Nursing Program Information Packet

READING AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE 1 0 S ou th S e con d S treet , Rea din g, PA 19602 610 -372- 472 1

NURSING PROGRAM Information Packet

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Table of Contents

Program Overview & Accreditation………………………………………..……………….........……………………….2

Nursing Program Schedule Information…………………………………........……………………………………2-3

Matriculation & Course Sequencing…………………….............................………………………………………….3

Nursing Program Admission & Enrollment Process………………............…………………………..3-5

Nursing Department Contact Information…....……………................................……………………………..5 Nursing Program Costs…………….……………...........................................……………………………………………….6 Frequently Asked Questions………......................................................................………………………………….7 Day Program Advising Guide……………………………..….................................……………………………………….8 Evening Program Advising Guide……………………………...........................................………………………….9

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.READING Those who successfully complete the program AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE 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 Program Schedule Information settings.

Changeswill in curriculum, clinical schedules and admission requirements for the Students learn: Nursing program may occur between the time of application and the time of • Nursing process applied the health continuum for the class in enrollment.

Students arethroughout expected to meet anyillness new requirements which they enroll. reference to a proposed is for general reference only • Chronic, acute andThe critical care concepts across schedule the lifespan and may be modified at any time at the discretion of the academic program and/or • Multiple clinical nursing skills 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 the sample provided.

Candidates must and The RACC Nursing program is from fully approved by schedules the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing be able personalCommission and professional responsibilities accordingly. is accredited by to theadjust Accreditation for Education in Nursing, Inc., located at 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326; phone: 404.975.5000; fax: 404.975.5020; 2. Students may occasionally be required to attend class or clinical activities acenursing.org. 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

4. Clinical schedules typically of two 6-hour clinical shifts/week Classes begin as early as 6:30amconsist and may continue until 4:30pm. 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.

5. Accommodations will not be made for clinical assignments based upon a student’s schedule except inasextreme extenuating • Patient carepersonal experience hours increase a student progressescircumstances. in the program.

(Extenuating circumstances DO NOT include, childcare, transportation, care of 2. Evening Program Option: family members and work schedules).

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Students must be available 3 weekdays from 2pm-10pm as classes/lab and clinical can be 6. Flexibility and this contingency plans to meet alternate scheduling scheduled during time. requirements are the responsibility of each individual student.

ItTentative/Sample is recommended that all non-nursing courses be completed prior toonly): the start of the first Schedule for First Year (for information purpose nursing (NUR) course. If the non-nursing courses are not completed, the student must have a well-researched plan to accomplish the needed courses.

NUR100/NUR101 Sample Schedule Day Program Sample Schedule Lecture: Monday/Tuesday 8:30am-11am OR 12:30pm-3pm

Evening Program Sample Schedule Lecture: Monday 5pm-9pm

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

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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 3

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: 4

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State police criminal records clearance, FBI clearance, child abuse history clearance

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Completed physical form which demonstrates evidence of the “Essential Abilities/ Qualities of a Professional Nursing Student”.

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Evidence of current CPR Certification for the Healthcare Provider by the American Heart Association

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Evidence of current health insurance.

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Annual Tuberculin Status (TB)

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Evidence of a negative drug panel.

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 COMMUNITY on a yearly basis while READING AREA COLLEGE 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 and are later to be found positive for medical marijuana will • admitted Varicella (Chicken Pox) be dismissed from the program immediately referred for appropriate counseling.

• Measles, Mumps, Rubellaand (MMR) • COVID-19 • Influenza • Evidence of specific immunizations or antibody titers including but not limited to:

• Hepatitis B COVID-19 vaccination – The Nursing Program does not require students be vaccinated against

• COVID-19.

Tetanus-Diphtheria and Pertusis (TDAP) However, most clinical facilities are requiring the initial vaccine series as well as the

• booster.

Varicella (Chicken Pox) Please Note: Students should know that any vaccine exemption may impact their

• progression Measles, Rubella (MMR) in Mumps, the program as the vaccine may be required by clinical/practicum sites. Some of

• these COVID-19 steps may take time to complete, such as the Hepatitis B and COVID vaccine series, which

• canInfluenza take up to seven months if the individual has not started this series. Please plan accordingly.

COVID-19 vaccination The Nursing not require students be vaccinated The Nursing–program reservesProgram the right todoes deny admissions to any student deemed to have anagainst COVID-19. However, most clinical facilities are requiring the initial vaccine series as well as the unsatisfactory background check or is non-compliant in any of the aforementioned clinical booster. Please Note: Students should know that any vaccine exemption may impact their program requirements. 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 Nursing Department Contact Information program requirements.

Nursing Department Contact Information Health Professions Department

Dean of Health Professions Associate Dean of Health Professions/ Director of Nursing Programs Sr. Academic Advisor /Health Professions Specialist

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Name

Contact Phone Number

Email

Location

Dr. Stacia Visgarda

610.372.4721 x. 5422

svisgarda@racc.edu

Weitz Hall , 420

Dr. Stephanie Herr

610.372.4721 x. 5434

sherr@racc.edu

Weitz Hall, 419

Tracey Rudnick

610.372.4721 x. 5067

trudnick@racc.edu

Weitz Hall, 430

Nursing Program Costs

Nursing Program Costs

RACC Tuition & Fees

RACC Tuition & Fees

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’S) 1. What degree will I be awarded?

A graduate of the nursing program is awarded an Associate in Applied Science degree and meets the educational requirements for licensure as a registered nurse.

2. Am I a Registered Nurse when I graduate from the program?

Graduation from the program does not guarantee licensure to practice nursing.

The program prepares students to sit for the NCLEX-RN and provides them with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the field of nursing. Students need to pass the NCLEX –RN and be approved by a state board of nursing in order to receive a license to practice nursing.

3. Does a student have a right to choose their clinical setting based on their town of residence or employment site?

The clinical sites are randomized and assigned by the faculty/course leader for the particular nursing semester and are not based on residence or employment considerations. Clinical sites could be within an hour radius of the college.

4. When should I plan to take the TEAS that is required of all potential candidates?

It is recommended that students successfully complete the following courses: General Biology, Chemistry, Math for Allied Health, Anatomy and Physiology, and College Success Strategies. Students should complete a review for the test by reading the manual and taking the practice exams. A study manual for the TEAS is available through www.atitesting.com.

5. Why do I have to submit all my college transcripts when some of the courses don’t even count towards my GPA? Although the student may not believe that anything will transfer into the program, the Nursing Program requires that a student submit their entire academic history to ensure a complete picture of their academic background.

6. I am an LPN, how do I apply to the program?

LPN applicants must meet all the admission requirements of the nursing program and go through the same application process as all other applicants. Prior to applying, LPN applicants are encouraged to seek advisement from an academic advisor to discuss advanced placement options.

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READING AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Nursing Program Advising Guide (Day)

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READING AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Nursing Program Advising Guide (Evening)

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