Nursing (NU33) Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)
Campus Availability and Advisement:
Program Description:
The Associate Degree Nursing program at Georgia Northwestern Technical College prepares the learner to apply the behaviors, knowledge, and skills required of a self-directed, critical thinking, beginning nurse generalist. Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will be able to function as a provider of care, manager of care, and member of the discipline of nursing. The program has received approval from the Georgia Board of Nursing and accreditation by the Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Length of Program:
Minimum 4 (FOUR) semesters after being admitted into Nursing courses.
Entrance Date:
Beginning of any semester for pre-occupational curriculum, fall semester for occupational curriculum
Entrance Requirements for Entering Nursing Pre-Occupational Curriculum (See guidelines below for additional requirements)
Age: Minimum of 17 years of age
Education: High school diploma or GED is required.
Assessment Results: Applicants must achieve minimum scores in reading, writing, and numeric skills on the entrance test. Applicants failing to attain minimum scores may receive refresher/remedial instruction through the Learning Support program at GNTC in order to meet admission requirements. Previous training and/or education may be evaluated to provide advanced placement in the program.
Program Final Exit Point: Nursing Associate Degree
Pre-Occupational Curriculum (30 Credit Hours)**
Nursing Curriculum (42 Credit Hours, 4 semesters)**
Total Credit Hours: 72 Minimum Credit Hours for Graduation
**Hours Legend:
| Class Hours: |
One credit for one clock hour per week. |
| Clinical Hours: |
One credit hour for three clock hours per week. |
Note: The Nursing Division has a prepared program course sequence in which students in the ASN program take the required classes. Please contact the Nursing Division for more information.
Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Guidelines:
The Associate Degree Nursing program at Georgia Northwestern Technical College prepares the learner to apply the behaviors, knowledge, and skills required of a self-directed, critical thinking, beginning nurse generalist. Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will be able to function as a provider of care, manager of care, and member of the discipline of nursing. The program has received approval from the Georgia Board of Nursing and accreditation by the Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Students who meet all the admission requirements of the college and are candidates for the ADN program, may begin taking general education core courses at any time. Students who are enrolled in these courses should understand that enrollment in general education core courses does not guarantee admission to the ASN program. They should also be aware that there is a high level of competition for entrance into the nursing sequence. Students must be 17 years of age before entering the nursing sequence in order to comply with clinical facility requirements.
Admission Requirements (Generic Track)
Selection for admission to the ADN program is based on a point system, which includes consideration of course grades, state of residency, number of core courses that have been completed and pre-entrance examination scores. Selection for entrance into the fall class will be made during the prior spring semester. An intent form (received at group advisement; meeting schedule listed on the program website) must be completed and received by the program assistant no later than March 1st for inclusion in that year’s applicant pool for the following fall semester. Applications received after this date will not be considered. The application may be submitted at any time after acceptance to the college and declaring nursing as a major/minor. By the end of the spring semester prior to selection, the applicants must:
- be officially admitted to Georgia Northwestern Technical College and have declared Associate of Science in Nursing as a major/minor;
- have completed all Learning Support courses;
- have Biology and Algebra course credits within the past five years;
- have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 calculated for the program required core courses completed;
- obtain a minimum score of 75% on each component of the HESI Admission Assessment Exam;
- be able to meet the technical standards listed under “Essential Requirements for Nursing”.
Selection Process
Students will receive information about the required HESI Pre-admission Entrance Examination when they have attended the required face to face meeting (group advisement) to review all program deadlines, HESI study guide information, and explanation of the points system along with any additional program details. Should a student register for the exam and not take it on the assigned date, the cost of the exam will be forfeited. That student will not be considered for selection. When exam results are received and fall semester grades have been posted, faculty will begin the selection process using a point system that considers course grades, state of residency, number of core courses that have been completed and pre-entrance exam scores. Students will be notified by letter that they are accepted or not accepted. Students who are not accepted will have the opportunity to be considered for the next year’s class, but have to indicate this on a form to be submitted to the nursing office. They will have an opportunity to retest the following year, if they so desire or they may keep their current scores. HESI scores will only be valid for three years. Students who retest must pay another exam fee. Once students are selected for admission to the ADN program, they must attend a mandatory orientation session. The dates and times will be included in the acceptance letter. The students will also be provided information on requirements and deadlines in the acceptance letter. Not meeting program deadlines will lead to failure to be admitted or failure to meet course requirements and lead to program dismissal. Program requirements include:
- Current American Heart Association CPR certification for the Healthcare Provider;
- Student liability insurance;
- Personal health history;
- Physical assessment by a healthcare provider;
- Record of immunizations and titers;
- TCPS orientations;
- ASN student handbook.
