Nursing, A.A.S.

Associate of Applied Science
156

Mission Statement

The AAS Nursing Program prepares professionally educated nurses who are safe, competent, compassionate health care providers who work collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams. Graduates are encouraged to maintain the highest standards of honesty, fairness, and ethical conduct. The program prepares graduates to meet changing healthcare needs of patients, families, and communities within complex healthcare environments.

Statement of Purpose and Vision

The curriculum is designed to assist students to gain knowledge, skills, and attitudes that form the basis of safe clinical practice through patient-centered care, teamwork and collaboration, evidence based practice, quality improvement, and safety (QSEN, 2014). Successful program completion qualifies students to apply for licensure as a registered nurse. The program prepares graduates with a basis to further their professional education.

End of Program Outcomes

Virginia Western is committed to the overall excellence of its AAS Nursing program through the follow end-of-program outcomes:

1. Virginia Western Community College Associate of Applied Science program will attain a National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) pass rate of 80% on the first attempt.
2. Virginia Western Community College Associate of Applied Science program will demonstrate a program completion rate of at least 65% within one and one-half times of program length following nursing program matriculation.
3. Virginia Western Community College Associate of Applied Science program anticipates that 90% of graduates seeking employment will acquire nursing jobs within six months of graduation.

5-Year NCLEX-RN Pass Rates:

2012 - 95.24%
2013 - 76%
2014 - 77.55% 
2015 - 87.71%
2016 - 95.24%

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Engage in practices that provide safe and holistic nursing care throughout the lifespan grounded in science and the nursing process. (Safety)
2. Apply nursing judgment to ensure the delivery of patient-centered care and promotion of health for patients within a family and community environment. (Patient-Centered Care)
3. Demonstrate the use of critical thinking skills while utilizing the nursing process to provide care to patients throughout the lifespan. (Critical Thinking)
4. Collaborate effectively within nursing and interdisciplinary healthcare teams to foster open communication, respect, and shared decision making to ensure safe, quality patient care. (Teamwork)
5. Demonstrate the use of the best current evidence to guide clinical decision making to provide safe care for patients and families across the lifespan. (Evidence-Based Practice)
6. Integrate information and technology to communicate, manage knowledge, and support decision making in the practice of nursing care. (Informatics)
7. Utilize concepts related to culture, ethnicity, and spirituality in the delivery of patient care. (Culture) 

Program Objectives: Employment opportunities for the registered nurse include staff positions in hospitals, nursing homes, health departments, physicians’ offices, clinics, day care centers, and home health agencies.

 

NOTE* The AAS Nursing Program is transitioning to a revised common nursing curriculum beginning Fall 2018 semester.  The revised curriculum will be scheduled predominantly in a 16 week format; changes general education course requirements; changes the application process and criteria.  It is critical that prospective students monitor the program’s web page for the most up to date information and should seek academic advising through Ms. Pam Woody, Advisor for Health Professions at Pwoody@virginiawestern.edu.Admission Procedures:

1. The nursing program accepts new students each fall. While applications are accepted at any time, to be eligible for Admission the application packet must be completed no later than March 1 of the Admission year.  Early application is encouraged for advising purposes.  All application materials must be submitted to the attention of the School of Health Professions Advisor. The applicant is responsible for making certain that the following have been submitted in addition to the college application: Nursing Application Form (available on web page), official transcripts showing completion of a high school diploma or records  showing completion of GED with scores, official transcripts from all colleges attended (transcripts from VWCC or other Virginia community colleges are not required).  In addition, after the March 1 deadline, qualified applicants will be required to complete the Kaplan Entrance Test
2. Applicants should be aware that meeting the curriculum standards does not guarantee program admission.  In May, all qualified applicants will receive a letter to notify them of their status with the program.

Admission Criteria (for students seeking enrollment Fall 2018)

1. Submission of completed nursing application by posted deadline (March 1 annually)
2. 2.0 minimum cumulative GPA of college courses established at end of Fall semester based on at least 12 credit hours of college credit or High School GPA if 12 credit hours not completed by end of Fall semester.
3. 2.5 minimum prerequisite GPA based on the following courses:  BIO 141 , ENG 111 , PSY 230 , SDV 100 , and SDV 101 .  Minimum grade of C is required in all prerequisite courses. Completion of all prerequisite courses by Spring semester 2018. 
4. High School Graduate/ GED/ Certificate of Home Schooling
5. Grade C or better in High School Algebra, Biology, Chemistry
6. Age 18 by start of program August 2018
7. Competency in mathematics as placement out of MTE 1 , MTE 2 , MTE 3 , MTE 4  and MTE 5   on the Virginia Placement Test or successful completion of the developmental modules or waived by placement guidelines (Multiple Measures)
8. Competency in English as evidenced by eligibility for ENG 111   and course completion
9. 45^th percentile in all Kaplan categories (math, reading, writing, science) on admission testing to be completed March-April 2018 as scheduled by program.
10. Completion of all clinical/ health requirements for placement at clinical agencies to include but not limited to:  Physical exam, immunity record by vaccination history/ positive titers, negative urine drug screen, back ground check without positive findings or as accepted by the clinical agency, health insurance, current American Heart Association BLS Provider CPR, signed statement of risk. Information regarding these items will be given at a mandatory new student orientation that will be scheduled between May and June annually.

Students interested in this program should consult the VWCC Nursing Program page, VWCC policy on Infectious Disease Status, Essential Nursing Functions, Clinical Environment, Student Responsibilities, Student Retention and Readmission Policy.  The page can be accessed through the VWCC website.  For application materials and additional program information, please see our website at: http://www.virginiawesten.edu/academics/health/nursing/index.php

If admitted to the program, the student should successfully complete a CPR course approved by the nursing program which is American heart Association CPR for the healthcare provider or HLT 105 -Cardiopulary Resuscitation at VWCC.  Complete the required annual criminal background check (Certified Background Check) with drug screen and attend a mandatory nursing program orientation the summer before beginning the program.

For information on the LPN to RN bridge program, please visit http://www.virginiawestern.edu/academics/health/lpntorn/index.php. 

Although this program is not designed for transfer, agreements with specific institutions may exist. Contact the Nursing program head as listed on program webpage.