Nursing AAS

More information: Nursing AAS

► Reynolds uses the TEAS for all nursing admission testing

► More information: Registered Nursing TEAS Admission Test Information 

► Instructions, application, and updates: Reynolds Registered Nursing Program 

PURPOSE

The Nursing Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program prepares diverse individuals to practice evidence-based nursing successfully as professional members of interdisciplinary healthcare teams. Program graduates are eligible to apply to take the licensing examination (NCLEX-RN®) required to become a Registered Nurse.

OCCUPATIONAL OBJECTIVES

• Secure and sustain employment as a professional nurse providing nursing care to individuals, families, communities, and/or populations in a variety of healthcare settings

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• General college curricular admission
• Program-specific requirements 
• Criminal background check and drug screen
• Nursing admission testing, TEAS Admission Test 
• Apply to the Reynolds Nursing Program

Students who have been absent from the nursing program for 12 months or more must submit a new application for admission. Any student who has not earned credit for a nursing course within a 12-month period must submit a new application for admission.  Enrollment without successful completion does not satisfy this requirement. 

If readmitted, they will be required to restart the program from the beginning to ensure competency and alignment with current curriculum. Readmitted students must meet all current admission requirements including a new background check and drug screen.  Withdrawal from the nursing program will be considered in the re-application process and may impact their eligibility for re-admission. Two or more withdrawals may affect the student’s ability to return to the program.

APPLICATION DEADLINES, FULL-TIME DAY PROGRAM

• 2nd Monday in May for fall semester start
• 3rd Monday in September for spring semester start

PROGRAM NOTES

The Virginia State Board of Nursing has the authority to deny licensure to any applicant who has violated any of the provisions of 54.1-3007 of the Code of Virginia. Any student convicted of illegal offenses other than minor traffic violations should discuss these matters with the coordinator of the Nursing AAS program prior to admission for clarification. A background check is required for NCLEX-RN application.

A criminal background check and drug screen are required prior to admission to the LPN-RN program.  Students must pass a criminal background check and drug screen prior to the first day of class. Failure to complete the background check and drug screen prior to the first day of class will result in the forfeiture of the student’s seat in the program.

BACKGROUND CHECK AND IDENTITY VERIFICATION

All students must undergo a comprehensive criminal background check and identity verification prior to the first day of class. Final admission to the AAS Nursing program is contingent upon a “clear” or “satisfactory” report.

• Social Security Number (SSN) Verification: The background check process includes a mandatory verification of the student’s Social Security Number. This ensures the accuracy of the criminal history search and confirms the student’s identity.
• Deadline for Completion: Results must be received and on file with the Nursing Department before the first day of the semester. Students who fail to complete this requirement by the deadline will be dropped from all nursing courses.

DRUG SCREENING COMPLIANCE AND SPECIMEN VALIDITY

• The Nursing program maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding non-compliance with drug screening.
•  Admission is contingent upon a valid, negative drug screen. Students are permitted only one attempt to provide a valid drug screen. If a specimen is invalid (e.g., temperature issues), the student may be asked to provide a second sample immediately on-site under observed or supervised conditions as per collection site protocol. Refusal to provide this subsequent sample on-site will be recorded as a “Refusal to Test.”  A “refusal to test” is a positive result and students will be dropped from all nursing courses.
• Finality of Results: * A Positive result is final; repeat testing is not allowed.
• A Refusal to Test (including leaving the site before completion or failing to provide a second sample when requested) is final.
• In the student portal, any of the above scenarios will result in a Red X status, signifying a failure to meet admission requirements.
•  Any result recorded as a “Positive” or a “Refusal to Test” (Red X) will result in the immediate forfeiture of the student’s application for the current cycle. Students must reapply to the AAS Nursing program for the next academic year.

Random drug screens and repeat background checks may be required for current or returning students at any time. A student with an unsatisfactory background check and/or drug screening will be dismissed from the Nursing AAS program. 

A student accepted to the Nursing AAS program must sign an Assumption of Risk document that serves to provide a general outline of hazards encountered within nursing. This list includes, but is not limited to, exposure to infectious, biological, chemical, environmental/mechanical, and psychosocial hazards, as well as loss of personal property. 

