickenson (partial), Russell and Tazewell Counties.) Qualified students will be admitted on an equal basis.

To be considered in-region, an applicant must be domiciled within the service region for 12 months prior to the program application deadline.

Advanced Placement: Currently licensed LPNs who have been accepted to the nursing program may be offered the option of entering
a summer LPN to RN Bridge Program provided they have completed all the general education courses required as outlined in the Nursing Track 4: LPN to RN Curriculum or Track 5 Part~time EveninglWeekend LPN to RN. Applicants must have graduated from
an LPN program after May 15,2010 OR have at least one(l) year (2000 hours) of full-time LPN work experience in direct patient care
during the past three years with written verification from employer at the time of application.

Transfer of Nursing Credit: Students seeking to transfer credit from nursing programs at other institutions will be considered on an individual basis. The student may be asked to provide course descriptions, course syllabi, achievement test scores and selected data from the course instructor in order to determine placement in the nursing program, subject to availability of space. Since there frequently are differences among nursing programs, students wishing to transfer should be aware that there may be an interruption in program progression. Applicants must be in good standing at their previous college with a “C” average or better. All regular admission requirements must be met. Nursing courses which are being transferred must have been completed within three (3) years prior to admission to the nursing program.

Program Requirements: Prior to enrollment in any NUR course, the student must provide the following documentation. (For more information, see the VATNP website at http://vhcc2.edu/vatnp/studentforms/forms1.htm )

1. Required Student Forms and Documentation Checklist.

2. Annual Student Statement of Health Form.

3. Student Information, Physical, Immunization Forms. The VATNP physical examination form must be completed by a medical practitioner, MD PA or CNP.

A. Immunizations including tetanus, Mumps-Measles-Rubella (MMR), Varicella, and Hepatitis B.

B. Current testing for tuberculosis, either PPD or chest x-ray.

C. Documentation of ability to perform physical demands required in direct patient care activities.

4. Purchase a background check, drug screen, and clinical requirements document from Certified Background.

5. Clearance of criminal background check and drug testing.

6. Certified Background Release Form.

7. Proof of CPR certification, American Heart Association, Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers completed during the summer (May 15 - August 15) prior to admission to NUR courses and maintained throughout the program.

8. Proof of HIPAA Certification.

The cost of these requirements is the responsibility of the student.

Criminal Background Check/Drug Screening: Background checks for criminal history of barrier crimes (see BARRIER CRIMES, Code of Virginia 63.2-1726, July 1, 2007 ( http://hope-tfc.org/FP/Barrier%20Crimes.pdf ) and drug testing are required for entrance into clinical agencies. Students with convictions or positive drug tests will be prohibited from clinical practice and will not be able to complete the program requirements. Cost of criminal background checks and drug testing will be the responsibility of the student.

Physical demands in this program include duties that frequently require squatting, bending, kneeling, reaching, and stair climbing; lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds; frequent pushing and pulling up to 200 pounds with assistance; occasional lifting up to 200 pounds with assistance and occasional carrying up to 51-74 pounds. Duties also require constant use of acute sense of sight, hearing, touch, and speech. Environmental conditions include procedures that involve handling blood and body fluids using universal precautions.

Course Requirements: The student is required to complete a sequence of courses and learning experiences provided at the college and selected community agencies such as hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, physicians’ offices and comparable facilities. The nursing faculty will observe and evaluate the student’s suitability for nursing and direct patient care.

The nursing program faculty reserves the right to recommend, through appropriate channels, the withdrawal of any student who does not exhibit suitable demeanor/attendance.

Students must complete all courses listed in the first year of the curriculum before being allowed to enter the second year. Exceptions due to unusual circumstances must be approved by the program Dean.

The student must complete all general education and related courses either before or concurrent with nursing program requirements. A student must have a “C” or above in theory plus “satisfactory” in clinical performance in all nursing courses to remain in the program. A grade of “C” or above in any related requirements is a prerequisite for continuing in the nursing program. Most previous college credits will be accepted; however BIO 141 - 142, Anatomy and Physiology, and the ITE requirement, must be completed within the ten (10) years prior to admission to the nursing program or concurrent with the nursing program. CPR certification must be maintained throughout the program.

