Vocational Nursing Program

San Joaquin Delta College

Vocational Nursing

Program

Student Information Brochure

Vocational Nursing Certificate Program

The San Joaquin Delta College Vocational Nursing Program is a concentrated forty-six (46) week program. Offered once a year, classes start in January and end the following December. Individuals accepted into the program are required to attend classes continuously during spring, summer and fall semesters. The intent is to prepare vocational nurses in a variety of health-care settings, including community-based agencies and clinics. The curriculum will place emphasis on team building and independent practice towards health promotion and illness prevention within the scope of the Vocational Nurse Practice Act.

The graduate of the Vocational Nursing Program will be eligible for the state examination for licensure as an LVN. In addition, graduates are eligible for advanced standing in the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program.

SAN JOAQUIN DELTA COLLEGE

VOCATIONAL NURSING PROGRAM

Curriculum

Prerequisites

A

. ONE science course from the following:

BIOL 31 Human Anatomy 4 units

OR

**BIOL 33 Anatomy & Physiology 6 units B. H S 36 Medical Terminology and Speech 3 units C. Psych I Introduction to Psychology 3 units

D. H S 19/FCS 19 Human Development 3 units

13-15 units

1

_{Semester (Spring)}

VOC NUR 1 Foundations of Nursing 8.5 units

VOC NUR 2 Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing 8.5 units

17 units

2

_{Semester (Summer)}

VOC NUR 3 Obstetrical Nursing 3.5 units

VOC NUR 4 Pediatric Nursing 3.5 units

7 units

3

_{Semester (Fall)}

VOC NUR 5 Intermediate Medical-Surgical Nursing 9 units VOC NUR 6 Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing 9 units

18 units

TOTAL UNITS 55-57

VOCATIONAL NURSING PROGRAM INFORMATION

The Vocational Nursing Program includes prerequisite and specialized nursing curriculum to meet the requirements for a Certificate in Vocational Nursing. The program curriculum is presented on Page 1. All prerequisite courses must be

completed at the time the Prerequisite Verification is submitted for admission to the program. Nursing courses must be taken in the identified sequence. The program is a demanding 46-week course of study which requires a full commitment from the student. Upon completion the graduate possesses the skills and competencies to work in the role of a Licensed Vocational Nurse. Licensure is granted from the State of California upon successful completion of the state licensing examination, NCLEX-PN.

I. PROGRAM PREREQUISITE INFORMATION

A. The following courses are prerequisites to the vocational nursing program: Biology 31 OR Biology 33

HS 36 Psychology 1 HS 19/FCS 19

Biology 33 has prerequisites of algebra and chemistry. One year of high school algebra with a grade of “C” or better can meet one requirement. One year of High school chemistry with a lab and a grade of “C” or better can meet the chemistry requirement. See a counselor regarding credit for high school courses.

Students who plan to transfer to a baccalaureate degree nursing program, should consider taking Biology 31. Biology 31 and Biology 32 (Human Physiology) meet the Delta College ADN program science prerequisite and should meet science prerequisites at California State University nursing programs. See a counselor to discuss these options.

B. All prerequisites must be completed with a grade of “C" or better before submitting a Prerequisite

Verification for the program. In addition, the cumulative prerequisite GPA must be 2.5 or greater. Section VII demonstrates the process for calculating the prerequisite GPA.

C. Candidates who have completed prerequisite courses at other US regionally accredited colleges/universities, must submit an official transcript and course descriptions with the Prerequisite Verification packet. PLEASE NOTE THAT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT MUST BE ATTACHED TO THE PROGRAM PREREQUISITE VERIFICATION. THIS IS REQUIRED EVEN IF A TRANSCRIPT HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EVALUATIONS DEPARTMENT. (An official transcript is sealed at the college of origin and is unopened).

II. PROGRAM GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Credit for prior training:

Certified Nurse Assistants with a current California certificate may waive VOC NUR 1. All program prerequisites must be completed with a grade of “C” or better and a cumulative prerequisite GPA of 2.5 or greater. Admission is on a space available basis. Information and prerequisite verifications are available in the Nursing Department office, Locke 213, and online at: nursing.deltacollege.edu. Prerequisite verifications are only accepted from September 1 st _{through October 1} st _.

