Standards for Admission, Readmission, Transfer of Academic Credit and Graduation Requirements for Fall, 2008

Applicants are responsible for requesting "Standards for Admission" for desired year of entrance into the nursing program

I. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

1. College G.P.A. of 3.0 in 12 or more hours applicable to the Nursing Degree. (11 hours college credit or less applicable to the Nursing Degree: must use High School G.P.A. of 3.0). Interested applicants with less than 12 hours applicable toward the degree are encouraged to make an appointment with the Division Chair of Nursing for possible course substitution/alternative. The final decision regarding substitution will be made by the Nursing and Health Sciences Division Chair.

2. ACT Composite of 19*. (Score must be within the last 5 years.)

3. ACT Math Subset Score of 16*.

*Applicants must achieve a composite of 19 and a 16 math subset score on the same ACT exam.

4. Nelson-Denny Reading Test Score of 15. (Score must be within the last 3 years.)

5. As an alternative to taking the ACT, applicants may take the Nurse Entrance Test (NET).  A minimum composite score of 62 with a minimum math score of 56 is required.  Information on NET testing will be available in the Nursing Office.  Applicants may only take the NET one time.  If scores do not meet the minimum standards, the applicant must submit ACT scores.  A reading score of 72 on the NET will allow the student to waive taking the Nelson Denny Reading Test.

Note:

1. Physiology must be completed prior to or concurrent enrollment in NURS 1515 Introduction to Human Dimensions.

2. Applications of Clinical Microbiology should be taken prior to or concurrent with NURS1515, Introduction to Human Dimensions.

3. Anatomy is to be taken prior to or concurrent with N1528 Nursing Across the Life Span.

4. Electives are defined as related courses according to the "Standards for the Associate Degree in Programs of Technical-Occupational Education" and must  be approved by the Nursing and Health Sciences Division Chair.

5. There are 68 semester credit hours required for the Associate in Applied Science in Nursing Degree.

6. Three clock hours per week of clinical laboratory is equal to one credit hour.  The number of clinical laboratory credit hours required varies each semester.  (See Division Chair for clarification).

7. Seminole State College is a National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission school. NLNAC may be contacted at 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006, or telephone 800-669-1656, ext. 153.

8. SSC's Nursing Program is approved by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing.  Graduates of this state approved program are eligible to apply to write the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for registered nurses.   Applicants for Oklahoma licensure must meet all state and federal requirements to hold an Oklahoma license to practice nursing. In addition to completing a state-approved nursing education program, requirements include submission of an application for licensure with a criminal history records search and successfully passing the licensure examination. Applicants for practical nurse licensure must also hold a high school diploma or a graduate equivalency degree (G.E.D.) [59 O.S. §567.5 & 567.6]. To be granted a license, an applicant must have the legal right to reside in the United States (United States Code Chapter 8, Section 1621). The Board has the right to deny a license to an individual with a history of criminal background, disciplinary action on another health-related license or certification, or judicial declaration of mental incompetence [59 O.S. §567.8]. These cases are considered on an individual basis at the time application for licensure is made, with the exception of felony charges.

9. Applicants who have been arrested or convicted of any offense, including a deferred sentence, within the past five years; or have ever had disciplinary action taken against another health-related license; or have ever been judically declared incompetent will be required to submit a letter and court documents to the Oklahoma Board of Nursing.

10. Candidates for registered nurse licensure in Oklahoma with one or more felony convictions cannot apply for licensure for a least five years after completion of all sentencing terms, including probation and suspended sentences, unless a presidential or gubernational pardon is received.  (Oklahoma Board of Nursing, 11/04).

11. Applicants who are admitted to the program will be required to submit a Background Check that meets the specific requirements of the healthcare agencies where clinical learning experiences occur.

12.  Applicants who are admitted to the program will be required to submit to a drug screen that meets the specific requirements of the healthcare agencies.

II. ADMISSION PROCEDURE

The applicant completes the application procedure by submitting to the Nursing Office by March 31, 2008 the following:

a. verification of acceptance to Seminole State College

b. application for Admission to the Nursing Program (application form will open in a new window and is in pdf format, you must have acrobat reader to access, download acrobat here free if needed)

c. copy of updated college transcript(s)

d. copy of ACT scores or NET scores

e. copy of Nelson-Denny test score or score

The Admission Committee will meet in April to select the members of the Fall Nursing class.  Each applicant will be notified of his/her admission status in writing by the Nursing and Health Sciences Division Chair.  Any applicant not selected for admission is encouraged to meet with the Division Chair and/or nursing faculty for advisement and continued planning for possible future admission to the Program. If the admission quota is not met at the April meeting of the committee, the Admission Committee may meet again at a later date.

Applicants admitted to the Program  must complete the student health screening form prior to entering the Program.  Nursing faculty reserve the right to deny admission to clinical nursing courses should the student’s health impinge on the safety of the student or patients. Such a decision would be a joint deliberation of college administration, the nursing faculty, the student involved, and the student’s physician

Career Mobility applicants (LPNs) have a different admission procedure and should request information from the Nursing Office.

III. ADMISSION POLICY

Applicants who have filed an application form by deadline date, who meet Admission Requirements and who have submitted all requisite information will be considered for admission by the Admission Committee.  The Admission Commitee is comprised of the Nursing Division Chair, the Assistant Chair, a selected member of the nursing faculty, as well as two additional college members.

Applicants who are admitted to the program will be required to complete Nurse Aide Certification (Long Term Care/Home Health Aide) and CPR Certification (American Heart Association: Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers courses and provide verification of certification prior to entering N1515 (Introduction to Human Dimensions).  NOTE:Annual CPR recertification is required   Contact the Nursing Office for information regarding where certification may be obtained.  These certifications are not a requirement to be considered for admission, but must be completed prior to entering the Nursing Program.  American Red Cross certification will not be accepted.

