Application and Admission Requirements

Introduction

Broward College offers a comprehensive, high quality Nursing Program that is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing, http://www.doh.state.fl.us/MQA/nursing/nur_statutes.html. The Nursing Program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission Inc. (NLNAC) accessed at www.nlnac.org.

 

The Associate in Science Degree in Nursing is designed to prepare an individual for a career as a registered nurse. The program's mission is to prepare competent, compassionate, and culturally sensitive entry-level nursing graduates whose professional practice encompasses legal and ethical decision-making in the promotion of health in the community.

 

The student who meets all educational and institutional requirements for an Associate in Science Degree in Nursing from Broward College is eligible to have his/her name submitted to the Florida Board of Nursing to be considered as a candidate for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). The Florida Board of Nursing is the state agency authorized to determine if the applicant qualifies to take the NCLEX-RN for licensure as a registered nurse. For licensure requirements, refer to sections 464.008 and 464.009, Florida Statutes (F.S.), Rules 64B9-3.002 and 3.008, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.)

 

All Broward College Nursing Students, (including those seeking admission, re-entry, and continuously enrolled, shall adhere to the most recent Nursing Program Academic Progression Plan adopted.

 

Application Criteria for Submission to the Nursing Program Eligibility Pool

 

The following criteria are established to be eligible for placement in the selection pool.  Meeting the criteria for selection does not guarantee admission to the Nursing program.  Prospective students will need to apply during a published specified period of time prior to the start of the term.  Prior to submitting an application to the nursing program:

The following criteria are established to be eligible for placement in the selection pool.  Meeting the criteria for selections does not guarantee admission to the Nursing program. Prospective students will need to apply during a published specified period of time prior to the start of the term. Prior to submitting an application to the nursing program:   

• Earn a minimum overall cumulative GPA OF 2.0
  
  •  Complete all nursing pre-requisite courses with a “C” or better and earn a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5. (The pre-requisite courses are listed below)
  
  Prerequisite Courses
  

  Nursing prerequisite courses must be completed prior to submitting a Nursing Application with a minimum 2.5 grade point average (GPA) in the following 14 credit hours of prerequisite courses:
  
  ENC1101 (English Composition I)                                              (3 credit hours)
  CHM 1032 (Chemistry for Health Science)                                   (3 credit hours)
  BSC1085 (Human Anatomy & Physiology I)                                 (3 credit hours)
  BSC 1085L (Human Anatomy & Physiology Lab)                           (1 credit hour)
  BSC 1086 (Human Anatomy & Physiology II)                               (3 credit hours)
  BSC 1086L (Human Anatomy & Physiology II Lab)                         (1 credit hour)
  *HCP0130 (Health Career Core)                                                   (75.0 Contact Hours)

  *This course is not calculated in the grade point average.  Students may be eligible for a waiver if they have a current Florida or national license in another direct patient-care, health care profession.

  
  Nursing Program Applicants for the August 2010 (Academic Year 2010-2011) cohort will require completion of the (5) components HESI A2 Entrance Exam listed below:
  
  

  •         Complete the HESI A2 Assessment Test

  1.    Applicants require completion of the (5) components in the HESI Admission Assessment (A2) Test. After completion of the required five (5) tests of the HESI A2, students can submit the Nursing application within the posted application period. There are no required scores; however, the test scores will be review.

  
  

  •         Test components

  1.    Reading Comprehension

  2.    Vocabulary

  3.    Grammar

  4.    Math

  5.    Anatomy-Physiology

  
  
  

  Notes:

  It is strongly suggested that Nursing students:

  •         Take the HESI A2 Admission Assessment Exam after successful completion of the pre-requisites courses: Anatomy & Physiology and ENC1101. 

  •         Review for the test by using The HESI Evolve Reach Admission Assessment Exam Review text (ISBN:978-1-4160-5635-5) can be purchased at Broward College Book Store or through the Elsevier Publisher http://www.us.elsevierhealth.com/product.jsp?isbn=9781416056355.