Psychiatric Technicians with a current LPT license may waive VOC NUR 1 and VOC NUR 2. All program prerequisites must be completed with a grade of “C” or better and a cumulative prerequisite GPA of 2.5 or greater. Admission is on a space available basis into the second semester (summer intersession) of the program. Information and prerequisite verifications are available in the Nursing Department office, Locke 213, and online at: nursing.deltacollege.edu. Prerequisite verifications are only accepted from September 1 st _{through October 1} st _.

B. Candidates with degrees from foreign universities:

Candidates who have received a Bachelor’s degree or higher from a foreign university may be eligible to receive equivalency for high school completion. The candidate must obtain an official copy of the transcript and have an evaluation completed by a service which is a member of the National Association of Credential

Evaluation Services, Inc. Information on these services is available in the Nursing Department office, Locke 213. There is a fee for this service.

The evaluation must be sent to the candidate in an envelope sealed by the evaluating agency. Evaluations that have been opened will not be accepted. The evaluation must be submitted with the prerequisite

verification as documentation to meet the high school completion requirement. This coursework will not be accepted to meet any of the program prerequisite courses.

C. Transfer Information:

Students who wish to transfer into the vocational nursing program must submit the following to the Nursing Department office, Locke 213:

· Official transcripts from prior program

· Detailed information about course content including syllabi, course handouts, etc.

· Photocopy of drivers license or birth certificate to verify age

· Official documents verifying completion of high school (see Section III. C. below)

Students who left their prior program due to theory and/or clinical failure are NOT eligible for transfer. Information and prerequisite verifications for transfer are available in the Nursing Department office, Locke 213 and online at: nursing.deltacollege.edu. Prerequisite verifications are only accepted from September 1 st _{through October 1} st _.

D. Background Clearance for Criminal History:

Clinical Facilities are requiring all students to obtain a clearance for criminal history prior to placement in the clinical area. Candidates who cannot obtain a clearance will not be accepted into the program due to their inability to meet clinical objectives. Candidates tentatively accepted into the program will receive detailed information regarding the background check and fees. The criteria utilized to obtain a criminal history background clearance are provided in Appendix A.

A component of obtaining an LVN license involves fingerprinting which is sent to the Department of Justice and FBI. Licensing applicants are required to disclose all convictions, misdemeanor and/or felonies. Carefully review Section VII which discusses this issue. Please take this information into account prior to applying to the program.

III. ADMISSION CRITERIA

A. The candidate must be admitted as a student to Delta College and have completed all assessment testing. Applications for admission to Delta College must be completed online at www.deltacollege.edu.

B. Candidate must be at least 17 years of age. A copy of birth certificate or driver's license must be submitted with the prerequisite verification to the program.

C. Candidate must meet ONE of the following requirements:

· high school graduate (submit official high school transcript)

· GED or High School Proficiency Certificate (submit official certificate)

· A.A. degree or higher degree (submit official college transcript)

· Evaluation of degree from foreign university by organization belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. See Section II.B.

The above documentation must be presented with the prerequisite verification in an envelope sealed at the originating school or agency. Envelopes that have been opened are not considered official and will not be accepted. If the applicant plans to meet the high school requirement by use of a foreign transcript, it is highly recommended that the transcript request be made as soon as possible as the process can take several months. A listing of approved foreign transcript evaluation services is available in the nursing office. The foreign transcript will meet the high school requirement only. It will not be accepted for equivalency of any prerequisite courses.

D. ALL PREREQUISITES MUST BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO APPLYING TO THE PROGRAM. E. The prerequisite verification period is September 1 st _{to October 1} st _.

IV. PREREQUISITE VERIFICATION PROCEDURE

All candidates are required to complete each of the following no later than October 1 st _.

A. The candidate must be admitted as a student to Delta College. Applications for admission to Delta College must be completed online at www.deltacollege.edu.

