Administrative Guideline 317

Adopted: April 4, 1995
Approved:
Reviewed: May 12, 2009
Revised: Jul 25, 2006; Jan 13, 2009; Nov 15, 2011; Aug 13, 2013; Apr 21, 2014; Feb 21, 2017; Jan 29, 2021

ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINE TYPE: Student (Registration and Admissions Functions)

ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINE TITLE: Admission Criteria for Nursing Programs

DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBLE: Academic Affairs

I. Statement of Purpose

This guideline outlines the admissions, progression, and graduation criteria for the Nursing Programs.

II. Users Governed

This guideline applies to credit, degree-seeking students.

III. Introduction

1. The following are criteria for admission to the Practical Nursing Diploma and Associate Degree Nursing Program.
2. Several elements are detailed herein:
   1. Determination of the date of program eligibility for the Nursing Program.
   2. Admission criteria to the Nursing Program.
   3. Review of applications of eligible students for the Nursing Program.
   4. Assignment of student openings in the second year of the Associate Degree Nursing Program.
   5. Progression criteria for current nursing students requesting to register in the second year of the Nursing Program (Associate Degree Nursing Program).
   6. Students applying for re-entry/re-admission to the Nursing Program.
   7. Admission criteria for Associate Degree Nursing-Advanced Placement students.
3. Enrollment in Nursing is limited by program cap, clinical resources, and faculty availability. The Dean of Health Professions and the Vice President for Academic Affairs will determine a maximum number of accepted students.
4. Operational Definitions
   1. Re-entry – students requesting re-entry to the Nursing Program after one attempt at completion of either the Practical Nursing Diploma (PN) or the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program.
   2. Attempt – students who have failed or withdrawn from a Nursing course(s) at either level of the Nursing Program.
   3. Re-admission – a student requesting re-admission to the Nursing Program after two attempts at completion of either the PN or the ADN level of the Nursing Program.
   4. Program track – SCC has three program tracks: Keokuk Campus day track, West Burlington Campus day track, and West Burlington Campus evening/weekend track.
   5. Nursing Program core courses – Nursing courses listed with PNN or ADN in the course subject.
   6. Wait list – a list of eligible students who have met admission criteria who await placement in the Nursing Program.
   7. Advanced Placement – prospective students who are Licensed Practical Nurses entering the Associate Degree Nursing Program.

IV. Determination of the Date of Eligibility for the Nursing Program

1. The date of application to the SCC Nursing Program determines how eligible students, those meeting admission criteria, are added to the waiting list and prioritized for admission. The earliest applicants are given priority when all academic criteria are met.
2. A student is considered eligible when all academic requirements are met:
   1. Minimum test scores as described in the admission criteria within the last 24 months.
   2. BIO-168, Human Anatomy and Physiology I, with a grade of “C” (2.0) or higher.
   3. Completion of the required meeting with the Student Advocate at the respective campus.

V. Nursing Program Admission Criteria

1. Minimum requirements for admissions are:
   1. High school diploma, or equivalency.
   2. Students must complete one of the following standardized tests and attain the minimum scores listed in the grid below:
      

      Program	GPA/HS/Other	ACT®	SAT®	Next-Gen Accuplacer®	ALEKS®
      PN/ADN	HS diploma or equivalency	Reading: 19 Math: 19 English: 17 or Composite: 20	Reading/ Writing: 330 Math: 510 or Composite: 1040	Reading: ≥ 248 Writing: ≥ 260	Math: ≥ 14

   3. Standardized placement scores must be completed within 24 months at the time of review for acceptance.
   4. Successful completion of BIO-168 Human Anatomy and Physiology I, BIO-173 Human Anatomy and Physiology II, and BIO-186 Microbiology with a grade of “C” (2.0) or higher (completed within the last 5 years).
   5. Completion of the required meeting with the Student Advocate.
   6. Current Certification as a Nurse Aide and identified as eligible in the Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry.

VI. Review of Eligible Students for the Nursing Program

1. Admission of eligible students will occur in February for the next available class.
2. Accepted students will be notified by mail.
3. Accepted students are required to attend the mandatory Nursing Program orientation to confirm Nursing Program enrollment.
4. Accepted students who do not attend the mandatory Nursing Program orientation will be moved to the bottom of the waiting list.
5. Accepted students who wish to defer their Nursing enrollment to the next available start date must notify the Student Advocate no later than one week prior to their scheduled start date. If the student does not notify the Student Advocate, the student must re-apply and will be given a new date of application to the SCC Nursing Program.
6. When the program is filled, eligible students will be placed on a waiting list based on the date of application to the SCC Nursing Program.
7. A waiting list will be in place for Keokuk Campus day track, West Burlington Campus day track and West Burlington Campus evening/weekend track. A student will be placed on only one waiting list.
8. Wait-listed students are admitted once they have reached the top of the wait list and there is space available.
9. Students will be allowed to continue in the Nursing Program if the following are completed within the first four weeks of the program:
   1. Completed Physical Examination Form.
   2. Clearance on criminal, dependent adult and child abuse background screening.
   3. Current certification in Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers.
   4. Current certification in Mandatory Reporting: Dependent Adult/Child Abuse.
   5. Documentation of required immunizations for Healthcare Personnel.