Program Progression: Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in all required courses and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 to remain eligible for continued enrollment in the nursing program. In addition, during the NUR 105 or NUR 115 course, a Comprehensive Drug Calculation Exam (CDCE) will be administered to verify skills. Students must achieve at least 90 percent of maximum score on the CDCE with no more than three attempts in order to continue.
Any student who earns a final grade lower than a "C" in a required course (MTH 126, BIO 141, 142 or any NUR course) must repeat the course and earn a final grade of "C" or better before taking the next course in the sequence.

A student must obtain permission from the Dean of VATNP to continue in the Nursing Program under the following conditions:

1. Repeating a course with a grade below “C”
2. Withdrawal from a nursing course
3. Cumulative GPA below 2.0.

Virginia Community College System policy states that no course may be taken more than twice (original enrollment and one repeat). Any exception to this policy must be approved by the program dean and the associate vice president of instruction and student services.

Reapplication: A student not admitted to the nursing curriculum who is still interested must complete a new Nursing Program Application Packet (accepted August 15 – January 15).

Readmission Requirements: Students who are not successful in any first semester nursing course (NUR 105 or NUR 108) must reapply to the nursing program. Based on the course(s) that must be repeated, the student who is readmitted may be required to complete a skills competency course before progressing to the second semester.
A student who wishes to reenter the nursing curriculum at any other level (e.g., NUR 109, 195, 136, 137, 201, 205, 236, 208, 245, 237, or 254) must write a letter to the program dean requesting readmission at least one semester prior to the semester of enrollment. Re-enrollment must occur no later than three years or student will have to repeat all nursing courses. The student may be required to enroll in and satisfactorily complete specific courses before readmission. Additional data may be required. Each student’s application for readmission will be considered by the nursing faculty and the decision to readmit will be based on additional data, prior performance in the nursing program, and space availability.

A student who has withdrawn because of academic failure may not reenroll in the nursing curriculum more than one time. Such a student may not be readmitted if the cumulative grade point average is less than 2.0, including all courses attempted other than nursing.

According to the VCCS Policy 5.7.4 “A student will normally be limited to two enrollments in the same credit course.” Any exception to this policy must be approved by the program dean and the vice president of instruction and student services.

Financial Requirements: In addition to the usual college tuition and fees, the nursing program requires uniforms with accessories, textbooks, progressive testing and remediation program, physical exam, immunizations, PPD or chest x-ray, a background check, drug screen, and clinical requirements document from Certified Background, CPR Certification, and HIPAA Certification.

Students are also responsible for transportation to and from the College and health agencies used for clinical experiences.

Clinical Contracts: Individual contracts are in effect with each affiliate clinical agency and these contracts differ in requirements made of students. The general stipulations are as follows:

1. Clinical agencies reserve the right to dismiss a student from their agency at any time with due cause. This will be done with advance notice except in an emergency.

2. Published policies of hospital must be adhered to. Each student must successfully complete an orientation program prior to participating in activities at any clinical facility.

3. Clinical facilities require that all students have documentation of ability to perform the physical demands required in direct patient care activities. Physical demands in this program include duties that frequently require squatting, bending, kneeling, reaching, and stair climbing; lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds; frequent pushing and pulling up to 100 pounds with assistance; occasional lifting up to 200 pounds with assistance and occasional carrying up to 51-74 pounds. Duties also require constant use of acute sense of sight, hearing, touch, and speech. Environmental conditions include procedures that involve handling blood and body fluids using universal precautions.

4. Immunizations must be current and include Hepatitis B & MMR. Proof of negative Tuberculin skin test (PPD) or chest X-ray must be shown on admission to the program and before beginning the second year. Previous positive reactors are exempt but must see the Program Dean.

5. Student releases hospital, its agents and employees from any liability for any injury or death to himself or damage to his property arising out of agreement or use of hospital’s facilities.

6. Clinical facilities require a criminal history record check and drug screen clearance as a condition for placement. All nursing students will be required to provide proof of purchase of the background checks and drug screens. Associated costs for the background checks and drug screens are the responsibility of the student.

7. Proper uniform must be worn when participating in clinical activities.

Contracts for each agency are available in the VATNP office and may be reviewed by students upon request.

Nursing Track 1: Two year curriculum plan
The VATNP offers an opportunity for recent high school graduates and other eligible adults to complete the nursing degree program after two years of full time attendance (4 semesters and 1 summer session). This is a rigorous and academically challenging program..