- Mandatory background check and a mandatory drug screen performed at students’ expense and completed by the deadlines specified by the program.
Retention Policies
In order to progress through the Associate Degree Nursing program, students must:
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 (75%) or better. This average or greater must be achieved in each course in order to progress to the next quarter of the nursing program.
- Meet special requirements in academic achievement required by some courses, such as specified percentages on dosage calculation examinations and completion of standardized tests;
- Attain an overall 75% or better unit test average, and an overall total test average of 75% (unit exams plus final exam) excluding other points;
- Have satisfactory clinical and skills performance as defined on the clinical evaluation tool in each clinical course.
- Maintain CPR certification and carry professional liability insurance while enrolled in nursing courses. Students will not be allowed in the clinical agencies without CPR certification and liability insurance.
- Maintain annual health requirements.
Readmission Policies and Requirements
Students who do not progress in the nursing program may be considered for readmission to the program. Only one readmission into the nursing program per track is permitted, and has to occur during the next semester when the courses failed are offered. Each track (generic and transition) will be considered separately when considering the two attempts. In addition, if a student who has been unsuccessful twice wishes to reenter, he/she may be reconsidered after a period of five years. The student must meet all current entry requirements and their biology sequence must be current (or the classes retaken) Students must continue to be in good standing with the institution and the nursing program (i.e. no disciplinary or academic misconduct on record). Students must complete a request for readmission and meet with the director of the ADN program for an interview at least one semester prior to the semester of readmission. In order to be considered for readmission, students must:
- Meet the current admission requirements.
- Enroll in both nursing courses of the semester.
- Complete current program requirements.
Re-entry is conditional upon class and clinical space availability. If reentry is requested for RNSG 1112 or RNSG 1120 (first semester nursing courses), the student will be placed back into the applicant pool for the next class selection. The reentering students will be ranked using the same process as all other candidates. If the student is unsuccessful in either RNSG 1112 or RNSG 1120, both courses must be repeated upon readmission. The student must meet the current admission requirements, enroll in both nursing courses of the semester, and complete current program requirements.
If the reentry is for any subsequent courses, a reentry score will be calculated based on prior nursing course averages and dosage calculations examination averages. The student will then be ranked according to the reentry score. The student must have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.0, meet other current admission requirements, enroll in the unsuccessful and the co-requisite course, and complete current program requirements. All efforts will be made to facilitate reentry.
Graduation Requirements
All courses in the nursing curriculum must be successfully completed in order to graduate. Only students who have completed required course work, and received the ASN degree are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam for licensure as a registered nurse. Students must also pass a Kaplan Exit Exam, which will be administered during the RNSG 2140 Nursing Capstone course in the final semester of the program. Students must score 60% or above on the Kaplan Exit Exam within two attempts to pass RNSG 2140. Students will be required to submit remediation between attempts as specified by the nursing faculty within time frames that will be determined on a case-by-case basis. If they do not pass the Kaplan Exit Exam before the end of spring semester, they will receive an incomplete in the course and will not be able to graduate.
If they score 60% or above on a subsequent attempt, the incomplete will be changed to the earned grade; and they will be able to apply to sit for the NCLEX-RN if they meet all other course, program, and graduation requirements. If the required Kaplan score is not achieved within two attempts, they will not pass RNSG 2140 and will have to repeat the course, as well as the co-requisite nursing course of that semester. Re-entry is on a space-available basis. (See Readmission Policies and Requirements)
Licensure Availability
The Georgia Board of Nursing has the authority to render a potential candidate ineligible for licensure as a registered nurse based on previous events, such as misdemeanor and/or felony conviction. Administrative Code 43-26-11 of the Georgia Board of Nursing states:
The board shall have the authority to refuse to grant a license to an applicant, to revoke the license of a licensee, or to discipline a licensee upon a finding by the board that the applicant or licensee has:
- Been convicted of any felony, crime involving moral turpitude, or crime violating a federal or state law relating to controlled substances or dangerous drugs in the courts of this state or any other state, territory, or country, or in the courts of the United States, including but not limited to a plea of nolo contendere entered to the charge;
- Displayed an inability to practice nursing as a registered professional nurse or licensed undergraduate nurse with reasonable skill and safety due to illness, use of alcohol, drugs, narcotics, chemicals, or any other type material, or as a result of any mental or physical condition.