Nursing Program Brochure

1. Enrollment in the Associate Degree Nursing Program is limited due to available resources and the large number of applicants.
   
   
2. All graduates of an accredited high school or those holding a GED certificate who are eligible to attend Elizabethtown Community and Technical College may apply to the nursing program. Admission to the program is open to all qualified students regardless of economic or social status, and without discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, marital status, beliefs, age, national origin or disability. However, nursing at the technical level involves the provision of direct care for individuals and is characterized by the application of verified knowledge in the skillful performance of nursing functions.
   
   All students should possess: *
   
   
   1. Sufficient visual acuity, such as needed in the accurate preparation and administration of medications, and for the observation necessary for patient assessment and nursing care;
      
      
   2. Sufficient auditory perception to receive verbal communication from patients and members of the health team and to assess health needs of people through the use of monitoring devices such as cardiac monitor, stethoscope, IV infusion pumps, Doptone, fire alarms, etc.;
      
      
   3. Sufficient gross and fine motor coordination to respond promptly and to implement the skills, including the manipulation of equipment, required in meeting health needs;
      
      
   4. Sufficient communication skills (speech, reading, writing) to interact with individuals and to communicate their needs promptly and effectively, as may be necessary in the individual’s interest; and
      
      
   5. Sufficient intellectual and emotional functions to plan and implement care for individuals.
      
      
3. All eligible applicants who have completed the application procedure by October 1 will be considered for the spring (January - May) freshman nursing class.
   
   All eligible applicants who have completed the application procedure by April 1 will be considered for the fall (August - December) freshman nursing class.

*See Technical Standards/Skills for Nursing for detailed information.

Associate Degree of Nursing Program Medical Marijuana Policy

To maintain the highest standards of patient care and compliance with clinical site requirements, this policy outlines the expectations for students who use medical marijuana, even if they possess a valid medical marijuana card.

Policy Statement:

1. Compliance with Clinical Site Requirements:
   
   
   • Clinical sites affiliated with our program require all students to pass a drug screening as a condition for participation.
     
     
   • These sites do not permit students to be under the influence of substances that may impair their ability to provide safe and effective patient care, including medical marijuana.
     
     
2. Medical Marijuana Use:
   
   
   • Students who are authorized to use medical marijuana by a healthcare provider must be aware that clinical sites will not accept a positive drug test result, even with a valid medical marijuana card.
     
     
   • A positive drug test for marijuana, regardless of medical authorization, will result in the inability to be placed at a clinical site, which is a requirement for program completion.
     
     
3. Program Requirements:
   
   
   • Students must meet all program and clinical site requirements to progress in their studies. Failure to secure a clinical placement due to a positive drug test result will impact the student’s ability to complete the program.
4. Student Responsibility:
   
   
   • It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they are able to comply with clinical site requirements. Students should discuss any concerns about medical marijuana use with their healthcare provider and the program director prior to engaging in clinical placements.
     
     
5. Legal Considerations:
   
   
   • While medical marijuana is legal in some states, it remains a controlled substance under federal law. Clinical sites may follow federal guidelines that prohibit the use of marijuana, regardless of state law.

Conclusion: Students are encouraged to consider alternative treatments if their medical condition requires them to use marijuana, as participation in clinical placements is essential for completing the program.

1. Submission of all required documentation (see below) must be received in the ECTC Admissions Office by October 1 for the spring class or April 1 for the fall class.
   
   Completed applications for nursing program admission should be returned to the nursing office within five (5) days after after the form is e-mailed to you.
   
   
2. To be considered for admission to the ADN program, required documentation includes:
   
   
   1. Current application for general enrollment to ECTC if not currently enrolled in any KCTCS college;
      
      
   2. Final high school transcript (with graduation date and cumulative GPA) or a passing GED official score report;
      
      
   3. ACT composite taken within the last five years; or results from the Kaplan Admission Test. Official transcripts from ALL colleges, universities and/or vocational schools attended.
      
      
3. Attendance at a preadmission conference is mandatory to ensure that you receive the most current information. Instructions on how to obtain and submit an application form will be provided during the preadmission conference.
   
   
4. If a student is not admitted to the nursing program and desires to be considered again, attendance at another preadmission conference and a new application must be completed. Applications are not retained from one semester to the next. Each semester’s applicant pool is considered only once. There is no waiting list.

We have transitioned from the NLN Preadmission Exam to the Kaplan Admission Test. Scores from the NLN exam will no longer be considered.