  •         Use specific links and guidelines for accessing the HESI A2 Exam contained in the FAQ for the HESI Admission Assessment Exam at the top of this page.

Read the FAQ For the HESI Admission Assessment Test.

Be advised that:

1.Students applying for the LPN-RN Transition Option must hold a current Florida LPN License without restrictions/obligations/public complaint.
2. Enrollment in any prior Nursing Course(s) (NUR) at any college regardless whether successful or unsuccessful, should contact an Associate Dean for Nursing to determine eligibility for application submission and or admission to the nursing program.  
3. Potential Broward College nursing student applicants that have initiated NUR courses at any college and have not been enrolled in a nursing theory or clinic course for two years or more (and is otherwise eligible to return/enroll in the nursing program), will be required to successfully complete a PN program and hold a current/active Florida license (LPN) without restrictions/obligations/public complaint, prior to requesting entry/re-entry into the Nursing Program at Broward College.

4. Nursing applicants with eight (8) or more total credit hours of nursing course failures, regardless if taken at Broward
College or from another nursing program are not eligible to apply for admission into the Broward College Nursing
Program.
5. Nursing applicants with four (4) to seven (7) total credit hours of nursing course failures, regardless if taken at Broward College or from another nursing program require completion of PN program and Florida PN License to be eligible for entry into the Broward College Nursing    Program.

Prerequisite Courses
Nursing prerequisite courses must be completed prior to submitting a Nursing Application with a minimum 2.5 grade point average (GPA) in the following 14 credit hours of prerequisite courses:

ENC1101 (English Composition I) (3 credit hours)
CHM 1032 (Chemistry for Health Science) (3 credit hours)
BSC1085 (Human Anatomy & Physiology I) (3 credit hours)
BSC 1085L (Human Anatomy & Physiology Lab) (1 credit hour)
BSC 1086 (Human Anatomy & Physiology II)(3 credit hours)
BSC 1086L (Human Anatomy & Physiology II Lab) (1 credit hour)
*HCP0130 (Health Career Core) (75.0 Contact Hours)
*This course is not calculated in the grade point average. Students may be eligible for a waiver if they have a current Florida or national license in another direct patient-care, health care profession.

 

Eligibility Criteria for admission into the nursing program

 

Broward College is committed to serving as many qualified students as possible.  The seats are limited in the Nursing Program.  The number of seats is determined by semester/term prior to opening the application period for Fall and Winter terms.  Once the student applies and is placed in the “eligible” applicant pool, applicants will be seated based on space availability, selection criteria, and successful completion of all college and nursing program requirements.

 

Student’s application status is available on my BC via the limited enrollment admission status icon, and the College will notify students through the Broward College student e-mail.  Applicants’ eligibility for admission into the limited enrollment nursing program will be dependent upon:

 

1. Minimum 2.5 Grade Point Average (GPA) in the 14 credit hours of prerequisite courses.

2. Overall Cumulative Degree GPA minimum of 2.0.

3. Completion of the 5 tests in the HESI A2 Exam: Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar Composite, Math and Anatomy-Physiology. After completion of the required five (5) tests of the HESI A2, students can submit the Nursing application within the posted application period. There are no required scores, however, the test scores will be reviewed.

4. Completion of a satisfactory drug screening: Level II FBI background check and clear the federal HHS/OIG and GSA screening.  Students who are offered a seat will be provided the specific forms and procedures for completing the drug screening and background check, by invitation only, during a required preadmission session. An unsatisfactory Level II FBI background check and/or drug screen may delay the admission process and lead to possible ineligibility for admission into the nursing program.

5. A current Florida Practical Nurse License (LPN), without restriction/obligations/public complaint, is required for the LPN-RN transition option. (Note: This requirement relates only to the LPN-RN transition option applicants).

