What courses should I take if I am preparing for admission into the Nursing Program?
How long will it take to complete the Associate Degree Nursing Program?
Am I a registered nurse when I complete an Associate Degree Nursing Program?
Are there any costs involved in the Nursing Program?
Where are the clinical assignments in the program?
If I am transferring from another nursing program, can I get credit for some of the nursing courses?
Do I have to take science and algebra?
Is there financial aid available to nursing students?
What courses should I take if I am preparing for admission into the Nursing Program?
Any developmental courses which are recommended as a result of assessment testing should be taken immediately.
An important factor considered in admissions decisions is the amount of general education coursework (and the grades earned in those courses), particularly in the sciences, completed by the applicant by the February 15, 2010 application deadline. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to take at least some of the general education courses (especially the science courses) required for nursing, both to lighten the student's course load once he/she is admitted to the nursing program and also to strengthen the student's qualifications for admission.
How long will it take to complete the Associate Degree Nursing Program?
The nursing program curriculum, including general education courses, can be taken within a two-year period. However, this full-time course load is a very difficult and time-consuming one, especially if the student has work or other non-school obligations. For this reason, many students elect to take many or all of their general education courses before beginning the sequence of nursing courses. The number of general education courses, particularly in the sciences, which have been successfully completed is one of the factors used to make admission decisions.
Am I a registered nurse when I complete an Associate Degree Nursing Program?
No. Once you have earned the Associate in Applied Science degree in Nursing, you are eligible to take the State Board Licensing Examination (NCLEX-RN). Upon passing this examination, you are issued the registered nurse license (R.N.).
Are there any costs involved in the Nursing Program?
Yes. In addition to tuition and the cost of transportation to clinical sites and parking, students are responsible for the following items (estimated):
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Where are the clinical assignments in the program?
Martha Jefferson Hospital, University of Virginia Health System, Western State Hospital, Kluge Children's Rehabilitation Center, Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge, The Colonnades, The Cedars, Health South and Augusta Medical Center are settings where students do clinical rotations. Other facilities may also be used.
If I am transferring from another college, can I get credit for some of the general education courses?
Yes. Once your transcripts are on file in PVCC's Office of Admissions and Records, the Coordinator of Enrollment Services and Records will complete a transcript evaluation and send you written confirmation of courses accepted for transfer to PVCC.
If I am transferring from another nursing program, can I get credit for some of the nursing courses?
Yes. Once your transcripts are on file in PVCC's Office of Admissions and Records, make an appointment with the Health Science Coordinator. Nursing courses with identical course numbers taken within the VCCS will automatically be transferred. The Health Science Coordinator and nursing faculty will evaluate nursing coursework taken elsewhere. You will be required to provide course outlines, syllabi and skills checklists in order to determine what work may transfer. For further details, contact the Division of Health & Life Sciences Division Office at 434.961.5445. Please keep in mind that all nursing courses must be completed within a five-year time limit and that includes nursing courses taken outside PVCC.
Transfer students are admitted on a space-available basis and priority will be given to those who transfer without a failure at another school. Please note that transfer students who failed at another Virginia community college nursing program will have only one admission to the PVCC Nursing Program with no offer of re-admission. Transfer students who have not failed at another Virginia community college nursing program will be allowed the standard one re-admission to our program.
If I am graduating from high school in June, what should I do to be considered for admission into the Nursing Program?
All previously identified program prerequisites must be completed by February 15, 2011.
It is highly recommended that students coming immediately out of high school enroll and complete the majority of the general education requirements of this program before actual admission into nursing; however, applicants with strong academic records, especially in science and math, who are spring high school graduates will be considered by the Admissions Committee.
Do I have to take science and algebra?
You must demonstrate competency in mathematics through the Algebra I level. This can be done by the completion of developmental algebra (Math 2, Math 9 and Math 3), by achieving a COMPASS algebra score of at least 40 or by completing another approved college-level math course with a grade of "C" or better. These must have been done within the past 8 years. The program will determine which college math courses are acceptable.
If you did not take biology and chemistry in high school (and earn a grade of C or higher) you must take NAS 2 (Foundations of Life Science) or college-level biology and chemistry courses. In addition, completion of the developmental English requirements (by taking the developmental courses, achieving appropriate reading and writing placement test scores or by transferring ENG 111 or its equivalent) is a prerequisite for the science course sequence.
Additional demonstration of math competency by successfully passing a math skills/dosage calculation test is also required each semester of the Nursing Program, regardless of previously completed math coursework.
Is there financial aid available to nursing students?
Yes. There are a number of financial aid opportunities. For further information, please contact the Financial Aid Office (434.961.6545) at your earliest convenience. It is best to complete your financial aid application by March 31 for the following fall semester.
