Advanced Placement Policy

Johnston Community College Associate Degree Nursing offers an advanced placement admission option for students who possess a current unrestricted license as a practical nurse (LPN). Applicants who have disciplinary charges from the North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) are not considered for admission. The advanced placement student shall meet the following admission criteria. (Nursing credits will not transfer; related course credit transfer will be determined by the Registrar)

Applicants are admitted under provision of the admission policies of Johnston Community College and the Associate Degree Nursing Program as specified in the Johnston Community College Catalog. The guidelines, deadline dates, and admission policies apply to all applicants equally. Applicants are selected on the basis of academic records, admission testing, and the maximum number of seats available as approved by the State Board of Nursing.

A student with two previous attempts in an Associate Degree or Baccalaureate Degree Nursing Program or Practical Nursing Program is ineligible to apply to the JCC Associate Degree Nursing Program. However, a student who has not been enrolled in a nursing program for 36 consecutive months may request consideration for re-evaluation. A student who exits the JCC program for any reason (and who has not been enrolled in a nursing program previously) may re-enter the JCC nursing program one time.

*Based on the maximum number approved by the Board of Nursing.

In order for a student to be considered for admission to the Nursing Program, the applicant must complete Phases I and II below.

PHASE I: Application and Admission Process

Phase I:

The student must complete and/or have the following:

1. Johnston Community College Application: Applicants must complete the Residency and College application on-line at: johnstoncc.edu.
2. Current unrestricted license as a practical nurse (LPN) in North Carolina.
3. Official transcripts from high school / GED scores and all colleges attended on file in Student Services. Official transcripts must be in a sealed envelope or sent electronically directly to the College.
4. Have a current cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher.
5. Complete the College placement test (if required) or meet test exemption requirements.
6. Complete an interview with a counselor in the Office of Enrollment and Student Success.
7. Biology course: Show completion of one unit of high school or college level general biology course (with a lab component) with a grade of “C” or higher. Anatomy & Physiology does not meet this biology requirement.
8. Chemistry course: Show completion of one unit of high school or college level chemistry course (with a lab component) with a grade of “C” or higher.
9. Algebra course: Show completion of one unit of high school algebra I or II with a grade of “C” or higher and / or completion of required developmental math courses (see #11).
10. Placement: Place into ENG 111 and complete or place out of DMA 065.
11. BIO courses (BIO 168, 169, and 175) must be completed within the last five (5) years by the point of entry into the program. Any BIO course completed over five (5) years from the point of entry into the program must be retaken. BIO courses (168, 169, 175) may be completed as co-requisites in the semester required as outlined in the program of study, and are not required as pre-requisites for admission into the program.
12. Attend a MANDATORY Health Sciences Information Session – dates and times available on the College website at johnstoncc.edu. (Please bring a copy of the Program Admission Policy to the session.) The Nursing Intent to Apply form is provided upon attendance to a Health Science Information Session prior to application deadline for the nursing program.

(Applicants must complete all of Phase I to advance to Phase II)

Nursing Intent to Apply form, Health Occupations Test, and Pharmacology Requirement

Phase II:

Applicants are responsible for ensuring all required materials and documents have been submitted to the Office of Enrollment and Student Success by the deadline date. If the deadline date falls on a weekend, all materials and documents are due the Friday before the deadline. Incomplete packets cannot be processed.

Submit the Nursing Intent to Apply form (can only be received by attending the Information Session in Phase I). All requirements in Phase I must be met to submit the program specific application- Nursing Intent to Apply form.

The following forms must be submitted to the Office of Enrollment and Student Success:

1. Nursing Intent to Apply form.
2. Complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS sixth edition). Please visit the website atitesting.com for additional information. The testing fee will be paid at the Cashiers Office prior to testing. An ATI Teas Testing Ticket is required to schedule the test and is obtained by submitting the program specific application. Applicants are allowed to test twice per academic year (August to July of the following year) with a thirty (30) day interval between testing dates. Applicants should allow three and one half hours to complete this computer-based test. The ATI TEAS cannot be taken until PHASE I is completed. Testing can be done at JCC however, the College does accept transfer scores from ATI. Test scores are valid for two (2) years. Applicants are strongly encouraged to prepare in advance for the ATI TEAS test. Visit the Academic Enrichment Center for information on a free TEAS prep course. Additionally, study materials may be purchased in the College Bookstore or on line at www.atitesting.com.
3. Pharmacology Course Information: Applicants desiring advanced placement admission for the spring semester must pass a pharmacology competency exam based on content from Pharmacology- NUR 117 with a C or higher. Applicants will also be required to pass a dosage calculations exam with a B or higher. Both exams will be administered by the Nursing Department. Examination dates will be given to applicants by the admissions coordinator for the Nursing Department. Applicants who do not pass the pharmacology and dosage calculation exam will be required to successfully complete Pharmacology-NUR 117 with a grade of C or higher in the fall semester prior to admission into the spring semester.