6. Satisfactory completion of certifications prior to starting the Nursing program and after notification of admission acceptance. Certificates must be approved by the Florida Board of Nursing with posted FBN number and CE Broker number. The following certificates/documents are to be submitted to the Nursing Department on the campus location the student registers to attend nursing courses. (Further information regarding submission of documents will be provided at the Pre Admission Session).

7.Completion of a Medical History and Physical Examination. Admission into the Nursing Program is provisionally based upon acceptance of the approved health evaluation record. This fully completed health evaluation record must be submitted no later than date provided at the Pre Admission Session for nursing students.

8. Complete the following certificates once admission acceptance is received: Certification required in the following:

 

o    HSC0591 (formerly CAE0382) – HIV/AIDS <4 contact hours>

o    HSC0522 (formerly CAE0476) -TB/OSHA/Hepatitis <6 contact hours>

o    HSC0405 (formerly CAE0299) - BLS-Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers (CPR) <4 or 8 contact hours> : The CPR curriculum must be approved by the American Heart Association <4-8 Contact Hours Certification

o    HSC0691 (formerly CAE0474) - Domestic Violence <2 contact hours>

o    CAE0528 - Prevention of Medical Errors <2 contact hours>

Note: These certificate courses are not calculated in the grade point average. All certificates require a Florida Board of Nursing (FBN) number and Continuing Education (CE) Broker Number.

9.Ability to meet the Performance Standards for the Nursing Program. In order to insure the safety of both the student and the patient(s) under their care, students must be able to meet Performance Standards to enter and remain in the program. A copy of the Performance Standards for the Nursing Program can be obtained from the Nursing Program web page.

10. Meeting with Associate Dean of Nursing is required if the student falls into any of the following categories:

o  Previous Nursing (NUR) Course Failures: Students with previous nursing (NUR) courses, regardless whether successful or unsuccessful, shall contact an Associate Dean for Nursing to determine eligibility for admission into the Broward College Nursing Program.
o  Prior Nursing (NUR) Courses: Nursing students or applicants who have been previously enrolled (yet not enrolled in a nursing theory or clinic course for two years or more) and is otherwise eligible to return/enroll in the nursing program, will be required to successfully complete a PN program and hold a current/active Florida license (LPN) without restrictions/obligations/public complaint, prior to requesting re-entry into the Nursing Program.
o  Nursing applicants with eight or more total credit hours of nursing (NUR) course failures, regardless if taken at Broward College or from another nursing program are not eligible for admission into the Broward College Nursing Program.

Admissions Procedure

 

Admission will be determined from a review of the applicants in the eligibility pool who have earned the most points by weight taking into consideration all the required admission requirements.  All requirements are to be successfully satisfied for admission consideration.

 

Pre-Admission Sessions

 

Students successfully meeting required admission criteria for admission will be notified of admission status through the Broward College Student E-mail System and provided information on location, date and time for the mandatory pre-admission session. Students selected and offered a position for admission will be required to attend the scheduled pre-admission session. Students who do not attend will forfeit their seat. Students will be required to reapply to enter at another time by submitting an application during the designated application time frames.

 

Pre-Admission Acceptance/Delineation

 

Notice
The College reserves the right to change any of the policies at any time, including those related to admission, instruction, and graduation to assure integrity of the programs. All such changes are effective at such time as the proper authorities determine, and may apply not only to prospective students, but also to those who already are enrolled in a Health Science Program.

 

All Broward College Nursing Students (including those seeking admission, re-entry, and continuously enrolled) shall adhere to the most recent Polices adopted by the College. The provisions in the Nursing Program Academic Progression Plan are regarded as an agreement between the student and the Nursing Program and are considered revocable by the Nursing Administrators when revisions to the program policies are deemed necessary for program integrity and/or patient safety. The College reserves the right to revise and designate the effective date of revisions in program policies. Any addendum or revisions will be available for students.