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PRACTICAL NURSING

Certificate of Applied Science (CAS)

Application Packet

2021

Imation



Nursing Program Assistant

Cathy Fabel

Flathead Valley Community College

777 Grandview Drive

BC 102 (Broussard Center)

Kalispell, MT 59901

406-756-3385

cfabel@fvcc.edu

10/2020

Students beginning prerequisites Fall semester 2020 should follow the PN curriculum which is now a three semester, 41 credit, stand-alone certificate program. Individuals whose educational goal is to become an RN should wait and apply for the ASN program beginning in March of 2021. Please make an appointment with the Advisor for Health Sciences or other academic advisor to review the curriculum changes and discuss making a choice between pursuing a PN or RN education.

Applications will only be accepted from November 2, 2020 until 5:00 PM February 5 , 2021

The FVCC Practical Nursing Program has a limited enrollment capacity. Student numbers are restricted based on the availability of clinical/ lab space and other resources. Therefore, a competitive student selection process is necessary and program applicants are accepted based on the criteria found in this packet. Selected students will begin May 17,2021 for summer semester 2021 and complete all program requirements by end of Fall Semester 2021.

Please review the current FVCC Nursing Program Information Packet prior to completing the following application materials for placement in the FVCC Practical Nursing Program. This packet is available on the FVCC website. The contents of the information and application packet are subject to change – it is the student’s responsibility to obtain the most current packet before applying for placement.

If you are not currently a student at Flathead Valley Community College and need to complete an FVCC Application for Admission, DO NOT INCLUDE the FVCC Application for Admission with your FVCC Practical Nursing Program Application. Admission to Flathead Valley Community College is a separate process and should be completed prior to applying for placement in the FVCC Practical Nursing Program.

Should the number of qualified applicants exceed available spaces, not all qualified applicants will be accepted.

We recommend that you review your application for placement in the PN Program carefully prior to submitting it by the deadline listed below. An incomplete application will result in being disqualified for selection. We suggest you make a copy before submitting your application and keep it for future reference.

Applications may be hand delivered to the FVCC Admission and Records Office located in Blake Hall or mailed to that office using the following address. Please mail early to allow maximum opportunity for delivery before the deadline. Please do not bring applications to the Nursing department.

Mail to: FVCC Admissions and Records Office/PN Program

777 Grandview Drive

Kalispell, MT 59901

Applications are due in the FVCC Admissions and Records Office by 5:00 p.m. February 5, 2021. Applications received after this date and time will not be accepted for this application cycle.

After all applications are reviewed and the initial list of qualified applicants is compiled, the most qualified individuals will be asked to participate in small group interviews as a final step in the INITIAL selection process for the Practical Nursing program.

Applicants will be evaluated on the following areas during the interview:

• Communication skills

• Problem solving/Critical Thinking

• Professional behavior

Top qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview. Please be sure your contact phone number is accurate as this is how interviews will be scheduled. Interviews may be conducted using virtual technology rather than in person. Be sure you have access to internet in order to participate in your interview.

After interviews are completed, all applicants will be informed of their selection status via an official letter from the Nursing Program Director by March 5, 2021. If you do not receive a letter by March 5, 2021, please call and let the nursing department know. Otherwise, please do not call to request information about the status of your application as this information cannot be given out over the phone.

If you have any additional questions about the application process before submitting your application, please call 406-756-3385 or email cfabel@fvcc.edu, and Cathy Fabel, Nursing Program Assistant, will be happy to help you.

FVCC PN Program Application Steps

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS:

1. Application Form: Completed Practical Nursing application hard copy form with your signature and $20 application fee RECEIPT. Payment must be made at the FVCC Business Office. Applications missing signatures or payment receipts are considered incomplete.

2. Have taken or have an appointment made to take the Kaplan Nursing School Admission Test. Applications are not complete until the Kaplan Admission Test Score is received by the FVCC Nursing Department. See attached directions for taking the Kaplan Nursing School Admission Test.

3. Transcripts and Evaluation of Transfer Courses: Official transcripts must be on file in the FVCC registrar’s office for transfer of credit to be considered. Request official transcripts early as this can take time. It is the students’ responsibility to check that requested transcripts have been received and evaluated by the registrar’s office. Courses accepted by FVCC for transfer will appear on the student portal Transfer Evaluation page and be designated as transfer. If the official transcripts are on file with the FVCC registrar, you may include a copy of your transcript obtained through the student portal with your application.

Transfer courses a student wishes to have considered as an equivalent for any of the PN prerequisites, must be evaluated and equivalency determined prior to application review.

