2009 - 2010 ADN PROGRAM BROCHURE

The ADN Program is a 70 credit hour curriculum leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree. Graduates will be recommended to the Texas Board of Nursing to be approved to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to qualify as a registered nurse. Upon entry into practice, the Associate Degree Nursing graduate should be able to provide safe, competent nursing care for a group of patients with commonly occurring health problems in various health care settings. The TVCC ADN program is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing and is fully accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (3343 Peachtree Rd., NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, GA 30326, Telephone number: 404-975-5000).

MISSION

Our mission is to prepare graduate nurses who use critical thinking to provide competent health care, who are ethically-guided and culturally sensitive client advocates, who collaborate with the multi-disciplinary health care team in an ever-changing environment, and who provide compassionate nursing care throughout the community in traditional and nontraditional settings.

ADN APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Important!!! Applications will NOT be considered if ALL documentation is not attached to your nursing application ...or... if minimum requirements are NOT met!

In addition to the College admission requirements (found in the college catalog), the following are required for admission to the Associate Degree Nursing Program.

DEADLINE

*** Applications will be accepted from September 15, 2009 until January 31, 2010 for the fall 2010 class. 
*** The nursing application and required documents must be MAILED by US MAIL to: TVCC Health Science Center Counselor, Ed Hall Drive, Kaufman, TX 75142 and MUST be POSTMARKED by JANUARY 31, 2010.

1.   TSI /TASP DOCUMENTATION
A.  Are you TSI exempt, TSI complete, or TASP exempt?
         NO:  You are not ready to apply to the program.
         YES:  You must provide official college transcript(s) or documentation showing proof of TSI/THEA/TASP exemption/completion.
B.     See www.tvcc.edu/testing/thea.aspx for details about TSI exemptions and requirements.

2.   TESTING
A.     Have you met the TVCC required minimum scores (75%) on each of the reading, math, and grammar sections of the HESI A²  test within the last 3 years?  (Must have passed all sections on the same test.)
NO: You are not ready to apply to the program.
YES: If you tested at TVCC, we have your scores and you are eligible to apply.  The HESI A² must be taken at TVCC.   

B.  The HESI A² consists of reading, math, and grammar sections as well as learning style, personality profile, and behavioral inventory sections.  These additional sections will provide valuable information should you get selected into a health occupations program.  There is an optional Anatomy & Physiology section that you may take to assess your current A&P knowledge. If your science courses are over 5 years old and you make above a 75% on the A&P section of this test, we will waive the 5 year requirement. The student may only take the A&P section of the HESI test to waive the 5 year requirement one time.  If the student fails to make 75% on that section, he/she must either take pathophysiology course or retake the science courses. Students who pass the A&P section of the HESI and need their 5-year requirement waived must contact the HSC Provost after getting selected to get the appropriate form completed. 

C.  This test will be offered at TVCC through the Testing Center. The test will cost $35. The testing dates and sign up procedures will be posted on the TVCC Testing Center website at www.tvcc.edu/testing. The testing registration form can be downloaded from the Testing Center website and mailed or submitted in person to the Testing Center in Athens or the counseling offices at the other TVCC campuses. 

D.  Students may take the test only 2 times in an academic year between September 1st and August 31st (first-time and one re-test). The student must wait at least 2 months before re-testing. Keep this and the application  deadlines in mind when scheduling to take the test for the first time.

E.    Once minimum scores are earned, these scores will be good for 3 years. Scores must be 3 years or less on the first day applications are accepted (Sept. 15th).

3.   REQUIRED COURSES TO APPLY
A.  Have you completed BIOL 2401 (or SCIT 1407) Anatomy & Physiology I and either PSYC 2301 General Psychology or PSYC 2314 Human Growth & Development, and made a "C" or better in these classes?  These two courses are required before applying to the nursing program. The A&P I must be current (within 5 years) or the 5 year requirement must be waived in order to be able to apply to the nursing program.
NO: You are not ready to apply.
YES: You will need an official transcript showing completion of these courses with a “C” or better.

