LPN to RN Nursing Bridge Program

Nursing (PN/AD), Associate of Applied Science Degree Option in Nursing

• Transfer credits from LPN education 15 Credits
• 85 average (3.25 GPA) from LPN program

Prerequisite Courses

General Education Course: Science (lab)
Prerequisite(s): Two years of college preparatory laboratory science or equivalent.

This course is an in-depth study of the structure and function of the human body.  The course content highlights the chemical, cellular and tissue levels of organization, and the anatomy and physiology of the integumentary, skeletal, muscular and nervous systems.  In the laboratory students will examine models and preserved specimens, and conduct physiological as well as computer simulated experiments.  Students that successfully complete this course will be able to identify relevant anatomical structures and integrate this knowledge with a physiological understanding of the systems covered in this course.  Completion of Human Anatomy and Physiology II (BIOL 125) may be required for transfer of credits.  The Honors Option is available for this course.

General Education Course: Science (lab)
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 124 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I.

This course is an in-depth study of the structures and functions of the general and special senses and the endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems.  In the laboratory students will examine models and preserved specimens, and conduct physiological as well as computer simulated experiments.  Students that successfully complete this course will be able to identify relevant anatomical structures and integrate this knowledge with a physiological understanding of the systems covered in this course.  The Honors Option is available for this course.

This degree requires a minimum math proficiency through MATH 020 Elementary Algebra.

Complete any developmental courses required in reading and writing, including ESL (English as a Second Language) courses.

As of June 2020, ATI TEAS is used for both the Generic RN applicants and PNAD applicants. For 2021 Nursing Program admission, ATI TEAS must have been taken no earlier than September 1, 2022.  Please visit https://www.atitesting.com/teas/teas-exam and https://student.atitesting.com/Content/PDFs/HowToRegisterforPSITEASAssessmentNewUI.pdf for more information about  ATI TEAS testing and scheduling ATI TEAS at a testing site off campus. ATI TEAS are not given on-site at RVCC. All ATI TEAs registration goes through the above websites.

ATI TEAS results with the Overall score and all 4 parts of the test scores must be submitted with the clinical application to Sentry MD.  The RVCC Nursing Program does not accept email copies of ATI TEAS transcripts. Students who do not submit the Overall, English, Math, Reading and Science ATI TEAS scores with their clinical application are not eligible to have their clinical application reviewed.  Students must achieve a 60% or higher OVERALL ATI TEAS score and a minimum of a 58.7% READING ATI TEAS and a minimum of a 58.7% ENGLISH ATI TEAS score to apply to the PNAD and Generic RN Program for 2024.

Students are only permitted to take ATI TEAS once every 3 months.

Overall college GPA of 2.75 or higher

Summer Transition Session (6 weeks)

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 125 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II, MATH 020 Elementary Algebra ,NURS 016 - Pharmacology Clinical Calculations or Placement Exam, Minimum GPA of 85 from Practical Nursing Program,ENGL 111 English Composition I , PSYC 103 Introduction to Psychology .
Corequisite(s): NURS C30, NURS L30.

This program is specifically designed for persons who are currently Licensed Practical nurses in the state of New Jersey and have graduated from an NLN, Middle States, or Council on Occupational Education accredited school of Practical Nursing.  A minimum GPA of 85 from the practical nursing program is required.  Nursing Transition is designed for students admitted to the PNAD option of the nursing program.  It provides for transition from practical nurse practice to professional nurse practice by evaluating, extending and refining the scope and depth of cognitive, psychomotor and affective skills acquired in the practical nursing program.  The focus is on assessment skills, development of nursing diagnoses, outcome criteria, nursing interventions and evaluation of the plans of care.  The course objectives will assist the practical nurse to integrate the expanded roles of the nurse as provider of care, manager of care and member of the profession.  This is accomplished through course objectives and competencies which include the themes of holistic human needs, clinical reasoning, interdisciplinary collaboration and decision making, culture of safety and growth.   Learning is accomplished through lecture/discussion, audiovisuals, and psychomotor skill demonstration.  Summer offering. 105 hours (75 lecture hours, 16 clinical laboratory hours, 16 college laboratory hours).  Satisfactory clinical evaluation, completion of lab skills and a theoretical grade minimum of a C grade is required for progression in the program.

All nursing clinical courses and science courses must be completed with a minimum of a “C” grade.

