Bridge – LPN to RN Transition

The licensed practical nurse (LPN) may receive credit for the first-year nursing courses and enter into the second year of the program providing the following requirements are met:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Satisfactory scores in English and math placement tests or completion of MTE units 1-5 and developmental English at WCC or equivalent college course work
• One unit each of high school chemistry and high school biology with a “C” grade or better. If you do not meet the high school prerequisites, you may gain proficiency through the college’s developmental courses.  The high school requirements may be waived if BIO 141 and BIO 142 (Anatomy and Physiology I and II) are completed with a grade of “C” or better;
• A 2.5 cumulative GPA of the nursing prerequisite courses must be achieved prior to nursing admission. Prerequisites: BIO 141, ENG 111, PSY 230, SDV 100 (or SDV 101), PHI 220. Additionally, a cumulative 2.0 overall college GPA is required for all students.
• Score at or above the national 45th percentile rank on the ATI/TEAS V. Test Scores are good for three years. Students are allowed unlimited attempts at least 30 days apart.
• Submission of transcripts of the School of Practical Nursing.
• Submission of copy of current unencumbered valid LPN license. Students who have probationary status, a suspended or revoked LPN license are not eligible to enter the nursing program.
• Successful completion of BIO 141 and BIO 142 (Anatomy & Physiology I & II) and all other pre-requisite courses.  All pre-requisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or above.  The cumulative GPA for the pre-requisites must be at least 2.5.
• If more students who meet the above admission requirements apply for admission than there are positions available, students who have completed all co-requisite course work will be considered first.  Students will then be ranked using criteria such as GPA, ATI TEAS Test score, clinical experience, and number of college courses completed.
• Upon successful completion of NSG 115 LPN Transition the student may enter the second year of the nursing program.
• The licensed practical nurse who chooses to enter as a freshman nursing student and who is not successful in NSG 100 , NSG 106, NSG 130 , NSG 200 , NSG 152 or NSG 170 may not apply to be admitted to NSG 115 LPN Transition.
• The LPN will be afforded one opportunity to complete NSG 115 LPN Transition. If unsuccessful, the student may request admission to the first semester of the Concept Based Curriculum.
• If the LPN does not have an unencumbered, valid LPN license by the beginning of fall semester, he/she may not continue in the sequence. The student, however, may request admission into the traditional tract of the nursing program. Students who have probationary status, a suspended or revoked LPN license are not eligible to enter the nursing program.
• The LPN student must enter the second level nursing classes within three months of successful completion of NSG 115 LPN Transition.

The following is a list of technical abilities and skills applicants for admission should possess:

• Critical Thinking: Critical thinking ability sufficient
• Interpersonal: Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds
• Communication: Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form
• Mobility: Sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces
• Motor Skills: Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe care
• Hearing Acuity: Ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs
• Visual: Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in nursing care
• Tactile: Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment

All applicants should be advised that the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Nursing Statutes and Regulations (54.1-3007) state the following:

Regarding refusal, revocation, or suspension, censure or probation. The Board may refuse to admit a candidate to any examination, refuse to issue a license or certificate to any applicant and may suspend any license or certificate for a stated period or indefinitely, or revoke any license or censure or reprimand any licensee or certificate holder or place him on probation for such time as it may designate for any of the following causes:

1. Fraud or deceit in procuring or attempting to procure a license;
2. Unprofessional conduct;
3. Willful or repeated violation of any of the provisions of this chapter;
4. Conviction or any felony or any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;
5. Practicing in a manner contrary to the standards of ethics or in such a manner as to make his practice a danger to the health and welfare of patients or to the public; Use of alcohol or drugs to the extent that such use renders him unsafe to practice, or any mental or physical illness rendering him unsafe to practice;
6. The denial, revocation, suspension or restriction of a license or certificate to practice in another state, the District of Columbia or a United States possession or territory; or
7. Abuse, negligent practice, or misappropriation of a patient’s or resident’s property.