B. Complete the college assessment-placement test. For information regarding testing, contact the Assessment Office, Goleman 122, (209) 954-5535 or atwww.deltacollege.edu.

C. Submit a completed prerequisite verification form for Admission to the Vocational Nursing Program to the Admissions & Records Office, Holt 101.

D. Candidates who completed coursework from other US regionally accredited colleges/universities must submit an official transcript with course descriptions to the evaluations department (See Program Prerequisite Information on page 2). AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT MUST ALSO BE ATTACHED TO THE PREREQUISITE VERIFICATION UPON SUBMISSION.

E. Submit a photocopy of ONE of the following:

· Driver’s license

· Birth certificate

F. Submit official documentation verifying high school completion or equivalency. Refer to Section III.C.

for details.

V. SELECTION PROCESS

A. Upon completion of the prerequisite verification process, prerequisite verifications are reviewed for completion and prerequisite GPA calculation by Admissions and Records. Candidates are notified of their status, qualified or disqualified, via their Delta College Student email address.

B. Prerequisite verifications are forwarded to the Nursing Department for review and preparation for the lottery. C. Selection of qualified candidates occurs at a public drawing through a random selection process. Currently,

the first thirty (30) names drawn are offered space in the program. The date of the lottery is provided by an information flyer included with the prerequisite verification or online at: nursing.deltacollege.edu. All names are drawn during the process. Ranking order is presented by a posting outside the Nursing Department office, Locke 213, and on the department web page at: nursing.deltacollege.edu.

D. Candidates present at the random selection drawing may pick up information packets immediately following the drawing. Photo identification is required and only the applicant may pick up the packet. Candidates who do not attend the drawing AND are one of the students selected or an alternate, will need to check on the nursing website or the bulletin board behind the nursing office. These individuals must pick up their information packets in the Nursing Department office, Locke 213. Photo identification is required and only the candidate may pick up their packet. Information packets will not be mailed.

E. Candidates who are not selected to the program must reapply each year for placement in the random selection drawing. No waiting list is maintained.

VI. PREPARATION FOR THE PROGRAM

Due to the brief timelines between the lottery drawing and the beginning of the spring semester, potential candidates are encouraged to complete some of the clinical requirements early in the prerequisite verification process.

A. Clinical Requirements:

The following is a summary of the clinical requirements, which must be completed prior to entry into the program and maintained during the program:

· Medical Records

Physical exam (within the last six months on a program form) Immunization Record

TB testing, Hepatitis B immunizations, MMR, TD, Varicella titer (or 2 immunizations)

· Student Nurse Professional Liability Insurance

· Current Professional Level Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification Must be Professional Level, Professional Rescuer or Health Care Provider only

B. Preparation during the prerequisite verification period. Students considering submitting a Prerequisite Verification to the program are encouraged to do the following:

· Schedule a physical exam after the lottery. By scheduling a date, you will be assured of

completing this requirement. The appointment can be cancelled if you are not selected into the program.

· Begin collecting your immunization records. In some cases your “baby shot records” may have documentation, which you can use. In the event you are selected into the program, a form to summarize this information will be provided.

· Complete professional level CPR training. Included below is a listing of training courses available in the area. Certification is good for 1-2 years. Please note that it is often difficult to find space in a CPR course in December. Be sure you enroll in the appropriate level course. Any

certification other than that described below will NOT BE ACCEPTED.

C. CPR courses:

Professional Health Care Provider is one general category of CPR certification. Both the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association offer certification for the Professional Health Care Provider/Professional Rescuer, which is the category required for all Nursing students.

