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, telephone 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, Suite 850, 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):
- Unconditional admission to the College
- Receipt of completed application packet for the ADN Two-Year Track by June 1st
- Minimum of 2.50 GPA on last 24 hours of credit (undergraduate or graduate) for students with previous college credit
- Minimum of 2.50 cumulative high school GPA for students without prior college work (GED is acceptable in lieu of a high school transcript.)
- Eligible to enroll in or must have completed the following:
- ENG 101 and MTH 100 or higher math as determined by college placement and
- BIO 201 during the first term of nursing courses. (BIO 103 is a pre-requisite to BIO 201 .)
- In good standing with the College
- Meet the essential functions or technical standards required for nursing.
- An official Test of Essential Skills V (TEAS) score taken prior to application and taken within the last 3 years
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 the following:
- Official TEASV score, the higher the score the greater the points received;
- 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
- Additional Points
Additional Points (maximum 11)
| Points | Criteria |
| 2 | Completed 18 hours of the required Academic courses for the Nursing Program at Shelton State Community College; |
| 3 | Completed Medical Profession program in high school; |
| | Completed or enrolled in Emergency Medical Technician program (EMT); |
| | Completed or enrolled in Nursing Assistant program; OR Volunteer/Work in Healthcare field (6 months or longer) |
| 6 | Completed BIO 201 , BIO 202 , BIO 220 , ENG 101 , MTH 100 ,. |
A total of 251 points is possible with these selection criteria.
Minimum Admission Standards for the ADN program (Mobility/LPN to RN Track):
- Unconditional admission to the College
- Receipt of completed application packet for the Mobility Track Nursing Program by November 1st
- 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.) - Completion of prerequisite courses which include the following: 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 ; and BIO 202 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Note: NUR 200 - Nursing Career and Mobility Assessment is required for students who did not graduate from an approved Alabama College System PN program using the standard state curriculum within the last 2 years.
- A valid unencumbered Alabama practical nurse license
- 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
- Be in good standing with the College.
- Meet the essential functions or technical standards required for nursing.
- An official Test of Essential Skills V (TEAS) score taken within the last 3 years
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 the following:
- Official TEASV score The higher the score the greater the points received for the selection process. (Maximum points 150)
- 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
- Additional Points
Additional points (Maximum 11 points)
| Points | Criteria |
| 5 | Completed General Microbiology, BIO 220 , and two or more of General Psychology, PSY 200 , Human Growth and Development, PSY 210 , Speech elective or Humanities |
| 3 | Completed LPN certificate with a G.P.A. of 3.5 or higher |
| 3 | Completed LPN certificate with a G.P.A. of 3.5 or higher at Shelton State Community College |
A total of 251 points is possible with these selection criteria.