NURSING INFORMATION SESSION (LEVEL I) Associate in Applied Science Degree

THIS SESSION IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE NURSING PROGRAM AT DANVILLE AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Accreditation Danville Area Community College is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Our nursing program is approved by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation of the State of Illinois ( Our nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (

Why is ACEN accreditation so important? Gold standard for nursing education Most employers prefer graduates from accredited nursing programs Coursework easily transfers to complete BSN 80% of all RNs should have BSN by 2020

Selective Admission Admission to the nursing program is limited and includes additional requirements over and above admission to Danville Area Community College. 32 Level 1 students are accepted every Fall and every other Spring (on even years 2018, 2020, etc) Level I students are students who do not have an LPN license

Selective Admission Nursing courses may not be taken until admitted to the program It is preferred that students have all required general education courses completed with a B or above prior to admission There are no prerequisite courses – students are able to take required general education courses after acceptance into the nursing program

Nursing Curricula (For an A.A. S.) 69 credit hours 21 general education credits 48 nursing credits 4 nursing semesters plus general education courses

Important Considerations Before Applying to the Nursing Program

Drug Testing and Criminal Background Checks Required for clinical experiences Many health care employers require negative results from drug testing and criminal background checks before employment Results of these test could impact your eligibility to clinical sites, which will result in dismissal from the program

Eligibility for licensure State Boards of Nursing have questions on the licensure application which may include information about criminal history, substance abuse, malpractice judgment, and disciplinary action on previous licenses and certifications. The questions on the following slides appear on the Illinois and Indiana State Boards of Nursing application. If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, it is possible that you will not be eligible for licensure after completing the nursing program.

Illinois State Board of Nursing Have you been convicted to or pled guilty or nolo contenders to any criminal offenses in any state or in federal court? Have you been convicted of a felony? Have you had or do you now have any disease or condition that interferes with your ability to perform the essential functions of your profession, including any disease or condition generally regarded as chronic by the medical community, alcohol or substance abuse, physical disease or condition that presently interferes with your ability to practice your profession?

Illinois State Board of Nursing Have you been denied a professional license or permit, or privilege of taking an examination, or had a professional licensure or permit disciplined in any way by any licensing authority in Illinois or elsewhere? Have you ever been discharged other than honorably from the armed service or from a city, county, state, or federal position?

Indiana State Board of Nursing Has disciplinary action ever been taken regarding any healthy license, certificate, registration or permit you hold or ever held in any state or country? Have you ever been denied a license, certificate, registration, or permit to practice as a nurse or any regulated health occupation in any state or country?

Indiana State Board of Nursing Have you ever been terminated, reprimanded, disciplined, or demoted in the scope of your practice as a nurse or as another health care professional? Have you ever had a malpractice judgment against you or settled any malpractice action? Do you have any condition or impairment (including history of alcohol or substance abuse) that currently interferes, or if left untreated may interfere, with your ability to practice in a competent and professional manner?

Clinical Requirements The following are required for participation in clinicals: Must be able to perform Technical Standards (see nursing website for Technical Standards) Will be required to provide documentation of a physical exam, TB testing, and immunization records after acceptance into the nursing program Annual influenza vaccines are required

Time Commitment The nursing program requires a major commitment of time and energy Contact hours Course work will require 3-4 days per week or more Essential to plan the same amount of study time as class time per week Working during the program Course schedules and assignment due dates will not be adjusted to accommodate work schedules Recommended to not work more than 20 hours a week

Math Requirement For Fall 2016, there will no longer be a math prerequisite. However, Math 115 will be added as a program component and be required to satisfy the degree requirements

Applying to the Nursing Program (Level I)

Application Process - Step One Take the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills – version V (TEAS V) TEAS V test may be taken two (2) times in an application period, with 30 days between tests TEAS V scores are valid for a period of two years Must score 420 to be considered for admission

TEAS Prep Manual Students are encouraged to use a prep manual/study guide to prepare for the TEAS V. Available at program/TEAS.aspxhttps:// program/TEAS.aspx

Application Process-Step Two Download the application at Applications for Fall admissions will be available March 1 to May 20 Applications for Spring admissions (even years only) will be available August 1 – October 20

Application Deadlines For Fall admissions May 20 at 12pm For Spring admissions (even years only) October 20 at 12pm If the date falls on the weekend, applications will be accepted the following Monday by 12pm

Point Selection System GPA For Fall admission, Spring GPA and coursework grades are included in the calculation. For Spring admission, Fall GPA and coursework grades are NOT included in the calculation. ACT (if no more than 9 college credits) TEAS V Required and recommended coursework Active health care license Proof of residency Proof of BLS CPR for Healthcare Providers

Final Considerations Is nursing for you?

Do you have what it takes? Critical thinking Highly developed communication skills Competence in nursing skills Professionalism and a commitment to lifelong learning Ethical and legal accountability Ability to work in an intense, variable, and stressful situations Compassion, patience, and ability to deliver care to diverse population

Do you have these qualities to contribute to a team? Are you like Dorothy? Strong desire to make a difference Are you like the Scarecrow? Keen brain and willingness to learn, continually monitor practice and processes for evidence based practice Are you like the Tin Man? Kind and caring heart, want to work with people, compassionate, empathy for others Are you like the Lion? Courage to do the very good and very hard work of nursing, to be a patient advocate, and challenge the status quo