College Catalog Programs of Study 2015-2016

Purpose: The program is designed to prepare students to participate as contributing members of the healthcare team, rendering direct care to patients in a variety of healthcare 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 two 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 the nursing courses online;

Complete information regarding each of these programs tracks can be found online. 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; however, 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 academic advisor early in their program.

Admission Requirements: 
  • Be admitted to NOVA.
  • Be 18 years of age or older.
  • Comply with all general admission requirements for Allied Health and Nursing Programs listed for the Medical Education programs section.
  • Complete an online Nursing information session.
  • Meet the specific requirements for admission to the Nursing Program.
The program admission process is competitive. To be considered for admission, applicants must
       º Hold a high school diploma or GED.
       º 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.
       º 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.
       º 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.
       º Complete ENG 111 with a grade of "C" or higher.
       º Complete SDV 101 Orientation to Healthcare or SDV elective with a grade of "C" or higher.
       º Have minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.
  • Successfully complete and achieve satisfactory scores on the Nursing Pre-Admission Test. Students may take the test three times only. The latest result must be within three years of admission to the Nursing Program.
  • Successfully complete the American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR course prior to registering for a nursing course.
  • Submit a completed health examination/physical form signed by a licensed physician or nurse practitioner with all required immunizations prior to beginning the Nursing Program.

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 lecture, campus and clinical components. In addition, students must achieve a "C" or higher in all general education courses. First year students must complete HLT 141 no later than the first semester and HLT 250, PSY 201 and PSY 202 must be taken no later than the second semester, as corequisites to NUR 111, NUR 180 and NUR 201 respectively.

Special Accreditation Status: The Nursing program is conditionally approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing Perimeter Center, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, Virginia 23233 and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Georgia, 30326. Telephone 404-975-5020. View NCLEX-RN pass rates for the last five years go to online.

Licensure Requirements: The Virginia Board of Nursing reserves the right to deny licensure to any candidate who has been found guilty of a misdemeanor or felony.

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.

Readmission: Students who leave the Nursing program and wish to be re-admitted must meet the current Catalog’s 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 NOVA’s Nursing program will be required to take and pass with a “C” or higher, 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 Program: On Campus, Online and Hybrid)

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.