LVN to Associate Degree Nursing Program

General Information:

Registered nursing education prepares the graduate to provide services to those who need healthcare.  As needs are varied so are educational programs, which may proceed from the simpler to the more complex in accordance with the career ladder concept.  The progression reads: nurse assistant, licensed vocational nurse, registered nurse, and other nurses with Bachelor of Science, Master of Science or Doctorate in Nursing and special certifications.  The role of a new graduate is usually that of a staff nurse.  With additional education, a nurse may advance to a position of supervisor, administrator, clinical specialist, educator, or researcher. 

LVN to Associate Degree Nursing (LVN-ADN) is a two-semester program after the prerequisite courses have been completed.  In addition, students must complete all the Bakersfield College general education requirements for graduation. 

Vocational Nurses who wish to complete requirements for eligibility for the National Council Licensure Examination for licensure as a Registered Nurse in the State of California will be considered for advanced placement.  Admission to the educational mobility program in nursing is dependent upon completion of all prerequisite requirements and available space.

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Enrollment Period:

Enrollment forms must be received by the Allied Health office with all official transcripts, during the month of March for the program scheduled to start in the fall semester and the period of September 1 – September 30 for the program scheduled to start in the spring semester. 

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Eligibility for Enrollment:

If an Allied Health Program has more students qualified for enrollment than space available, priority is provided to residents of the Kern Community College District.

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Admission to the College:

For further information concerning enrollment procedures at Bakersfield College, please contact the Counseling Center (661) 395-4421 or Office of Admissions and Records (661) 395-4301.  For information regarding assessment tests and services, contact the Assessment Center at (661) 395-4479.  Catalogs and Class Schedules may be purchased in the College Bookstore.  For information regarding Financial Aid and Scholarships contact (661) 395-4427.

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Application Procedures:

It is the student’s responsibility to do the following procedures listed below: 

If you are a Bakersfield College Student with no other college courses other than Bakersfield College courses: 

Apply to the program during the application periods as follows: 

For Semesters beginning in the Spring (January) apply during the whole month of September. 

For semesters beginning in the Fall (August) apply during the whole month of March. 

Provide the program with either an official transcript from Bakersfield College, or you can print your unofficial transcript off the Web and submit it to the program. 

If you have taken courses from any college other than Bakersfield College: 

Apply for Admission to Bakersfield College either in person at the Admissions and Records office or by going on-line www.bakersfieldcollege.edu, click on Admissions and Records and follow the directions under Enrolling. 

Please note – the next step takes anywhere from 10-12 weeks and must be completed prior to the end of the application period: 

Have your transcripts evaluated by:  

• Ordering an Official copy of your transcripts from your previous college(s);
• Submit the Official copy of your transcripts along with a form “Request for Evaluation”.  You can obtain this form from the Admissions and Records office or from the Admissions and Records web-page (see above) under Other Forms. 

Once your transcripts have been evaluated and posted to your Bakersfield College transcripts, either order an official copy to be sent from the Admission and Records office or print your unofficial transcript and submit it to the Allied Health Office. 

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Prerequisite Requirements:

All prerequisites must be completed with a “C” grade or higher.  Priority is provided to students with all prerequisite courses completed at the time of submitting an enrollment form.

Prerequisite requirements effective spring 2002 as approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing: 

• MATH BA or B200A (Elementary Algebra) 3 units at Bakersfield College or an equivalent course at another accredited college, or two semesters of high school algebra.  (If you meet this requirement with high school algebra you must submit an official high school transcript). 
• CHEM B11 or B2A or B1A (Chemistry) a minimum of 4 units is required at Bakersfield College or an equivalent course at another accredited college. 
• BIOL B16 (General Microbiology) 5 units at Bakersfield College or equivalent course at another accredited college. 
• ENGL B1A (Expository Composition) 4 units at Bakersfield College or equivalent course at another accredited college. 

The Anatomy and Physiology requirement can be met by either: 

• BIOL B14 (Human Anatomy) 4 units at Bakersfield College or equivalent course at another accredited college.

                and

• BIOL B15 (Physiology) 5 units at Bakersfield College or equivalent course at another accredited college.

 OR 

• BIOL B32 (Anatomy & Physiology I) 4 units at Bakersfield College or equivalent course at another accredited college.      

          and

• BIOL B33 (Anatomy & Physiology II) 4 units at Bakersfield College or equivalent course at another accredited college. 
  
  
• IV Certification is required.  Students may meet this requirement by taking Meds B66 prior to entering the LVN-RN Program. 
• Effective for the Fall 2008 Application period (March 2008) students must have one year experience working as an LVN 
• Possession of current California Vocational Nurse License. 
• Basic Healthcare Provider CPR card current within one year. 
• Overall GPA of 2.5. 
• Graduation from high school or an equivalent education.