Course
Number		 Course Title Lecture
Hours		 Lab
Hours		 Course
Credits
Summer Session Year 1
SDV 108 College Survival Skills 1 0 1
ENG 111 English Composition I 3 0 3
MTH 126 Mathematics for Allied Health 2 0 2
ITE 115 Basic Computer Literacy 3 0 3
OR
ITE 100 Intro to Information Systems      
TOTAL 9 0 9
         
  Fall Semester Year 1      
BIO 141 Human Anatomy & Physiology I 3 3 4
NUR 105 Nursing Skills 0 6 2
NUR 108 Nursing Principles and Concepts I 4 3 5
NUR 195 Topics In Geriatric Nursing 2 0 2
NUR 136 Principles of Pharmacology I 1 0 1
  TOTAL 10 12 14
         
  Spring Semester Year 1      
BIO 142 Human Anatomy & Physiology II 3 3 4
NUR 109 Nsg Principles and Concepts II 3 9 6
NUR 226 Nursing Health Assessment 1 3 2
NUR 137 Principles of Pharmacology II 1 0 1
  TOTAL 9 15 13
         
  Summer Session Year 2      
PSY 231 Life Span Human Development I 3 0 3
ENG 112 English Composition II 3 0 3
Elective* Humanities 3 0 3
  TOTAL 9 0 9
         
  Fall Semester Year 2      
PSY 232 Life Span Human Development II 3 0 3
NUR 201 Psychiatric Nursing 2 3 3
NUR 205 Introduction to Second Level Nsg 2 9 5
NUR 236 Principles of Pharmacology III 1 0 1
TOTAL 8 12 12
Spring Semester Year 2
NUR 245 Maternal/Newborn Nursing 2 3 3
NUR 208 Acute Medical-Surgical Nursing 3 9 6
NUR 237 Principles of Pharmacology IV 1 0 1
NUR 254 Dimensions of Professional Nsg 2 0 2
TOTAL 8 12 12

Total Minimum Credits for the Nursing Major    69

* Humanities electives include: ART 201, 202; foreign languages; literature; MUS 121, 122; PHI 101; REL 200, 210, 230; CST 130, 151, 152

Nursing Track 2: Health Sciences Certificate plus 2 year curriculum plan

Students in this track will complete all general education courses required by the nursing curriculum and receive a health sciences certificate before beginning nursing classes. This option takes three years or longer depending on the amount of time taken to complete the general education classes. Many students, who have families, work or other responsibilities often choose this track.

         
Course
Number		 Course Title Lecture
Hours		 Lab
Hours		 Course
Credits
First Semester
SDV 108 College Survival Skills 1 0 1
ENG 111 College Composition I 3 0 3
MTH 126 Mathematics for Allied Health 2 0 2
BIO 141 Human Anatomy & Physiology I 3 3 4
PSY 231 Life Span Human Development I 3 0 3
ITE 115 Basic Computer Literacy 3 0 3
OR
ITE 100 Intro to Information Systems      
TOTAL 15 3 16
         
  Second Semester      
ENG 112 College Composition II 3 0 3
BIO 142 Human Anatomy & Physiology II 3 3 4
HLT 143 Medical Terminology I 3 0 3
PSY 232 Life Span Human Development II 3 0 3
Elective *Humanities/Fine Arts 3 0 3
  TOTAL 15 3 16
         
  Fall Semester Year 1      
NUR 105 Nursing Skills 0 6 2
NUR 108 Nursing Principles and Concepts I 4 3 5
NUR 195 Topics In Geriatric Nursing 2 0 2
NUR 136 Principles of Pharmacology I 1 0 1
  TOTAL 7 9 10
         
  Spring Semester Year 1      
NUR 109 Nursing Principles & Concepts II 3 9 6
NUR 226 Nursing Health Assessment 1 3 2
NUR 137 Principles of Pharmacology II 1 0 1
TOTAL 5 12 9
  Fall Semester Year 2      
NUR 201 Psychiatric Nursing 2 3 3
NUR 205 Introduction to Second Level Nsg 2 9 5
NUR 236 Principles of Pharmacology III 1 0 1
  TOTAL 5 12 9
         
  Spring Semester Year 2      
NUR 245 Maternal/Newborn Nursing 2 3 3
NUR 208 Acute Medical/Surgical Nursing 3 9 6
NUR 237 Principles of Pharmacology IV 1 0 1
NUR 254 Dimensions of Professional Nursing 2 0 2
TOTAL 8 12 12

Total Minimum Credits for the AAS Degree/Nursing Major   72

* Humanities electives include: ART 201, 202; foreign languages; literature; MUS 121, 122; PHI 101; REL 200, 210, 230; CST 130, 151, 152