Enrollment in this course is restricted to students formally admitted to the Nursing Clinical courses.

General Education Course: English Composition
Prerequisite(s): Grade of A in ENGL 050 Introduction to College Reading and Composition I or ENGL 060 Introduction to College Reading and Composition II, grade of B in ENGL 050 or ENGL 060 with corequisite of ENGL 070 English Composition I Workshop, or appropriate score on placement test.

English Composition I is the first in a two-course composition sequence. The central purposes of English Composition I are to develop critical reading and thinking skills and to write thesis-driven, text-based essays. The course takes a process-oriented approach to writing that incorporates prewriting, drafting, reviewing, and revising. Students in English Composition I learn basic research skills and apply them to at least one text-based research essay. 
 

General Education Course: Social Science
Prerequisite(s): Placement into ENGL 111 English Composition I with ENGL 070 English Composition I Workshop , or higher.

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.  Psychology studies the interaction among biological, social, and personal influences that describe, explain, predict, and control behavior.  This course presents a broad survey of basic concepts, theories, and research in the field of psychology. Topics include research methods, development, neuroscience, learning and cognition, personality theories, psychological disorders, and therapy.

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Fall Semester

Prerequisite(s): NURS 111 - Nursing of Adults I or NURS 130 - Nursing Transition.
Corequisite(s): BIOL 133 - Principles of Microbiology, SOCI 101 - Introduction to Sociology and  a Humanities elective. Students must also register for NURS C23.

Nursing of Adults II is one of two 7 ½ week modules taught in the third semester of the four semester nursing clinical course sequence.  The module builds upon previous learning, requiring the student to carry out increasingly skillful assessment and intervention with patients with complex needs through an inter-dependent relationship with clinical faculty and staff.  In this module the student will explore the theoretical content and carry out the nursing process with adults, aged adults and frail elderly with chronic, catastrophic and critical illness and injury. Focus will be on patients experiencing actual or potential disruptions in wellness states such as: failure in neurologic, sensory and renal integration, and multi-system failure.  Students will also learn and utilize management principles and techniques necessary for managing the care of groups of patients.  Four hours of lecture and two days (12 hours total) of clinical practice per week for both day and evening students are required.  A service learning experience is also required.  An Honors Option is also available.  A satisfactory clinical evaluation and a minimum theory grade of “C” are required for progression in the program.  Students must also register for NURS C23 (clinical). Fall semester offering only.

Enrollment in this course is restricted to students formally admitted to the Nursing Clinical courses.

Prerequisite(s): NURS 111 - Nursing of Adults I or NURS 130 - Nursing Transition.
Corequisite(s): BIOL 133 - Principles of Microbiology , SOCI 101 - Introduction to Sociology and a Humanities elective. Must also register for NURS C22.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing is one of two 7 ½ week module courses taught in the third semester of the four semester nursing clinical courses. Students are expected to show evidence of retention of previous learning, carrying out increasingly skillful assessment and interventions with clients with complex needs, through an inter-dependent relationship with clinical faculty and staff. It is designed to introduce students to basic concepts of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing. The course is based on a holistic and humanistic framework, emphasizing clinical reasoning, caring and evidence based practice and best practice standards. It progresses from the study of individuals and groups experiencing high-level wellness to variations in wellness experiences. Continuing themes of lifespan perspective of growth and development, therapeutic communication and documentations, nutrition, social, cultural, racial and ethnic dimensions, pharmacotherapeutics, client advocacy, teaching, and legal and ethical standards are explored. Emphasis is placed on counseling and personal self-awareness and transformational growth. Traditional psychotherapeutic and integrative health therapies are addressed. Students have the opportunity to carry out the nursing process and develop beginning level clinical skills in individual and group counseling at a variety of mental health agencies and with a diverse group of psychiatric clients. The course includes four lecture hours (4 credit hours), twelve clinical hours and independent lab per week. Satisfactory clinical evaluation and a minimum theory grade of C is required for progression in the program. See orientation manual for grading. Fall semester offering only.

General Education Course: English Composition
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 111 English Composition I .

English Composition II is the second in a two-course composition sequence that continues to expand and refine analytical writing and critical reading skills. Students produce a series of documented essays based on a range of fiction and non-fiction sources, focusing on the challenges posed by writing longer essays and using advanced research techniques.

