Associate Degree Nursing, LVN-RN Step-Up Program Program Contact: Cheryl Rosen (530) 841-5929 Mission Statement Philosophy How to Apply TEAS Policy LVN-RN Step-Up Associate of Science Degree Challenge and Transfer Options Prerequisites Course Descriptions Optional Courses Mission Statement The Mission of the Associate Degree Nursing (LVN-RN Step-UP) program is to prepare Licensed Vocational Nurses to be registered nurses as providers of care across the health/illness continuum and as contributing members of the nursing profession.  The program will enable the graduate to apply for the licensing examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and be awarded the Associate Degree in Nursing. Philosophy Nurses believe the individual is a holistic, unique, and complex being who constantly responds to changing environments in biological, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual domains. Individuals develop and interact within the context of their family, community, and social environments. Individuals possess dignity, self-worth, and the inherent right to assume responsibility for the development of their own potential including informed choices regarding their health care. Individual values and beliefs impact their state of health. How to Apply In addition to the college application, a special program application is required. Program applications for the LVN-RN Step-Up Program are available through the ADN (LVN-RN Step-Up) office, AWH #4. Contact the ADN office by calling 530-938-5212 to determine date of application availability and to be placed on an information mailing list. Applicants to the ADN (LVN-RN Step-Up) Program must meet prerequisites and other course requirements prior to program enrollment. In order to determine if you meet prerequisites for the program, complete a transcript evaluation form found here: Transcript Evaluation. Mail or fax the form to the address or fax number found at the top. You will need to submit a copy of your completed transcript evaluation with your application packet. Please allow 2-3 weeks for a counselor to complete the evaluation. Applicants will be notified of acceptance during the spring semester prior to the beginning of the summer bridge course. TEAS Policy Applicants to the program must complete the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) during the application process. The TEAS is offered at no charge to applicants. Students who have completed the TEAS at a college other than COS can request their official results be sent to us for a $25 transcript fee. For more information about the TEAS click here: TEAS Policy. LVN-RN Step-Up Associate of Science Degree The Associate Degree Nursing (LVN-RN Step-Up) Program admits a new class every year in August. After completing the three-unit Role Transition course as a prerequisite the program consists of two more semesters. Classroom instruction is offered concurrently with clinical experience. The curriculum has been organized under the standards mandated by the State of California Board of Registered Nursing. The Associate Degree (LVN-RN Step Up) Nursing curriculum is designed to prepare students to participate in the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN). Upon successful completion of the examination, the student becomes a Registered Nurse (R.N.). Employment opportunities following the acquisition of the license include many different fields of nursing, such as hospitals, doctors' offices, home nursing, and others. Summer Session: NURS 21—Role Transition 3 NURS 70--Simulated Nursing Skills Lab (Advisory) 0.5 First Semester: NURS 31—Community Mental Health Nursing 5 NURS 32—Intermediate Medical Surgical Nursing 6 NURS 70--Simulated Nursing Skills Lab(Advisory) 0.5-2 Second Semester: NURS 41—Advanced Maternal Child Nursing          4 NURS 42—Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing 6 NURS 70--Simulated Nursing Skills Lab (Advisory) 0.5-2 Optional NURS 29 – Special Studies 1-2 NURS 49 – Work Experience 0.5 – 4 Total Nursing Program Units 24 Credit for LVN Program 16 Total Units for ADN Degree: 71 Students must have access to a personal computer or laptop. CHALLENGE AND TRANSFER OPTIONS Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) and other health care workers may be able to obtain placement in the nursing program on a space available basis through challenge exams, portfolio assessment, and credit for equivalent courses. Any student granted credit for previous education and/or experience shall be expected to enroll in the final semester of the associate degree nursing program regardless of the number of clinical hours previously completed in another program. Prerequisites COURSE DESCRIPTIONS   NURS 21 LVN-RN Step-Up Role Transition 3 Units Grade Only Prerequisites: Admission in the Associate Degree Nursing (LVN-RN Step-Up) Program, active LVN license, BIO 12A, BIO 12B, BIO 6, ENGL 1A Transfer Status: CSU This course is designed for the LVN who is transitioning into the role of RN (Registered Nurse). Theory and application of concepts of physical assessment, the nursing process, critical thinking, and the relationship of homeostatic mechanisms to fluids and electrolytes and nursing competencies in the professional roles of clinician, teacher, leader, and advocate will be presented. This course provides an opportunity for the LVN to practice and develop new, or reinforce previously learned, skills and procedures necessary for advanced placement. NURS 31 Community Mental Health Nursing 5 units Grade Only Prerequisite: NURS 21 with a grade of “C” or