Nursing Information Session
Please sign in and have a seat- clinical
applications will be handed out at the end
of the session
DO NOT take handouts from the tables–
Please listen to the information presented
first to see if you are in need of the
handouts at the end of the session – they
may be things you already have
Nadine Larson
nadine.larson@raritanval.edu
908-526-1200 Ext. 8610 – Room H213
Email is the fastest way to contact me
Open office hours for admission criteria or clinical
nursing course questions
Spring 2015
TBD- no walk in hours 1.15.15-3.1.15 due to priority of
clinical application review
Qualities of a Nurse – words
from the RVCC Nursing Faculty
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Focused
Self directed and self driven
A life long learner
FLEXIBLE
Multi-tasker
Humanistic
Caring
Able to critically think and problem solve
ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES
Skills needed to administrate good care to
patients –
Observation, communication, motor skills,
cognitive-intellectual, behavioral and social
attributes, and hearing and visual abilities
Clinical applications to be given
and sign in will be at the end of
the presentation
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If you leave early, you will not receive an
application and will need to attend
another session to receive one
Where do I start?
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RVCC Application
The application to the Associate Degree Nursing
Program at RVCC is a two-step process. First, you
must apply to RVCC with Pre-nursing (AS in
Health Science) as your intended major – you
then are considered a PRE- NURSING STUDENT.
When you have completed all prerequisites for the
Nursing/RN AAS, you may then apply to the
clinical nursing program.
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PLEASE NOTE: As of May 1, 2014, students interested
in pursuing the nursing program will initially be enrolled
into the AS in Health Science degree as pre-nursing
students. Students must complete the prerequisites in
order to become eligible to apply for selective admission
for entrance into the nursing program. Pending review of
the selective admission criteria with ranking of scores
and acceptance into the nursing program, the major will
be changed to the AAS in Nursing/RN degree upon
official notification of acceptance into the clinical nursing
program.
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If you are already a student at RVCC and
had picked nursing as your intended major
and have not yet be accepted to the
clinical nursing program/NURS classes,
after May 1, 2014 your major will be
changed to Pre-nursing (AS in Health
Science)
RVCC will do this, there is nothing for you
to do
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Have all college transcripts sent to RVCC
admissions office
Send high school transcript/proof of GED to
admission office
Accepted to the college – nursing packet
of information mailed to you
Appointment with Advisor
What do I need?
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Prerequisites
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Residency – Hunterdon or Somerset
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Degree Requirements
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Clear Criminal History Background Check
attached to clinical application
Prerequisites
(Complete RVCC application on file (including HS transcript) and
all prior college transcripts have been evaluated by the Registrar’s
office; you are a Pre-nursing major (AS in Health Science) or
PNAD mjr)
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Developmental and ESL courses complete-must place into ENG 111
Math through Elementary Algebra
Anatomy and Physiology I & II- 2 grades of D, F, AU after the 10th day or W
will disqualify you
GPA of 2.75
Technological Competency- test or course (within past 7 years)
ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS Version V with all 4 parts of
test) – taken no earlier than 9.2013 for Fall ‘15 admission
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www.atitesting.com (this is a Nursing/RN prerequisite route only)
For RVCC admission, students can take TEAS test
once every 4 months, either at RVCC or
another location. We are currently administering
TEAS Version V with all 4 parts of the test. If the
test has been completed elsewhere, scores may
be submitted for review with the clinical
application. For 2015 admission, TEAS
results will only be accepted from tests taken
since September 2013.
PNAD
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85% (3.25 GPA) average from an accredited
LPN program
6 months full time work experience for new
graduates, 3 out of the last 5 years full time
work as an LPN if graduated from PN program
more than 5 years ago
NO TEAS, but will be required to take an LPN
Step Test
(Continue PNAD)
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The LPN STEP test is held once every Fall
for students applying for the following
summer.
For students applying for Summer 2016,
the test dates will be posted August 2015
on www.raritanval.edu/healthscience ,
posted on the Lion’s Den, and sent via
email to PNAD majors
There is a minimum score to achieve,
closely reflecting the national average of
the LPN Step Test score
Residency Requirement
Somerset or Hunterdon County
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When you qualify for clinical you must
provide proof of residency (one document
– attached to clinical application)
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Permanent Resident
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NJ Driver’s license, Rental Agreement, Mortgage
Statement, Utility Bill, Telephone Bill, NJ Resident
Income Tax Return
Permanent Employee
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Letter from employer on company letterhead
PNAD – applicants with the highest LPN Step
scores and residency will get priority placement
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The NJ Board of Nursing has regulations
regarding citizenship and eligibility for taking the
NCLEX exam. Our clinical application will ask a
question regarding citizenship so any
questions/concerns can be clarified before a
student is accepted into the nursing program.
The RVCC student application also identifies
citizenship status. Some of our clinical agencies
require we track citizenship status as well.
Criminal History Background
Check(CHBC)
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A completed criminal history background check
must be done through www.adamsafeguard.com
PRIOR to applying to the clinical nursing
program. Results need to be attached to the
clinical application, along with the residency
proof. It can take 4-6 weeks for the background
check to be processed. Do the CHBC no later than
4-6 weeks before the application is due in
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Failure to do the CHBC and attach results to the clinical
application will not allow the student to have the
application evaluated and will be mailed back to the student
to submit when the application is complete, and for the next
admission period.
