2009 - 2010 PARAMEDIC-TO-ADN TRANSITION PROGRAM BROCHURE

Current Paramedics may enter the Associate Degree Nursing Program through the Paramedic to ADN Transition Pathway. The transition program is designed to validate and update the previous experiences and education of licensed or certified paramedics. Upon successful completion of the transition courses in the summer, the student will enter the second year of the ADN program. Graduates will be awarded an Associate of Applied Science degree, and 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. The TVCC ADN program is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing and 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.

PARAMEDIC-TO-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 Paramedic-to-ADN Transition Program.

DEADLINE

*** Applications will be accepted from September 15, 2009 until January 31, 2010 for the May 2010 class.  
*** The Paramedic-to-ADN Transition application and required documents must be MAILED by US MAIL to: TVCC Health Science Center Counselor, 800 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 to get the appropriate form completed after acceptance into the program. 

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 web site 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? If the A&P course is over 5 years, the student will not receive a point for that course for selections, but the student may apply for the program and take Pathophysiology in the fall along with Level III courses.  These two courses are required before applying to the nursing program. Will you have completed seven of the eight required general education courses by the end of the spring semester if you have not completed all of the science courses? Or will you have completed six of the eight required general education courses by the end of the spring semester if all science courses are complete? Completion of 6 of the 8 courses (if the science courses are complete) or 7 of the 8 if the last course is a science course) is required in order to be able to start the transition course in May. 
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 transition 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 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 transition 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.   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.

7.   LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE
A.     Are you applying to the transition program and are currently licensed or certified as a Paramedic?

B.   Do you have at least one year's experience as a Paramedic?
NO:  You are not ready to apply to the transition program.
YES: Attach a copy of your license/certification to your application and complete the experience section on the application.

8.    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. If you have not received this checklist within three 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.

• Only students who will be fully qualified (have 6 of 8 courses if all science courses are complete or 7 of 8 if lastcourse is a science course) will be selected. Applicants who are not fully qualified at the time of selections but are currently taking courses that will make them fully qualified will be accepted contingent upon successful completion of those courses. 

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 with ADN curriculum).  Points will not be given for science courses if they are not current.

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 U.S. 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 Paramedic-to-ADN Transition Program and has not received notification of their status regarding acceptance into the program by April 1st, it is the students responsibility to contact the counselor in Kaufman before April 7th 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 May. 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 mid April. Failure to attend will result in forfeiture of space 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 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 clinical experiences, 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/acellular pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and hepatitis B. For current immunization requirements information, go to www.tvcc.edu/campus/healthscience/Immunizations.aspx. Because the Hepatitis B series of 3 vaccines take several months to complete, applicants are encouraged to get started as soon as possible. Students must have the 1st Hepatitis B vaccine by February 15th and the second by March 15th before entering the transition classes in May.

All students enrolled in a health occupations program will be 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 (BON) can be reached at (512) 305 – 7400. The application for a declaratory order can be downloaded from the Texas BON website at www.bon.state.tx.us/olv/forms.htm. 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 at the Health Science Center, TVCC, 800 Hwy. 243 West, Kaufman, TX 75142.

If all qualified applicants have been selected and there are still available positions in the transition program, students will be notified on the ADN web site at www.tvcc.edu/campus/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 a required score is not required for progression in the program or graduation.

SCHEDULES

The Paramedic-to-ADN Transition Program covers approximately two days a week in the transition courses in the summer and three to four days a week during the sophomore year.

Every even year, Transition students may elect to enter the ADN weekend clinical program in the fall. This option is available only if space permits. During the fall semester of the sophomore year, the schedule will cover Saturdays and Sundays with an additional one to two days a week. During the spring semester of the sophomore year, the schedule may cover up to three days during the week due to the lack of availability of community-based clinical sites during weekend hours.

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.

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.

PARAMEDIC TO ADN TRANSITION 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.)

* 7 of the 8 general education courses are required pre-requisites for the Transition Level nursing courses if the last course is a science course or 6 of the 8 general education courses if all science courses are complete.

STUDENTS WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO HAVE 8 HOURS OF EMS COURSES IN ORDER TO MEET THE COLLEGE REQUIREMENTS OF 64 HOURS FOR AN AAS DEGREE. IF THE STUDENT DOES NOT HAVE COLLEGE CREDIT FOR 8 HOURS OF EMS COURSES THEY MUST COMPLETE THE ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROCEDURES FOR THE EQUIVALENT OF 8 HOURS.

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

** Choose from one of the following courses: ENGL 2322, 2323, 2326, 2332, 2333; HUMA 1301; PHIL 1301, 1304, 1316, 1317, 2303, 2306, 2307, 2316, 2321; ARTS 1301, 1303, 1304; DRAM 1310, 2361, 2362; MUSI 1306, 1307.

• If a student is selected without having all the required general education courses completed, the last course(s) must be taken concurrently with the transition courses in the summer.

• All science courses must have been taken within five years of admission to count as a point for admission to the nursing program. The science courses must be 5 years or less as of the spring semester of the year when the transition courses start. 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. RSNG 1311 will also be offered 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. RNSG 1311 – Nursing Pathophysiology is offered on the internet each semester.

• 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 courses use the following grading scale: A = 90-100; B = 80-89; C = 75-79; D = 65-74; F = Less than 65.

• 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.

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

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.

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