Elizabeth Baucom
	Associate of Science Degree Nursing (ADN)
	Program Contact: Elizabeth Baucom, Program Chair Phone: 704-403-1629 Email: ebaucom@cabarruscollege.edu
ADN brochure	Request an Admissions Information Packet

PHILOSOPHY:

In congruence with the College's mission and goals, the nursing faculty identifies nursing as a profession synonymous with compassion and reverence for humanity. The philosophy of the Louise Harkey School of Nursing is derived from Neuman's Systems Model (2001). The Neuman's Systems Model defines the client "from a systems perspective holistically and multidimensionally" (p. 25). The client is viewed as an open system, and the model views the system as a composite of five interacting variables: physiological, psychological, sociocultural, developmental, and spiritual. These five variables function in relationship with the environment, which are the internal and external factors and stressors that influence the client and can affect the system's stability. The goal of nursing is to facilitate optimal wellness for the client through retention, attainment, or maintenance of client system stability. Optimal wellness represents the greatest degree of system stability at a given point in time; therefore, wellness is a point on a continuum between greatest stability and greatest instability.

The faculty believes the unique practice of nursing is characterized by the professional application of the nursing process, critical thinking, communication, and utilization of knowledge and skills sets obtained from the study of science, including behavioral and biologic sciences. Nursing is holistic and must have a client-centered approach to meeting the needs of self, individuals, and families. In a diverse and dynamic society, nursing has an obligation to fulfill these needs through the use of multidisciplinary planning, informatics, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement. The nursing faculty endorses the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) Core Competencies (2005) as the basis for preparing the entering nursing professional to meet the needs of a constantly changing and diverse society. The nursing faculty also incorporates the Institute of Medicine Core Competencies (2003) for health care professionals into the School of Nursing philosophy, organizing framework, and program objectives.

Along with the philosophy of nursing practice, the nursing faculty adheres to an educational philosophy based on beliefs that growth is fundamental to education and that the student is an active participant in the learning process. Educational growth is a process in which the teacher guides the learner to modify behavior, thinking, or attitudes. Faculty members are committed to excellence in nursing practice. They serve as facilitators of learning as well as nursing experts. The nursing faculty is dedicated to assisting students in valuing their own diverse backgrounds and experiences as a foundation for service to others, to prepare for future nursing practice, and to participate in lifelong learning.

Associate Degree Nursing graduates are accountable, adaptable generalists who are prepared to successfully take the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) and function as registered nurses in a variety of care settings. As registered nurses, graduates are members of the community of nursing, collaborating with clients, families, and groups together with support persons and other members of the health care team to achieve optimal functioning. Graduates demonstrate a persistent quest for scholarship and professional enhancement.

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN NURSING DEGREE OBJECTIVES:

The ADN program prepares professional nurses to:


• Analyze the impact of systems in clinical practice to enhance the health of individuals and families within the community;


• Function independently and collaboratively to deliver competent and compassionate care to clients using evidence-based research;


• Improve the care given to clients through quality improvement strategies;.


• Integrate informatics in the application of the nursing process and in client-centered care.
• Validate nursing care decisions using critical thinking skills;


• Incorporate effective communication techniques in nursing practice;


• Interpret the impact of trends in health care on the practice of the associate degree nurse.


The Associate of Science Degree will be awarded to students who have successfully completed 71 credit hours of course work. This includes 34 semester hours of general education course work and 37 semester hours of nursing course work.

For admission into the Associate of Science in Nursing Degree (ADN) program, applicants must meet admission criteria to the College AND must submit:

• an official transcript showing evidence of either high school or college level algebra I, algebra II, and either geometry or a math with algebra II as a pre-requisite, chemistry and biology with a preferred minimum grade of “C”;


• acceptable SAT I (480- critical reading (verbal) and 440-math) or ACT (19) scores;


• two references that speak to academic ability and/or work ethic; if applicant has previously been enrolled in a nursing program within the past five years one reference must be from a program official at the institution attended;


• evidence of rank in the upper half of high school class;


To enroll in the ADN program students must be on the current N.C. NA I Registry.
To enroll in the first nursing course the student must show evidence of current certification in Heartsaver AED CPR

Prior to enrolling in the first clinical course in the Associate of Science Degree in Nursing program, students must ALSO submit evidence of current listing on the North Carolina Division of Facility Services Nurse Aide I Registry.

Advanced Placement for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNS)

Cabarrus College of Health Sciences believes that prior learning and experience is valuable and therefore provides advanced placement for Licensed Practical Nurses in the nursing program.

LPN’s should submit:

• present current, unencumbered North Carolina practical nurse license;
• present evidence of at least one year of recent employment experience as an LPN in a patient care setting;
• complete or have plans to complete the general education courses or equivalent in accordance with the transfer credit policies that are prerequisite to NSG 120, which are: BIO 190 and 210 and PSY 150(see course descriptions in the catalog for additional information about these courses).

When the above requirements are met and the applicant is admitted to the ADN program, advanced placement for the first nursing course, medical terminology and the NA I requirement, is awarded. Individual curriculum plans are developed for LPNs entering the program indicating the remaining nursing and general education courses to be taken.

Curriculum Plan for Fall Admission

71 hours are required to earn an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing.

Curriculum Plan for Spring Admission

71 Semester hours are required to earn an Associate of Science Degree in the Nursing program.

Academic Progress for ADN Students

A student must earn at least a “ C” as a final grade in each nursing course in order to enroll in the subsequent nursing course.

Prior to enrollment in Nursing 130, all students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.

A student may repeat a maximum of two (2) individual nursing courses.

Licensure

Upon graduation from the ADN program and verification by Cabarrus College of Health Sciences that education requirements are met, students are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination - Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). Graduates passing the exam receive the legal title of Registered Nurse (RN) from the North Carolina Board of Nursing. Should graduates be unsuccessful on the exam, they may repeat the exam four times a year at intervals of at least 90 days.

Exit Options

NURSE AIDE II - Upon completion of NSG 120, students are eligible to receive NA II certification from the North Carolina Board of Nursing, provided they are currently listed on the North Carolina Division of Facility Services Nurse Aide I registry and pass the competency test.

Accreditation Note: The Louise Harkey School of Nursing Associate Degree program is accredited by The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006, Phone (212) 363-5555 and is approved by The North Carolina Board of Nursing, 3724 National Drive, Suite 201, Raleigh, NC 27612, Phone (919) 782-3211