Nursing Program College Guidelines

Owensboro Community and Technical College

The system guidelines will be followed except:

Enrollment in the Associate Degree Nursing Program may be limited because of available laboratory facilities in the community, as well as limited faculty and financial resources at the college.

Technical Standards/Essential Abilities

Nursing at the technical level involves the provision of direct care for individuals and is characterized by the application of verified knowledge in the skillful performance of nursing functions. All students should possess:

1. sufficient visual acuity, such as is needed in preparation and administration of medications and for the observation necessary for patient assessment and nursing care;
2. sufficient auditory perception to receive verbal communication from patients and members of the health team and to assess health needs of people through the use of monitoring devices such as cardiac monitors, stethoscopes, IV infusion pumps, Doptones, fire alarms, etc;
3. sufficient gross and fine motor coordination to respond promptly and to implement the skills, including the manipulation of equipment required in meeting health needs; sufficient communication skills (speech, reading, writing) to interact with individuals and to communicate their needs promptly and effectively, as may be necessary in the individuals' interest; and
4. sufficient intellectual and emotional functions to plan and implement care for individuals.

In addition to the other qualifications, the college will, in compliance with KCTCS regulations and in the manner and to the extent permitted by law, endeavor to provide opportunities to all students in order to promote diversity among the student population in the Associated Degree Nursing Program.

Selection of students for the Associated Degree Nursing Program will be made by the President of the College or the President's designee after considering the recommendations of the Admissions Committee, which is to be appointed for this purpose. Membership on this committee shall be from the college as follows:

1. Nurse Administrator/Program Coordinator;
2. Nursing Faculty Members (4); and
3. Members-At-Large (3-4), e.g. Counselors, General Studies Faculty.

Terms for Nursing faculty members and the Members-At-Large are for two years and are to be staggered.

Regular Admission Requirements

The system guidelines will be followed except:

In order to gain admission into the nursing program applicant(s) must meet the deadline published by the program:

1. Submit a current application for admission to a KCTCS college;
2. Submit transcripts of postsecondary work completed at other institutions;
3. View an online Pre-Admission Conference for each admission cycle;
4. Complete a Personal Data Form application for each admission cycle (form embedded in online Pre-Admission Conference);
5. Meet one (1) of the two (2) criteria listed below:
   • ACT Composite score of 20 or above
   • Meet benchmark score published by the program of a nationally normed admission test selected by the nursing faculty
6. Earn a minimum 2.75 or above Nursing GPA (Nursing GPA is calculated on general education courses required for the nursing program. (Grade of “C” or higher in the Quantitative Reasoning and Science courses required)
7. Complete required science courses within 5 years of the first nursing course attempt.

Applicants previously admitted to a fundamental nursing course (NSG 101) at OCTC will be considered for admission to NSG 101 one time.

Applicants previously admitted to another nursing program other than OCTC, and who have earned one (1) unsuccessful attempts (defined as a grade of D or below or withdraw status) in a nursing course or program are eligible to be considered for admission.

Applicants previously admitted to another nursing program other than OCTC, and who have earned two (2) unsuccessful attempts (defined as a grade of D or below or withdraw status) in a nursing course or program are ineligible for admission.

LPN-RN Admissions

LPN-RN candidates will be ranked according to the same criteria as the ADN student listed above with the exception of required science course time frame. The student will be placed on a separate grid to be ranked only among LPN-RN applicants and are required to demonstrate:

1. Evidence of active status, unrestricted Licensed Practical Nurse (by first day of NSG 219)
2. Evidence of continuing student status or employed as a full-time LPN 12 of the past 36 months
3. Demonstrate competency by meeting benchmark score published by the program on the first attempt of a comprehensive exam equivalent to the first nursing course content
4. Demonstrate competency by meeting benchmark score published by the program on the first attempt of a mathematics exam equivalent to the first nursing course content

Accepted LPN-RN candidates will be granted placement into the 2nd semester ADN nursing courses.

Preference

Preference within each applicant pool may be given to:

1. Applicants demonstrating proof of a prior Allied Health Degree involving direct patient care and actively employed in that field for 12 of the past 36 months.

Readmission

The system guidelines will be followed except:

In order to be considered for readmission by the Nursing Admissions Committee, the applicant must:

1. Meet current college guidelines of total Cumulative Nursing GPA of 2.0 (Cumulative Nursing GPA is calculated on previously attempted general education and attempted nursing courses required for a nursing program. (Grade of “C” or higher in the Quantitative Reasoning and Science courses required)
2. Submit a readmission application published by the program detailing:
   • semester and course to which the student is requesting readmission
   • reason(s) for previous unsuccessful progress in the nursing program
   • plans to increase chances for success if readmitted
3. Demonstrate competency by meeting benchmark score published by the program on the first attempt of a comprehensive exam equivalent to the content of the prior successful semester completed if seeking readmission into a Medical/Surgical course

Students may be readmitted to the Nursing Program one time. This readmission must occur within three (3) years of their initial admission date, unless the student withdraws prior to mid-term or exited the program under catastrophic circumstances.

If more than three years have elapsed since initial enrollment in the first nursing course in any registered nursing program, an applicant must repeat all nursing courses.

Readmission to the Nursing Program will be dependent upon available resources.

Transfer

The system guidelines will be followed except:

Applicants who wish to transfer from one KCTCS college Nursing Program or other nursing programs must:

1. Meet all admission requirements of the receiving institution;
2. Notify the Coordinator/Director of the Associate Degree Nursing Program in writing, stating anticipated entry date and reason for transfer; and
3. Request the Coordinator/Director from the program previously attended to submit a letter to the receiving institution indicating the student is in good standing in both the clinical and didactic setting.

Applicants previously admitted to another nursing program other than OCTC, and who have earned a failing grade (defined as a grade of D or below or withdraw status) in a nursing course or program are ineligible for transfer.

Transfer into the program may be limited due to availability of clinical facilities, faculty and financial college resources. Applicants will be considered for transfer only if a vacancy exists.