Health Sciences- Admission Requirements for Nursing Education Program

Divisions - Health and Biological Sciences

Nursing Program

Admission Requirements for Nursing Education Program

Effective for Fall 2005 admissions, the student must meet the following minimum criteria in order to be eligible for admission into the Nursing Education Program at Jefferson State Community College:

1. Have an unconditional admission to the college (See Application Process)

2. Have a minimum of 2.50 cumulative grade point average on all college work completed within the past 10 years if a student has previous college work; OR

a minimum of 2.50 cumulative grade point average on high school work for students without prior college work (GED is acceptable in lieu of high school transcript)

3. Be eligible for ENG 101 (Placement test and completion of developmental courses may be required. See an advisor before registering for classes.)

4. Be eligible for MTH 116 (Placement test and completion of developmental courses may be required. See an advisor before registering for classes.)

5. Be in good standing with the college

6. Have a score of 76 or higher on the COMPASS Reading Examination (or related ACT Reading Score of 17 or higher). Test must have been completed within the last three years.

After meeting all minimum criteria, applicants are ranked using a point system based on the COMPASS Reading Score and grades in the selected college level science and math courses. Grades in selected high school courses may be used for ranking students who have not completed the appropriate college courses.

Since admission to the Nursing Education Program is competitive, meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee acceptance into the program. The number of applicants to be admitted will be based on the availability of instructors and facilities for nursing laboratory sections as approved by the department and by the college.

Applicants will not be admitted if it is determined that he/she does not meet the Alabama Board of Nursing’s requirements for licensure, the college’s requirements for admission, or the Nursing Education Program’s admission requirements, Progression Guidelines, or Transfer Guidelines. The Administrative Code of the Alabama Board of Nursing states that grounds for denial of a license to practice as a registered nurse include, but are not limited to, conviction of a felony or certain other criminal offenses, chemical dependency, mental incompetence, and other reasons authorized by law or regulations. If any of the above situations appears applicable, contact the Chairperson of the Department of Nursing to discuss your standing prior to submitting an application.

The Alabama College System endorses the Americans’ with Disabilities Act. In accordance with College policy, when requested, reasonable accommodations may be provided for individuals with disabilities.

Physical, cognitive, psychomotor, affective and social abilities are required in unique combinations to provide safe and effective nursing care. The applicant/student must be able to meet the essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations throughtout the program of learning. Admission, progression and graduation are contingent upon one’s ability to demonstrate the essential functions delineated for the nursing programs with or without reasonable accommodations. The nursing programs and /or its affiliated clinical agencies may identify additional essential functions. The nursing programs reserve the right to amend the essential functions as deemed necessary.

In order to be admitted and to progress in the nursing program one must possess a functional level of ability to perform the duties required of a nurse. Admission or progression may be denied if a student is unable to demonstrate the essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations.

The essential functions delineated are those deemed necessary by the Alabama College System nursing programs. No representation regarding industrial standards is implied. Similarly, any reasonable accommodations made will be determined and applied to the respective nursing program and may vary from reasonable accommodations made by healthcare employers.

The essential functions delineated below are necessary for nursing program admission, progression and graduation and for the provision of safe and effective nursing care. The essential functions include but are not limited to the ability to:

Sensory Perception Category	Essential Functions
Visual	· Observe and discern subtle changes in physical conditions and the environment Visualize different color spectrums and color changes Read fine print in varying levels of light Read for prolonged periods of time Read cursive writing Read at varying distances Read data/information displayed on monitors/equipment
Auditory	Interpret monitoring devices Distinguish muffled sounds heard through a stethoscope Hear and discriminate high and low frequency sounds produced by the body and the environment Effectively hear to communicate with others
Tactile	Discern tremors, vibrations, pulses, textures, temperature, shapes, size, location and other physical characteristics
Olfactory	Detect body odors and odors in the environment

Communication/

Interpersonal

Relationships Category

Verbally and in writing, engage in a two-way communication and interact effectively with others from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds
Work effectively in groups
Work effectively independently
Discern and interpret nonverbal communication
Express one’s ideas and feelings clearly
Communicate with others accurately in a timely manner
Obtain communications from a computer

Cognitive/Critical Thinking Category

Effectively read, write and comprehend the English language
Consistently and dependably engage in the process of critical thinking in order to formulate and implement safe and ethical nursing decisions in a variety of health care settings
Demonstrate satisfactory performance on written examinations, including mathematical computations without a calculator

· Satisfactorily achieve the program objectives

Motor Function Category

Handle small delicate equipment/objects without extraneous movement, contamination or destruction
Move, position, turn, transfer, assist with lifting, or lift and carry clients without injury to clients, self, or others
Maintain balance from any position
Stand on both legs
Coordinate hand/eye movements
Push/pull heavy objects without injury to client, self, or others
Stand, bend, walk and/or sit for 6-12 hours in a clinical setting, performing physical activities requiring energy without jeopardizing the safety of the client, self, or others
Walk without a cane, walker, or crutches
Function with hands free for nursing care and transporting items
Transport self and client without the use of electrical devices
Flex, abduct and rotate all joints freely
Respond rapidly to emergency situations
Maneuver in small areas
Perform daily care functions for the client
Coordinate fine and gross motor hand movements to provide safe effective nursing care
Calibrate/use equipment
Execute movement required to provide nursing care in all health care settings
Perform CPR and physical assessment

· Operate a computer

Professional Behavior Category

Convey caring, respect, sensitivity, tact, compassion, empathy, tolerance and a healthy attitude toward others
Demonstrate a mentally healthy attitude that is age appropriate in relationship to the client
Handle multiple tasks concurrently
Perform safe, effective nursing care for clients in a caring context
Understand and follow the policies and procedures of the College and clinical agencies
Understand the consequences of violating the student code of conduct
Understand that posing a direct threat to others is unacceptable and subjects one to discipline
Meet qualifications for licensure by examination as stipulated by the Alabama Board of Nursing
Not to pose a threat to self or others
Function effectively in situations of uncertainty and stress inherent in providing nursing care
Adapt to changing environments and situations
Remain free of chemical dependency
Report promptly to clinicals and remain for 6-12 hours on the clinical unit
Provide nursing care in an appropriate time frame
Accepts responsibility, accountability, and ownership of one’s actions
Seek supervision/consultation in a timely manner

· Examine and modify one’s own behavior when it interferes with nursing care or learning

Upon admission, an individual who discloses a disability can request reasonable accommodations. Individuals will be asked to provide documentation of the disability in order to assist with the provision of appropriate reasonable accommodations. The respective College will provide reasonable accommodations but is not required to substantially alter the requirements or nature of the program or provide accommodations that inflict an undue burden on the respective College. In order to be admitted one must be able to perform all of the essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations. If an individual’s health changes during the program of learning, so that the essential functions cannot be met with or without reasonable accommodations, the student will be withdrawn from the nursing program. The nursing faculty reserves the right at any time to require an additional medical examination at the student’s expense in order to assist with the evaluation of the student’s ability to perform the essential functions.

Requests for reasonable accommodations should be directed to: Martha Smith, Jefferson Campus FSC 305

The information provided on this website is for information purposes only and is not to be considered as a contract between a student and Jefferson State Community College. Jefferson State reserves the right to change any provision listed on this website without furnishing actual notice to individual students. Information on any changes will be available in the office of the Chairperson of the Department of Nursing. Every attempt will be made to advise students if any changes do occur.