1. Nursing Information Session
Please have a seat. Sign in will be AT THE END of the session, along with receiving a clinical application. DO NOT take handouts from the front table – 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

2. nlarson2@raritanval.edu Nadine Larson
Ext – Room H216
is the fastest way to contact me
Open office hours Spring 2014
M – F 1pm – 2pm

3. Qualities of a Nurse – words from the RVCC Nursing Faculty
Focused
Self directed and self driven
A life long learner
FLEXIBLE
Multi-tasker
Humanistic
Caring
Able to critically think and problem solve

4. 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

5. Applications to be given and sign in will be at the end of the presentation
If you leave early, you will not receive an application and will need to attend another session to receive one

6. Where do I start? RVCC Application Acknowledgement Form
Have all college transcripts sent to RVCC admissions office
Send high school transcript/proof of GED to admission office
Choose Generic- Day or Evening/Weekend or PNAD on the RVCC application
Acknowledgement Form
Accepted to the college
Appointment with Advisor

7. What do I need? Prerequisites Residency – Hunterdon or Somerset
Degree Requirements
Clear Criminal History Background Check attached to clinical application

8. 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 generic nursing major or PNAD mjr)
Developmental and ESL courses complete
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 for Fall ‘14 admission
(RN route only)

9. 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 2014 admission, TEAS results will only be accepted from tests taken since September 2012.

10. PNAD 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

11. (Continue PNAD)
The LPN STEP test is held once every Fall for students applying for the following summer.
For students applying for Summer 2015, the test dates will be posted August 2014 on , posted on the Lion’s Den, and sent via to PNAD majors
There is a minimum score to achieve, closely reflecting the national average of the LPN Step Test score

12. Residency Requirement Somerset or Hunterdon County
When you qualify for clinical you must provide proof of residency (one document – attached to clinical application)
Permanent Resident
NJ Driver’s license, Rental Agreement, Mortgage Statement, Utility Bill, Telephone Bill, NJ Resident Income Tax Return
Permanent Employee
Letter from employer on company letterhead
PNAD – applicants with the highest LPN Step scores and residency will get priority placement

13. Criminal History Background Check(CHBC)
A completed criminal history background check must be done through 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 60 days before the application deadline
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.

14. Other Degree Requirements
First Year - Fall
ENGL-111 English I
FITN-115 Dynamics of Fitness & Wellness
First Year - Spring
ENGL-112 English II
PSYC-103 Introduction to Psychology
Second Year - Fall
Humanities elective
BIOL-133 Principles of Microbiology
SOCI-101 Introduction to Sociology
Second Year - Spring
Free Elective

15. How do I apply to the clinical Nursing courses?
Submit an Application to Clinical
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 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

16. Application to Nursing Clinical Courses
Early Admission (RVCC and transfer students) Turn in by February 3, 2014 for Fall 2014
PNAD
Turn in by December 31, 2014 for Summer 2015
Late Admission (RVCC students only, no new transfer students)
Turn in by May 15,2014
Make sure you have completed ALL prerequisites
Proof of residency required & CHBC results
Read application so all documents needed are attached
Don’t lose it!

17. Admission to Nursing Clinical Courses
Applications evaluated based on:
A&P grades
Most recent college GPA
TEAS scores

18. What do I do if I’m not accepted?
Raise ranking score
GPA
Retake A&P
Retake TEAS
Reapply- Late Admission if you are an RVCC student or next year

19. What do I do if I’m accepted?
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

20. Nursing Program Response Form
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

21. Health Maintenance Meeting
Immunizations and tests
Liability Insurance
CPR certification
Pharmacology Clinical Calculation test info

22. Camp I CAN (Can Achieve Nursing)
Required orientation
Program information
Library search engines
Study skills
Time management
ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute)
Self assessment
Critical thinking inventory

23. A Walk Through the Program
Cost
Schedule
Progression
Exit exam
Graduation
NCLEX

24. How Much Does it Cost? First semester Health maintenance
Background check
ATI
Uniform
Tuition
RVCC fees
Books
Nursing fee
Nursing Kit
Approximate total
Cost varies
$ 60+
$ 490
$ 150
$1800
$200+
$ 850
$ 250
$100
$3900

25. Financial Aid www.fafsa.ed.gov RVCC Financial Aid Nursing scholarships
Employers
Community groups

26. 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 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

27. Clinical Facility Sites
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

28. Progression in the Nursing Program
Progression Policy
Two failures (D, F, W, AU after the 10th day) – not eligible to apply to the program with 2 required science courses previously failed
Fall
Foundations of Nursing
Spring
Nursing of Adults I
Nursing of Adults II
Psych/Mental Health Nursing
Nursing Care of Families with Children (Peds)
Nursing Care of the Childbearing Family (OB)
Trends in Nursing

29. Exit Examination ATI Comprehensive Predictor
Minimum score required – the score needed to achieve is equivalent to the student having a 95% pass rate on the NCLEX.

30. Graduation and Licensure
Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
Eligible for Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN)
Pass/Fail
Passing NCLEX-RN = you becoming a Registered Nurse!

31. Email me with any questions regarding clinical nursing courses or the admission criteria
If you are not applying until Fall 2015 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 –