VII. Assignment of Student Openings in the Second Year of the Associate Degree Nursing Program

1. Student openings will be filled using the following priority system:
   1. First Priority: Current SCC students who are enrolled in the Nursing Program.
   2. Second Priority: SCC students who are accepted for re-entry.
   3. Third Priority: Licensed Practical Nurses applying to complete the Associate Degree in Nursing.

VIII. Progression from the Practical Nursing Program to the Associate Degree Nursing Program

1. Students must successfully complete the Practical Nursing course work (both Nursing core courses and Arts and Sciences courses required in the Practical Nursing Diploma Program) with a grade of “C” (2.0) or higher prior to enrollment in the Associate Degree Nursing Program.
2. Practical Nursing Diploma graduates progressing to the Associate Degree Nursing Program must obtain Practical Nursing licensure to advance. Practical Nursing licensure is required prior to enrollment in ADN 641 (Nursing III). Enrollment numbers are based on program cap, clinical resources, and faculty availability.

IX. Students Applying for Re-Entry to the Nursing Programs

1. Core nursing coursework must be completed within 24 months. Students applying for re-entry must satisfy the following criteria:
   1. Students may re-enter once in the Practical Nursing year and once in the Associate Degree Nursing year.
   2. Re-entry must be in the following academic year in the same program campus location and track (day or evening).
   3. Students who intend to re-enter the Nursing Program must complete the SCC Nursing Program Re-Entry Application form and submit to the Dean of Health Professions by September 1st or February 1st. The Re-Entry Application Form includes:
      1. Personal and professional reflection about the factors that interfered with their ability to complete the Nursing Program.
      2. A plan for academic success in the future, including but not limited to, situations that have changed to enhance success and plans and goals to enhance success in the Nursing Program.
   4. Students who are approved for re-entry into the Nursing Program are required to retake the appropriate level Pharmacology and all subsequent medical-surgical core courses and pass with a grade of “C” or higher.
   5. Students who have had two unsuccessful attempts may reapply to the Nursing Program in three years from the last date of program attendance.

X. Students Applying for Re-Admission to the Nursing Programs

1. Students with two unsuccessful attempts may apply for re-admission to the program three years after the last date of program attendance. Factors that may be considered include, but are not limited to:
   1. Academic success.
   2. Remediation activities.
   3. Clinical performance.
   4. Student behavior/attitudes/professionalism.
   5. Attendance pattern.
2. Transcripts will be evaluated for course expiration at the time the student re-applies to the program. Readmitted students will be required to start at the beginning of the Practical Nursing or Associate Degree Nursing year, respectively.
3. Students must meet all criteria outlined in section IV.

XI. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Admission Into Associate Degree (ADN) Program (Advanced Placement)

Admission to Southeastern Community College, official acceptance for program enrollment, and placement on the program/class list will be granted upon successful completion of the required admission criteria and based upon program cap, clinical resources and faculty availability.

1. Current and unencumbered licensure as an LPN in the United States.
2. Attendance at a mandatory Nursing orientation.
3. Satisfactory completion of Practical Nursing coursework with a grade of “C” (2.0) or higher in all required courses (both Nursing core courses and Arts and Sciences courses required in the Nursing Program) prior to enrollment in the Associate Degree Nursing Program.
4. The courses listed below may be approved by the Dean of Health Professions if they have been taken within the last 5 years prior to admission to the program, have equal credit hours, and similar content:
   1. BIO-168 Human Anatomy & Physiology I (4 credits).
   2. BIO-173 Human Anatomy & Physiology II (4 credits).
   3. BIO-186 Microbiology (4 credits)

   Note: The Anatomy and Physiology I and II and Microbiology courses are considered valid for 10 years if the applicant has been working as an LPN.

5. Licensed Practical Nurses will be required to have:
   1. Clearance on criminal and dependent adult and child abuse background screening.
   2. Basic Life Support for Health Care Provider certification.
   3. Completed physical examination requirements.
   4. Current certification in Mandatory Reporting.
   5. Dependent Adult/Child Abuse.
   6. Documentation of required immunizations for Healthcare Personnel.
6. Accepted students will be notified by mail.

XII. Transfer Students

1. Current SCC students with a grade of “C” or higher who desire to transfer within the college from track to track are required to submit the request in writing and meet with the Dean of Health Professions and Nursing faculty representatives to consider transfer request.
2. Transfer students applying for Nursing Program admission, who have been enrolled in a Nursing curriculum other than SCC, will be required to meet with the Student Advocate and the Dean of Health Professions to discuss placement.