STUDENT OUTCOMES

Nursing AAS graduates are expected to:

• Provide client-centered care promoting therapeutic relationships, caring behaviors and self-determination across the lifespan for diverse populations
• Practice safe nursing care that minimizes the risk of harm across systems and client populations
• Integrate clinical judgment when collaborating with the healthcare team in the management of care for complex clients
• Practice professional behaviors that encompass the legal/ethical framework while incorporating self-reflection, leadership and a commitment to recognize the value of life-long learning
• Manage client care through quality improvement processes, information technology and fiscal responsibility to meet client needs and support organizational outcomes
• Demonstrate principles of collaborative practice within the nursing and healthcare teams fostering mutual respect and shared decision-making to achieve stated outcomes of care
• Manage the appropriateness, accuracy and client response to pharmacology principles for clients with complex conditions

PROGRAM-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

• Select the Health Professions CSC (code 221-190-01) on the Reynolds general admission application.
• Use only VCCS student email accounts for all correspondence.
• Complete all prerequisite courses (MTH 133 , BIO 141 , ENG 111 , SDV 101 , and PSY 230 ) prior to program application deadline.
• Complete BIO 141 , BIO 142 , BIO 150 , or any BIO equivalent transfer courses for credit within ten years of admission into the first semester of the program.
• Complete English language proficiency test for ALL non-native English-speaking students. The TOEFL iBT, Pearson Test for English (PTE) Academic, and IELTS are the only acceptable proficiency exams. For TOEFL iBT, a minimum total score of 84 and a minimum speaking score of 26 must be earned. For PTE Academic, a minimum score of 56 must be earned. For IELTS, a minimum score of 6.5 with no communicative skill below 6.0 must be earned. Any student that has completed 6th grade through high school graduation in the United States will be waived from this requirement. Completion of ENG 111 or ESL courses does not satisfy this requirement. These scores are based on recommendations from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing for the level of English proficiency required to perform entry-level nursing safely and effectively. Test scores are valid for up to two years.
• Submit official college transcripts to the Office of the Registrar for consideration of transfer credit for courses. All decisions for transfer credit are determined by Office of the Registrar. Applicants are solely responsible for confirming transfer credits are posted by the Registrar. 
• Complete the program admission test successfully.
• Earn cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher.
• Earn curricular GPA of 2.5 or higher in the 14 credits of general education prerequisite courses with a grade of C or above (MTH 133 , BIO 141 , ENG 111 , SDV 101 , and PSY 230 ).
• Accept or deny admission electronically, via VCCS student email account, as directed, via the Accepted Student Response Form by the identified date or selected applicants will forfeit their seat.

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

Nursing program students must possess certain functional skills at sufficient levels: 

• Eyesight to observe patients, read records, manipulate equipment, and visually monitor patients in dim light 
• Hearing to communicate with patients and members of a healthcare delivery team, monitor patients using electronic equipment, hear necessary sounds during operation of equipment, and hear a patient whispering 
• Speaking, reading, and writing skills to communicate effectively in English in a timely manner
• Bilateral finger dexterity to manipulate equipment
• Physical ability to lift, stoop, or bend in the delivery of safe nursing care
• Physical strength and endurance to stand for extended periods, push equipment, and move immobile patients 
• Intellectual and emotional functioning to ensure patient safety and to exercise independent judgment and discretion in performing assigned care

NURSING PROGRAM FOUR-SEMESTER CURRICULUM MAP

Prerequisites for Application to AAS Nursing Program

Course	Credit Hours	Didactic Credits	Didactic Contact Hours	Clinical Lab Credits	Lab Contact Hours	Clinical Contact Hours	Simulation Contact Hours
BIO 141	4	3	45	1	45	0	0
ENG 111	3	3	45	0	0	0	0
PSY 230	3	3	45	0	0	0	0
SDV 101	1	1	15	0	0	0	0
MTH 133	3	3	45	0	0	0	0
Semester Total	14	13	195	1	45	0	0