4.    TRANSCRIPTS
A.     Do you have official transcripts from every college you have ever attended?
NO: You are not ready to submit your application.
YES:  Attach an official transcript from every college attended (including TVCC) to the nursing application.
Note: These are in addition to any previously submitted to the registrar's office.
**Please be aware that most official transcripts, including TVCC, don’t count repeated courses in the cumulative GPA, but all courses are counted for GPA for  selections purposes so your final GPA may be lower than you expect if you have taken courses more than once.**

B.     Official transcripts have the raised seal of the college.

C.     Do NOT request a TVCC transcript during registration and late registration.

D.     NO international credits are accepted at TVCC.

5.   APPLICATION
A.     Are you ready to complete the nursing application?
YES: Download the application to the TVCC Health Occupations programs from here during application periods only (Sept. 15 - Jan. 31) or pick it up from the Testing Center in Athens or the counseling offices in Kaufman, Terrell or Palestine.  

B.     Make sure you carefully read and follow all directions and complete the entire application.

C.     Students who apply to more than one program will be asked to rank order their preferences.

D.     Applications and required documentation must be mailed by U.S. Mail to:
         TVCC Health Science Center Counselor
         800 Ed Hall Drive
         Kaufman, TX 75142

6.   HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
In order to improve the success of recent high school graduates we are no longer reserving spaces for high school graduates to enter the nursing program directly after graduation.  High school students who graduated in 2009 should meet with the HSC Counselor to make plans to take the 8 general education courses during the 2009 – 2010 year. There will be a separate application period for those students. Applications will be accepted from May 15, 2010 to May 26, 2010 for the fall 2010 program and can be downloaded from here. Students who have completed all 8 courses and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 will be considered using the same point system  as the generic students. There will be a separate orientation for recent high school graduates who are accepted into the ADN program.  High school students who graduate in 2010 should meet with the HSC Counselor to make plans to take the 8 general education courses during the 2010 – 2011 year. There will be a separate application period for those students. Applications will be accepted from May 15, 2011 to May 26, 2011 for the fall 2011 program.

7.   INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
A.      Are you an international student who needs an I-20 to study in the United States?
YES: Attach to your application a letter from the TVCC Vice President for Student Services stating that you are cleared to attend TVCC.
B.     Contact the Vice President for Student Services on the Athens campus to find out the needed requirements.

8.   TRANSFER STUDENTS
A.     Have you successfully completed one or more semesters of nursing courses at another nursing school and want to transfer in the middle of a program?
NO: You don't need to apply as a transfer student but need to follow the general application process and submit all documentation to the HSC counselor.
YES:  Submit a letter to the Health Science Center Provost requesting transfer along with a letter of recommendation from your last nursing clinical instructor and all the other required documentation.

9.   REVIEW AND PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS
A.     Applications will be reviewed as they are received. A checklist regarding the status of the application will be mailed to the applicant. If you have not received this checklist within 3 weeks, contact the HSC counselor.
B.     Incomplete applications or applications from applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications to apply will NOT be processed. 
These applications will be returned with a checklist that explains why it is being returned.
The applicant will have one (1) chance to re-submit the application before the deadline.
If the application is re-submitted and is still incomplete or the candidate is still not qualified, the application will not be processed and the applicant can re-apply the next year.

 PROCESS FOR SELECTION OF STUDENTS

I.   PRIORITY SELECTION

A.   All applicants who have submitted a complete application with required documentation (transcripts and passing nursing exam scores, and 2.5 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale for ALL previous college courses) will be considered for priority selection according to the point system.
Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) is based on grade points earned from all colleges. Be advised that some colleges, including TVCC, do not count repeated courses when calculating cumulative GPA.

B.  If all qualified applicants with at least a 2.5 GPA are selected (and spaces are still available), applicants with at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA will be considered.

II.    POINT SYSTEM FOR SELECTION

A.   A point will be given for each of the general education courses in the ADN curriculum completed with a grade of "C" or better (see list under ADN  curriculum). The science courses must be current (within 5 years) or the five year requirement waived by HESI score or completion of RNSG 1311 in order for the points to be counted.

B.   A point will be given for successful completion of a college honors course as noted on a transcript.  The honors course does not have to be one of the required general education courses. At TVCC, students must meet certain criteria in order to be able to take an honors course.

C.   A point will be given if the student received a grade of “A” on the first attempt of Anatomy & Physiology I (BIOL 2401 or SCIT 1407). A "W" counts as a first attempt.

D.   A point will be given if at least 15 semester credit hours have been successfully completed at TVCC. This does not include CLEP hours.