The evaluation and equivalency process is completed by the FVCC Registrar’s office after transfer transcripts have been received. If you have questions about this process, please contact Karrie Bolivar, Academic Advisor, Health Sciences, at kbolivar@fvcc.edu

Transfer courses which may not be evaluated as equivalent to FVCC courses but could possibly be substituted for a required pre-requisite course will require the student to request a substitution for required PN pre-requisites and must be approved by the Nursing Program Director prior to application submission. It will be necessary to supply course descriptions, a syllabus and other information that would support your request. This can take some time so start early on this process.

Please see the information packet for more information on transfer credit and evaluation of courses as equivalents.

Applications without approval of course equivalents or substitutions will be considered incomplete.

4. GPA calculations form. Please calculate GPA using grades for completed courses. If you are currently enrolled in a course/courses at the time of application, calculate using the current grade according to your instructor. Calculations will be checked and verified after final grades are posted the end of the semester.

5. Signed Acknowledgement of Program Requirements and Personal Commitment form. Please read carefully and determine if you are able to meet the requirements and personal commitment necessary to successfully complete the program.

6. Please note that all applications will be date stamped upon receipt. Contact information will be entered into a tracking system. It is the individual’s responsibility to contact the Nursing department with changes in email address, physical/mailing address or phone number.

2021 PRACTICAL NURSING PROGRAM APPLICATION

Applications will only be accepted from November 2, 2020 until 5:00 PM February 5, 2021

Please print out this application, complete required information, sign application and include all requested materials in a sealed envelope. Return to the following address:

FVCC Admissions Office

ATTN: Practical Nursing Program

777 Grandview Drive

Kalispell, MT 59901

Please carefully read the information packet before filling out the application. Review your application for completeness before signing.

AN INCOMPLETE AND/OR UNSIGNED APPLICATION MAY RESULT IN THE APPLICANT NOT BEING CONSIDERED FOR PLACEMENT IN THE PROGRAM.

Please Print

Last Name First Name Student ID Number

___________

Mailing Address **Notification of acceptance/non-acceptance will be sent to this address**

City State Zip Telephone Number & Personal Email

Veteran Status: Are you a Veteran (or Veteran’s spouse) of any branch of the U.S. military? Yes No *Please specify if you are a spouse of a Veteran

Campus choice: Pick one only

Kalispell____________________ Lincoln County Campus (Libby)__________________________

PLEASE CAREFULLY READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION, ONCE COMPLETED, INITIAL EACH ITEM, AND SIGN YOUR NAME ON THE BOTTOM OF PAGE 6.

▪ I understand that I will be notified in writing by March 5,2021 whether or not I have initial placement in the PN Program beginning Summer Semester 2021. Qualified applicants who are not offered placement will automatically form the beginning of the wait list and will be offered placement if, and only if, an opening occurs. The wait list is maintained only until the second week of the first Semester. Students who are not accepted may reapply for placement into a following year program during the open application process.

▪ I understand that all placements in the Flathead Valley Community College Practical Nursing Program are dependent upon sufficient financial, faculty and clinical resources.

Please list college/universities you have attended INCLUDING FVCC:

Name of Institution Dates of Attendance Degrees earned (if applicable)

▪ I have verified official transcripts from all colleges/universities listed above are on file in the FVCC Admission Office and have been evaluated for transfer of credit as an equivalent.

▪ I have included a copy of the Transfer Evaluation page from my FVCC Student Portal if there is transfer of credit.

▪ I have included written verification from the Nursing Director of acceptance of courses requested as substitutions for pre-requisite nursing courses if substitutions have been requested.

▪ I have included either original or photocopies of all of my transcripts (including FVCC) with this application. (A copy of an FVCC transcript found in the student portal is acceptable.) If official copies of transcripts from other schools are on file in the FVCC Admission Office, photocopies are acceptable to include with this application. (These are available to download and print from your student portal.)

If you are a new transfer student, official transcripts must be sent directly to the Registrar when completing the FVCC Application for Admission and unofficial copies may be submitted with the PN program application.

▪ I have taken the Kaplan Nursing School Admissions test or will be taking it on

________________________ Date

▪ I have evaluated my transcript(s) and academic standing and I am confident that I can complete or have completed, with a grade of “C” or higher, all of the required prerequisite courses for PN placement by the end of the Semester.

▪ I have included the completed selective GPA worksheet. My extracted GPA for these courses is at least 2.50 (on 4.0 scale).

▪ I have included my signed Acknowledgement of Program Requirements for Personal Effort and Commitment form.

▪ I understand that my final admission into the program is contingent upon completing (at my expense) a universal background check and drug screen, providing documentation of required immunizations listed in the current FVCC Nursing Program Information Packet, and proof of current personal health insurance (Student Health Center does not meet this requirement).

▪ I have signed the application below and included the $20.00 non-refundable processing fee payment receipt.

▪ I have retained a copy of this application for my records (it is my responsibility to make my own copy).

