Associate Degree Nursing (ADN)

Associate Degree Nursing

The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program prepares graduates to sit for the licensure exam for registered nurses. It is a balanced curriculum including both nursing and general education courses. Course content includes the role of the registered nurse, health care concepts, and technical observations and skills. Supervised clinical laboratory experiences are planned to focus on care of patients with well-defined health problems where probable outcomes of nursing interventions are predictable. Nursing courses must be taken in sequential order.

It is the goal of Shelton State Community College to graduate well prepared nurses who are strong practitioners both clinically and academically. To that end, ADN students should plan for 12-16 hours per week of clinical experience. Although these hours will be planned as conveniently as possible, there may be some evening or weekend clinical assignments. Clinical times are included in the packets available at the beginning of each nursing course. Because of the clinical time involved and the preparation time for some of the nursing courses, many students would benefit from having completed all the academic requirements (non-nursing courses) prior to admission to the ADN program.

The program offers two tracks for admission into the ADN curriculum. Students who have no nursing background may be admitted to the two-year track. Admission occurs during the fall semester and 21 months, or five consecutive semesters, are required to complete this track of study. Students who complete an approved PN program and hold a PN license may apply for admission to the career mobility track. Twelve to 15 months or three to four consecutive semesters are required to complete this track of study with admission occurring during fall semester.

Admission to the ADN program is a competitive process; the number of applicants may exceed the number of spaces available. The space available at clinical sites and student-teacher ratios required by the Alabama Board of Nursing limit the number of applicants accepted each year.

Transfer students in the ADN program must complete all required courses in the prescribed sequence. Academic credits will transfer as usual; however, Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II (BIO 202  and BIO 201 ) credits must have been completed within the past five years. If not, at least one of the two courses must be repeated for credit. Nursing transfer credits are evaluated on an individual basis. Verification of knowledge and skills may be required (See Transfer Policy ).

The Associate Degree Nursing program is approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing (ABN), RSA Plaza, Suite 50, 770 Washington Avenue, P.O. Box 303900, Montgomery, AL 36130-3900, and telephone number 334.242.4060 or 800.656.5318. Visit their Web site at www.ABN.State.al.us. The ADN program is also accredited by The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30326, telephone number 404.975.5000. Visit their Web site at NLNAC.org.

Note: At the date of this publication, there are statewide revisions taking place in the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education Nursing programs that may necessitate changes in the curriculum, policies and procedures.

Minimum Admission Standards for the ADN Program (Two-Year Track):

1. Unconditional admission to the College.
2. Receipt of completed application packet for the ADN Two-Year Track by June 1st.
3. Minimum of 2.50 GPA on last 24 hours of credit (undergraduate or graduate) for students with previous college credit.
4. Minimum of 2.50 cumulative high school GPA for students without prior college work (GED is acceptable in lieu of a high school transcript).
5. Eligible to enroll in or must have completed:
   1. ENG 101  and MTH 100  or higher math as determined by college placement.
   2. BIO 201  during the first term of nursing courses.
6. In good standing with the College.
7. Meet the essential functions or technical standards required for nursing.
8. Score of 76 or higher on the COMPASS Reading Examination (or related ACT Reading Score of 17 or higher) within the last three (3) years on file in the nursing admissions office.  Note:  In Fall 2010, a nursing admission test will be required.

Admission to the Two-Year Track program is competitive, and the number of students is limited by the number of faculty and clinical facilities available. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

Information for Admission

Calculation of Points for Students Meeting Minimum Two-Year Track Admission Standards:

After meeting all minimum requirements, applicants are rank-ordered using a point system based on:

1. Official TEASV score,  the higher the score the greater the points received;
2. Points from selected college courses (i.e. BIO 201 , BIO 202 , BIO 220 ) or selected high school courses (i.e. Algebra II or higher level math, highest level Biology, Chemistry) are awarded based on grade received in course. A grade of “A” is assigned more points than a grade of “C”; and
3. Additional Points
   Additional Points (maximum 11)
   

A total of 200 points is possible with these selection criteria.

Minimum Admission Standards for the ADN program (Mobility/LPN to RN Track):

1. Unconditional admission to the College.
2. Receipt of completed application packet for the Mobility Track Nursing program by November 1st.
3. Minimum of 2.50 GPA on last 24 hours of credit (undergraduate or graduate) for students with previous college credit.
   (official college transcripts must be on file in the nursing admissions office).
4. Completion of prerequisite courses which include: ENG 101 - English Composition I , MTH 100 - Intermediate College Algebra  or higher math as determined by college placement, BIO 201 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I , BIO 202 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II , and NUR 200 - Nursing Career Mobility Assessment  (Not required for students who apply within two years of graduating from an approved Alabama College System PN program using the standardized state curriculum).
5. A valid unencumbered Alabama practical nurse license.
6. Documentation of employment as an LPN for a minimum of 500-clock hours (approximately three months’ full-time employment) within the 12 months prior to admission.
7. Be in good standing with the College.
8. Meet the essential functions or technical standards required for nursing.
9. A score of 76 or higher on the COMPASS Reading Examination (or related ACT Reading Score of 17 or higher) within the last three (3) yearson file in the nursing admissions office.  Note:  In Fall 2010, a nursing admission test will be required.

Admission to the Associate Degree Nursing program is competitive, and the number of students is limited by the number of faculty and clinical facilities available. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

Information for Admission

Calculation of Points for Students Meeting Minimum Two Year Track Admission Standards:

After meeting all minimum requirements, applicants are rank-ordered using a point system based on:

1. Official TEASV score, the higher the score the greater the points received for the selection process; (Maximum points 150).
2. Points from selected college courses (i.e., BIO 201 , BIO 202 , BIO 220 ) are awarded based on the grade earned in the course. (A grade of A is assigned more points than a grade of C); and
3. Additional Points
   Additional points (Maximum 11 points)

A total of 251 points is possible with these selection criteria.

Associate Degree Nursing Two-Year Track Curriculum

Two-Year Generic Track Associate in Applied Science

Note: Nursing program information, policies and curriculum are subject to change due to restructuring of statewide standardization of nursing programs.

Mobility/LPN to RN Track Prerequisite Courses Prior to NUR 200/201

• MTH 100 - Intermediate College Algebra 3 Hrs. OR higher math
• **  BIO 201 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4 Hrs.
• BIO 202 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4 Hrs.
• ENG 101 - English Composition I 3 Hrs.

Mobility/LPN to RN Track Curriculum

Mobility Track Associate in Applied Science