by Patsy Joyner

Responding to a critical need, Paul D. Camp Community College established an associate of applied science degree in nursing.

This five-semester program prepares selected students to qualify as practitioners of technical nursing at health care facilities.

After successful completion of the program, students will be eligible for the National Council Licensure Exam-Registered Nurse for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Employment opportunities for the registered nurse include staff positions in hospitals, nursing homes, health departments, physicians’ offices, clinics, day care centers, industry, hospices, mental health facilities, rehabilitation centers and home health care agencies.

The program also provides a background for maximum transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities.

Classes for the first semester would include Nursing I, Human Anatomy and Physiology I, College Composition, College Success Skills and Principles of Pharmacology I.

For the second semester, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, Introduction to Psychology I, Essentials of Medical/Surgical Nursing, Essentials of Maternal/Newborn Nursing and Principles of Pharmacology II.

The third semester would include Psychiatric Nursing, Introductory Microbiology and Principles of Public Speaking.

The fourth semester would include Second Level Nursing II, Developmental Psychology and an elective.

The final semester includes Parent Child Nursing, Medical Surgical Nursing I and Dimensions of Professional Nursing.

ADMISSION ROUTES

In addition to starting from scratch, students who qualify for admission can be accepted into the program through the following routes:

• CNA-RN Bridge Program—This option provides an opportunity for certified nurse aides to enter the nursing program to advance their careers, and at the same time, recognize the skills and knowledge they have already obtained through their

• Nurse Aide Program—A transition course is offered for certified nurse aides who have graduated from certain regional nurse aide programs within two years. Candidates must meet all criteria for the nursing program, including maintaining a grade of “C” or better in all nursing and general education course requirements.

• LPN-RN Bridge Program—This option provides an opportunity for licensed practical nurses to enter the nursing program to advance their careers and at the same time recognize the skills and knowledge they have already obtained through the practical nurse program. Those who apply for this program must have graduated from an accredited practical nursing program within five years and have completed BIO 141-142, ENG 111, STD 100 and PSY 201.

Applicants must hold an unrestricted license in Virginia. In addition, candidates must meet all criteria for the nursing program, including maintaining a grade of “C” or better in all nursing and general education course requirements. A transition course is offered for licensed practical nurses who have graduated from a regional program.

• Advanced Placement—Licensed practical nurses may apply for advanced placement in the nursing program sequence. Those who apply for this program must have graduated from an accredited practical nursing program and hold an unrestricted license in Virginia. In addition, candidates must meet all criteria for the nursing program, including maintaining a grade of “C” or better in all nursing and general education course requirements.

• Transfer of Previous Nursing Credits—Students seeking to transfer credit received from nursing courses at other institutions will be considered on an individual basis by the nursing faculty. Students may be asked to provide course descriptions, course syllabi, pre-admission testing or achievement test scores and selected data from the course instructor in order to determine placement in the nursing program, subject to space availability.

Since there are frequently differences among nursing programs, students desiring to transfer should be aware that there might be an interruption in program progression.

For more details on the Nursing Degree Program, call 569-6700 and ask for Program Head Dr. Candace Rogers. For information on other options at PDCCC, call or visit the website at www.pdc.edu.