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Nursing
    2012 - 2013 AAS - Nursing Program Information

    Nursing also has an academic transfer program.


    Program Options:
    AAS - Nursing
    LVN / Paramedic Bridge to the AAS - Nursing Program
    ESC - Healthcare Case Management
    MSAA - Certified Nurse Assistant




    Collin’s Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program prepares students to make application to the Texas Board of Nursing for licensure as a registered nurse. The nursing curriculum is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). Students must meet eligibility requirements for licensure as established by the Texas Board of Nursing. If an individual has reason to believe he/she is ineligible for licensure, he/she may petition the board for a declaratory order. This should be done prior to entering the program. Contact the Program Director for further information.

    Collin County healthcare facilities enthusiastically support the ADN program. Several healthcare facilities throughout the Metroplex are used for the clinical experience. The role of the nurse continues to change in an evolving healthcare system.

    Students planning to transfer to a college or university should check with the Collin academic advisor prior to beginning this program to verify course transferability.

    For students interested in transferring to a BSN program, please see the Associate of Arts - Nursing Field of Study.


    FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES / CORE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS STATEMENT
    After initial acceptance to this program, all students are required to meet specific functional abilities - with or without accommodations - for successful completion of the program and to function safely and effectively in the variety of the profession’s settings. The specific functional requirements are found in the Functional Abilities / Core Performance Standards documents provided in the program information on the Nursing website www.collin.edu/nursing. Students who think they may not be able to meet the functional standards and need accommodation are encouraged to contact the college ACCESS department as soon as this program is of interest.


    ACCREDITATION
    The Nursing Program is fully accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. They may be contacted at:
         3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 500
         Atlanta, GA 30326
         404.975.5000
        www.nlac.org

    SCHOLARSHIPS
    Various scholarships are available to students when they have been accepted into the Nursing Program. Most scholarships are awarded based on financial need. Other types of monetary support are available through the college’s Financial Aid Office.


    ADDITIONAL ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
    Admission to the Nursing Program is selective. Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to the Nursing Program. Registration is by permission only. Information and applications may be obtained from the Program Director, the Health Sciences, Emergency Services and Physical Education Office or the Nursing website: www.collin.edu/nursing.

    Complete pre-entrance course requirements with a minimum 2.5 GPA
    Earn a GPA of 2.5 or greater on all courses applicable to the Nursing program
    Submit official copies of all college transcripts
    Complete the PSB (Nursing School Aptitude Exam) prior to the Jan. 31 or
    July 31 deadline with a satisfactory result
    Successful completion of drug screen, background check and physical / mental competencies
    Completion of immunizations required by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) *

    * It is important to note that one of the required vaccinations, Hepatitis B, consists of a three dose series, which can take up to 7 months to complete. Individuals unable to receive the HBV must inform the Program Director. In such cases, the applicant must sign a declination form. All immunizations must be complete before the first clinical visit.

    Health Insurance – All nursing students are required to show proof of health insurance prior to starting clinical rotations each semester.

    Placement in mathematics and English courses is based upon the results of each student’s assessments and subjects completed before admission.



    AAS – Nursing
    72 credit hours

    PREREQUISITES
    BIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology I
    BIOL 2402 Anatomy and Physiology II
    BIOL 2421 Microbiology
    MATH 1342 Elementary Statistical Methods 1

    FIRST YEAR
    First Semester
    ENGL 1301 Composition I
    PSYC 2301 General Psychology 1
    RNSG 1219 Integrated Nursing Skills I
    RNSG 1360 Clinical I - Nursing - Registered Nurse Training
    RNSG 1523 Introduction to Professional Nursing for Integrated Programs
    Second Semester
    PSYC 2314 Life Span Psychology
    RNSG 1229 Integrated Nursing Skills II
    RNSG 1461 Clinical II - Nursing - Registered Nurse Training
    RNSG 2504 Integrated Care of the Patient with Common Health Care Needs

    SECOND YEAR
    First Semester
    RNSG 2460 Clinical III - Nursing - Registered Nurse Training
    RNSG 2514 Integrated Care of the Patient with Complex Health Care Needs
    SOCI

    SOCI
    1301

    1306
    Introduction to Sociology
    -OR-
    Social Problems
    Second Semester
    HUMA 1301 Introduction to the Humanities  (Core Options)
    RNSG 2207 Adaptation to the Role of Professional Nurse (Capstone)
    RNSG 2535 Integrated Patient Care Management
    RNSG 2561 Clinical IV - Nursing - Registered Nurse Training

    1. No course substitutions

    Note 1 The communication competency is met throughout the degree.

    Note 2 For those students considering completion of their BSN degree, the following additional courses are recommended:
    BIOL-1322 General Nutrition
    CHEM-1405 Introduction to Chemistry I -OR-
    CHEM-1405 General Chemistry I




    LVN / Paramedic Bridge Program

    The LVN / Paramedic Bridge Program at Collin College is designed for individuals who are currently either an LVN or a Paramedic with a minimum of one year experience. The bridge program enables these individuals to be able to fast track through the generic nursing program based upon their previous clinical experiences and ability to demonstrate knowledge in theory and competency of clinical skills.