E.    Points will be given based on cumulative GPA:
Two points will be given for cumulative GPA between 3.5 and 4.0.
One point will be given for cumulative GPA between 3.0 and 3.49.

F.    The MAXIMUM NUMBER of points for selections is 13.

G.    The MINIMUM NUMBER of points for selections is 2 (A&P I and one psychology course required before applying).

III.    HOW SELECTION IS MADE

A.    Applicants with the highest number of points will be selected for the program.

B.    If all applicants from the highest category (13) are selected, students will be chosen from the next category (12) and so on. 

C.   In the event that there are more applicants in one category than the number of spaces available, the applicant's current TVCC   course load will be considered along with completion of core courses.

D.   In case of further ties, random selection will be used.

IV.  NOTIFICATION OF SELECTED APPLICANTS

A.   Selected applicants will be sent notification of their acceptance and asked to return written acceptance or non-acceptance of the position by a specified postmark date. Acceptance must be returned certified or by delivery confirmation through US Mail.

B.   If the written acceptance of the position is not returned to the counselor in Kaufman on or before the specified postmark date, the applicant's name will be removed from the list and the applicant will have to re-apply to be considered for the next year's process. 

C.   If a student has applied to the ADN program and has not received notification of their status regarding acceptance into the program by April 15th, it is the student's responsibility to contact the counselor in Kaufman before April 20th to clarify the situation.  

D.   The applicants who were not selected will be placed on an alternate list if they accept their place on the alternate list.
In the event of cancellations, eligible applicants will be moved up the list and these candidates will be notified.
The alternate list will be maintained until the program begins in the fall semester.
Applicants who are not selected and those who decline a position must re-apply the next year in order to be considered in the   next year's selection process. 

E.  Students who are selected for the ADN program will be required to attend an orientation session at the Kaufman Health Science    Center in late April or May. Failure to attend will result in forfeiture of place in the program.

F.   The selections procedure may change as the situation warrants. Because of the way the selections process works, we cannot estimate or guarantee how long it will take to be selected. This will vary each year according to the number of applicants, their progress on the general education courses, the number of courses taken at Trinity Valley, and their cumulative GPA. 

OTHER INFORMATION

Blackboard is used to enhance the nursing courses so students must have access to the internet.

Due to computerized charting in many facilities, students must have good keyboarding skills. Students who hunt and peck are encouraged to take a keyboarding course.

Students who don't have any healthcare experience should seek out volunteer opportunities in a hospital and observe nurses to get a better idea of what nursing will entail.

Students who have questions regarding the application and selection process or general information regarding any of the health occupations programs should contact the counselor or the Health Science Center Provost.

It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Counselor in Kaufman if there is any change in name, address or telephone number.

In order to accommodate more students in the ADN program, some lectures may be delivered via videoconferencing to the Athens campus. Students will still have to go to the HSC in Kaufman for skills lab and certain lectures.

Prior to starting the program, the student must have a current healthcare provider CPR card, provide a completed physical exam, negative TB test (or chest x-ray if student has a positive TB test), and submit documentation of immunizations or immunity to specific diseases as required by law and clinical sites, including tetanus/diphtheria/acellullar pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and hepatitis B. Current immunization requirements are available at from www.tvcc.edu/campus/healthscience/Immunizations.aspx.  Because the Hepatitis B series of 3 vaccines takes several months, applicants are encouraged to get started as soon as possible.

All students enrolled in a health occupations program are required to have a negative criminal background and registry checks and drug screen prior to beginning clinical rotations. Details about the requirements for background checks and drug screens will be provided in orientation. 

Any nursing applicant who has been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation, diagnosed with, treated, or hospitalized in the past five years for schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, paranoid personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, or borderline personality disorder, or addicted to or treated for the use of alcohol or any other drug within the past five years, should petition the Texas Board of Nursing for a declaratory order concerning their eligibility to take the licensing examination, the NCLEX-RN. The Texas Board of Nursing can be reached at (512) 305 – 7100. The application for a declaratory order can be downloaded from the BON website at http://www.bon.state.tx.us/olv/forms.html. Please read this memo about declaratory orders.

Applications are taken for various student scholarships to be awarded for the next semester.  Submit a completed scholarship application before the designated deadlines to the Health Science Center Provost, TVCC, Ed Hall Drive, Kaufman, TX 75142.