You may take the Kaplan Admission Test twice per application cycle, at least 30 days apart. Any additional scores taken during the application cycle will not be considered.

The Kaplan Admission Test is a 91-question, multiple-choice, on-line, proctored test that evaluates the basic reading, math, writing, and science skills of individuals seeking entry into a nursing program leading to RN licensure. The test is taken in person at the ECTC Assessment Center (Room 129, RPC Building—across from the WKU office and down from the ECTC Bookstore).

To register for the Kaplan Admission Test, go to https://www.kaptest.com/nclex/partner/elizabethtown-community-and-technical-college. Follow the enrollment steps to register your account and “purchase” (no cost) your exam. There is no charge for the test. The purchasing step completes your registration. After you have registered, visit https://bit.ly/kaplanadmission to register for a test date at the ECTC Assessment Center.

Kaplan Nursing School Entrance Exam Prep is available on Amazon for anyone interested in studying for the admissions exam.

1. Students may apply to the program before or while taking a prerequisite course. Students must have completed all prerequisite courses before attending the first nursing class. A grade of C or above is required for Quantitative Reasoning, Human Anatomy & Physiology, and Medical Microbiology. Science courses must have been completed within seven years from the time of entering the first nursing course.
   
   
2. Students must have successfully completed a 75-hour Medicare approved nursing assistant/aide course within the last two years OR be listed with active, unencumbered status on the Nurse Aide Registry before starting the first nursing course. LPNs who hold current, unencumbered licenses are exempt from this requirement.

1. Each applicant will be evaluated on the objective scale printed in this brochure. Applicants will be admitted by category, with Category 1 applicants being given higher priority before Category 2 applicants, etc. Applicants are ranked by GPA within the category.
   
   
2. Applicants who earned less than 55% overall on the Kaplan Admission Test, 20 on the ACT composite, 3.0 GPA, or 54 on the GED will not be considered for admission.
   
   
3. Applicants who have not submitted all the required documents listed in “Application Procedure” by the deadline will not be considered for admission.
   
   
4. When determining category placement, the GPA will be calculated only from grades of courses that are required in the ADN curriculum -- if the student has earned 12 or more hours of college credit in those courses. If the student has earned less than 12 college credit hours of ADN curriculum course work, the final, cumulative high school GPA or official GED score will be used.
   
   
5. Students wishing to transfer science credits from other colleges must submit a college catalog course description and course syllabus for consideration. Any course work in the sciences must have been taken within the last seven years to be considered.
   
   
6. Grades for college courses for GPA consideration must be earned by the October 1 deadline for application to the spring (January - May) semester. Grades for college courses for GPA consideration must be earned by the April 1 deadline for application to the fall (August - December) semester.
   
   
7. No remedial or developmental course work will be considered when calculating the GPA.
   
   
8. In the calculation of GPA, the highest grade of a required course will be used. Grades for BIO 137, 139 or 225 that are older than seven years are no longer acceptable and will not be calculated in the GPA.
   
   
9. Enrollment in nursing classes is contingent upon successful completion of the prerequisites for Nursing Level 1 and good academic and financial standing at the college.
   
   
10. The ADN Admissions Committee meets to evaluate categories in order to fill the freshman nursing class, and recommends admissions on the basis of the criteria within each category.
    
    
11. Letters are sent via e-mail by the end of November (spring admission) or May (fall admission) to all individuals who have completed applications, notifying them of the selections by the ADN Admissions Committee for the appropriate spring or fall entering class.
    
    
12. Letters of Response must be returned by the specified deadline from those who have been accepted into the program or placed on alternate status. If the Letter of Response and all required documentation have not been received by the specified deadline, the position will be awarded to another applicant who has complied.

*Please see description of GPA calculation.

The ADN curriculum is organized around a clearly defined conceptual framework which combines general education and nursing education. The nursing education courses correlate classroom and clinical instruction in a variety of community agencies. Classroom lectures are held at the college; nursing faculty direct learning in the classroom and clinical laboratory settings. Transportation to community agencies is the responsibility of each student.

Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) follows the curriculum approved for the community colleges in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS). Course descriptions may be found in the KCTCS catalog available in the Admissions Office, or online at KCTCS Catalog. Students wishing to transfer into the program should make an appointment to see the director of the program for transfer options. Students taking KCTCS classes with the intention of transferring should seek advice at the destination institution.

Sample Curriculum Implementation Plan

(beginning Fall 2019)

Prerequisites

First Semester

Second Semester

Third Semester

Fourth Semester

**Taken by Licensed Practical Nurses who meet specific program requirements.
***Credit may be awarded to Licensed Practical Nurses who meet specific program requirements.

