Advanced Standing in the Nursing Major (LVNs, Transfer Students and Others) - Registered Nurse Program
Who Is Eligible?
Please note that the nursing program is severely impacted and returning Ohlone College nursing students have first priority for placement. It is wise to apply to several programs.
Advanced standing in the RN program is an option for students who fall into one of the following categories:
- California licensed LVNs,
- Transfer students from other accredited U.S. college or university nursing programs who have successfully completed courses beyond the first semester within the past three year, and
- Other health workers, who by law, are eligible to apply for advanced placement.
Options For Placement
Routes to advanced standing placement are delineated below for those who qualify for entry to the nursing program beyond semester one. The point of entry is determined after evaluation by the nursing department and is dependent on space availability.
Transfer
Students who have successfully completed courses in an accredited U.S. college Registered Nurse Program, or have completed a licensed vocational nursing or psychiatric technician program may receive transfer credit for equivalent course work. Transfer credit is awarded for:
- General education courses.
- Nursing support courses (anatomy and physiology Bio 103A & B; microbiology Bio 106) and (developmental psychology Psych 108 and nutrition CSF 109). Only courses with a grade of “C” or better are accepted.
- Nursing courses completed within the past 3 years with a grade of “C” or better. Applicants may be requested to take a proficiency exam for placement purposes.
Challenge
LVNs and others who graduated from vocational programs located in hospital, technical institutes, and schools other than accredited colleges may challenge to receive credit for previous study. First year courses may be challenged by successfully scoring 45 or higher on the following Excelsior (formerly Regents) College Examinations: contact the Nursing Program to ascertain which exams you need to take; and Maternal-Child Nursing, Associate Degree Exam. For more information on the Excelsior (formerly Regents) College Exams call 1-888-RCEXAMS or http://www.excelsior.edu/. Scores take 4-6 weeks and should be sent directly to the Health Sciences and Environmental Studies Division Office.
30-unit option
In compliance with regulations by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) may seek eligibility for the RN licensure exam (NCLEX-RN) without meeting the requirements for an Associate of Science degree by successfully completing the “30-unit option”. Students who select this option will be required to sign a statement of understanding regarding the limitations of this option. Students who select this option are eligible for licensure in California, but may not be able to attain endorsement for licensure in other states without the AS degree in registered nursing.
LVNs are strongly urged to take the Excelsior (formerly Regents) College Exams as a basis for counseling by faculty to individualize the program to the LVNs own background. The “30-unit option” consists of completing, with a grade of “C” or better all required courses:
Before Admission to the Nursing Program
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
| Anatomy and Physiolog | 4.0 |
| Microbiology | 3.0 |
| Bridge 70 * | 1.5 |
* One of the Bridge courses listed below:
| Course Number | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing 70 at Chabot College | Review of Major Nursing Concepts | 1.5 |
After Admission to the Nursing Program, the LVN must complete these courses with a grade of “C” or above
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| N105 | Mental health and Gerontology | 5.0 |
| N106 | Community II & Medi-Surg III | 5.0 |
| N107 | Med-Surg IV and Rehab | 5.0 |
| N108 | Clinical Preceptorship | 3.5 |
| N109 | Community Synthesis | 1.5 |
| Total Nursing Units: | 20.0 | |
| Total Program Units: | 28.5-30.0 | |
Competencies Required for Placement
-
Science Competency - Complete with a grade “C” or above or equivalent courses in: Anatomy and Physiology (Bio 103 A & B), and Microbiology (Bio 106 or 107).
-
Nutrition and Psychology Competency - Complete with a grade of “C” or above or equivalent course in: Nutrition (CFS 109) and Developmental Psychology (Psych 108).
-
Writing Competency - Achieve a grade of “C” or above in English 101A or equivalent course.
-
Reading Competency - Pass Accuplacer Test. If test is not passed, achieve a grade of “C” or above in English 163* or an equivalent course. *(Beginning in Spring 2005, ENGL 167 will be required.)