Required for application to the Nursing program:

• Curricular GPA of 2.5 or higher in the 14 credits of prerequisite courses
• Grade of C or above achieved in all 14 credits of prerequisite courses

Semester One: Nursing AAS Program

Course	Credit Hours	Didactic Credits	Didactic Contact Hours	Clinical Lab Credits	Lab Contact Hours	Clinical Contact Hours	Simulation Contact Hours
BIO 142	4	3	45	1	45	0	0
NSG 100	4	3	45	1	0	40	5
NSG 106	2	1	15	1	45	0	0
NSG 130	1	1	15	0	0	0	0
NSG 200	3	2	30	1	35	6	4
Semester Total	14	10	150	4	125	46	9

 

Semester Two: Nursing AAS Program

Course	Credit Hours	Didactic Credits	Didactic Contact Hours	Clinical Lab Credits	Lab Contact Hours	Clinical Contact Hours	Simulation Contact Hours
BIO 150	4	3	45	1	45	0	0
NSG 152	3	2	30	1	0	40	5
NSG 170	6	4	60	2	10	72	8
Semester Total	13	9	135	4	55	112	13

 

Semester Three: Nursing AAS Program

Course	Credit Hours	Didactic Credits	Didactic Contact Hours	Clinical Lab Credits	Lab Contact Hours	Clinical Contact Hours	Simulation Contact Hours
ENG 112	3	3	45	0	0	0	0
NSG 210	5	3	45	2	0	76	14
NSG 211	5	3	45	2	0	80	10
Semester Total	13	9	135	4	0	156	24

 

Semester Four: Nursing AAS Program

Course	Credit Hours	Didactic Credits	Didactic Contact Hours	Clinical Lab Credits	Lab Contact Hours	Clinical Contact Hours	Simulation Contact Hours
NSG 230	2	2	30	0	0	0	0
NSG 252	4	4	60	0	0	0	0
NSG 270	4	0	0	4	0	168	12
PHI 220	3	3	45	0	0	0	0
Semester Total	13	9	135	4	0	168	12
Curriculum Total	67					482	58

 

TRANSFER OPTIONS

All applicants seeking to transfer into the Nursing AAS program are required to meet all admission requirements. Students transferring from other nursing programs may be eligible for acceptance if a space is available.  

• The Nursing Student Affairs Subcommittee will review applications for students seeking transfer of nursing courses. Applicants must demonstrate that a nursing course, with corresponding credits, was completed within the previous 12 months.
• Nursing transfer applicants must have a written statement from the dean or director of the nursing program the student is leaving, indicating that they are in good standing and eligible to return to the previous institution.

EXPECTATIONS

The student is required to complete a sequence of courses and learning experiences provided at the college and selected community agencies, such as acute care (hospitals) or long-term care facilities, clinics, or comparable agencies and facilities. During these experiences, the nursing faculty will observe, monitor, and evaluate the student’s ability to achieve program outcomes through direct patient care. 

CLINICAL CONTRACTS

Individual contracts are in effect with each affiliate clinical agency, and these contracts differ in requirements for students. In general, contracts include the following information: 

• Clinical agencies reserve the right to dismiss a student from their agency at any time.
• Students must wear proper uniform, conforming to program and healthcare agency standards. 
• Students must follow published hospital policies. 
• Students must meet health, immunity, and immunization requirements specified by the affiliated clinical facility. Failure to comply with these requirements will prevent the student from meeting specific course learning outcomes required for program progression.  
• Students release the facility, its agents, and its employees from any liability for any injury or death to self or damage to personal property arising out of the clinical agreement or use of the facility. (Assessment of Risk document is signed and on file, once the student is accepted into the program.) 
• Students are financially responsible for any medical care required while in the clinical setting. 
• Student must have a current American Heart Association or American Red Cross BLS for Healthcare Provider Certification. 
• Demonstration of professional behavior is expected at all clinical learning experiences. Faculty will direct a student to leave the learning environment if unacceptable behaviors are observed. 
• The healthcare agency may deny a student participation in a clinical learning experience based on the results of the background check and drug screen.  
• Students must attend the healthcare agency’s orientation as scheduled to remain enrolled in a clinical nursing course. 
• In order to maintain enrollment in a clinical course, students must submit required clinical documentation during each required clinical rotation. Failure to comply with these clinical documentation requirements will prevent a student from meeting specific course learning outcomes required for program progression.  

