Northland Pioneer College -- Catalog 03-05 Nursing

NURSING

The Associate Degree Nursing Program (ADN Program) prepares students to make application to write the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) and for beginning employment in providing direct patient care. Admission to or graduation from the program at any level does not guarantee licensure by the Arizona State Board of Nursing.

Graduates must satisfy the licensing requirements of the State Board of Nursing independently of any college requirements per the Arizona Nurse Practice Act. Under Arizona Law an applicant could be denied certification as a nursing assistant or licensure as a registered or practical nurse if convicted of a felony or addicted to habit-forming drugs or if the applicant in any other way fails to meet qualifications required by law.

In 1997, the ADN Program became part of the Healing Community composed of five rural community colleges and Northern Arizona University that work together on a collaborative basis. The Healing Community designed a common curriculum that provides students an opportunity for seamless articulation from the associate degree in nursing programs to the baccalaureate degree in nursing program. The graduate from the ADN Program applies to write the NCLEX-RN. When s/he becomes a registered nurse, s/he can apply to Northern Arizona University to complete the upper division courses in nursing that apply to a B.S.N.

Northland Pioneer College's ADN Program, approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing, is offered on the White Mountain Campus at Show Low and the Little Colorado Campus at Winslow. Many of the prerequisites and general education courses are available at other NPC campuses and centers. The program of 75-76 credit hours is designed for two academic years of full-time study. After completion of the first year with the addition of the Practical Nurse Completion course, the student nurse can receive a Certificate of Applied Science in Practical Nursing and apply to write the NCLEX-PN. The student nurse may then exit the program or continue on to earn the Associate of Applied Science Degree.

Student Nurse Guidelines

Patient safety dictates that specific nursing program student guidelines apply to this program which are more stringent than the general College student policies. A copy of the nursing program student handbook is available, and is issued to admitted students. In case of state-mandated changes, curriculum and/or guidelines could change.

Clinical experiences take place in various health care agencies in and outside the College's district. Hours may vary from the class schedule depending on the clinical placement and travel will be required at times. In addition, overnight stays may be required.

Prerequisites to Program Admission

Before the student will be considered eligible to enter the nursing program, certain prerequisites must be met. Successful completion with a 'C' grade or better for the following is required:

BIO 201 Human Anatomy and Physiology I • 4 cr.
BIO 202 Human Anatomy and Physiology II • 4 cr.
CHM 130 Fundamental Chemistry • 4 cr.
ENL 101 College Composition I • 3 cr.
HES 145 Nutrition • 3 cr.
MAT (Choice of one: 112, 121, 142, or 152) • 3-4 cr.

Current Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification is also prerequisite. [Must submit a copy of current license to the Nursing Program.]

Admission to the ADN program

Note: Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to the Nursing Program.
Students must be admitted to the ADN Program in order to enroll in nursing courses. (Admission information is available in the academic advising and the Nursing Program areas.)
Completed nursing application must be submitted on or before the designated deadline that is noted in the application packet.
Three out of the four prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of the fall semester prior to the application deadline.
Admission Selection:
An Admission Committee composed of the Director of Nursing, two nursing instructors, the Director of Student Services, and two faculty-at-large makes the selection for admission to the program from the pool of qualified applicants.
Admission criteria will include: Nursing Entrance Test (NET) percentages, prerequisites GPA, completed co-requisite courses GPA, letters of recommendation, and faculty or counselor recommendations. The factors will be weighted by the committee. Significant weight will be given to NET composite percentage and prerequisites GPA. Admission may be contingent upon completion of the fourth prerequisite by the end of the spring semester.
General Education and core requirements must be completed prior to or in the sequential order as listed on the curriculum outline in the program admissions information packet.
College credits over eight (8) years old may be acceptable. For a determination, provide appropriate documentation to the Director of Nursing.
Transfer students for second, third or fourth semester are considered on an individual basis. Criteria include course comparables, GPA and specified examination results.

ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE, REGISTERED NURSING • 75-76 Credits

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS • 29-30 Credits

Communications • 6 credits

ENL 101 College Composition I • 3 credits
ENL 102 College Composition II • 3 credits

Mathematics • 3-4 credits, one course selected from the following:

MAT 112 Algebra II: Intermediate • 3 credits
MAT 121 Intermediate Algebra • 4 credits
MAT 142 College Math with Contemporary Applications • 3 credits
MAT 152 Advanced Algebra • 3 credits

Arts and Humanities • 3 credits

(Any 3 credit course from the list on page 51)

Physical and Biological Sciences • 8 credits

BIO 201 Human Anatomy and Physiology I • 4 credits
BIO 202 Human Anatomy and Physiology II • 4 credits

Social and Behavioral Sciences • 9 cr.

PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology • 3 credits
PSY 240 Developmental Psychology • 3 credits
ANT 102 Cultural Anthropology • 3 credits
--OR--
SOC 120 General Sociology • 3 credits

CORE REQUIREMENTS • 40 cr.

BIO 205 Microbiology • 4 credits
NUR 117 Pharmacology • 3 credits
NUR 121 Nursing I • 6 credits
NUR 122 Nursing II • 9 credits
NUR 221 Nursing III • 9 credits
NUR 222 Nursing IV • 9 credits
NUR 240 Pathophysiology I • 3 credits
NUR 241 Pathophysiology II • 3 credits

CERTIFICATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE

PRACTICAL NURSING

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS • 23-24 cr.

BIO 201 Human Anatomy and Physiology I • 4 credits
BIO 202 Human Anatomy and Physiology II • 4 credits
ENL 101 College Composition I • 3 credits
ENL 102 College Composition II • 3 credits
MAT (Chose one course from 112, 121, 142, 152) • 3-4 credits
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology • 3 credits
PSY 240 Developmental Psychology • 3 credits

CORE REQUIREMENTS • 28 Credits

BIO 205 Microbiology • 4 credits
NUR 117 Pharmacology • 3 credits
NUR 121 Nursing I • 6 credits
NUR 122 Nursing II • 9 credits
NUR 125 Practical Nurse Completion • 3 credits.
NUR 240 Pathophysiology I • 3 credits.