· The American Heart Association offers two-year certification. The designations are: HCP (Healthcare Provider) or

BLS-C (Basic Life Support, C = Professional Rescuer)

American Heart Association classes are offered through:

St. Joseph's Medical Center: Classes are held the last Friday of the month from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. For more information call: (209) 943-2000. (Two-year certification fee is $85.00)

Stockton Fire Department: Classes are held the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month. For more information call (209) 937-8801. Must register prior to the class. Early registration is important. Office is closed 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. (Two-year certification fee is $55.00)

The American Red Cross offers one-year certification. The designations are: CPR-FPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation For Professional Rescuers) or

American Red Cross classes are offered through:

San Joaquin County Chapter of the American Red Cross: Classes are held once a month over a two evening period. For more information call (209) 466-6971. (One-year certification fee is $70.00)

Delta College: H Ed 32 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is offered each semester at San Joaquin Delta College. Consult the current San Joaquin Delta College Schedule of Classes for details or call the Athletics Division at (209) 954-5176. Inform your instructor that you are preparing to enter Delta College's Associate Degree Nursing Program: (One-year certification fee $7.00)

Dameron Hospital: (CPR-FPR) Classes are held 2 times a month. For information call (209) 944-5550.

(Two-year certification fee is $50.00)

Lodi Memorial Hospital: (CPR-FPR) Call for class schedule.

For information call (209) 339-7520. (Two-year certification fee is $25.00)

Sutter Tracy Hospital: (CPR-FPR & BLS-C) For information call (209) 836-1322.

Doctors Hospital of Manteca: (CPR-FPR) Classes are held in January and July only. For information call (209) 239-8368. (Two-year certification is $50.00)

Doctors Medical Center Foundation in Modesto: (CPR-FPR) Classes are held twice monthly. For information call (209) 521-2229. (Two year certification $70.00 first time, $50.00 renewal)

The above information is current as of May 2008. It is highly recommended that you call the facility to

see if any changes have been made.

VII. VOCATIONAL NURSE LICENSURE INFORMATION

Please read all the information presented below if you are considering a career in the nursing/health care field.

Prior to obtaining a license to practice as a Licensed Vocational Nurse or Licensed Psychiatric Technician, ALL

graduates must report prior felony and misdemeanor convictions along with submission of fingerprints. The Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians may deny licensure based on prior convictions, which include, but are not limited to:

· Procuring a license by fraud, misrepresentation or mistake

· A conviction of practicing medicine without a license

· Violating or attempting to violate, directly or indirectly, or assisting in or abetting the violation of, or conspiring to violate any provision or term of the VN Practice Act or PT law

· Aiding or assisting, or agreeing to aid or assist any person or persons, whether a licensed physician or not, in the performance of or arranging for a violation of any of the provisions of the Medical Board of California Practice Act

· Conviction of a crime involving fiscal dishonesty

· Any crime or act involving the sale, gift, administration, or furnishing of “narcotics or dangerous drugs or dangerous devices: as defined in the Pharmacy Practice Act, Section 4022.

When considering denial of license, the BVNPT takes into account the following criteria to evaluate the rehabilitation of the applicant:

· Nature and severity of the acts or crimes

· Evidence of any act(s) committed subsequent to the act(s) or crime(s) under consideration

· The time that has elapsed since commissions of the act(s) or crime(s) under consideration

· The extent to which the applicant has complied with any terms or parole, probation, restitution, or any other sanctions lawfully imposed

The Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians screens prerequisite verifications fairly but cautiously, applying the above criteria. Schools of nursing are encouraged when counseling prospective nursing students to make them aware that there could be potential licensure problems due to serious acts or convictions as described above. In this manner, students have the opportunity to explore other career options prior to investing substantial time in a nursing program if it appears that a prior serious act or conviction may jeopardize licensure due to its substantial relationship to the practice of nursing.

Additional information regarding convictions and licensure from the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians can be found at: http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/convfaq

VIII. CALCULATION OF PREREQUISITE GPA

Prerequisite Course Grade* X Course= Grade

Course Grade Value Units Point

1. Biology 31 _______ _______ X 4 ________

OR

Biology 33 _______ _______ X 6 ________

2. Psychology 1 _______ _______ X 3 ________

3. HS 36 Medical Term _______ _______ X 3 ________

4. HS 19/FCS 19 _______ _______ X 3 _______

Total Course Units ______ Total Grade Points ______ (add 1, 2, 3, & 4) (add 1, 2, 3, &4)

Divide: Total Grade Points

Total Course Units = PREREQUISITE GPA

Courses that have been completed with a grade of “C” or better will be included in the calculation. If a course was repeated in which a grade of “C” or better was obtained, the first grade is utilized in the calculation per college policy. If a course was repeated for no credit or was an illegal repeat, the first course grade is utilized. 

