Nursing and Health Care Programs
Nursing Program:
The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program is approved by the Virginia State Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc., which may be reached at 1-800-669-1656.
The Nursing Program consists of the following options:
- Nursing Level I : Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) Certificate -3 semesters (always beginning in the Fall)
- Nursing Level II: Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Degree (RN)-2 additional semesters
- A Bridge Program for students who have earned LPN status prior to attending the DSLCC nursing program or for DSLCC students who have had their LPN certificates for more than one year.
The nurse who completes an ADN program is a technical nurse who provides safe, direct nursing care in acute and non-acute settings. The technical nurse makes independent nursing assessments and may delegate care activities to health team members with similar or less academic preparation.
After successful completion of the ADN program, students will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for registered nursing. The Virginia State Board of Nursing has the power to deny the opportunity to take the exam if the applicant has willfully committed a felony/misdemeanor under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia or of the United States (see below):
Denial of License
Code of Virginia # 54-367.32: The Nursing Board shall have the power to deny... (a nursing license)... upon proof that the person:
a. Is guilty of fraud or deceit in procuring or attempting to procure a license;
b. Is guilty of a felony or of a crime involving moral turpitude;
c. Is unfit or incompetent by reason of negligence, habits or other causes;
d. Is addicted to the use of alcohol or habit-forming drugs
e. Is mentally or physically incompetent; or
f. Is guilty of unprofessional conduct
Students wishing to apply to the Nursing program should fill out the Nursing Application and return it to the Nursing Department administrative assistant (Backels Hall Room 204).
An Information Packet about the Nursing Program is also available.
Students wishing to transfer should contact an advisor in Student Services for guidance.
Health Care Programs:
- Advanced Health Care Certificate
- Introductory Health Care Career Studies Certificate
- Emergency Medical Services Career Studies Certificate - Basic and Enhanced
- Emergency Medical Services Career Studies Certificate - Intermediate
- Certified Nurse Aide ( Certification awarded by Nursing Department)
Program Requirements
Nursing and health care programs require skill-related courses, and in most cases, some general education courses. The curriculums are developed to ensure that students have the knowledge, skills and abilities to deliver safe and competent patient care. Selected courses and/or programs have prerequisites which must be completed before enrolling; acceptable scores on placement tests or previous coursework may exempt a student from having to complete selected courses. Some programs have specific criteria which must be met before admission into the program is considered.
Graduates of the PN (LPN) program at DSLCC are automatically eligible for admission to the ADN program. Those who wait a year or more before entering the ADN program will be required to have two (2) recommendations from faculty and will need to take the LPN Bridge Program. Likewise, students who completed their certificate of practical nursing at another school will need to complete the LPN Bridge program.
Students who may be interested in health care programs or seeking admission into the DSLCC Nursing Program are advised to meet with an academic advisor in Student Services to discuss their academic background, current skill levels, need for placement testing, and personal and occupational goals. Working with an advisor, students can develop a plan which will guide them in achieving success.