Completion of the nursing program will meet the KCTCS graduate requirement of digital literacy.

Quantitative Reasoning Courses for A.A. and A.S. Degrees

Please note: This list is not all-inclusive. Please refer to the KCTCS Catalog for a complete list of courses. Transfer courses will be evaluated by the Registrar.

Each student is individually responsible for making sure that courses he/she has taken will fulfill the requirements for graduation.

Heritage/Humanities

Any three-credit hour heritage or humanities course for which degree credit is offered will satisfy this requirement. Humanities include art, music, literature, philosophy or theater. Please note: This list is not all-inclusive. Please refer to the KCTCS catalog for a complete list of courses. Transfer courses will be evaluated by the Registrar.

Heritage

Humanities

Please note: This list is not all-inclusive. Please refer to the KCTCS Catalog for a complete list of courses. Transfer courses will be evaluated by the Registrar.

Each student is individually responsible for making sure that courses he/she has taken will fulfill the requirements for graduation

Applicants who wish to transfer from another nursing program must meet all admission requirements of the ECTC Associate Degree Nursing Program. In addition, the following rules apply:

1. Acceptance of any transfer student will be dependent upon available resources, comparability of previous nursing courses, and results of a nursing preadmission exam (ACT, or Kaplan).
   
   
2. Applicants will be considered for admission only if a vacancy exists.
   
   
3. Applicants previously admitted to another nursing program who have earned a failing grade (D or below) in a nursing course or program could possibly be accepted for transfer into the ADN program at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College after interview and review by the Nursing Admissions Committee.
   
   
4. The student must qualify to be at least in Category II (KAPLAN 55% or higher and a GPA of 3.25 or higher). GPA will be calculated using courses that apply to the nursing program as well as any nursing courses the student may have taken at another school.
   
   
5. An applicant who wishes to transfer from a previously attended nursing program must provide written notification to the ECTC ADN Program Director, stating the applicant’s anticipated entry date and reason for transfer.
   
   
6. From the previously attended nursing program, applicant should provide letters of recommendation indicating the student is in good standing from:
   
   
   1. the nursing program administrator, and
   2. a clinical instructor who has observed/evaluated the student requesting transfer.

Letters should be written on school letterhead and directed to the ADN Program Director at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College.

If more than three years have lapsed since initial enrollment in the first course in any registered nursing program, an applicant must repeat all nursing courses.

Expected implementation:  Fall 2025

Licensed Practical Nurses must seek admission to the nursing program by following the standard nursing admissions process.  Once admitted to the program, they may seek advanced standing.  A student who has passed the National Council Licensure Examination – PN (NCLEX-PN) and holds an unrestricted license for practical/vocational nursing will be awarded credit for the first semester nursing course in a KCTCS associate degree nursing program.  Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses who graduated more than three (3) years prior to admission to a KCTCS associate degree nursing program shall provide verification of current employment.   Current employment is defined as one (1) one-year full time, or 2000 hours of employment within the last three (3) years as LPN/LVN.  The employment in nursing shall be defined as patient/client contact and shall be verified by the employing agency/agencies using the standardized verification of employment form.  The Licensed Practical/Vocational nurse applying for advanced standing will submit the following information two months prior to expected enrollment in the course.

• A copy of active unrestricted LPN/LVN license number that can be verified.
• Verification of current employment on form listed above
• A passing score (78%) on the National League for Nursing NACE I exam taken within one year prior to application.  The highest score of the first two attempts will be considered.

A student who passed the NCLEX-PN and holds an active, unrestrictive license for practical/vocational nursing and successfully completes NSG 195 Transition to A.D.N Bridge Course(web-enhanced) will be awarded credit for the second semester medical-surgical nursing course in a KCTCS associate degree nursing program.  Upon successful completion of all components of the course, the student will be admitted to NSG 229 and will have earned four (4) credit hours for NSG 195, nine (9) credit hours for NSG 101, and three (3) credit hours for NSG 219, for a total of sixteen (16) credit hours.

The students in the NSG 195 course are included in the lecture and exam portions of the NSG 219 course with the traditional students.  The NSG 195 students do not participate in the clinical and portions of the college labs unless this is identified as an area in which they need extra assistance and practice.

