Program Overview & Accreditation
The Associate Degree Nursing Program prepares students for entry level nursing practice in any setting, and to take the N-CLEX-RN examination. Those who successfully complete the program also earn the opportunity to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), which qualifies individuals to practice professional nursing. Students who earn this associate degree are prepared for entry-level positions and are educated to provide care in current and emerging health care delivery systems. Courses in Nursing are enhanced with simulation and instructor guided clinical experiences in a variety of medical-surgical, and specialty practice settings.
Program Schedule Information
Students will learn:
• Nursing process applied throughout the health illness continuum
• Chronic, acute and critical care concepts across the lifespan
• Multiple clinical nursing skills
Changes in curriculum, clinical schedules and admission requirements for the Nursing program may occur between the time of application and the time of enrollment. Students are expected to meet any new requirements for the class in which they enroll. The reference to a proposed schedule is for general reference only and may be modified at any time at the discretion of the academic program and/or scheduling requirements of clinical affiliating agencies.
• Professionalism, leadership and communication
1. It must be understood that the dynamic nature of nursing education may necessitate deviation from the sample schedules provided. Candidates must be able to adjust personal and professional responsibilities accordingly.
The RACC Nursing program is fully approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc., located at 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326; phone: 404.975.5000; fax: 404.975.5020; acenursing.org.
2. Students may occasionally be required to attend class or clinical activities on alternate days/times (evenings/times) at alternate sites throughout the course of an academic year.
Nursing Program Schedule Information
1. Day Program Option:
3. Students may be assigned a day and/or evening clinical rotation that may occur during the week.
• Students must be available up to five days per week
• Classes begin as early as 6:30am and may continue until 4:30pm.
4. Clinical schedules typically consist of two 6-hour clinical shifts/week between the hours of 6:30 AM and 10:30 PM
• Students may be required to attend class or fulfill laboratory/clinical during the evening hours in order to meet program requirements or competencies.
• Patient care experience hours increase as a student progresses in the program.
2. Evening Program Option:
5. Accommodations will not be made for clinical assignments based upon a student’s personal schedule except in extreme extenuating circumstances. (Extenuating circumstances DO NOT include, childcare, transportation, care of family members and work schedules).
• Students must be available 3 weekdays from 2pm-10pm as classes/lab and clinical can be scheduled during this time.
6. Flexibility and contingency plans to meet alternate scheduling requirements are the responsibility of each individual student. Tentative/Sample Schedule for First Year (for information purpose only):
• It is recommended that all non-nursing courses be completed prior to the start of the first nursing (NUR) course. If the non-nursing courses are not completed, the student must have a well-researched plan to accomplish the needed courses.
OR
Lab: Monday or Tuesday 12-3pm or 4-7pm
Clinical: Thursday OR Friday (available between 6:30am-10:30pm)
Clinical/Lab: Tuesday& Wednesday 2pm-8pm
Changes in curriculum, clinical schedules and admission requirements for the Nursing program may occur between the time of application and the time of enrollment. Students are expected to meet any new requirements for the class in which they enroll. The reference to a proposed schedule is for general reference only and may be modified at any time at the discretion of the academic program and/or scheduling requirements of clinical affiliating agencies.
1. It must be understood that the dynamic nature of nursing education may necessitate deviation from the sample schedules provided. Candidates must be able to adjust personal and professional responsibilities accordingly.
2. Students may occasionally be required to attend class or clinical activities on alternate days/times (evenings/times) at alternate sites throughout the course of an academic year.
3. Students may be assigned a day and/or evening clinical rotation that may occur during the week.
4. Clinical schedules typically consist of two 6-hour clinical shifts/week between the hours of 6:30 AM and 10:30 PM
6. Flexibility and contingency plans to meet alternate scheduling requirements are the responsibility of each individual student. Tentative/Sample Schedule for First Year (for information purpose only)
Matriculation & Course Sequencing
Admission to the nursing program is a separate process from general admission to the College and requires a separate secondary application (petition). Admission to the Nursing Program is both competitive and selective. Acceptance to the college does not guarantee admission to the nursing program.
There are specific prerequisite courses for all Nursing (NUR) courses. Students should refer to the college catalog and advising guide for more information. It is the students’ responsibility to ensure that they are enrolled in appropriate courses and in the appropriate sequencing of courses.
Each applicant’s record will be reviewed and ranked by the criteria listed below:
1. Eligible applicants are placed in a descending order from highest to lowest based on their total TEAS score and Science/ Math GPA (BIO250/MAT130).
2. The cumulative GPA will be used in ranking in the event that both TEAS and Science/Math GPA is equal for the deciding factor.