-
Math Competency - Achieve a grade of “C” or above in Math 151 or equivalent or clear math (algebra) competency through successful score on Accuplacer Test.
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All nursing students who plan to apply during the October 1-15, 2008 application period for Spring 2009 admission must have completed Intermediate Algebra, or Ohlone College Math 155, or any college math course higher than Intermediate Algebra to meet the new California Community College Math graduation requirement.
-
Nursing Theory and Skill Competency (For LVNs only) - Achieve a grade of “C” or above in Nursing 70 (Chabot) and pass skills and clinical exam.
Getting Started
Students seeking to transfer into the Ohlone College nursing program from another nursing program must be in good standing with their previous program. Each request will be reviewed individually and placement made as spaces are available. Make an appointment with the Nursing Program Director at (510) 659-6030. Bring your transcripts, and a course syllabi for each course completed with a grade of “C” or above in your nursing program within the past three years. Course syllabi will be reviewed for equivalency.
LVNs who have completed a program in a U.S. accredited college, with a California LVN license, and one year of acute care experience may request transfer into the Registered Nurse Program. Placement is on an individual basis and as spaces are available. Graduates of the LVN program at Mission College may seek admission through an articulation agreement between the two colleges. Graduates from non-collegiate sponsored vocational programs may demonstrate competency through satisfactory completion of challenge exams. Make an appointment with Maria Ramirez, LVN-RN counselor, for details at (510) 659-6110.
Application Procedure
-
Complete the Advanced Standing Application (PDF) and return to the Health Sciences and Environmental Studies Division Office in Building 25 at least 6 weeks before the start of the semester for which you are seeking admittance with:
- Copies of transcripts from previous colleges,
- For generic transfer students, syllabi of registered nursing courses successfully completed,
- For LVNs, copy of current license,
- If applicable, proficiency exam scores,
- Nursing Student Academic Evaluation (PDF) signed by counselor. Maria Ramirez, counselor, is available by appointment to assist with the Academic Evaluation process. Call for appointment: (510) 659-6110.
- Submit college application to the Admissions and Records Office.
- Send official transcripts from all colleges attended to the Director of Registered Nursing.
Selection Process
Applications are reviewed to verify:
- Completion of required or equivalent courses with grade of “C” or above.
- Overall college GPA 2.7.
- For LVNs, one year of work experience in acute care and a valid LVN license in California.
- For LVNs, satisfactory completion of a Bridge course and skills lab assessment.
- For generic transfer students, review of nursing course equivalency and verification of good standing in previous RN program from program director. (See Nursing Student Conduct Disclosure (PDF).)
- If applicable, review of competency test scores.
Incomplete applications will be removed from the pool. Final acceptance is based on space availability. Returning Ohlone College nursing students have priority for available spaces. Applications are not kept from semester to semester.
Applicants will be notified within 20 working days and questions regarding application status may be directed to the Health Sciences and Environmental Studies Division Office, (510) 659-6030. The Director of the Nursing Program will accept written appeals from applicants not admitted for 7 working days.
Requirements For Enrollment In The Nursing Program
All students who are admitted to the nursing program are required to provide the following before the first day of class:
- Provide proof of current American Heart Basic Cardiac Life Support card for health care providers that must not expire during the entire nursing program.
- Proof of physical and mental health as required by the profession and current immunizations and titers (form available in the Health Sciences and Environmental Studies Division Office).
- Undergo a mandatory criminal background check as mandated by the JCAHO.
- Undergo a mandatory urine drug screen.
Note: In accordance with Regulation 480 of the Board of Registered Nursing, if you have been convicted of any offence other than a minor traffic violation, you may not qualify to be licensed as a registered nurse. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact the BRN, PO Box 94421, Sacramento, California 94244-2100 Or check their website at http://www.rn.ca.gov.
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