Applicants who are admitted to the program will be required to submit a Background Check that meets the specific requirements of the healthcare agencies where clinical learning experiences occur.

Applicants who are admitted to the program will be required to submit to a Drug Screen that meets the specific requirements of the healthcare agencies where clinical learning experiences occur.

Note: Applicants who are not accepted into the Program but wish to be reconsidered for the following year's class must complete an "Application Renewal Form" and submit it by the designated date on the form.

ACADEMIC PROFILE AND RANKING

Since class size is limited to assure quality clinical learning experiences for students who are admitted to the Program, applicants are ranked based on the following academic profile:

1.   GPA

12 or more hours of College credit applicable to Nursing Degree - use college GPA (Refer to pg.1-1, I.1.).  Only courses from the Degree Requirements will be included to calculate GPA.

11 hours or less of College credit applicable to Nursing Degree - use High School GPA.  (Points are not given for both College and High School GPAs.  One or the other will be used based on the above-stated criteria).

High School GPA

3.5 - 4.0 ------15pts

3.0 - 3.4 ------10pts.

 

College GPA

3.5 - 4.0 ------35pts.

3.0 - 3.4 ------25pts.

 

2.   ACT COMPOSITE SCORE   (Score must be within last 5 years).

25 or above --35pts.

22-24 --------25pts.

19-21 --------20pts.

  OR

         NET COMPOSITE SCORE   (Score must be within last 5 years).

76.5 or above --35pts.

69.5-76 --------25pts.

62.0-69 --------20pts.

 

3.   ACT Math Subset Score of  19 --10pts (minimum requirement is 16).

OR

       NET Math Score of 66 -- 10pts (minimum requirement is 56).

 

4.   GRADE ACHIEVEMENT

 

English Comp I or II:   Grade of A -7pts.,   Grade of B -5pts.

Principles of Biology or Anatomy or Physiology:   Grade of A -7pts.,   Grade of B -5pts.

 

5.   Nelson-Denny Reading Test  (Reading score must be within the last 3 years)

 

16 or above -10pts., 15 ---- 5pts.

OR

NET Score of 73 and above - 10pts., 72 ---5pts.

 

6.   Certified Nurse Asssistant/Home Health Aide Certification --6 pts.

TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE   =  110.

The procedure to be used to prioritize between students with equal total possible points is as follows:

1. ACT Composite Score
2. Nelson Denny Reading Test Score.
3. Grade Point Average (GPA) calculation of Science courses.
4. Math Subset Score of 19.  (Minimum requirement is 16)
5. Overall GPA in support courses.
6. Certified Nurse Assistant/Home Health Aide Certification.

IV. RE-ADMISSION

A. Policy:

1. In determining eligibility for readmission, the Admission Committee will consider the following factors:

1. rationale for failure to successfully complete the course the first time.
2. length of interim since last enrollment in nursing with primary consideration for changes in the Nursing Program and the interim not to exceed one year.
3. educational and work experiences during the interim.
4. number of students currently enrolled in the course.
5. faculty input.

B. Procedure:

1. The applicant seeking readmission will complete and file with the Nursing Office "Application for Readmission".

2. The application will be considered and acted upon by the Admission Committee.

3. The applicant will be notified in writing by the Nursing and Health Sciences Division Chair of the Committee's decision.  Should the application for readmission be denied, a written statement of the rationale for the decision will be included in the letter.

V. TRANSFER OF ACADEMIC CREDIT

A. Transfer students must comply with the Standards for Admission to the Nursing Program.

B. Transfer of Non-Nursing Credits:

1. Credit for non-nursing courses will be transferred if the grades are comparable to the criteria established by Seminole State Colllege and the Nursing Division, i.e.

1. a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for courses applicable to the nursing degree. 
2. a grade of 'C' or higher must be achieved in all courses required for the degree.

Note: Physiology, Anatomy, and Microbiology must be completed prior to enrollment in second year nursing courses.  Any credit hour deficiencies must be completed prior to second year.

1. A maximum of seven credit hours of a nursing fundamentals type course may be transferred from another nursing program.

1. a grade of 'C' or higher must be achieved in the nursing course.
2. evidence that the nursing course is comparable to the SSC nursing fundamentals course must be demonstrated.  The course syllabus and College Catalog current to the time the course was taken and samples of completed assignments, i.e. processes of nursing, are to be submitted for evaluation by the nursing faculty.
3. a nursing course taken prior to the last two years  is non-transferable.
4. it is the decision of the SSC nursing faculty to transfer or not to transfer credit for a nursing course.
5. verification that the student is in good standing from the Director of the transferring nursing program is required.

2. Application for transfer of nursing courses other than nursing fundamentals will be considered on an individual basis.  Factors considered will include comparability of course content and availability of space in the course for which the student is making admission application.

3. All state and college policies regarding tranfer of credit as outlined in the College Catalog also apply.

VI. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

In order to graduate from Seminole State College with an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing degree, and therefore be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN), the student must meet the following graduation requirements:

1. All financial obligations to the College must be paid.

2. The student's overall grade point average must be 2.0

3.  All courses in the entire nursing curriculum must be completed with a least a "C" grade.  (See degree requirements: Associate in Applied Science in Nursing).

4. Students are responsible for applying for degrees and licensing examinations within the deadlines set by the College and Oklahoma State Board of Nursing.

5. The student must meet any other requirements for graduation set by the College. (See SSC Catalog).