better Corequisite: NURS 32 Transfer Status:  CSU This course provides an introduction to Mental Health Nursing with a special emphasis on the older adult. This course builds on previous medical-surgical knowledge and skills in applying the nursing process to promote psychosocial integrity within the context of the health illness continuum across the life span. Throughout the course Gerontological Nursing theory is incorporated. Emphasis includes the professional role of the nurse in providing therapeutic interactions and communications, bio-psychosocial rehabilitation and therapeutic use of self as well as assisting individuals in locating and using appropriate community resources. Skills will be fostered in the area of management, quality assessment and the nurse as a change agent. Varied value systems, self-analysis and health care team collaboration will be explored along with personal professional developmental issues.  Clinical experiences will provide opportunities for students to participate in therapeutic activities in a variety of community and mental health settings. NURS 32 Intermediate Medical Surgical Nursing 6 units Grade Only Prerequisite: NURS 21 with a grade of “C” or better Corequisite: NURS 31 Transfer Status: CSU In Intermediate Medical Surgical Nursing, the student will synthesize and correlate nursing knowledge and skills in providing care to two patients at the beginning of the semester and four patients at the end of the semester who have complex, multi-system illnesses.  Students will learn to anticipate, predict, and prioritize patient needs and evaluate outcomes. The student will use appropriate communication techniques to provide health teaching and illness prevention information to patients with complex medical-surgical diseases. Associated psychomotor skills will be integrated and practiced. NURS 41 Advanced Maternal Child Nursing 4 units Grade Only Prerequisites: NURS 31 and NURS 32 with a grade of C or better Corequisite: NURS 42 Transfer Status: CSU This course focuses on advanced concepts in caring for high risk child-bearing and child-rearing families. Concepts emphasized include family communications, teaching, nursing process, critical thinking, legal-ethical issues, and patient advocacy. Emphasis will be on nursing interventions to prevent or decrease risk factors associated with the child bearing families. NURS 42 Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing 6 units Grade Only Prerequisites: NURS 31 and NURS 32 with a grade of C or better Corequisite: NURS 41 Transfer Status: CSU This course focuses on advanced application of the nursing process in care of critically ill adult and geriatric patients. The student will organize and discriminate data to establish priorities of care. Correlated clinical experiences emphasize refinement of clinical decision making, psychomotor skills, and management of multiple patient assignments with complex patient care in professional nursing practice. Nursing students will have the opportunity to integrate and apply previously learned skills and knowledge from all areas of nursing practice to new, current, and/or evolving health care settings. Content will include leadership theory and application, delegation, priorities, and time management. The course focuses on assisting the student to transition from student nurse role to that as a licensed nurse. Classroom and clinical experiences assist the student to acquire additional proficiency and knowledge which will help students qualify for an entry level registered nurse position. Optional Courses NURS 29 Special Studies 1-2 Units Corequisite: NURS 21, 31, 32, 41, 42, 51, 52, 53, or 62 Transfer Status: CSU (AA) Opportunity for capable students to do an independent study of a selected aspect of nursing. This course may be taken for credit a total of 4 times. NURS 49 Work Experience 0.5-4 Units Prerequisite: WEE 1 or concurrent enrollment in WEE 1. Advisory: Must be concurrently employed in a volunteer or compensated capacity. Call 530-938-5533. Transfer Status: CSU (AA) Occupational Work Experience is supervised employment extending classroom-based occupational learning at an on-the-job learning station relating to the student’s educational or occupational goal. Students can earn a maximum of 16 semester units, 0.5-4 units/semester. This course may be taken for credit a total of 4 times. NURS 70 Simulated Nursing Skills Lab 0.5-3.0 Units Corequisite:  Eligible for TEAS testing or enrollment in ADN (LVN-RN Step-Up) courses: NURS 21, NURS 31, NURS 32, NURS 41 or NURS 42 Transfer Credit: NDA An open entry course providing individual instruction designed to assist students under direct supervision to update previously learned skills, practice complex patient care assignments on simulators, and remediate math and dosage calculations for medication administration.  This course also aids in the development of nursing technical skills, care planning, accessing electronic health information, remediation of clinical skills, and practice using computerized testing, study guides, tutorials, simulations and reviews for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam.  This course may be taken for credit four (4) times. The Associate Degree Nursing program is accredited through the California Board of Registered Nursing. Board of Registered Nursing P.O. Box 944210 Sacramento, CA 94244-2100 Phone: (916) 322-3350 Prospective Students ~ Current Students ~ Faculty and Staff ~ Alumni and Community COS Home ~ Site Index ~ Back

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