Nursing LPN to ADN Transition Program (NLT3) ADN- Associate Degree Nursing
Campus Availability and Advisement:
Program Description:
The Associate Degree Nursing Degree 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 of 3 Semesters (including the summer term)
Entrance Date:
Beginning of any semester for pre-occupational curriculum, summer semester of odd-numbered years for occupational curriculum
Entrance Requirements for Entering Nursing Pre-Occupational Curriculum (See guidelines on previous pages.)
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 (32 Credit Hours, 3 semesters)**
Total Credit Hours: Minimum 62 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.
Nursing LPN to ADN Transition Guidelines:
Transition Students
The Associate of Science in Nursing degree program has an accelerated track for LPNs who desire to transition to ADN. The LPN to ADN Transition track of the ADN program provides qualified licensed practical nurses the opportunity to advance their formal nursing education to achieve an Associate of Science in Nursing degree and qualify to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The program builds on the previous education and experience of the LPN providing an accelerated track for completion of the degree requirements.
Admission Requirements (Transition Track)
A licensed practical nurse (LPN) may receive advanced placement in the nursing program if he/she holds a valid unencumbered license with documentation of employment as a LPN with a minimum of 2000 clock hours within three years prior to admission. Admission is competitive and based on a point system that considers course grades, state of residency, and pre-entrance examination scores. The applicants must:
- Be officially admitted to Georgia Northwestern Technical College and declared Associate of Science in Nursing Degree as a major/minor;
- Have completed all required core courses by the end of Fall Semester prior to the year of entry;
- Have science course credits less than 5 years old;
- Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of a least 3.0 calculated for the program required core courses.
- Obtain a minimum score of 75% on each component of the HESI Admission Assessment Exam within three years prior to entry;
- Obtain a minimum score of 850 on the HESI LPN to ADN exam within three years prior to entry;
- Validate selected nursing skills;
- Be able to meet the physical demands requirements as listed under “Essential Requirements for Nursing” (See college catalog);
- Have an application to the Nursing program on file in the nursing office by February 1st prior to the summer term they plan to begin the nursing sequence.
Process for Application
Students may apply to the Associate Degree Nursing program at any time after acceptance to the college and declaring nursing as their major.
- Obtain an application form from the Nursing Office (Walker campus) or the ASN program web site;
- Return the completed application form to the ASN office no later than February 1st preceding the summer term they wish to enter the program;
- Submit a copy of current LPN license and proof of employment hours
Selection Process
During fall semester the Nursing and Allied Health Technologies secretary will send a letter to LPNs who have applied for advanced placement in the ASN program by the February 1st deadline. This letter will notify the students about the date, time, location, and cost for the administration of the pre-entrance examination. After receipt of the letter, students should:
- Return the enclosed form indicating intent to take the examination;
- Pay and register for the examination as instructed. The pre-entrance examination, HESI ENTRANCE EXAM, will have to be taken by the deadline stated in the letter. Failure to take the examination will result in forfeiture of the examination cost. Applicants can take this exam twice every 12 months and the scores are valid for a period of 3 years. Those applicants who obtain a minimum score of 75% on each component of the HESI Admission Assessment Exam will be eligible to take the HESI LPN to ADN exam which can only be taken once per year. Upon attainment of a minimum score of 850 on this examination, applicants will take a dosage calculation examination. The final step in the selection process is validation of selected nursing skills. Once the testing process is complete, students will be selected by the faculty using a point system that includes core course grades, state of residency, and pre-entrance test scores. After the completion of the selection process by the faculty, students will be notified by letter that they are accepted or not. The letter will state the date and time for a mandatory orientation. Applicants who are not accepted will have the opportunity to be considered for the generic nursing class, or they may attempt to enter the next transition course offered two years later. For further information about nursing program requirements, please see the associate degree Nursing section of this catalog. Students in the transition track of the ADN program are required to meet the same program requirements as those in the generic track.
Retention Policies
In order to progress through the Associate of science in 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. 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 ASN 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.