• Lift and carry light objects such as charts and equipment items without assistance;
  
  
• Transfer/position up to 300 pounds with assistance while lifting, positioning and transferring patients;
  
  
• Push/pull equipment requiring force of 10-30 pounds on linoleum and carpeted floors;
  
  
• Push/pull patients in chairs;
  
  
• Manipulate equipment through doorways and into close fitting areas;
  
  
• Stand, walk up to 75% of an eight-hour day;
  
  
• Stoop, bend, squat, reach overhead as required to reach equipment;
  
  
• Demonstrate coordination in patient treatments/procedures;
  
  
• Tolerate wearing gloves and other protective equipment;
  
  
• Demonstrate skills to continuously comprehend and communicate with patients, staff and faculty;
  
  
• Identify individuals, call lights, unusual occurrences on a unit at a distance of 100 feet;
  
  
• Read small print;
  
  
• Operate equipment required in health care delivery;
  
  
• Distinguish sounds with background noise ranging from conversational levels to high pitched sounding alarms;
  
  
• Concentrate on moderate and/or fine detail with frequent interruptions necessary to perform a variety of tasks;
  
  
• Tolerate attention spans ranging from 10-60 minutes to perform minimal to fine detailed tasks related to nursing functions;
  
  
• Remember multiple messages and information;
  
  
• Elicit a health history from patient/family;
  
  
• Use correct body mechanics;
  
  
• Use appropriate handwashing technique;
  
  
• Gown, glove and mask appropriately;
  
  
• Perform sterile technique;
  
  
• Provide for activities of daily living for their patients;
  
  
• Make an occupied bed;
  
  
• Perform range of motion for the patient;
  
  
• Assess pertinent body systems;
  
  
• Auscultate, palpate, and percuss;
  
  
• Perform procedures ordinarily requiring manual dexterity and precision;
  
  
• Demonstrate focused observational skills;
  
  
• Interpret emotions and meaning from the patient’s verbal and nonverbal behaviors;
  
  
• Communicate empathy through the appropriate use of listening skills;
  
  
• Give and receive relevant verbal and nonverbal feedback; and
  
  
• Demonstrate the interpersonal and analytical skills necessary to participate actively in all phases of group development and multi-disciplinary care.

• Occasional exposure to blood/body fluids as required for invasive procedures and treatments;
  
  
• Frequent exposure to infectious agents;
  
  
• Frequent exposure to chemical compounds of medications and treatments;
  
  
• Continuous exposure to hazardous chemicals such as disinfectants, cleansers, soap, etc.;
  
  
• Continuous exposure to latex, tyvex, plastic and/or materials which are used for personal protective equipment;
  
  
• Occasional exposure to loud and unpleasant noises, as well as bodily injury due to unpredictable behavior of patients; and
  
  
• Seasonal exposure to heat, cold, and humidity due to patient and agency options to control their environment;

• Provide evidence of current American Heart Association BLS (Basic Life Support) certification and skills;
  
  
• Provide evidence of annual immunization updates/boosters;
  
  
• Be flexible, receptive and adaptive to change;
  
  
• Control impulsivity;
  
  
• Participate in professional and interpersonal relationships with appropriate, professional behavior and attire; and
  
  
• Maintain an attitude of honesty and openness throughout the learning process.

The Kentucky Nursing Laws require that ALL misdemeanor and felony convictions occurring in Kentucky or any other state, regardless of when they occurred, must be reported to the Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN). Federal and military convictions must also be reported. Any person licensed/credentialed by the KBN shall, within ninty (90) days of entry of the final judgment, notify the KBN in writing of any misdemeanor or felony criminal conviction in this or any other jurisdiction. Upon learning of any failure to notify the KBN under this section, the KBN may initiate disciplinary action.

Traffic related misdemeanor convictions, except for those involving drugs, alcohol, physical harm or endangerment to others, do not have to be reported. Driving Under the Influence (DUI) convictions must be reported. Traffic violations, do not need to be reported.

KRS Chapter 314.011(21) defines a conviction as the following: (a) An unvacated adjudication of guilt; (b) Pleading no contest or nolo contendre or entering an Alford plea; or (c) Entering a guilty plea pursuant to a pretrial diversion order; Regardless of whether the penalty is rebated, suspended, or probated. You should contact the court to determine whether the above definition of conviction applies to you.

You have been convicted in you have pled guilty to, entered an Alford plea or Nolo Contendre plea, have entred into a pre-trial diversion program or were found guilty of a criminal offense in any court. You should contact the court to determine whether the conviction was a violation, misdemeanor or felony offense.

You are not required to report charges that have been dismissed by the court. You may be required to provide records verifying the conviction(s) have been dismissed if requested. 

Juvenile convictions that occurred when you were under the age of 18 do not need to be reported unless you were convicted as an adult.