*  A = 4 points  B = 3 points  C = 2 points

IX. PROGRAM COSTS

The following information is intended to provide the potential applicant with approximate information regarding program costs. Costs for items like childcare and transportation are not included as they vary among students. Textbooks: approximately $1,100 (including text for prerequisite courses) Clinical Requirements approximately $900 (includes physical exam, immunizations, skills

lab kit, malpractice insurance, CPR course, uniforms

Tuition* $1,100-1,140

ATI Assessment Exam costs $262 Background Check fees $41 Licensure application costs $125

NCLEX-PN exam $200

Malpractice Insurance $20 ______

Approximate Total $3,748-3,788

Other individualized costs will be childcare and transportation costs * based on $20 per unit

Appendix A

Criminal History Background Screen Scoring

Definitions

· Non-Conviction: Any disposition other than a plea of guilty, no contest or a finding of guilt. Non-Convictions can be one of three categories.

· Passing: Non-Conviction leading to charge being dismissed, Nolle Prosse, Nolle Prosequi, Expunged, Not Guilty verdict or acquittal of defendant.

· Failing: Any adjudication withheld/deferred where the charge was not dismissed, expunged, Nolle Prosse or Nolle Prosequi.

· Passing Disposition: Any Non-Conviction disposition leading to the case being dismissed, Nolle Prosse, Nolle Prosequi, Expunged, Not Guilty verdict or acquittal of defendant.

· Failing Disposition: Any disposition resulting in a Conviction or Non-Conviction (adjudication differed/withheld) that has not led to the case being dismissed.

· Healthcare Related Misdemeanor: Any Misdemeanor crime related to the following categories:

Theft Assault and/or Battery Contributing to Delinquency Embezzlement Simple Assault Any child-related sexual activity Forgery Domestic Violence Any nonconsensual sexual activity with

Fraud Resisting Arrest child or adult

Misuse of Credit Card Obstructing Officer Sale and/or possession of a controlled Unauthorized Use Evade Officer/Lawful Arrest substance

Shoplifting Weapons Charges Public intoxication/drunkenness Receiving Stolen PropertyStalking Elder Abuse/Neglect

Unemployment or Workers’s Menacing Child Abuse/Neglect Compensation Fraud Worthless Check Child Endangerment

Pass

Score all candidates as “Pass” for the following conditions:

· Any Misdemeanor or Felony offense with a disposition date older than 7 years, with the exception of any Misdemeanor or Felony violent crimes, conconsensual sexual crimes, and crimes against children with a Failing Disposition.

· Any Misdemeanor or Felony crime with a Passing Disposition.

· Any Misdemeanor Marijuana offense over two years old in the state of California.

· Any misdemeanor (or lower) traffic violations.

Fail

Score all candidates as “Fail” for the following conditions:

· Any case with a Failing Disposition for Misdemeanor or Felony violent crimes, nonconsensual sexual crimes, and crimes against children regardless of elapsed time from disposition date.

· Any other Felony crime with a Failing Disposition within the last 7 years.

Any Healthcare Related Misdemeanor crime with a Failing Disposition within the last 7 years (except in California, exclude misdemeanor marijuana convictions more than two years old).

Any Controlled Substance Offence with a Failing Disposition within the last 7 years (except in California, exclude misdemeanor marijuana convictions more than two years old).

This brochure is designed to provide information regarding the Vocational Nursing Program offered through the Family, Consumer and Health Sciences Division of San Joaquin Delta College. If you have any questions, please call the Nursing and Health Sciences Office at (209) 954-5454, write us at: 5151 Pacific Avenue, Locke 213, Stockton, CA 95207. For additional information regarding our programs visit us online at: nursing.deltacollege.edu.