New Nursing Program Requirements
What changes are occurring in the nursing programs?
Modifications are being made to the list of required courses, and a program entry requirement is being added.
For the Associate Degree in Nursing Program (ADN):
- Beginning Fall 2012 semester, the course LW222 - The Science of Nutrition & Exercise with a minimum grade of “C” (2.0) will be required for validation.
- Beginning Fall 2012 semester, NUR 100A: Introduction to Nursing Careers, LW 220 and LWA-elective/LW221 will NOT be required. (Beginning Spring/Summer 2012, Nur100A will no longer be offered.)
- Beginning Fall 2013 semester, nursing students entering the full-time and part-time program tracks will be required to have CNA Nursing Skills for entry into the clinical portion of the program. Please see CNA Guidelines for Admission to Nursing Programs.
For the Practical Nurse Program (PN):
- Beginning Fall 2012 semester, NUR 100A: Introduction to Nursing Careers will NOT be required for validation. If you have completed all the requirements to validate except for NUR100A, you may have that requirement waived if you validate by August 16, 2012.
Why are these changes being made?
Curriculum revisions are necessary In order to remain up to date with the healthcare environment and the evolving responsibilities of the registered nurse role. The changes being implemented over the next year and half also support safety competencies called for by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN). The population of patients that we serve today and in the future is vastly different than the patients of the past; we must train the next generation of nurses to meet these new needs.
The nursing curriculum changes will also:
- Support efforts to increase student success measures, such as program completion rates.
- Provide increased employment opportunities before entering the nursing program.
- Allow for informed and educated career choices. Becoming a CNA prior to entering the nursing program allows students to more fully understand the field they are entering.
- Increase potential financial assistance. Major healthcare employers, such as our region’s hospitals, may provide tuition assistance for students employed as a CNAs.
Do I need to have my CNA to validate?
You do not need your CNA to validate for either of the ADN or PN programs, however, you must provide appropriate documentation of CNA skills to enter the clinical portion of the program. One way would be to have your CNA certification. See CNA Guidelines for Admission to Nursing Programs.
If I held a CNA previously, but it has since expired, do I need to recertify?
Yes, your CNA certification needs to be current at the time of entry into the program. Once you become a CNA, the certification is current for two years. To maintain your certification, you must work in the role a minimum of eight hours during the two year certification period.
Do I need my CNA if I have other health care experience?
If you are a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or a Licensed Paramedic with at least one year of full-time work experience, you have the choice to enter the LPN/Paramedic Transition to RN track of the ADN program in which a CNA is not required.
While other education and experience in health care will be valuable to you as a nurse, we believe the CNA skills are essential. The skills we are mandating by requiring the CNA for entry into the clinical portion of the program are: bed making, positioning, ROM, bathing, feeding, ambulating, toileting and colostomy care, as well as vital sign assessment. These skills are not done with frequency in other health care roles, such as ST, MA or EMT.
I have already validated, do I need to take LW222?
If you validated for the ADN program during or prior to the Winter 2012 semester, you do not need to take LW222 - The Science of Nutrition & Exercise.
I have already taken my LW courses but have not validated for a program yet, do I still need to take LW222-The Science of Nutrition & Exercise?
The LW222 course requirement may be waived if you meet ALL of the following:
- You have declared Nursing as your active program.
- You entered Delta College under the 2011-2012 College Catalog or earlier, and have had continuous enrollment.
- You have already taken LW220, LWA elective, or LW221 with a minimum of a “C“ grade AND validate for the nursing program by August 15, 2013. (Completion of LW requirements will be necessary for graduation.)
If you have questions about the program requirements please contact Lori Gagnon at 989-686-9274 or by email at lorigagnon@delta.edu . If you need help planning your remaining courses to validate, please contact Counseling and Advising at 989-686-9330 or by email at counsel@delta.edu.