PROGRESSION THROUGH THE PROGRAM

Reynolds relies on affiliation agreements with community agencies to provide clinical education opportunities for Nursing students. Rapid changes in healthcare law, standards of practice, technology, content of credentialing examinations, and availability of qualified faculty increasingly necessitate sudden changes in the program’s course content, policies, procedures, and course scheduling. As a result, Reynolds cannot guarantee every student continuous and uninterrupted clinical and course instruction as outlined in the printed catalog curriculum for this program. Circumstances beyond Reynolds’ control may necessitate postponement of course offerings or changes in the sequencing and/or location of scheduled courses or clinical assignments. Additionally, Reynolds may have to change the instructor for courses after instruction has started.

CONTINUATION IN THE PROGRAM

• Maintain minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
• Achieve a course grade of C (80%) or better in ALL courses within the AAS curriculum.
• Enroll only in the courses listed in their qualified semester. Registration information from the Nursing Coordinator is meant to help students plan ahead, but it is for reference purposes only. To be eligible to enroll in the next semester, students must pass all courses in their current semester. It is each student’s responsibility to make sure that they are enrolled in, and pass, all required courses in their current semester before registering for the next. If a student has not successfully completed all required classes, the registration information received is not valid 
• Meet the clinical learning outcomes to receive a successful course grade.

*Students must pass all courses to move to next semester

Level One	NSG 100 , NSG 106 , NSG 130 , NSG 200 , BIO 142
Level Two	NSG 152 , NSG 170 , BIO 150
Level Three	NSG 210 , NSG 211 , ENG 112
Level Four	NSG 230 , NSG 252 , NSG 270 , PHI 220  or PHI 227

A student who is unsuccessful in any two nursing courses, or is not successful after two attempts in the same nursing course (withdrawal or unsuccessful course grade of D or F), may not continue in the Nursing AAS program and will not be eligible to re-apply to the program for a period of one year (two consecutive semesters). A success plan will be implemented for any student who is re-admitted, regardless of a previous unsuccessful course or withdrawal. The student will be required to meet with the nursing coordinator, nursing advisor and remediation specialist to support their program success.

A student deemed ineligible to return to a clinical site will not be eligible for re-admission into the Nursing AAS program.

► More information: Nursing Student Handbook

PROGRESSION STATUS

Reynolds has entered into an implied contract with all students accepted into the AAS Nursing program via the Reynolds catalog. The catalog indicates that once accepted into the Nursing program a student can complete the program within two years, assuming the student attends four consecutive semesters. (Summer is a session, not a semester.) Continuation in the program is conditional upon those factors identified in the Progression through the Program statement. 

PROGRAM ACCREDITATION

Pursuant to United States Department of Education (US DOE) regulation 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v), the Reynolds Community College Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program provides the following information for all prospective and current students:

The Virginia Board of Nursing has granted full approval to the Reynolds Community College Associate Degree Nursing Education Program.    

The Commonwealth of Virginia participates with 32 other states in the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) National Licensing Compact (NLC) to allow nurses licensed in one state to provide nursing care across state lines in other compact states. 

► Uniform Licensing Requirements (ULRs)

► States currently in the NLC; prospective and current students are strongly encouraged to evaluate all state requirements in jurisdictions where they intend to practice nursing

► NCSBN state requirements 

The Virginia State Board of Nursing may be contacted at
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300
Henrico, VA 23233-1463
804-367-4515

The Associate Degree Nursing program at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College at the Downtown Campus located in Richmond, Virginia is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).  

3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 
Atlanta, GA 30326
404-975-5000
acenursing.org

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree Nursing program is continuing accreditation.  

Reynolds has not determined if the Nursing AAS program meets the requirements of any other states.