Catalog and Student Handbook 2017-2018 > Degree and Certificate Programs > Nursing

Nursing

The Department of Nurse Education (DNE) faculty values lifelong learning by offering multiple-entry points into the program (Multiple Entry/Exit Program, or MEEP). The DNE statement of purpose is to provide an accredited curriculum that facilitates students’ educational and career choices and encourages life-long learning and encourages progression to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing. The DMC DNE faculty is committed to removing barriers to academic progression and making pathways seamless, building on previous knowledge and competencies already achieved. Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet educational requirements to sit for the specified National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN).

Program Tracks

Vocational Nurse Education Certificate

Students can select the Vocational Nurse Education (VN) Certificate Plan that requires the completion of four (4) semesters. A graduate of the program that earns a Vocational Nurse Certificate is eligible to take the NCLEX-PN exam for licensure. Once the student receives their LVN license and completes the general education course required of the AAS degree plan if eligible can request continuation in the Nursing program to successfully complete the fifth semester (5) of the AAS degree and be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam.

AAS Registered Nurse Education

The Associate in Applied Science Degree plan requires the student to successfully complete all five (5) semesters of the education plan to be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. The student who follows the Associate in Applied Science Degree plan can take an LVN exit option. The student must successfully complete the fourth (4) semester with two (2) additional VNSG courses to be eligible to take the NCLEX-PN licensure exam

Pathway to Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The completion of general education courses and approved nursing electives in the Associate of Arts Degree Plan (Nurse Education) provide access and transfer to Bachelor of Science Nursing Programs. Currently the DNE has articulation agreements with several universities that agree to provide a seamless transfer to their Bachelor of Science Nursing programs (See list of universities on website www.delmar.edu/rn. The participating universities will not require student to take anymore lower division general education courses (unless they are part of the 30 hours) if student meets the 2 items below:

• Completion of 54 general education hours of agreed curriculum
• Transcript marked CORE COMPLETE

LVN Transition to Professional Nursing RN

Graduates from other vocational nursing programs who are licensed and complete the pre-requisite courses are eligible to apply for the LVN to RN Transition track. Students who completed the DMC Vocational Nurse Education Certificate plan prior to 2009 must apply to the LVN to RN Transition track.

General Admission Guidelines

Admission requirements and selection criteria for application to the nursing program can be found on the program website at www.delmar.edu/rn.

The following are required prior to applying to the program:

1. All applicants must meet general admission requirements of the College and submit a completed online application available at www.nursingCAS.org
2. Completion and minimum required scores on standardized HESI A2 Exam. (Refer to www.delmar.edu/rn for additional guidelines, schedules and fees).
3. BIOL 2402 Anatomy and Physiology II must be completed within five (5) years of application to nursing program.

4. A grade of "C" or higher is required in all of the following general education courses. Completion of pre-requisites may be completed prior to admission:

   • Completion of pre-requisites: 
     • ENGL 1301 
     • BIOL 2401 
     • BIOL 2402
     • PSYC 2301
   • Course co-requisites:
     • SPCH 1311, 1315, or 1321
     • PHIL 2306
     • BIOL 2420
   • may be completed prior to admission
5. Students pursuing the AAS- Registered Nurse Education degree plan must take Chemistry 1406N for CEUs (Continuing Education Units) prior to the co-requisite BIOL 2420 Microbiology and Clinical Pathology to comply with program requirements. The Chemistry 1406N CEU course may not meet the criteria for financial aid assistance; please check with the Financial Aid Office. If the student chooses to have the Chemistry 1406N CEU course converted to semester credit hours a petition to record credit form must be completed by student.
6. Program Grade Point Average (PGPA) of 2.5

7. Due to our selective admission criteria, the most recent grade and not the highest grade is used in the calculation for the program GPA.

