Health Science - AAS: Nursing

(66 total credit hours)

Note: The Nursing Program requires a criminal background check and drug screen with the approved vendor, annual physical examination, proof of vaccinations/titers (Hep B, Tdap, MMR, Varicella, Seasonal Flu), and annual tuberculosis screening. Covid-19 vaccination is not required but recommended for all healthcare students.. The expense for all medical needs will be the responsibility of the student. More information will be discussed with the Program Coordinator at the required time for completion.

Other Admission Requirements Prior to Applying to the Nursing Program:

• A grade of C or greater in all pre-requisite and co-requisite courses
• 2.5 cumulative GPA or above (on a 4.0 scale) in all pre-requisite and co-requisite courses
• Completion of the NLN RN Pre-admission Exam (NLN PAX)
• Active status on the Kentucky Nurse Aide Registry (must remain active until successful completion of NSG 101)
• Current qualified CPR certification – BLS (Basic Life Support) for the Healthcare Provider through an approved vendor.

The Nursing program at Gateway is competitive and selective, meaning you are initially considered a "Pre-Nursing" student. Your major will be listed as Health Science Technology (HST) until you are accepted into the Nursing program where you will have Nursing listed as your major. The benefit is you have the option to complete a certificate of interest while you wait for acceptance into the Nursing program, (i.e., Phlebotomist).

Once you have completed the pre-requisites and met the requirements listed above, you are able to submit an application for acceptance to the Nursing program. Students are REQUIRED to attend the Ready-to-Apply Conference, more details will be announced during each application period.

If all admission requirements are met by October 15, you can apply during the fall semester (October) to start the Nursing program for the upcoming spring cohort. If you meet your requirements by May 15, you can apply in spring (May) to start the program for the upcoming fall cohort.

Applicants will be ranked on a point system based on:

• GPA in Nursing pre-requisite and co-requisite courses
• Grades in BIO137 and MAT151 (or higher-level Quantitative Reasoning) courses
• Score on the NLN RN PAX Pre-Admission exam

Points will be deducted for an unsuccessful attempt (failure or withdrawal) in BIO137 and the Quantitative Reasoning course. Additional points can be earned for holding a prior degree or completing all co-requisite classes. Anatomy and Physiology courses expire 5 years from course completion date and must be current by the start of NSG 101.

Notes

• NSG Courses cannot be enrolled in until a student has been formally accepted into the nursing program. Co-requisite courses can be taken before or after acceptance into the nursing program, but no later than their corresponding NSG courses.
• The nursing curriculum courses correlate classroom and clinical instruction in a variety of community agencies.
• Transportation to the community agencies is the responsibility of each student.
• Progression in the program is contingent upon achievement of a grade of C or greater in all pre-requisite, co-requisite and nursing curriculum courses and maintenance of a 2.5 cumulative GPA or higher (on a 4.0 scale).
• Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The Kentucky Board of Nursing may deny admission to the NCLEX-RN exam if an individual has been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony which involves acts that bear directly on the qualifications to practice nursing.
• If intending to transfer to a KY public university for a BSN, the following additional courses may be taken for General Education certification: ENG 102 Writing II, PSY 223 Developmental Psychology, and/or non-PSY Social Behavior course (i.e, SOC 101), Oral Communication course, a Heritage or Humanities course depending upon whether the student completed Heritage or Humanities for the AAS degree, an additional Quantitative Reasoning course (rec. STA251 Applied Statistics).
• At least 25 percent of the approved curriculum for any certificate, diploma or degree must be completed at the student’s home college.