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Enrollment Selection Process:

In the event the number of qualified students for the ADN Program exceeds space available, the following selection process is utilized.  Students who are qualified for enrollment enter in the order in which their names appear on the Program Waiting List.  The student’s position on this list is determined by random drawing of names by the Director, Assistant Director, and one assistant.  To remain current on the waiting list, enrollment forms must be submitted each semester until Program is entered.

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Courses Required for Licensure:

To take the RN Licensure examination students are required to meet all College graduation requirements as outlined in the Bakersfield College Catalog.  In addition, students must receive a “C” grade or higher in the Board of Registered Nursing course requirements listed below:

• Speech (3 units) – SPCH B1 or B2 or B3  (Only SPCH B1 is transferable to CSU, UC and private colleges and is the recommended course.) 
• Behavioral Science (6 units) – PSYC B1A (General Psychology) and
• SOCI B1 (Introduction to Sociology) or ANTH B2 (Cultural Anthropology)

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General Education Courses:

General education courses are required to graduate from the Bakersfield College Associate Degree Nursing Program, and it is suggested that most be completed prior to enrollment in the Program.

• Social Science (3 units) – HIST B17A (History of the United States) or other social science 
• Humanities (3 units) – PHIL B12 (Ethics of Living & Dying) or other humanities course

* All graduation requirements of the college must be met to receive the A.S. Degree in Nursing 

All third semester students may be required to take basic math, pharmacology, and nursing process examinations.   

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LVN to Associate Degree Nursing Curriculum:

Beginning in the Fall 2008 the LVN-RN Curriculum will be:

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Program Supply Information:

Students will be required to purchase uniforms, textbooks and selected equipment, provide transportation to off-campus clinical education sites and pay current college fees.  An estimated cost for books, uniforms, fees and required equipment for the first term of the Program is approximately $900.00.  In addition to registration fees and books, the ADN fourth semester’s expenses will include Program Completion activities, Program pin, ATI test, and State Board application fees.  

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Students Transfering to CSUB:

Students who plan to obtain their Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing at Cal State University Bakersfield after completing the Bakersfield College ADN Program will need to take NUTR B10 (Elementary Nutrition), MEDS B35 (Lifespan) and COMM B1 (Communication) at Bakersfield College prior to transfer.  In addition, there may be other general education courses required.  Contact the Counseling Center 395-4421 for further information.

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Physical Examination/Drug & Alcohol Screening/Background Check:

A physical examination completed by a physician of the student's choice is required when entering the Program to demonstrate that a student meets the following technical standards necessary to meet the Program objectives.  Appropriate immunizations and/or vaccinations are also required and are performed at the student's expense. 

As a condition of application in any Allied Health Program with a clinical laboratory component, students are required to submit to and pass a designated drug and alcohol screening and a comprehensive background check.  These screenings are performed at the student's expense.

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Essential Technical Standards:

Nursing students must meet the following essential technical standards to ensure the safety and welfare of the patients, the healthcare team, and themselves.  A physical examination performed by a medical doctor determines whether a student meets the technical standards or what accommodations may be necessary. 

Technical Standards:

• Standing and/or walking most of a shift.
• Bending or crouching several times per hour.
• Lifting and carrying a minimum of 30 pounds several times an hour.
• Lifting and moving up to 300 lbs. with the assistance of 2-3 persons.
• Reaching overhead above the shoulder 90 degrees.
• Utilizing eyesight to observe clients and manipulate equipment under various illumination levels.
• Hearing to communicate with the patient and healthcare team.
• Manipulating medical equipment and accessories, including but not limited to switches, knobs, buttons, keyboards, patient lines, and tubes, utilizing fine and gross motor skills.
• Performing the assigned job responsibilities with the intellectual and emotional functions necessary to ensure patient safety and exercise independent judgment and discretion.
• Utilizing sufficient verbal and written skills to efficiently communicate in English with the patient and healthcare team.
• Utilizing the above standards/functions to respond promptly to the patient’s needs and/or emergency situations.

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Program Accreditation:

The California Board of Registered Nursing accredits the BC Associate Degree Nursing Program.  The Western Association of Schools and Colleges accredits Bakersfield College.

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Licensure/Certification Eligibility:

Conviction of any offenses other than minor traffic violations must be reported to the Board of Registered Nursing at the time of application for licensure.  For clarification contact the ADN Program Director or the Board of Registered Nursing, 400 R Street, Suite 4030, Sacramento, California, 95814, (916) 322-3350.

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