    The LVN / Paramedic Bridge Program has two Tracks. One which enables the student to bridge to the second semester of the nursing program (Track I) and the other which enables the student to bridge the entire first year of the generic nursing program (Track II). All LVN / Paramedic Bridge students must be eligible for admission into the nursing program according to the point system used for selection. A minimum of 11 points must be achieved.

    Track I students, after demonstrating eligibility, will then take the Nursing Accelerated Challenge Exam (NACE) – PN to RN. Upon successful completion of the exam, the LVN / Paramedic will then be allowed to demonstrate their competency on first semester nursing skills: vital signs, physical assessment, glucose monitoring, medication administration – except intravenous medications, and sterile dressing changes. The student will then take RNSG-1227 (Transition to Professional Nursing). Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be given credit for RNSG-1219 and
    RNSG-1523. The first semester clinical course (RNSG-1360) will be waived based upon the individual’s previous experiences as either an LVN or Paramedic. If the student is unsuccessful in any of the requirements, then they can apply to the generic nursing program and will need to compete with the applicant pool for selection into the nursing program.

    Track II students must successfully complete all elements of Track I. If their previous work history indicates experiences in medical / surgical and mental health, the student will be allowed to challenge the second semester of the nursing program. The student will need to successfully complete two exams: Nursing Care of Adults I and Comprehensive Psychiatric Nursing. Upon successful completion of the exams, the LVN / Paramedic will then be allowed to demonstrate their competency on second semester nursing skills: catheterization, nasogastric tube insertion, intravenous starts, intravenous medications, and oxygen therapy / suctioning / tracheostomy care. Upon successful completion of both the exams and the skills, the student will be given credit for RNSG-1229 and RNSG-2504. The second clinical course (RNSG-1461) will be waived based upon the individual’s previous experiences as either an LVN or Paramedic. If the student is unsuccessful in any of the Track II requirements, then the individual is eligible to continue as a Track I student.

    Nursing Bridge for LVN /Paramedic
    67 credit hours


    Prerequisites
    BIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology I
    BIOL 2402 Anatomy and Physiology II
    BIOL 2421 Microbiology
    ENGL 1301 Composition I
    MATH 1342 Elementary Statistical Methods 1
    PSYC 2301 General Psychology 1
    PSYC 2314 Life Span Psychology

    1. No course substitutions

    Track I - Completion allows student to enter the second semester of the AAS - Nursing program:
    1. Successfully complete exam: Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam I - PN to RN
    2. Successful validation for first semester skills, within two attempts
    3. RNSG-1227, Transition to Professional Nursing
    Upon successful completion of Track I - 1, 2 and 3 (above), student will receive credit for RNSG-1219 and RNSG-1523.
    Track II - Completion allows student to enter the third semester of the AAS - Nursing program:
    1. Successfully complete Track I
    2. Successfully complete two exams: Nursing Care of Adults I and Comprehensive Psychiatric Nursing
    3. Successful validation of second semester skills, within two attempts
    Upon successful completion of Track II - 1, 2 and 3 (above), student will receive credit for RNSG-1229 and RNSG-2504



    ENHANCED SKILLS CERTIFICATE
    The Enhanced Skills Certificate in Healthcare Case Management is designed to introduce students to the practice and specialized topics concerning healthcare case management. The certificate targets practicing nurses, social workers, respiratory therapists or other healthcare professionals by teaching a multifaceted healthcare case management approach focusing on the coordination and integration of the direct delivery of patient services. The certificate also includes utilization management, medical necessity and the effective and efficient utilization of healthcare resources. The case management process presented explores how the cost and quality components of healthcare services and patient care are balanced by achieving acceptable optimal outcomes while managing cost of care. Course topics explored include the historical perspective of healthcare delivery, the evolution of case management, the roles and models of case management, case management concepts, case management practice including health promotion and illness prevention, disease management, education, referrals, consultation, and collaboration. Exercises with contrived  cases give students the opportunity to practice what they have learned.

    ESC - Healthcare Case Management 1
    9 credit hours

    HPRS 2371 The Case Management Process
    HPRS 2372 Case Management Coordination and Financial Management
    HPRS 2373 Case Studies in Healthcare Case Management

    1 Prerequisite: Student should have been awarded an AAS or BS in Nursing, or current certification or licensure in a healthcare field or profession.




    MSAA - Certified Nurse Assistant
    14 credit hours

    DSAE 1340 Diagnostic Electrocardiography
    ECRD 1111 Electrocardiography
    NURA 1160 Clinical - Nursing Aide and Patient Care Assistant
    NURA 1301 Nurse Aide for Health Care
    PLAB 1323 Phlebotomy
    PLAB 1360 Clinical - Phlebotomy



    Note: The second digit in a course number indicates the number of credit hours
    for that course.

    employee photo
    Contact Information

    Program Director:
    Nell Ard, Ph.D., RN, CNE, ANEF
    CPC - B336
    972.548.6772

    Academic Advisor:
    Erin Darity
    CPC - D117F
    972.548.6778

    Department Website:
    http://www.collin.edu/nursing