If all qualified applicants have been selected and there are still available positions in the ADN program, students will be notified on the ADN web site at http://www.tvcc.edu/healthscience/adn.aspx if late applications will be accepted.

The ADN program uses diagnostic testing from HESI throughout the program. If the designated passing score is not achieved, the student must complete required remediation, but achievement of the required score is not required for progression in the program or graduation.

SCHEDULES

The ADN program begins each fall semester at the Health Science Center in Kaufman.  Applications are submitted the preceding year.  The nursing courses cover four semesters.

In the program, the schedule covers approximately three days a week in the freshman year, and four days a week in the sophomore year. 

Clinical experiences may be provided in Terrell, Kaufman, Athens, Palestine, Greenville, Rowlett, Ennis, Mesquite, Rockwall, Dallas or some of the smaller cities in the area. Clinical sites are rotated to give the students a variety of experiences. The students must provide their own transportation to these areas. Students must be prepared for both day and evening rotations. There may be weekend clinicals depending on instructor availability but they are not guaranteed.

A clinical preceptorship during the last few weeks of the program may involve weekday and weekend rotations as well as day, evening or night rotations for students in both programs.

ESTIMATED (2 YEAR) EXPENSES

Monies should also be budgeted for other items such as gas, Xeroxing, etc.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING CURRICULUM

GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES FOR WHICH A POINT IS GIVEN FOR SELECTION: (Applicants are encouraged to take these courses to better their chances of being selected.)

ONCE SELECTED INTO THE NURSING PROGRAM, THESE ARE THE REQUIRED COURSES:

1. If a student is selected without having all the required general education courses completed, they must be taken concurrently with the nursing courses as outlined in the ADN curriculum plan listed in the catalog.

2. The student who is a currently certified nurse aide is exempt from RNSG 1119.

3. All science courses must have been taken within five years of admission to count as a point for admission to the nursing program. The sciecne courses must be 5 years or less as of the fall semester of the year when nursing courses are started. Students whose science courses are over five years old have three options. The student can retake the courses, demonstrate competency by passing the A&P section on the HESI A2 admission test with a 75%, or take a nursing pathophysiology course. RNSG 1311 – Nursing Pathophysiology is offered at the Health Science Center each fall and spring or on the internet each semester. The student may only take the A&P section of the HESI test to waive the 5 year requirement one time. If the student fails to make 75% on that section, he/she must either take pathophysiology course or retake the science courses. Students who pass the A&P section of the HESI and need their 5-year requirement waived must contact the HSC Provost to get the appropriate form completed after acceptance into the program. 

4. All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better for graduation. The general education courses use the numerical grading scale listed in the catalog. The nursing lecture courses use the following grading scale:A = 90-100; B = 80-89; C = 75-79; D = 65-74; F = Less than 65.

5. Previous college credits may be acceptable toward program requirements. The course numbers listed for the general education courses use the Texas Common Course Numbering System. The nursing courses are from the Workforce Education Course Manual (WECM). If there are any questions about the transferability of courses, the student should contact their counselor.

Attention DCCCD Students:

For BIOL 2401 we will accept DCCCD BIOL 1470 or SCIT 1407
For BIOL 2402 we will accept DCCCD BIOL 1472 or SCIT 1408
For BIOL 2421 we will accept DCCCD BIOL 2420

UTA's RN-to-BSN Program

The TVCC Health Science Center is a distance education site for the University of Texas at Arlington's RN-to-BSN program. Students can complete 54 hours of general education courses at TVCC for the BSN program. 

In addition to the TVCC ADN program general education courses, only three additional pre-requisites must be completed prior to enrollment in the UTA RN-to-BSN program - Statistics, the second semester of English, and Technical writing.  The rest of the general education courses may be completed concurrently with, or following the nursing courses.  The UTA RN-to-BSN program must have a minimum of 10 students in order to make.

The UTA's RN-to-BSN program nursing courses are offered by video one day a week at the Health Science Center and can be completed in a fall and spring semester.  Call the Health Science Center for a program brochure.

TVCC is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution which provides educational and employment opportunities on the basis of merit and without discrimination or harassment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability.

For More Information

TVCC Health Science Center - (972) 932-4309
TVCC Athens Campus - (903) 675-6385
TVCC Palestine Campus - (903) 729-0256
TVCC Terrell Campus - (972) 563-9573

E-mail: adn@tvcc.edu

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