Student Signature ______________________________________

Date__________________________________________________

GPA CALCULATION SHEET. Please refer to the following sample, as a reference for completing the selective GPA calculation worksheet below that must be submitted with your application materials.

|Course |Name |Grade |Points |Credits |Points x Credits |

|BIOH 104NL |Basic Human Biology/Lab |B |3.0 |4 |3 x 4 = 12 |

|WRIT 101W |College Writing I |B |3.0 |3 |3 x 3 = 9 |

|M 120 |Math w/Healthcare Appl. |B |3.0 |3 |3 x 3 = 9 |

|PSYX 100 |Introduction to Psychology |A |4.0 |4 |4 x 4 = 16 |

|TOTAL | | | |14 | 46 |

|GPA | | | |46/14 = |3.29 |

| | | | | | |

If you are currently enrolled in a course/courses at the time of application, calculate using the current grade according to your instructor. Calculations will be checked and verified after final grades are posted the end of fall semester. Repeating a class/classes more than one time may result in an individual being ineligible for the program.

Insert grade earned or instructor’s estimation for classes below.

1. Enter points based on grade as follows: A = 4; A– = 3.7; B+ = 3.3; B = 3; B– = 2.7;

C+ = 2.3; C = 2. Any grade below a C is unacceptable.

2. Multiply points by credits for each class and enter in last column.

3. Total number of credits completed (14).

4. Total last column.

5. Divide last column by total credits to find GPA.

|Course |Name |Grade |Points |Credits |Points x Credits |Semester/ |

| | | | | | |Year(s) Taken |

|BIOH 104NL* |Basic Human Biology and Lab | | |4 | | |

|M 120* |Mathematics with Health Care | | |3 | | |

| |Applications | | | | | |

|PSYX 100A |Introduction to Psychology | | |3 or 4 | | |

|WRIT 101W |College Writing I | | |3 | | |

|TOTAL | | | |14 | | |

|GPA |Must be a minimum 2.50 | | | | | |

* BIOH 201 AND 211 if taken within 5 years of application date, together will be accepted as substitution for BIOH 104

* M115 Probability and Linear Math will be accepted as substitution for M120 if taken before Spring 2017.

* M140 will be accepted as a substitution for M120 if requested.

____________________________________________ _____________________

Student Signature Date

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONAL EFFORT AND COMMITMENT

Flathead Valley Community College’s Practical Nursing Program, as with most nursing programs, requires a substantial time commitment to fulfill the intensive requirements of the program in the classroom, nursing laboratory, and clinical settings. Student success in the nursing program is dependent upon a collaborative working partnership by students and faculty. The nursing program philosophy and faculty view learning as an interactive process with faculty facilitating your learning. We are truly committed to assisting you to succeed in the program.

However, learners must assume responsibility for their own learning and participate in shaping their own

learning experiences. As part of your application to the program, please read the following and sign below. Your signature is an acknowledgement of your understanding of the expectations of the program.

1. There is a minimal study expectation of two hours of study per week for each credit enrolled. NRSG 130, Fundamentals of Nursing, NRSG 131, Fundamentals lab which are offered in the first semester of the program, have 3 credits of theory and 3 credits of laboratory. Therefore, a minimal study expectation for this course would be 6 hours of study per week for the theory and another 6 hours for the lab. Most students spend more time than the minimal study expectation.

2. Although we hold an appreciation for your possible need to work to support yourself and/or a family, most students find it extremely difficult to work fulltime while attending classes for the Practical Nursing Program. Clinical practicums are scheduled when facilities have available space and are subject to change. Clinical hours will include evenings, weekends and night shifts. Clinical times are not listed in the course schedule on the FVCC website. A clinical schedule will be made available to students each semester.

3. Students are expected to attend all classes and clinicals. Missed clinical time may result in failure of courses and dismissal from the nursing program. Please do not make vacation plans that would affect attendance in class or clinical. Absences cannot be made up due to the fast pace of material presented in class and the limited availability of clinical experiences.

4. In general, and given the same amount of student effort, nursing students may not achieve the grades they have received in non-nursing courses. You will be learning a “new language”, be exposed to in-depth, comprehensive nursing concepts and principles which may require more effort on your part to learn and understand. Though grades may have been the primary focus of previous courses, the focus in the nursing program is learning, comprehension and application of information needed to deliver safe and competent care to patients/residents.

5. You are expected to come prepared for class, lab, and clinical. This will include pre-class extensive reading, pre-clinical preparation, and other assignments prior to your attendance in class, lab or clinicals.

6. Most exams given in nursing courses are structured similarly to the nurse licensing exam. This means that most of the items on the exams are application, analysis, and synthesis type questions rather than simple knowledge and recall. These questions require a higher-order of thinking to answer correctly. We provide you with learning strategies and test-taking strategies that will assist you in developing critical thinking skills necessary for success on the nursing course exams and the NCLEX PN licensure exam.