Nursing Program Admission & Enrollment Process
1. Send all official high school and previous college transcripts. By U.S. Postal Mail: Reading Area Community College
10 S. 2nd Street
Attn: Admissions
Reading, PA 19602
Electronically: admissions@racc.edu
2. Take required placement tests.
Upon acceptance to the college, if a student has not completed college-level English, reading or math courses at another institution or does not have the minimum required math/reading SAT/ ACT scores or other multiple measures assessment, then college placement tests must be taken. Students receive placement test information upon admission to RACC. You can schedule your placement test by calling 610-607-6224 or emailing admissions@racc.edu.
3. Meet with student success center staff to review initial placement and schedule your 1st semester courses/prerequisites.
A student success center staff will review the student’s educational and vocational records, discuss interests, assess the results of college placement tests and provide initial course guidance. You can contact the student success center at 610-607-6245 or advising@racc.edu to schedule a 1st semester advising appointment or visit during their weekly drop-in hours.
4. Meet and formulate academic plan with health professions advisor
In order to meet timely admission deadlines, it is important for students to schedule a meeting with their health professions advisor during their first semester. This can be done by emailing hpadvising@racc.edu during the student’s first semester at RACC. Continuing advising appointments are also highly recommended due to the ongoing selective program requirements.
5. Schedule TEAS exam
Once academic prerequisites to the program are completed, students will be eligible to schedule their TEAS exam. The TEAS exam is the nursing program admission exam and will be used to select students for program admission. More information regarding the TEAS exam can be found on the RACC Nursing Admissions page at www.racc.edu/academics/nursing-program. Students may register for the exam at www.atitesting.com
6. Submit petition to the nursing program
Students can access this form through the MyRACC student portal- Self-Service. Detailed instructions can be found at Nursing-Petition-Instructions-10-21-2022.pdf (racc.edu). Only students who completed Nursing completed admission requirements will be considered for review. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all necessary documentation and items are received by RACC. Petitions will only be accepted during the designated petitioning period (January 1st through March 30th)
7. Applicants are notified of admission decision
Students will be notified via RACC student email regarding their acceptance from the program by April 30th. All accepted students are admitted conditionally pending final review and results from clinical compliance documentation. Upon receiving notification, a student will be asked to enroll into a mandatory online nursing orientation course where students must complete modules including clinical compliance documentation.
8. Complete clinical compliance documentation.
In order to matriculate into the nursing program, students are required to obtain and complete a variety of clinical compliance documentation. In order to comply with clinical agency requirements, the following clinical compliance documents include but are not limited to:
• State police criminal records clearance, FBI clearance, child abuse history clearance
• Completed physical form which demonstrates evidence of the “Essential Abilities/ Qualities of a Professional Nursing Student”.
• Evidence of current CPR Certification for the Healthcare Provider by the American Heart Association
• Evidence of current health insurance.
• Annual Tuberculin Status (TB)
• Evidence of a negative drug panel.
READING AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
• Varicella (Chicken Pox)
Under federal law, marijuana is a Schedule 1 controlled substance, which means it is considered to have no medical value. Additionally, practitioners may not prescribe marijuana for medical use under federal law. Regulated through the federal government, the CSA, does not recognize the difference between the medical and recreational use of marijuana. Students entering any Health Professions Program are required to have laboratory screenings for drugs and alcohol upon admission to the clinical/internship phase of the program and on a yearly basis while participating in a clinical/internship. Because of current law, we cannot provide admission to the clinical phase of RACC’s Health Career Programs for students who utilize marijuana. Additionally, students who have been admitted and are later to be found positive for medical marijuana will be dismissed from the program immediately and referred for appropriate counseling.
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
• COVID-19
• Influenza
• Evidence of specific immunizations or antibody titers including but not limited to:
• Hepatitis B
• Tetanus-Diphtheria and Pertusis (TDAP)
• Varicella (Chicken Pox)
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
• COVID-19
• Influenza
COVID-19 vaccination – The Nursing Program does not require students be vaccinated against COVID-19. However, most clinical facilities are requiring the initial vaccine series as well as the booster. Please Note: Students should know that any vaccine exemption may impact their progression in the program as the vaccine may be required by clinical/practicum sites. Some of these steps may take time to complete, such as the Hepatitis B and COVID vaccine series, which can take up to seven months if the individual has not started this series. Please plan accordingly.
The Nursing program reserves the right to deny admissions to any student deemed to have an unsatisfactory background check or is non-compliant in any of the aforementioned clinical program requirements.
COVID-19 vaccination – The Nursing Program does not require students be vaccinated against COVID-19. However, most clinical facilities are requiring the initial vaccine series as well as the booster. Please Note: Students should know that any vaccine exemption may impact their progression in the program as the vaccine may be required by clinical/practicum sites. Some of these steps may take time to complete, such as the Hepatitis B and COVID vaccine series, which can take up to seven months if the individual has not started this series. Please plan accordingly.
The Nursing program reserves the right to deny admissions to any student deemed to have an unsatisfactory background check or is non-compliant in any of the aforementioned clinical program requirements.
