Northland Pioneer College -- Catalog 05-06 -- Degree Programs

NURSING

The Nursing Programs include:

Nursing Assistant Training
Practical Nursing
LPN-RN Transition
Registered Nursing

These programs prepare students to make application to take the certified nursing assistant exam; the National Council Licensing Examination for practical (NCLEX-PN) and/ or registered nursing (NCLEX-RN). Successful completion of the certifying exam will allow 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 Nursing 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 PN and RN graduate from the Nursing Program applies to write the NCLEX. When he or she becomes a licensed RN nurse, that person 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 Nursing 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 66-67 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.

For the student who is a Licensed Practical Nurse who would like to return to school for the associate degree and become a Registered Nurse, there are the same requirements for the associate degree as the regular program. Students are admitted in the spring semester and will take a LPN to RN transition course as well as needed prerequisites prior to starting the two semesters of nursing courses needed to complete the RN. After completion the student will be eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN).

Student Nurse Guidelines

Patient safety dictates that specific nursing program student guidelines apply to this program that are more stringent than the general College student policies. A copy of the nursing program student handbook is issued to students admitted to the program. 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

Courses

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 each class and a cumulative GPA of 'B' (3.00) 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.

Certification

For the Nursing Program an applicant must submit a copy of a current Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license to the Nursing Program.

For the LPN to RN program a current LPN license must be submitted to the Nursing Program.

Admission to the Nursing program

Note: Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to the Nursing Program.
Students must be admitted to the Nursing 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.
Four out of the six prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of the spring semester. All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to the fall semester of admission to the program.
Admission Selection:
An Admission Committee composed of the Dean of Nursing, two nursing faculty, a representative of Student Services, as well as academic advisors, and 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, prerequisite GPA, overall GPA, letters of recommendation, applicant statement, and faculty or advisor 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 final prerequisites by the end of the summer 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 admission information packet.
College credits over eight (8) years old may be acceptable. For a determination, provide appropriate documentation to the Dean of Nursing.
Transfer students for second, third or fourth semesters are considered on an individual basis. Criteria include course comparables, GPA, specified examination results, and recommendation from previous program director.