7. You will find the nursing program very different and much more difficult than your past educational experiences. The nursing curriculum is designed to deliver a quality program that prepares individuals to deliver safe and competent nursing care, to successfully pass the licensing exam, and to promote lifelong learning.

I certify that all of the statements in this application and all of the documents submitted with this application are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above statements and if I am accepted into Flathead Valley Community College’s Practical Nursing program, I agree to organize my time and personal affairs in order to meet the commitment necessary to succeed.

________________________________________

Printed Name of Applicant

_________________________________________ _____________________________

Signature of Applicant Date

PN EVALUATION RUBRIC FOR APPLICATIONS

PURPOSE: to create the opportunity for an objective method in which to evaluate applicants for the PN Program at FVCC.

DIRECTIONS: Before completing rubric, make sure checklist is complete, including:

1. GPA is accurate and verified against transcript

2. Transcripts for courses being transferred are on file and have received approval by Director

Score application based on rubric, add or deduct points as appropriate.

|CATEGORY | | | | |Score (Whole |

| | | | | |Points) |

| |4 |3 |2 |1 | |

|1. Kaplan Nursing School Admission Test Score |80 or above |75-79.99 |70-74.99 |65-69.99 | |

| | | | | | |

|2. GPA in core prerequisite courses |8 |6 |4 |2 | |

| | | | | | |

|Worksheet is verified against transcripts; CAS PN prereq courses |Range |Range |Range |Range | |

|are showing on Student Portal transcript; official transfer |3.5-4.0 |3.20-3.499 |2.90-3.19 |2.50-2.89 | |

|transcripts are on file with FVCC Registrar and showing on Student | | | | | |

|Portal transcript; and requests for substitutions are approved by | | | | | |

|the Nursing Program Director | | | | | |

|3. Interview score |8 |6 |4 |2 | |

|4. Residency: Flathead or Lincoln County |1 | |

|Total score | | |

Applicant Name: _________________________ Final Score: _________________________________

Reviewer: _____________________________Date of Review: _________________________________

Comments:

KAPLAN NURSING SCHOOL ADMISSION TEST INSTRUCTIONS:

• To create a testing seat you must first contact Cathy Fabel, Nursing Program Assistant, at 406-756-3385 or cfabel@fvcc.edu .

• The minimum test score for an FVCC Certificate of Applied Science PN program applicant to be considered for

placement is 65.

• The test can be taken once each application cycle and MUST BE SCHEDULED THROUGH FVCC. A test previously taken for the 2020 FVCC RN program application will be accepted for the 2021 PN program application. If you have taken the Kaplan through another nursing program, please contact Cathy Fabel at cfabel@fvcc.edu to discuss process for having results sent to FVCC.

• The Kaplan Nursing School Admission Test is free when scheduled during a group testing time. Cathy Fabel, Nursing Program Assistant, will be proctoring the FREE group testing. To set up an appointment for a group testing time below, please call 406-756-3385 or email cfabel@fvcc.edu. All tests are scheduled in the computer lab of the FVCC Rebecca Chaney Broussard Center for Nursing and Health Science, BC 120.

• There is a cost if an individual requests a testing time through the FVCC Testing Center. To schedule a test through the Testing Center individuals must first be registered for the test by Nursing Department Administrative Assistant, Cathy Fabel. Students then schedule a testing appointment using the following link . Testing Center hours are 9am – 4pm every business day except Wednesdays where they are 12-7pm. The Testing Center creates an invoice for payment to be made at the FVCC Business Office. Proof of payment is required before testing can begin.

• The recommended study guide, “ Kaplan Nursing School Entrance Exams Prep ” can be purchased from or copies are on reserve in the FVCC Library. We highly recommend you review the study guide before attempting the Kaplan Nursing School Entrance Exam.

The Admission Test consists of 91 online multiple choice questions and covers four areas: Reading, Math, Writing and Science. Total testing time allowed is 165 minutes.

READING – 45 minutes. Read four passages and answer questions measuring essential skills for reading:

• Determining the logic of a passage

• Comprehending details

• Drawing basic inferences

• Identifying the purpose of a passage

MATH – 45 minutes. Measures the candidate’s ability to apply mathematical principles in the following areas:

• Conversions, operations, ratios, word problems

WRITING – 45 minutes. Read nine passages and answer questions that measure the essential skills required for writing:

• Assessing passage development

• Assessing paragraph logic

• Assessing mechanics of writing

SCIENCE - 30 minutes. Measures the candidate’s knowledge physiology in the following areas:

• Cardiovascular system, electrolytes, gastrointestinal system, immune system, neurology, renal system, hematological system, homeostasis, respiratory system, and sensory system

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