ADN Option for Licensed Practical Nurses

A limited number of Licensed Practical Nurses who meet the following criteria are eligible to enter the Associate Degree Nursing program at the sophomore level upon successful completion of the bridge course, ADN-104, Nursing IIA. Criteria include:

• Graduation from an approved Practical Nursing program with a 2.5 cumulative GPA in the nursing courses.
• A current, unencumbered license.
• Have practiced nursing within the past two years.
• Meet ADN program prerequisites.
• Have completed the support courses required during the first year of the ADN program.

Admission into this program is in the fall semester only. For proper placement in the program, the student must also provide evidence of a curriculum that reflects sufficient theory, clinical hours, and experiences comparable to the first year of the program. If there is no clinical evidence of these rotations, the student will be required to enroll in ADN-103, Nursing II.

The ADN program is approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (61 Broadway - 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006, 212-363-5555, ext. 153).

Applying to the Program
Since the applicant’s progress toward meeting prerequisites and admission requirements must be tracked, applicants to the ADN Option for LPNs program must complete the application process through the health professions counselor located in the Student Services Office or online. The LPN candidate should apply at least a year before the desired date of entering Nursing III to allow for placement in Nursing II, if necessary.

If as a Practical Nursing student, the cumulative GPA for the practical nursing classes is below 2.5, the returning student would be required to enroll in ADNS-703, Nursing II. One year must transpire from completion of a Practical Nursing program and entry into the ADN program. In addition, the student must be employed as an LPN in at least a part-time status (1,000 hours) during the one-year interval. Individual consideration will be given to applicants who have not practiced nursing within the last two years or who have practiced in a nontraditional setting. This may include a challenge examination. A verification of current skills and total hours of employment from the employer will also be used to assess appropriate placement in the program.

Eighteen semester hours of first year nursing credit will be awarded upon successful completion of Nursing III, the first course with a clinical component. In the event a student is not successful in Nursing IIA or Nursing III, the student will be required to apply for re-entry into the program for the second semester of the freshman year on a space-available basis. Students seeking entrance into the ADN program should be aware that nursing courses with a clinical component may not be taken by a person:

1. who has been denied licensure by the Iowa Board of Nursing.
2. whose license is currently suspended, surrendered, or revoked in any United States jurisdiction.
3. whose license/registration is currently suspended, surrendered, or revoked in another country due to disciplinary action.

Prerequisites
The following required courses must be completed with a C grade or better:

• Mathematics: Four semesters of high school/college preparatory math (e.g., Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry) OR two semesters of college equivalent math (e.g., MATH-063, Elementary Algebra; MATH-102, Intermediate Algebra.
• Chemistry: Two semesters of high school/ college preparatory chemistry OR one semester of college chemistry, CHM-101, Introduction to General Chemistry.
• Biology: Two semesters of high school/ college preparatory biology OR one semester of a college biology course, BIO-102, Introductory Biology and lab or BIOL-157, Human Biology and lab.
• Anatomy and Physiology: college level anatomy and physiology for two semesters, BIOL-206, Anatomy and Physiology I, and BIOL-207, Anatomy and Physiology II. Anatomy and Physiology I and II must be completed within five years of beginning the Nursing II or Nursing III course.

Other elements of the selection process include high school and college GPA and ACT scores. All criteria for the ADN program apply and should be reviewed. This information must be in the applicant’s file before the admissions committee will act on the application. Upon acceptance, a physical examination providing evidence of current immunization and sound physical and mental health is required. Criminal background checks and adult/dependent abuse checks are required prior to enrollment in the program and the cost will be the responsibility of the student. Results of these checks will determine clinical eligibility. Drug testing may also be required by affiliating agencies and will also be done at student expense.

Degree Earned
Students must attain a C grade in all ADN courses and related required courses. An overall 2.0 GPA in the prescribed curriculum and a minimum overall cumulative college grade point average of 2.00 is required from graduation from the ADN program.

Upon completion of the prescribed curriculum, the student is awarded an associate in applied science degree and is eligible for the NCLEX-RN® exam. After passing this exam, the graduate receives registered nurse status and is prepared to work in a beginning staff nurse position.

The job market and beginning salaries for new graduates are predicted to be outstanding. One hundred percent of available NIACC graduates are employed in training-related jobs (2004 NIACC Career Graduate Report).

Articulation into BSN Programs
For graduates wishing to obtain a baccalaureate degree in nursing, the ADN program articulates into other BSN programs in Iowa. The University of Iowa College of Nursing offers a satellite RN to BSN Progression Program on the NIACC campus. Through this program, RNs may complete all coursework for their BSN degree locally.

Required Courses/Suggested Schedule

The following are the support courses required prior to beginning the nursing aspect of the curriculum. These courses must be completed with a minimum of a C grade.

*Courses which may be taken prior to entering the Associate Degree Nursing program.

Note: “Healthcare Provider (CPR) Certification” offered by the American Heart Association is required and students are responsible to maintain current CPR certification/ recertification while enrolled. A yearly TB test is also required. Students must be current with these requirements or will not be allowed in the clinical area.

Students should be aware that travel outside of Mason City is required for clinical experiences. In addition, some clinical experiences may be scheduled during evening/night hours and weekends.

Further information regarding progression in the program and specific program policies is provided to the ADN student in the individual program handbook distributed during the first ADN class. Students are referred to this handbook throughout the program.

For information on the ADN program at NIACC, e-mail Donna Orton at North Iowa Area Community College, 500 College Drive, Mason City, IA 50401 (1-888-GO NIACC)

Go to NIACC Associate Degree Nursing
Health Division

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North Iowa Area Community College, 500 College Drive, Mason City, IA 50401
641-423-1264 or 1-888-GO NIACC
www.niacc.edu