Clinical agencies will not accept a student for clinical with a
positive criminal history background check. The NJ Board of
Nursing also has regulations regarding applying and taking
the NCELX – a positive background check may disqualify
you from taking the NCLEX
Other Degree Requirements
Co-Requisites
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First Year - Fall
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First Year - Spring
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ENGL-112 English II
PSYC-103 Introduction to Psychology
Second Year - Fall
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Humanities elective
BIOL-133 Principles of Microbiology
SOCI-101 Introduction to Sociology
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Free Elective
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ENGL-111 English I
FITN-115 Dynamics of Fitness & Wellness
Second Year - Spring
How do I apply to the clinical
Nursing courses?
Submit
an Application to Clinical after all prerequisites are
complete
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Generic- Day or Evening/Weekend – you MUST only CHOOSE one or
your application will NOT be valid, and will be returned to you.
ANY info missing and the form will be returned to you – applications
must be submitted no later than the deadline to be evaluated
PNAD
Be sure the residency/employment proof is attached, as well as the
clear criminal history background check results
Application to Nursing Clinical Courses
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Early Admission Generic RN (RVCC and transfer
students) Turn in by February 2, 2015 for Fall 2015
Late Admission Generic RN (RVCC students only, no
new transfer students, have taken 6+ RVCC credits)
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PNAD
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Turn in by May 15,2015 for Fall 2015
Turn in by December 31, 2015 for Summer 2016
Make sure you have completed ALL prerequisites
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Proof of residency required & CHBC results
Read application so all documents needed are
attached
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Don’t lose it!
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Admission to Nursing Clinical
Courses
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Applications evaluated based on:
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A&P grades
Most recent college GPA
TEAS scores
What do I do if I’m not accepted?
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Raise ranking score
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GPA
Retake A&P
Retake TEAS
Reapply- Late Admission if you are an
RVCC student or next year
What do I do if I’m accepted?
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Complete other required courses- maintain
2.75 GPA
Attend Health Maintenance Meeting
Study for Pharmacology Clinical
Calculations placement test
Complete health maintenance
Register during the designated time
Attend Camp I Can Orientation session
Nursing Program Response
Form
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Must be returned to the finance office by
the date specified on the form – given to a
student with the acceptance letter
$200 non-refundable deposit will be
applied to tuition
If it is not returned by the deadline, the student
will lose their seat in the program and will have
to apply for the next admission period, and meet
all admission criteria
Health Maintenance Meeting
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Immunizations and tests
Liability Insurance
CPR certification (AHA BLS for health care provider)
Pharmacology Clinical Calculation test info
Urine drug screen – urine drug screens must be
negative/clear for a student to continue in the nursing
program – a clinical agency will not accept a student for
rotations with a positive drug screen. Student will be
given specific time frame to go
Camp I CAN
(Can Achieve Nursing)
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Required orientation
Program information
Library search engines
Study skills
Time management
ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute)
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Self assessment
Critical thinking inventory
A Walk Through the Program
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Cost
Schedule
Progression
Exit exam
Graduation
NCLEX
How Much Does it Cost?
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First semester
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Health maintenance
Background check
ATI
Uniform
Tuition
RVCC fees
Books
Nursing fee
Nursing Kit
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Approximate total
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Cost varies
$ 60+
$ 551
$ 150
$2000
$200+
$ 850
$ 400
$100
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$4400.00
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Financial Aid
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www.fafsa.ed.gov
RVCC Financial Aid
Nursing scholarships
Employers
Community groups
Foundations of Nursing & all clinical nursing courses
Rigorous Schedule & may not fit everyone’s
lifestyle and schedule
 Day or Evening/Weekend- NO Part-time students
– this is not a work-study program!
 20 hours/week – physical presence
 Additional 20-30 hours/week (2 hours for every
classroom hour)
Preparing for learning lab
Preparing for class
Preparing for clinical experience
*Students who are unsuccessful in nursing courses
admitted to working 30+ hours/week
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Clinical Facility Sites
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Carrier Clinic, Center for Autistic Children
(Princeton), Children’s Specialized
Hospital, Eric B. Chandler, Kessler (East
Orange & Chester), JFK, Lyons VA (Liberty
Corner), Matheny (Peapack), Morristown
Memorial, Overlook (Summit), RWJ, SPUH,
SMC, Warren Hospital (Phillipsburg), HMC
& Princeton Hospital, Willow Creek
(Somerset NJ)
Progression in the Nursing Program
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Progression Policy
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Fall
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Foundations of Nursing
Spring
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Fall
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Two failures (D, F, W, AU after the 10th day) – not
eligible to apply to the program with 2 required
science courses previously failed
Nursing of Adults I
Nursing of Adults II
Psych/Mental Health Nursing
Spring
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Nursing Care of Families with Children (Peds)
Nursing Care of the Childbearing Family (OB)
Trends in Nursing
Exit Examination
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ATI Comprehensive Predictor
Minimum score required – the score
needed to achieve is equivalent to the
student having a 95% pass rate on the
NCLEX.
Graduation and Licensure
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Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
Eligible for Licensure Examination
(NCLEX-RN)
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Pass/Fail
Passing NCLEX-RN = you becoming a
Registered Nurse!
Email me with any questions
regarding clinical nursing
courses or the admission criteria
 nadine.larson@raritanval.edu
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If you are not applying until Fall 2016 or later,
come back next year to a nursing information
session to get the most accurate information
regarding the admission process or stay up to
date by viewing the HSE website –
http://www.raritanval.edu/healthscience