Nursing, ASN Completion Concentration for Licensed Practical Nurses 6252

A Two-Year Restricted Admission Program Leading to the A.S. Degree

Entrance into the ASN Completion program will permit students to obtain credit for the first-year Associate of Science Nursing Program courses and enter the second year of the program. Graduates of the Associate of Science Nursing Program earn an Associate of Science in Nursing and are eligible to write the State Board examination to earn licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN).

Indiana Code Section 39.IC 25-23-1-11 requires that any person who applies to the board for a license to practice as a registered nurse must not have (a) been convicted of a crime that has a direct bearing on the person’s ability to practice competently; or (b) committed an act that would constitute grounds for a disciplinary sanction under IC 25-1-9. If applicable to you, see the Program Chairperson for further discussion.

The ASN Completion Concentration for Licensed Practical Nurses program is accredited by the Indiana State Board of Nursing and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). Information on accreditation status may be obtained by contacting the NLNAC. They may be contacted at the following address: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC, Inc.), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Georgia 30326 (1-404-975-5000), or www.nlnac.org.

The curriculum provides a balance between general education and nursing. The nursing faculty provides instruction and guidance in the College Learning Laboratory, hospitals, community mental health centers, community agencies, and other healthcare facilities. Transportation related to clinical experiences is the responsibility of the student. Applicants are accepted into the ADN-RN Completion program only one time annually.

Program Outcomes

At the completion of the Associate of Science in Nursing Program, the graduate will:

1. Utilize critical thinking in the implementation of the nursing process to provide safe, evidence-basedand culturally competent care to clients in various settings.
2. Effectively communicate by sharing accurate information through various technologies thus promotingmultidisciplinary team and client collaboration to provide effective nursing care.
3. Demonstrate caring in order to foster a therapeutic environment.
4. Provide health education for clients to promote adaptation to health changes and achieve optimal levelsof wellness.
5. Incorporate legal and ethical guidelines into nursing practice to demonstrate professionalism and adherenceto registered nursing practice standards.
6. Communicate a commitment to lifelong learning to maintain professional growth and career mobility.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the University does not ensure admission to the nursing program. The number of students admitted is limited by the availability of instructional resources and clinical learning sites. Each applicant is reviewed individually. Preference will be given to applicants with a High School Academic Honors Diploma; students who receive a grade of B or higher in Math and Science courses; higher GPA; and/or complete their General Education courses through Vincennes University. The Nursing Admissions Committee reserves the right to request additional information related to eligibility from the applicant. Any falsification of application information will result in denial of admission or removal from the program.

All applicants must meet the following basic admission requirements.

1. Admission requirements of the University must be met.
2. A valid Practical Nursing License must be held by the applicant.
3. Practice as licensed practical nurse for minimum of one year as documented by employer(s).
4. Applicants should possess physical and mental health acceptable for performance in the occupation as evidenced by examination by a licensed physician.
5. A recent placement test may be requested by the Nursing Admissions Committee.
6. Qualify for placement into MATH 102  or higher as determined by the Vincennes University Placement Test (Accuplacer).
7. The student must qualify for exemption from READ 011 .
8. ENGL 101 ; BIOL 111 /BIOL 111L ; and CHEM 101 /CHEM 101L  must be completed with a grade of C or better before enrolling in NURS 171 .
9. A cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher is required.
10. The GPA will be calculated using the courses from the ASN Program General Education Requirements, applicable chemistry grades, and Practical Nursing Courses.
11. If a student receives a grade of D or F in a required general education course, then the course may be repeated only one time to raise the grade to a C or better.
12. Applicant may repeat an academic course only one time in order to raise the GPA to 2.7 minimum.
13. Only MATH;
    BIOL 111
     /
    BIOL 111L
      Anatomy and Physiology I;
    BIOL 112
     /
    BIOL 112L
      Anatomy and Physiology II; and BIOL 210 /BIOL 210L  Microbiology taken less than seven years prior to admission to the nursing program will be considered for credit.
    1. Students seeking credit for a math course that was taken longer than seven years prior to admission to the nursing program may elect to take the University General Education math test and receive a cut score of 74 or higher, or take the CLEP exam.
    2. Students seeking credit for a math course; 
       BIOL 111
        /
       BIOL 111L
         Anatomy and Physiology I;
       BIOL 112
        /
       BIOL 112L
         Anatomy and Physiology II; or BIOL 210 /BIOL 210L  Microbiology that was taken longer than seven years prior to admission to the nursing program may elect to enroll in the course and seek early completion.
    3. There is no time limit on CHEM 101 /CHEM 101L  Organic and Biochemistry.
14. Only Principles of Sociology, General Psychology, Speech and Interpersonal Communication courses taken less than fifteen years prior to admission to the school of nursing will be considered for credit. Exceptions will be made for applicants with a previous college degree.
15. The Registrar will determine if credit is to be granted for courses taken at other higher education institutions.
16. NURS 171  Transitions must be completed in the academic year immediately preceding entry into the second year nursing courses.