General Education Course: Science (lab)
Prerequisite(s): MATH 020 - Elementary Algebra and one of the following: BIOL 124 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I, BIOL 101 - General Biology I, or BIOL 111 - Principles of Biology.

This course focuses on the interrelationship between the host and microorganisms. Emphasis is placed on the causative agents of disease and their identification, pathogenesis, transmission, and control in laboratory, clinical and residential settings. The fundamental concepts of microbial evolution, genetics, and metabolism will be covered as well as an overview of virology, protozoology, mycology and immunology. Fundamental microbiological methods such as aseptic technique, culture methods, microscopy, metabolic and physiological tests, bacterial isolation and identification, and molecular analysis will be covered. (Biology majors should take BIOL 221 - Microbiology . Credit will not be granted for both courses.) Three hours of lecture and a three hour laboratory session per week.

This course is designed to teach the student the necessary information to improve  fitness and wellness by adhering to a healthier lifestyle.  Student will learn how to  assess physical fitness and implement a program based on those results that will  enhance their fitness levels.  Stress reduction, nutrition and weight management,  and management of risk factors for major disease will be explored to improve life expectancy and overall quality of life.

Spring Semester

Prerequisite(s): NURS 123 - Nursing of Adults II and NURS 122 - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing.
Corequisite(s): NURS 211 - Trends in Nursing , NURS C25, and a Humanities elective.

Nursing of the Childbearing Family is one of two 7-½ week modules taught in the final semester of the four semesters nursing clinical course sequence.  The course focuses on nursing care during the Childbearing experience and considers the health needs of mothers, newborns, and supportive networks in the local and global community.  The course addresses normal events of childbearing, common problems of mothers and infants, and common complications that occur to mothers and infants during the childbearing cycle.  Students develop clinical skills in labor and delivery and postpartum units, newborn nurseries, and prenatal clinics.  The nursing process is the vehicle for responding to human needs and evidenced wellness states.  A service learning experience and/or honors section is optional.  Four lecture hours and twelve clinical hours is required for both day and evening students.  A satisfactory clinical evaluation and a theory grade of “C” are required for progression in the program.  Students must also register for NURS C25 (clinical). Spring semester offering only.

Prerequisite(s): NURS 123 - Nursing of Adults II, NURS 122 - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing.
Corequisite(s): NURS 211 - Trends in Nursing, NURS C24

Nursing of Families with Children is one of two 7 ½ week modules taught in the final semester of the four semester nursing clinical course sequence.
 This course focuses on the nursing process for families with well and sick children.  A family centered, holistic approach provides the organization for the course, within the framework of clinical reasoning, caring and nursing practice competencies.  Commonly occurring deviations from wellness experienced by children, family responses and appropriate nursing interventions are discussed as well as the growth and development of well children. Clinical study is provided on pediatric units, nursery schools, well-baby clinics and in selected schools.  There is an optional honors section available.
 A satisfactory clinical evaluation and a minimum theory grade of 75% are required for progression in the program. Students must also register for NURS C24 (clinical).

Upon completion of the course, the successful learner will be able to demonstrate understanding of basic principles of growth and development, primary pediatric diseases, dynamics of families with sick children and basic pediatric nursing skills.

Select a course from the appropriate category of the General Education list. Current Moral and Social Issues (PHIL-106) is the preferred Humanities course.

Prerequisite(s): NURS 122 - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing , NURS 123 - Nursing of Adults II.
Corequisite(s): NURS 125 - Nursing Care for the Childbearing Family , NURS 124 - Nursing of Families with Children.

Trends in Nursing is designed to examine historical, philosophical, ethical and legal aspects of nursing practice, contemporary issues facing nursing, and the influence of societal trends on nursing practice and the health care delivery system. These major areas are considered within the context of the global community and the macro and micro society.

Learning and Service are closely intertwined at Raritan Valley Community College in a program called Service Learning. By successfully creating a required Trends in Nursing Service Learning Project students develop their academic skills, sense of civic responsibility and commitment to the community. This course is a program requirement for second-year nursing students. A minimum overall C grade is required.

General Education Course: Social Science
Prerequisite(s): Placement into ENGL 111 English Composition I with ENGL 070 English Composition I Workshop , or higher.

Introduction to Sociology is a systematic investigation of the basic concepts and principles of sociology with emphasis on culture, social relationships, groups, institutions and social structure.

Total Credits 68