Nursing

Nursing (ADN)

The Associate Degree Nursing program is designed to incorporate a base of biological and social sciences with the knowledge and skills necessary for the practice of nursing in the Registered Nurse (RN) role.  The role of the associate degree nurse builds on the basic knowledge and practice of the practical nurse.  The ADN is able to function with greater independence, in more complex situations and with more acutely ill patients.  The ADN serves a vital role in teaching the patient about his condition and ways to improve his health.  The ADN assesses the patient's condition, develops the plan of care and makes ongoing judgments regarding the patient's progress.  Associate degree nurses have supervisory responsibilities for licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants and other health care workers.  The curriculum includes classroom instruction and practice in simulated laboratories and various clinical settings.

Upon completion of the program, the student is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).  The program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, (61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006 212-363-5555) and the South Carolina Board of Nursing.  Candidates who have criminal records may be required to appear before the South Carolina Board of Nursing, which will determine eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN exam.

Special Requirements

Students are required to take standardized tests at an approximate cost of $46 a semester.    Approximate cost for taking the licensure exam (NCLEX-RN) upon completion of the program is $300.  Students must purchase liability insurance each semester at a cost of approximately $5.  Students must purchase a uniform and special equipment the first semester (the approximate cost is $150).  Skills packets, learning packets and books must be purchased at the bookstore for nursing courses.

In addition to the college's placement test, specific admission criteria to the Associate Degree Nursing program include:

• SAT:  960 (verbal 480, mathematics 480) taken within the last 3 years; OR

• ACT:  20 composite (minimum verbal 20, minimum mathematics 23), taken within the last 3 years; OR

• Completion of the Pre-Nursing Certificate with a cumulative minimum grade point average of 2.5, no grade lower than a "C," and no more then one repeat per course: OR

• Completion of an associate, baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited school with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 at the time of the degree.

Additional Requirements

• High school or college credits in biology and algebra are recommended

• Emotional and physical ability to carry out normal activities of nursing care as determined by physical examination

Qualified applicants must attend a two-part orientation session and present CPR certification (adult, infant and child), health forms and immunization records prior to entering NUR 101/NUR 201.

All science courses taken prior to admission to the program must have been completed within 5 years of entry into NUR 101/NUR 201.

Applicants must have a cumulative 2.0 GPA for all Midlands Technical College course work for entrance into and progression through the nursing curriculum.

The Nursing Student Handbook outlines other policies relevant to students in the program.

Advanced Placement

Licensed Practical Nurses seeking advanced placement in the ADN program may be admitted to the fourth semester of the ADN curriculum.  LPNs seeking advanced placement must have an active S.C. Practical Nurse license and must qualify for the program as indicated above under "Admission".  In addition, the following courses must be completed prior to entry with a grade of "C" or better (no more than one repeat to achieve a "C"):  ENG 101, PSY 201, BIO 210, BIO 211, MAT 102 and NUR 201.  BIO 210 and BIO 211 must be completed with 5 years of admission to the transition program.  NUR 201 must be taken in the semester immediately prior to entry in the fourth semester of the ADN program.  The LPN who qualifies for admission using the Pre-Nursing Certificate may substitute COL 103 for COL 105 if there is previous college level course work, MAT 102 for MAT 101 (if qualified by placement exam), and may take a validation exam for NUR 115.

Admission of transfer students is determined on a space available basis.  Students must meet all departmental admission requirements and have completed all prerequisite courses.  Students must provide transcripts, course descriptions, course outlines and a letter of reference from the chair of the previous Nursing program.  Students may be asked to validate theory and/or skills at the discretion of the Nursing department chair.

Progression

All courses in the curriculum must be passed with a grade of "C" or better. Courses may be repeated only once to obtain a grade of "C" or better.  No more than one clinical nursing course may be repeated.  Students must pass math competency tests throughout the program.  Students must have satisfactory clinical performance in every clinical nursing course.

Students who withdraw from or receive a grade lower than a "C" in any clinical nursing course must seek readmission to the program in order to repeat the course.  A student may be readmitted provided he/she had a cumulative GPA of 2.0 prior to having failed the course.  Readmission is based on space availability and eligibility.  The dropped, withdrawn or failed course must be successfully completed before the student can take another nursing course.  Students who have not completed a nursing clinical course within the last six months are required to validate knowledge and skills for previously completed clinical nursing courses.

CPR certification and TB skin testing must be kept current in order to remain in the program.