Students may submit a completed admissions application to the Vincennes University Admissions Office at any time during the calendar year. Once the application has been reviewed, the student will be assigned a nursing advisor and a curriculum plan will be made with the student. It is recommended that applications be submitted early in the process.

Once all admission requirements are met, the Nursing Admissions Committee will review the completed application. If the student meets the admission requirements/standards, then the student will be asked to submit a criminal history  report*, with the fee paid by the student. Full admission into the Associate of Science in Nursing Program is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal history report as determined by the Nursing Admissions Committee.

*Criminal History Report

The Associate Degree Nursing program is intended to provide the education necessary for students to become registered nurses. As part of the licensing process, applicants are required to submit information regarding any criminal history to the Indiana State Board of Nursing. Consequently, all applicants meeting academic requirements must release criminal background information to the Vincennes University Nursing Program prior to admission, per Department of Nursing  protocol. The background check will be at the applicant’s expense.

A prior conviction or prior criminal activity will not automatically bar the applicant from admission to the nursing program. The applicant should provide a detailed explanation of the offenses or convictions, including the location, the convictions, the dates, and the court disposition. The Nursing Admissions Committee will review the case and make a determination regarding admission to the Vincennes University Nursing Program. If the committee denies the applicant’s admission into the Nursing Program, the applicant may request in writing an appeal in accordance with the University’s Student Grievance Policy.

Requirements for All Associate of Science in Nursing Students Admitted to the Program

Once students are admitted to the program and before beginning any nursing courses, students admitted to the program are responsible for completing the following requirements:

1. Students must possess current certification in Basic Life Support (American Red Cross, CPR Professional Rescue or American Heart Association Healthcare Provider level).
2. Students must complete and have on file with the University Health Service Office a current medical/physical form, immunization records form, and the Hepatitis B vaccination form. Students must possess current immunizations and annual TB (PPD) test, and provide verification of Hepatitis B inoculation or refusal thereof.
3. A fee for liability insurance will be charged through the University Bursar’s Office.
4. Any costs for necessary health care will be the responsibility of the student. Therefore, students are strongly urged to maintain health insurance coverage.
5. Additional criminal history documents and/or screenings may be required based on the changing policies of the clinical agencies.

Standards for Progression and Graduation

Upon completion of NURS 171  Transitions (5 credit hours) with a C or better, the student will receive advanced placement credit for NURS 170  (11 credit hours) in Associate of Science in Nursing. (There is no tuition fee for these 11 credits.)

Students must successfully complete (grades of C or better) all 19 general education hours from the first level Associate of Science in Nursing curriculum prior to beginning the second level ASN courses (NURS 200  and NURS 230 ).

The 16 total credits for NURS 171 /NURS 170  plus the 19 general education hours, totaling 35 credit hours, equal the first year of the standard Associate of Science in Nursing 6250 program curriculum plan.

Once admitted to the Associate of Science in Nursing Program, students will adhere to the same standards as all Associate of Science in Nursing students. Please refer to these standards for information on progression and graduation requirements.

Readmission Standards

Readmission standards apply to any student who has enrolled in and attended a nursing course, dropped the nursing course, and/or has not met the Standards for Progression and Graduation as listed above.

1. Students may be readmitted to the nursing program limited to one time.
2. Applications for readmission must be obtained from and returned to the Health Science and Human Performance Division Office, Attention: Associate of Science in Nursing by the deadline established by the program.
3. Students seeking to reenter the program at the point in which they withdrew, must reenter the program within one year. Otherwise, the student may apply for readmission to begin the program in its entirety.
4. Qualified applicants will be readmitted on a space-available basis.
5. Each application is reviewed individually by the Nursing Department Admissions Committee.
6. Students who believe they have extenuating circumstances to these readmission standards, may write a letter to the Nursing Department Admissions Committee to explain their situation, following the University Grievance Policy.