Registered Nurses provide for the physical, mental, and emotional needs of their patients. They are advocates and health educators for patients, families, and communities, and help people take proactive measures to ensure better health. When providing patient care, they observe, assess, and record the symptoms, reactions and progress of their patients; assist health care providers during treatments and examinations; administer medications; and help in convalescence and rehabilitation.
Nurses should be caring and exhibit a spirit of inquiry with a commitment to life-long learning. They must be able to accept responsibility, follow orders precisely, and determine when consultation is required. Threaded throughout this very rigorous curriculum are the components of integrity, caring, work ethic, and self-discipline.
The overall purpose of the Associate Degree in Applied Science Nursing (ADN) program is to assist the student in developing the intellectual and technical competencies necessary to function as a safe practitioner of nursing. The ADN has the knowledge and skills to function as a beginning-level staff nurse in a variety of structured healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, long-term care agencies, physicians’ offices, and community agencies. Throughout the curriculum, the student has planned clinical and laboratory experiences to complement classroom learning in order to become skilled in the art and science of nursing. Principles of communication are emphasized throughout the curriculum to prepare the graduate to function as a patient advocate, and a member of a healthcare team.
Graduates of the ADN Program have high pass rates on the NCLEX-RN licensing examination. Our graduates are highly sought after for employment following graduation. The ADN program experiences 95-100% job placement annually. The ADN faculty is committed to student success.
The ADN program has additional admission criteria. Admission requirements may be obtained by attending a Health Information Program (HIP) session. All applicants are required to attend a session or complete an on-line session as part of the admissions process. A listing of scheduled sessions can be obtained from the Admissions Office or online at www.octech.edu. Students are enrolled in the nursing program in the fall and spring. Admission criteria is competitive, and students are admitted accordingly.
Unique Aspects of the ADN Program
Weighted admission criteria is used in the selection of students for entry into the ADN program. Current weighted admission criteria are listed on the OCtech ADN webpage. Students must maintain an 80% (“B”) average or higher in all Nursing courses in order to progress through the program. Students must also meet the Core Performance Standards for the didactic and clinical environment regarding physical demands and communication skills.
OCtech’s ADN program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA, 30326; Phone: 404-975-5000; Fax: 404-975-5020. (www.acenursing.org)
Graduates of the Associate Degree in Applied Science Nursing program are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK
All direct caregivers must obtain a criminal record check and drug screen as designated by clinical agencies. Persons convicted of or pled no contest to, including, but not limited to, child or adult abuse, sexual assault, assault with a deadly weapon, neglect, or mistreatment or misappropriation of property, are not permitted to work as direct caregivers. More stringent requirements are often enforced by individual clinical agencies. Students who have convictions as described above will not be allowed to attend clinical experiences in these clinical agencies. Clinical agencies reserve the right to deny privileges for convictions other than stated. Based on this information, students should be aware of the consequences of a positive criminal record check, which may include dismissal from the program. Students who are impacted by this constraint should consider career counseling.
NOTE: Students who have prior convictions of a crime (excluding minor traffic violations) and/or have had disciplinary action against his/her license may not be granted the privilege to take the NCLEX-RN for licensure. Those affected by this should contact the SC, LLR, Board of Nursing for clarification.
In addition to a background check and drug screen, the following are required for admission into the ADN Program:
• Health form that includes an admission physical validating physical and mental health status
• CPR Certification
Note: CPR may be obtained at the College.
Out-of-town travel for selected clinical experiences will be required.
Allergies
If you have an allergy to latex (any form of latex), Betadine or iodine, it is recommended that you consult your health care provider for assistance with your decision about pursuing a career in nursing.
Transfer
Acceptance of transfer general education credits into the ADN curriculum will be at the discretion of the Registrar. Non-OCtech nursing courses can not be transferred into the program.
