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, readmission, and continuously enrolled, shall adhere to the most recent Nursing Program Polices adopted.

Criteria for Application Submission for the Nursing Program

Prior to submitting an application to the nursing program the student must:

• Complete all nursing pre-requisite courses with a “C” or better and earn a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5. (The pre-requisites courses are listed below) and an overall cumulative/ degree GPA minimum of 2.0.
• Required for application submission to the Nursing Program: Applicants as of August 2010 (2010-2011 AY), and all future applicants will require successful completion of the HESI A2 Entrance Exam to be eligible to submit an application for admission consideration to the nursing program.  Broward College Nursing Program requires potential program applicants to successfully complete 4 tests. The tests are composed of an English Component/Section that consists of 3 tests: Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, and Grammar. The Science Component/Section is one (1) test: the Anatomy & Physiology. Required scores include a minimum composite score of 75% for the English Section but must have a minimum of 70% on any of the reading, vocabulary and/or grammar tests. Scores for the Science Section only includes Anatomy-Physiology with a minimum required score of 75% to be eligible to submit an application for admission consideration into the nursing program. It is suggested that the A2 Entrance Exam be taken after successful completion of the pre-requisite Anatomy-Physiology and ENC1101 courses.
  
      ♦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 site.  Contact information for Elsevier by phone (1-800-545-2522) or online http://www.us.elsevierhealth.com/product.jsp?isbn=9781416056355.  
      ♦  (Note: Process to provide specific links and guide for accessing the A2 Exam is under construction and to be completed in very near future).
  
  Students applying for the LPN-RN Transition Option must hold a current Florida LPN License without restrictions.
• Enrollment in any prior Nursing Course(s) (NUR) and or nursing course failures 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.  
  

Be advised that:

1. 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), prior to requesting entry/re-entry into the Nursing Program at Broward College.

    2. Nursing applicants with eight 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.

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).

Criteria of Eligibility for admission into the nursing program

Broward College is committed to serving as many qualified students as possible and respects your need to have "date certain" information. Prospective students will need to apply during a published specified period of time and will be notified through the student Broward College e-mail of their admission status within thirty days of the close of the application period for this limited access program. Applicants will be seated based on space availability, points earned, and successful completion of all college and nursing program requirements. Applicants’ eligibility for admission into the limited access nursing program will be dependent upon:

1. Minimum 2.5 Grade Point Average (GPA) in the 14 credit hours of prerequisite courses.
2. Cumulative Degree GPA minimum of 2.0.
3. Successful completion of the HESI A2 Entrance Assessment Exam. Score 75% in the Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar Composite and 75% in the Anatomy-Physiology.
   
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, 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# or CE Broker #. 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 registration/Admission orientation.
   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 orientation session for nursing students.
   BLS-Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers (CAE0299). The curriculum must be approved by the American Heart Association <4-8 Contact Hours
   Certification required in the following:
   • CAE0382 – HIV/AIDS <4 contact hours>
   • CAE0476 -TB/OSHA/Hepatitis <6 contact hours>
   • CAE0299 - CPR <4 or 8 contact hours>
   • CAE0474 - Domestic Violence <2 contact hours>
   • CAE0528 - Prevention of Medical Errors <2 contact hours> (These courses are not calculated in the grade point average).
6. 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.
7. Meeting with Associate Dean of Nursing if have:
   Previous Nursing (NUR) Course Failures: Students with previous nursing (NUR) courses, regardless whether successful or unsuccessful, should contact an Associate Dean for Nursing to determine eligibility for admission into the Broward College Nursing Program.
   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), prior to requesting re-entry into the Nursing Program.
   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 awarded to those with the most earned points if applicants successfully meet all the required admission requirements. Applicants with the highest GPA or most points does not guarantee acceptance into the program. 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

Students will be required to accept or decline the offered seat, in writing, during the pre-admission session. Students who accept seats and fail to occupy them during the approved term shall forfeit the seat and must reapply. If a student declines the admission seat and wishes to enter at another time, that student is required to re-submit her/his application

Associate in Science Degree in Nursing Point System

Grade Point Average Requirement

In order to apply for admissions to the college’s nursing programs, prospective students must meet the minimum grade point average requirements. Nursing shall require a minimum grade point average of 2.5 in all college level nursing prerequisite courses. There are sixteen (16) possible points that may be awarded for the G.P.A. in the nursing prerequisite courses.

• 2.5 = 1 point
• 2.6 = 2 points
  
• 2.7 = 3 points
  
• 2.8 = 4 points
  
• 2.9 = 5 points
  
• 3.0 = 6 points
  
• 3.1 = 7 points
  
• 3.2 = 8 points
  
• 3.3 = 9 points
  
• 3.4 = 10 points
  
• 3.5 = 11 points
  
• 3.6 = 12 points
  
• 3.7 = 13 points
  
• 3.8 = 14 points
  
• 3.9 = 15 points
  
• 4.0 = 16 points
  • There is one (1) possible point that can be earned for Broward county residents. Residency for the purpose of earning this point will be based strictly on students' addresses and not college residency requirements for paying in-state fees. Points will not be awarded if a post office box number is provided.
    
  • Under the articulation agreement for Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), the students will be awarded five (5) points for those students meeting the HOSA requirements within a two year time frame from time application is submitted. The five points will be granted during the admission selection process. All admission requirements must be satisfied to receive the points.
    
  • Highest total points will constitute an offer for admission based on seat availability.
    
  • In the event of a tie, students will be given one (1) point for the completion of each college-level, general education course that is required toward the Associate in Science Degree for the Nursing Program. In the event that a tie remains, the point will be awarded to the student with the highest grades in the required courses.
    General Education courses completed prior to admission may be used to assign points in the event there is a tie for a seat.
    
  • Humanities course with writing credit (see catalog for listing)
    
  • Social and Behavioral Science course (see catalog for listing)
    
  • MCB2013 & Lab (Microbiology and Lab)

Notice
The college/department reserves the right to change any of the policies and procedures of the Health Science Departments 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, readmission, and continuously enrolled) shall adhere to the most recent Nursing Program Polices adopted. The provisions in the Nursing Program Policies are regarded as a contract 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 Nursing Administrators reserve the right revise and designate the effective date of revisions in program policies. Any addendum or revisions will be available for students.