Purpose: The Nursing program is designed to prepare students to participate as contributing members of the health team, rendering direct care to patients in a variety of health care facilities and agencies. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, students will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) leading to state licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) and are qualified to assume registered nurse positions in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, physicians' offices, HMOs, and other community-based settings.
Students may follow one of three tracks to complete the Nursing program:
- The Traditional, four-semester track with no required classes in the summer;
- The Accelerated Online/Hybrid track, which includes four consecutive semesters and presents the didactic portion of courses online; or
- Momentum 2 + 1, a six consecutive semester track at NOVA. This prepares students to transfer to a university and complete two additional full-time semesters to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Complete information regarding each of these program tracks can be found at www.nvcc.edu/medical/health/nursing. Admission to the Nursing program is competitive.
The application process is addressed in the online information session/orientation.
Transfer Information: Transfer is not the primary purpose of an A.A.S. program, but NOVA has articulation agreements that facilitate the transfer of this and other career-oriented programs to selected senior institutions. Students interested in transfer should contact a counselor or their faculty advisor early in their program.
Admission Requirements for the Traditional and Accelerated Online/Hybrid tracks:
Students must:
- Comply with all General Admission Requirements for Allied Health and Nursing Programs listed on the second page of the Medical Education Programs section.
- Complete an online Nursing Information Session.
- Meet the specific requirements for admission to Nursing. The Nursing program admission process is competitive. To be considered for admission, applicants must
- Hold a high school diploma or GED.
- Have completed one unit of high school level algebra and two units of science (1 unit of biology and 1 unit of chemistry) with a grade of “C” or higher.
- Qualify for MTH 151 through acceptable scores on the college math placement test. This requirement must be met prior to the student sitting for the Nursing Pre-Admission Test.
- Complete NAS 161 and 162 with a “C” or higher. NAS 161 and 162 or any transferred courses used to satisfy this requirement must have been completed within 10 years of the semester in which verification of the Nursing admission checklist is completed.
- Complete ENG 111 with a grade of “C” or higher.
- Complete SDV 101 (Orientation to Healthcare) or SDV elective with a grade of “C” or higher.
- Achieve a satisfactory score on the computer competency test or have passed HIM 130, AST 232, AST 236, BUS 226, CSC 110 or ITE 115.
- Have minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.
- Successfully complete the Nursing Pre-Admission Test. Students may take the test three times only.
- Successfully complete American Heart Association Healthcare provider CPR prior to registering for a nursing course.
- Submit a completed Health Examination/Physical Form with all required immunizations prior to beginning nursing classes.
- Space for out-of-area, out-of-state or international applicants may not be available. For more information about residency requirements, see Student Services and/or the current NOVA catalog (www.nvcc.edu) for the priority admission policy.
Special Notation for Admission: The State of Virginia may prohibit anyone from sitting for the Nursing Licensing Examination who has been convicted of a felony or of crimes(s) involving theft, drug offenses or physical harm to another, therefore NOVA will not consider persons convicted of the above offenses for admission to the NOVA Nursing program.
Special Program Requirements: Once enrolled in the Nursing program all students must maintain a “C” grade (78 or higher) in all nursing courses to continue in the program. This includes both lecture and clinical components. First year students must complete HLT 141 no later than the first semester and HLT 250 must be taken no later than the second semester, as co-requisites to NUR 111, 180 and 201 respectively.
Special Accreditation Status: The Nursing program is approved by the Virginia State Board of Nursing Perimeter Center, 9960 Maryland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, Virginia 23233 and accredited by the and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 3343 Peachtree Toad, NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, Georgia, 30326. Telephone 404-975-5020.
Licensure Requirements: The Virginia State Board of Nursing reserves the right to deny licensure to any candidate who has been found guilty of a misdemeanor or felony. These candidates must consult with the Assistant Dean of Nursing prior to admission into the Nursing program.
LPN to RN Transition: Advanced placement to the Traditional Track is available for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) wishing to enter the Nursing program through the LPN to RN Transition program. This advanced placement is designed to acknowledge the previously acquired skills of the LPN. LPNs must apply to the college and complete an LPN-RN Information Session online for detailed information.
LPN to RN applicants must successfully complete NUR 115 LPN Transition (3 credits) and NUR 116 Selected Nursing Concepts (1 credit). These courses are designed to bridge the gap between LPN training and the first semester of the Nursing program and begin the development of professional nursing skills. A grade of “C” or higher is required in these courses. LPNs licensed in Virginia who are admitted to NOVA’s nursing program and who successfully complete NUR 115 LPN Transition and NUR 116 Selected Nursing Concepts will be granted credit for NUR 111 Nursing I (8 cr.). LPNs are admitted to the Traditional Track only.
Re-Admission: Students who leave the Nursing program and wish to be re-admitted must meet current requirements for admission. Any developmental studies that were prescribed at the time the student left the program must have been satisfactorily completed. Students wishing to be re-admitted to the NOVA Nursing program will be required to take the 2-credit version of NUR 116 Selected Nursing Concepts. Readmission is competitive and based on space availability.
Transfer from Other Institutions: Nursing credits earned at other institutions are reviewed by the assistant dean to determine if the courses in question apply to the curriculum and/or if substitutions may be made within the curriculum. Students who transfer to NOVA with prior nursing courses will be required to satisfactorily complete the 2-credit version of NUR 116. Admission is competitive and based on space availability.
NURSING PROGRAM (Traditional)
Classes may be taken on campus or via a combination of synchronous (live) and asynchronous (anytime) online activities and in-person laboratory and clinical practice. Nursing courses must be taken in the order outlined below.