RN AND LPN PROGRAM OPTIONS AT HOWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE Length of Clinical Program Schedule Options Starting Semester RN 2 years Day Evening/Weekend Fall and Spring* Fall only LPN 11 months Day Evening/Weekend Fall only Fall only *Supplemental Applications are accepted for the Fall Program only. Students who choose the Day Option and are waitlisted may be offered a seat in the Spring term. Note: Program duration is based solely on clinical coursework. Additional time may be necessary to complete prerequisite coursework.
Schedules Day Option 2 days per week of theory: 2.5 hours per day 2 days per week of clinicals: approximately 6 hours per day Evening/Weekend Option 2 evenings per week of theory: 2.5 hour classes 2 evenings per week of clinicals: approximately 6 hours per evening *some weekend clinicals are required in place of evenings It has been the practice of the Nursing Education Program to assign sites for clinical practice based upon the student s selected program option. However, the program is not able to guarantee that all clinical rotations will be held within the selected option. This is necessary to ensure adequate and appropriate clinical experiences.
Required Courses for RN Program Course numbers are for HCC courses only Prerequisites Any necessary developmental coursework Chemistry (CHEM-103) Microbiology (BIOL-107) Anatomy & Physiology I (BIOL-203) College-level Math Core Co-requisites Anatomy & Physiology II (BIOL-204) Lifespan Development (HMDV-200) College Composition (ENGL-121) General Psychology (PSYC-101) Introduction to Sociology (SOCI-101) Humanities, Arts & Literature Core (2 courses from different areas) Science, math and developmental courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
RN GPA and Grade Requirements Must have a minimum overall HCC GPA of 2.0 Must earn grades of C or higher in all math and science courses An A or B is required in at least one of the science courses Students who complete BIOL-203 and BIOL-204 and either CHEM-103 or BIOL-107 may apply and be admitted on a conditional basis. Students must then complete the fourth science course before or during the first clinical term.
Required Courses for LPN Program Course numbers are for HCC courses only Prerequisites Any necessary developmental courses Microbiology (BIOL-107) Anatomy & Physiology I (BIOL-203) Drug Calculations (MATH-105) Co-requisites Anatomy & Physiology II (BIOL-204) Lifespan Development (HMDV-200) College Composition (ENGL-121) General Psychology (PSYC-101) Science, math and developmental courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
LPN GPA and Grade Requirements Must have a minimum overall HCC GPA of 2.0 Must earn grades of C or higher in all math and science courses An A or B is required in at least one of the science courses A college-level math core course can be used in place of MATH-105 (Drug Calculations)
Time Limits on Science Courses 10 year limit: Microbiology and Chemistry 5 year limit: Anatomy & Physiology I and II Competency exams for both A&P courses are available if coursework is over 5 years old and equivalent to HCC s courses Time limits apply to all HCC and transfer courses Students must apply and qualify for the Nursing program before their science courses expire Example: If Chemistry was taken in 2003, student must apply and qualify for the Nursing Program by Fall 2013. If student qualifies but is waitlisted until Spring or Fall 2014, the course is still valid
Credit for Prior Learning Students may transfer in applicable and equivalent coursework from accredited institutions, AP tests and CLEP exams Science and math courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher Submit official Transcript Evaluation Request Form to HCC ($15.00 fee) Student is responsible for requesting official transcripts from previous institution(s)
English Placement Test If applicant does not have a U.S. bachelor s degree or an HCC college-level English course with grade of C or better, applicant must take HCC s English placement test If applicant places into developmental English course(s) and has no prior credit for college-level English, applicant must complete developmental course(s) with C or better before taking ENGL-121 If applicant places into developmental English but has transfer credit for college-level English, a nursing advisor will determine which English course(s) must be completed at HCC Placement test may be taken twice; scores are valid for two years
Math Placement Test Applicants who have completed a college-level math core course are exempt from the math placement test RN applicants without a college-level math core course must: take the math placement test complete any necessary developmental courses and complete a college-level math course with a C or higher LPN applicants without a college-level math core course must: take the math placement test and place higher than or complete MATH-060 in order to be eligible for MATH-105 (Drug Calculations) pass MATH-105 with a C or higher before beginning the Nursing Program Placement test may be taken twice; scores are valid for two years
Nursing Admission Assessment -Elsevier s Evolve Admission Assessment (A2) Exam topics: Anatomy & Physiology and Biology Chemistry -RN applicants only Math English: Reading Comprehension, Grammar and Vocabulary Nursing applicants must pass the exam no later than: February 15 to qualify for the first lottery May 15 to qualify for the second lottery
Format of Assessment and Re-Test Policy Computer based, online assessment Multiple choice (some math questions require student-generated responses) Time limits: RN applicants are allotted 5 hours to complete the exam LPN applicants are allotted 4.5 hours to complete the exam Students receive scores immediately upon completion Must achieve a composite score of 70% or higher to qualify Re-Test Policy Must wait 3 months before retesting Must retake entire exam Exam may be taken up to 3 times in a 12-month period Scores are valid for 2 years
NAA Registration and Preparation Materials Submit registration form and testing fee to the Office of Admissions & Advising Or, students may register and pay online at: https://commerce.cashnet.com/cashnetf/selfserve/storeentrance.aspx? SID=MISC&client=HOWARDCC_PROD Test registration must be completed at least one week prior to the testing date. Testing dates fill up quickly students are encouraged to register early. Available dates, current fees, the registration form and a list of suggested study topics are available online at: http://www.howardcc.edu/admissions/apply/alliedhealth/testing.html Study guides are available for purchase in the HCC bookstore or can be used on-site at the Clark Library
Applicant Requirements Submit HCC s Standard Application ($25 fee) If applicable, submit official college transcripts along with Transcript Evaluation Request Form Complete appropriate placement test(s) Submit Supplemental Nursing Application by Feb. 15 ($25 fee) along with required residency verification and, if applicable, proof of immigration status Complete required coursework Pass Clinical Nursing Admission Assessment For more information please refer to the program brochure: http://www.howardcc.edu/admissions/docs/allied_heal th/rn_lpnbooklet.pdf
Supplemental Application Supplemental Application Period: September 15 - February 15 no exceptions! Students must have completed or be registered for final prerequisites when submitting the Supplemental Application Must select RN or LPN program Must select Day or Evening/Weekend program option Qualified students are seated based on a lottery March lottery prerequisite coursework and assessment completed by Feb. 15. June lottery prerequisite coursework and assessment completed by May 15 Students are strongly encouraged to meet with a Nursing/Allied Health advisor http://www.howardcc.edu/admissions/contact_admissions/index.html