Nursing, A.A.S.

In the past, Casper College has offered two associate degrees in the Nursing Studies (NRST) curriculum: the Associate of Applied Science and Associate of Science in Nursing which are two-year degrees.  The Casper College H.E. Stuckenhoff Department of Nursing has joined with the other Community Colleges and the University of Wyoming to adopt the statewide ReNEW curriculum (Revolutionizing Nursing Education in Wyoming).   ReNEW is a baccalaureate curriculum with an associate degree benchmark at community colleges awarding the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), allowing the graduate to take the NCLEX –RN , become a Registered Nurse , and then continue on toward a BSN through the University of Wyoming.   As the ReNEW curriculum NURS  courses are offered beginning in Fall 2016 through Spring 2018, the corresponding NRST course in the Associate of Science (AS) and the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) will no longer be available.

All options consist of non-nursing as well as nursing courses, and nursing students are integrated into all aspects of college life. In addition to the Casper College application for admission, a student desiring admission to the nursing program must complete and submit to the director a departmental application when all eligibility requirements are met.

An additional resource for information regarding the program can be obtained from:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3343 Peachtree Road, NE
Suite 850
Atlanta, GA 30326
1-404-975-5000
www.ACENursing.org

Background check and drug/alcohol policy

Students enrolled in any of the health science programs will participate in clinical experiences in a variety of agencies. Prior to participating in the clinical experiences, students will be subject to that agency’s requirements for a background check, drug testing and/or drug abuse prevention policies. Students are then subject to the random drug testing policy of that agency.

Following graduation, several of the state and/or national licensing or certification (registry) boards, including the Wyoming State Board of Nursing, may refuse to allow a graduate to sit for the required exam or issue a license or certification to a person who has a prior felony conviction or proven history of drug or alcohol abuse. Applicants to whom this applies should consult the program director for further information.

Clinical accessibility policy

The nursing program utilizes a variety of health care agencies in the community for clinical experience for the students. If you have been employed in one or more of the agencies and are not eligible for rehire as an employee, the agency may not permit you to participate in the essential clinical component of the program.

Please contact the human resources department of the affected agency and request documentation that states the agency position on your participation in the clinical component of the program. If you receive a negative response from the agency, you are automatically ineligible to apply. A response indicating you will be permitted to attend clinical in the agency will be given to the program director prior to the selection process for admission to the program. If you are unable to fulfill clinical requirements due to a previous employment issue and have not complied with the above, you could be dismissed from the program.

Core Performance Standards for Admission and Progression

Critical thinking: Critical thinking ability to exercise non-clinical and clinical judgment in a timely manner.

Interpersonal: Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact professionally and therapeutically with peers, faculty, staff, administrators, patients/clients, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.

Communication: Communication skills sufficient for interaction with peers, faculty, staff, administrators, patients/clients, families, and groups in verbal, nonverbal and written form.

Mobility: Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room, safely perform treatments/procedures, and assist patients/clients; lift and transfer patients/clients; manipulate equipment; walk and/or stand for extended periods of time.

Motor skills: Gross and fine motor skills sufficient to provide safe and effective patient/client care.

Hearing: Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and safely assess health needs.

Visual: Visual ability with or without corrective lenses sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in safe patient/client care.

Tactile: Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment of patient/client care.

Professionalism: The ability to understand and demonstrate sufficient respect for others in non-verbal, verbal, and written communications in the classroom, laboratory, clinical settings, in the Casper College community, and in related public settings. The ability to demonstrate sufficient understanding of the cumulative effect that behavior, appearance, and communication has on the health science professional image.

 Associate Degree Nursing

This two-year program is approved by the Wyoming State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Graduates of this program are eligible to take the examination for licensure as registered nurses.