Ranking and Notification of Admission Status

Phase III:

Only applicants who score exemplary, advanced, or proficient on the ATI TEAS (sixth edition) will be considered in the point ranking.

Only courses completed by the deadline date will be used in the point ranking of applicants. A grade of A or B earned on the first attempt in courses will be used in the point ranking. NOTE: Points will only be awarded for BIO 168, 169 and 175 if they were completed within the last five (5) years from the date of point of entry into the program. Points will ONLY be given for BIO 168 and 169 if the two courses have been taken at the same college. Points for BIO 168 and 169 will ONLY be given to seated or face-to-face laboratory instruction, not an online lab component (documentation may be required to award points).

All applicants will be ranked according to the highest to the lowest points. The number of applicants accepted to the program depends upon availability of seats. In the case where two or more applicants have the same number of points, TEAS scores will determine point ranking. Test scores are valid for two (2) years.

Notification will be sent to applicants applying for advanced placement to spring semester in mid-December. Applicants may be placed on an alternate list or not accepted at this time. The alternate list is for the current admitting year. All lists and program specific materials are destroyed after Fall classes begin – no waiting list is maintained. Applicants not accepted at this time may continue with college course work or schedule an appointment with a counselor to discuss other educational opportunities.

If admitted, your program code will be changed by the Enrollment and Student Success staff.

Applicants not accepted and desiring to be considered for next year must attend the Information Session, submit the program specific application (Nursing Intent to Apply form), submit evidence of additional points and may elect to retake the Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS sixth edition).

(Applicants not accepted at this time must reapply each year)

Acceptance

Phase IV:

Students accepted to the Associate Degree Nursing Program must:

1. Return acceptance to the Enrollment and Student Success Office within five (5) days of the date of the letter.
2. Attend a mandatory orientation on the designated dates as determined by the Nursing Program. Information will be provided upon admission into the program.
3. Show documentation of physical and emotional health by the student’s primary care provider. (College approved forms will be distributed at orientation).
4. CPR certification- Provide evidence of current CPR certification by the American Heart Association at the Healthcare Provider level (adult, child, & infant) and maintain certification throughout the NUR course sequence.
5. Submit to a criminal background check, and initial and random drug screenings as directed by affiliating clinical agencies. Criminal background checks and drug screenings must be completed through the College’s designated service provider. The student will incur the cost of the criminal background checks and drug screenings. Clinical agencies may require criminal background checks and drug screenings every six months while enrolled in the program.
6. Provide documentation of required immunizations including: 2 MMR VACCINES (measles, mumps, rubella), OR positive antibody titer for Measles, Mumps and Rubella (lab report required); 2 Varicella Vaccines OR positive antibody titer (lab report required); 2-step Tuberculosis skin test; T-dap within the last 10 years (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis); Hepatitis B- 3 vaccinations required OR positive antibody titer (lab report required) OR declination waiver; annual influenza immunization (due in the fall). All immunizations and medical related information will be required prior to beginning the spring semester. Admitted applicants will be provided information to access the designated service provider and upload all required immunizations/medical related information prior to the spring semester.
7. Provide evidence of individual medical insurance coverage.
8. Submit two (2) current passport style photos (2X2) to the Nursing Department during orientation.

*Information obtained from the criminal background checks and drug screenings could jeopardize the student’s ability to participate in clinical experiences and will result in the inability of the student to complete the program.

The application for licensure examination with the North Carolina Board of Nursing contains questions as to whether or not the applicant has ever been convicted of a misdemeanor/felony excluding minor traffic violations. If the answer is “yes” the applicant is asked to provide an explanation. This question is asked because of the legal requirements for becoming licensed as a registered nurse in North Carolina. Similar requirements exist in other states.

The Nursing Practice Act, Article 9 Chapter 90 of the General Statutes of North Carolina states that the North Carolina Board of Nursing may deny an application for licensure if the Board determines that the applicant:

Has given false information or has withheld material information from the Board in procuring or attempting to procure a license to practice nursing;

Has been convicted of or plead guilty or nolo contendere to any crime which indicates that the nurse is unfit to practice nursing; or that the nurse has deceived or defrauded the public.

The College reserves the right to change any restrictions or program requirements at any time. Every effort is made to provide a one year notice however, changes or revisions that occur as the result of accreditation or approval body standards and criteria may be implemented limited notice.

10/87, Revised 3/14, 4/15, 9/15, 3/16, 6/17, 2/18, 1/2020