The following must accompany the NursingCAS online application submission:

Document verifying immunizations

1. Hepatitis B Vaccine: Students are required to have completed the Hepatitis B vaccine series prior to the start of nursing school. Please keep in mind that this series may take up to six (6) months to complete.
2. Tetanus-diphtheria: One dose of a tetanus-diphtheria toxoid (Td) is required within the last 10 years. The booster dose may be in the form of a tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis containing vaccine (Tdap).
3. Varicella Vaccine: Students are required to have received one dose of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine on or after the student’s first birthday or, if the first dose was administered on or after the student’s thirteenth (13) birthday, two doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine are required. If a student has previously had Varicella (chickenpox) disease the student will need to submit Verification of Immunity/History of Illness to the nursing office. The form is available on the nursing website at www.delmar.edu/rn
4. Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccines: If a student has their immunization record and this record reflects two doses of MMR vaccine then the student is in compliance with all of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella requirements. If a student does not have two documented doses of MMR they will need to ensure that they meet the minimum requirement:
   1. Measles: Students born on or after January 1, 1957, must show acceptable evidence of vaccination of two doses of a measles- containing vaccine administered since January 1, 1968 (preferably MMR vaccine).
   2. Mumps: Students born on or after January 1, 1957, must show acceptable evidence of vaccination of one dose of a mumps vaccine. Serological lab showing proof of immunity is acceptable.
   3. Rubella: Students must show acceptable evidence of one dose of rubella vaccine.

Upon conditional acceptance to program, student must submit the following:

1. Health Screening on a standard departmental physical examination form to provide evidence of good physical and mental health. Failure to reveal prior or present physical or emotional illness will place a student as subject to dismissal. While information will be held in confidence there are certain circumstances that, for the student’s protection as well as others, make health information disclosure a necessity.
2. Negative PPD or chest X-ray with the last 12 months.
   • Students with a positive PPD and a negative chest X-ray on admission into the program must complete a TB screening questionnaire annually while enrolled in the program.
   • Students whose responses indicate possibility of TB infection must submit documentation of medical evaluation and treatment, if applicable.
   • Students with a negative PPD on admission who convert to positive while enrolled in the program must submit documentation of medical evaluation and treatment.
1. Other acceptable blood tests for documentation of TB health status include QuantiFERON®–TB Gold In-Tube test (QFT-GIT) and T-SPOT®.TB test (T-Spot)
   • Positive IGRA: A positive test result suggests that TB infection is likely. Additional testing is necessary and includes checking for signs and symptoms suggestive of TB disease, a chest x-ray, and, when indicated, examination of sputum or other clinical samples for the presence of TB.
   • Negative IGRA: A negative test suggests that infection by TB bacteria is not likely. No additional testing is necessary.
• A Negative PPD, or other acceptable test documenting negative TB health status, is required yearly thereafter by each student while enrolled in the program.
3. Current CPR course completion card from American Heart Association Health Care Provider or American Red Cross Professional Rescuer. The CPR card expiration date must fall beyond the last day of clinical for the semester.
4. Final acceptance into the program is contingent upon satisfactory FBI background check (completed through the Texas Board of Nursing)
   • The Texas Board of Nursing may require an applicant to complete a declaratory order if the background check is not clear or there are questions surrounding a mental illness or chemical dependency. This process may take up to six months to a year, and students must have a clearance from the TBON before enrolling in nursing courses.
   • Prospective applicants who question their eligibility are encouraged to contact the Texas Board of Nursing or program to further discuss their situation at www.bon.state.tx.us or (512) 305-7400.
5. Students are required to pass a random drug screen prior to the beginning of clinical rotations. Details on the drug screen will be provided after students are accepted to the nursing program.

Progression Requirements

Students enrolled in the program must be in good standing:

• Maintain a PGPA of 2.0
• Successfully complete all concurrent nursing courses and general education course co-requisites: 
  • SPCH 1311, 1315, or 1321
  • PHIL 2306
  • BIOL 2420
• Students will be required to take standardized comprehensive competency exams throughout the nursing program. Failure to achieve satisfactory scores in the final level of the program will delay graduation.
• A student may be readmitted into the nursing program one time only.

The program is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing (www.bon.state.tx.us). The Associate in Applied Science degrees are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Accredited information is available through ACEN 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326. Phone (404) 975-5000, www.acenursing.org/