Eligibility Requirements

Students admitted into the NRST curriculum seeking an A.A.S. in Nursing must:

1. Have graduated from high school or have earned a GED.
2. Submitted a completed application form with all college transcripts to the Admissions and Student Records Office and a departmental application form to the nursing director by the admission deadline.
3. Hold a current certification as a nursing assistant in Wyoming. 
4. Have a composite score of 18 or better on the ACT if out of high school less than one year, and have completed courses recommended by the test with a “C” or better, OR
5. Have taken the COMPASS test and have completed courses recommended by the test with a “C” or better. If students have successfully completed college-level math or English courses, they will not be required to retake them.
6. Have completed PSYC 1000  with a “C” or better.
7. Have completed ZOO 2040 /ZOO 2041  (or their equivalents), and current within the last five years, with a “C” or better;
8. Demonstrated proficiency in medical terminology by completing HLTK 1200  (or its equivalent) with a “C” or better, or by completion of a departmental competency examination. 
9. Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher in all courses for this degree for admission, or readmission.
10. A “Proficient” level achieved on the Test of Essential Skills (TEAS ®) as required to apply to the program.

Other information:

1. Students are admitted twice a year.
2. Withdrawal from one or more courses without advisor input may delay program admission and/or progression.
3. When the ReNEW (NURS) curriculum begins, students who are in the final two cohorts of the current NRST curriculum need to be aware that progression in the program will be affected by failure or withdrawal. Due to the significant changes in the NURS curriculum, it will be necessary for students to apply to re-enter the program if they are unsuccessful in the current NRST curriculum.  Additional course work may be required to complete the degree requirements if re-entering into the NURS curriculum. There will be two potential points of re-entry: re-application to Semester 1 or application for special advanced placement into Semester 3.  Policies regarding re-entry and progression will apply.
4. Clinical and program requirements (vaccinations, insurance, etc..) must be maintained through the program.
5. It is the policy of the H.E. Stuckenhoff Department of Nursing to minimize the risk of an allergic/anaphylactic reaction to latex, identify those at risk and provide a latex safe environment.

To maintain ongoing enrollment in the nursing program, students must meet the following requirements:

1. Provide evidence of immunizations/immunity as required by agencies providing clinical experiences;
2. Test negative on any drug or alcohol screening required by agencies providing clinical experiences;
3. Provide evidence of current health insurance and maintain the health insurance while in the nursing program;
4. Complete specified background check prior to the first semester of the program, and repeat if requested during the program;
5. If driving to clinical sites, provide evidence of current car insurance and maintain the car insurance while in the nursing program;
6. Have evidence of American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification during the first semester of classes.
7. Must have a 2.0 or better grade point average for each semester and a “C” or better in all clinical nursing courses, allied health, and laboratory science courses to progress in the Associate Degree Nursing Program.

Optional PN Certificate

Upon successful completion of all requirements of the first two semesters of the nursing program, students will be awarded the PN Certificate .  Students who receive this certificate are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN and apply for licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse.  Prerequisite for the PN Certificate is admission to the Casper College nursing program.

Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from clinical facilities.

Transfer into the Associate Degree Nursing Program is dependent upon space available and the congruence between the previous program and Casper College’s ADN Program. Transfer status will only be considered into the third semester of the nursing program. Students interested in transferring must notify the director of nursing prior to March 1 for fall transfer and October 1 for spring transfer. The student evaluation will be sent to the student’s previous nursing program to be completed by the director or a nursing faculty member.

Generally, Casper College will accept general education courses from accredited colleges. Refer questions about specific courses to the registrar. Nursing courses will be evaluated on an individual basis by the nursing faculty and director. Students interested in pursuing this option should submit course syllabi and outlines to the director for consideration as early as possible. Applicants will be required to fulfill all recommendations made at the time of applying for transfer. This includes attaining the required score on the departmental entry and math competency exams. Following completion of the entry and math competency exams, applicants may be required to demonstrate proficiency of selected technical nursing skills. Applicants not meeting the passing score on  exams/checkouts will not be eligible for transfer.

Licensed practical nurses who wish to enter the ADN Program as Advanced Placement LPNs at the second level of the program must submit their application to the Director of Nursing.  The Guide to Advanced Placement Education for the LPN and application dates are posted on the Nursing Program Website. Advanced placement admission will be contingent on space available. For requirements, see LPN Advanced Placement below.

Preference for advanced placement will be given first to qualified LPNs who received Casper College’s PN certificate, then to LPNs from Wyoming or other programs. Transfer students are given preference following advanced placement students.