There are three methods of criminal conviction review:

1. Staff Member Review
2. Board Member Review
3. Credentials Review Panel

A determination will be made to request additional information, request a personal interview with you, or approve/deny your application (for applicants by examination, a denial of your application will prohibit you from being allowed to take the NCLEX examination in Kentucky).

It may take up to three or more months to review your information. You may be contacted by mail if additional information is needed.

Not necessarily. The statute states that the KBN may take action on criminal convictions that bear directly on an individual’s qualifications or ability to practice. The regulation clarifies that the type of convictions referred to are those that involve dishonesty, substance abuse, sexual offenses, breach of trust, danger to the public safety, or physical harm or endangerment.

KBN may issue a single-state license restriction, pursuant to the Nurse Licensure Compact, KRS 314.475. Kentucky licensees and/or applicants are restricted to a single state license if they have record of one or more of the following: a felony conviction, a practice-related misdemeanor conviction, and/or an encumbered license or multistate privilege to practice in any state/jurisdiction. The applicant/licensee will be notified of the restriction and their right to request a hearing.

Yes. The KBN can deny a license/credential for criminal conviction(s).

You may request a formal hearing before a KBN hearing panel. Your request must be in writing:

• You will be notified of the date, time, and location of the hearing
• You may bring legal counsel
• The panel will make a recommendation regarding the approval or denial of your application for licensure.

Yes. Denial of licensure is a formal disciplinary action. The denial will be published in the KBN Connection and reported to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Disciplinary Data Bank.

Attach a letter of explanation to the application to inform the KBN about previous conviction reviews.

For felony conviction(s):

• Submit a letter of explanation for each conviction
• Provide certified/attested copy of court records

For misdemeanor conviction(s) including DUI conviction(s) five (5) years old or less:

• Submit a letter of explanation for each conviction
• Provide certified/attested copy of court records

For misdemeanor conviction(s) including DUI conviction(s) over five (5) years old:

• No additional documentation required beyond the report of each conviction unless requested by the Board

The letter of explanation and certified/attested copy of the court record must accompany your letter of self-report and/or your application.

The letter of explanation is a personally written summary of the events that led to your conviction. It gives you the opportunity to tell what happened and to explain the circumstances that led to your conviction.

You should contact the court clerk in the county where the conviction occurred to obtain a certified/attested copy of the court record. The certification/attestation verifies the conviction, date of the conviction, date of the conviction and the judgment entered against you.

If a court record has been “purged” or expunded, you may submit a statement from the court to affirm that the physical record no longer exists. This statement will be accepted in lieu of the court record.

The most frequently requested information is proof of compliance with a court ordered alcohol education/treatment program or of successful completion of a court ordered probation.

You should report the appealed conviction to the KBN, unless the conviction has been reversed and vacated by the appellate court.

Yes. The KBN requires a state and federal criminal history search on applicants. The record search is NOT the official court record. Discrepancies related to criminal convictions or failure to report a criminal conviction will delay the processing of the application.

Failing to report a conviction on your application, or failing to report a conviction within ninety (90) days of entry of the final judgment is a violation of the law and you could be subjected to disciplinary action. In some situations the Board may issue a consent decree. A consent decree is not “formal” disciplinary action taken by the Board. The consent decree will consist of the applicant/licensee/credential holder paying a civil penalty to the Board before the license/credential is issued and/or the investigation is lifted.

He or she is a graduate of an accredited college with a minimum of two years preparation, who has successfully passed the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX) and has been licensed as a Registered Nurse. An RN with an Associate Degree is qualified as a provider of care, manager of care, and member of the health care team.

Students who graduate from the ADN Program at ECTC receive an Associate in Applied Science Degree with a major in Nursing. They are then eligible to take the NCLEX to become an RN.

Clinical experiences may occur in many different settings such as college laboratory, area hospitals, long-term care facilities, doctors’ offices, schools and clinics.

All students wishing to be admitted to the nursing program must be admitted to the college and attend a preadmission conference. (See “Application Procedure.”)

No! There has never been a waiting list to enter the ECTC ADN Program. Because the applicant pool exceeds spaces available, students are admitted on a category system based on GPA and score earned on a preadmission exam.

After a student is admitted to the program, the nursing courses take four semesters to complete. Prerequisite and other general education courses are required in addition to the nursing courses.

The ADN Program at ECTC began in 1965. The average pass rate of our graduates on the NCLEX (National Council of Licensure Exams) consistently meets or exceeds the national and state benchmarks.