General Information

How to Succeed

1. ATTEND CLASS, LAB , AND CLINIC
2. Prepare BEFORE coming to class, lab, and clinic using the resources listed on your syllabus and/or Moodle. Preparation might include reading assignments, reviewing videos, online activities, etc.
3. When reading or completing an assignment, STOP and REFLECT periodically. Summarize in your own words the important concepts. Re-read or complete the assignment again if you need the repetition.
4. Allow ample time to study each week.  For EACH HOUR in class, AT LEAST THREE hours outside of class is usually necessary for proper study time.  Cramming before an exam is not beneficial.
5. After class, take time to review notes or reflect on the learning activities of that class.  Refer to your resources as needed.  Write questions to ask the instructor.
6. Consider joining a weekly study group. Study groups work because they provide an opportunity to hear various views on the same content/concept area being studied.
7. When studying for an exam, review the content thoroughly.  Practice writing out test questions for yourself and/or your study group. An NCLEX review book can be helpful as well.

Student Medical Form

1. The Student Medical form is part of the acceptance/alternate packet. Information is included in the packet regarding the DEADLINE date for returning this information.
2. The Student Medical form and the CPR documentation must be completed and submitted to the program department chair or coordinator by the deadline date. CPR certification must be American Heart Association health care provider level.
3. Please check that the Student Medical form is complete BEFORE submission and make yourself a copy.
4. The department chair or designee will review the Student Medical form and CPR documentation and notify you of any deficiencies.
5. Students are responsible for keeping their immunizations and CPR updated in order to attend the clinic component of each nursing course. Students who are negligent in this area will not be allowed to attend clinic and will be marked absent until the information is provided. (see Nursing Handbook)

Criminal Background Check/Drug Screen

Health facilities that serve as student rotation sites have enacted requirements that ensure that students and faculty who enter their facilities meet the same qualifications as any potential hires.  GTCC requires Criminal Background Checks (CBC), Office of the Inspector General Reviews (OIG), and Drug Testing of students in such curriculum programs as have clinical or internship placements at health facilities where these screenings are required.  Accordingly, completion of the CBC, OIG Review, and submission of a negative Twelve Panel Urine Drug Screen report from a National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) approved laboratory is required by GTCC prior to the first assignment/student experience at any requiring health facility partner.

Procedure:

1. Once accepted to a program of study, the student will receive written instructions that define the screenings and detail how to complete the above requirements.
2. The process will be carried out with a company selected by the college after review for the most cost effective customer service.
3. Results are verified and sent directly by the company to the contact person at the clinical facility for review no less than 10 days prior to the scheduled arrival of the student.
4. The clinical facility will notify the program department chair of student(s) with any findings that would preclude the assignment of the student in their setting.
5. The department chair will confirm the manner of the review with the facility to ensure that no error was made.  The department chair will at no time be privy to the actual summary of results for the CBC, OIG Review, or Drug Screen.
6. If a criminal charge or conviction occurs while the student is enrolled and is assigned to requiring agency, the student will be immediately removed from the placement until a review is conducted. The final decision will rest with the clinical agency as to any possibility of reinstatement at the site.
7. Should a student be barred from completing clinical assignments with partnering agencies, GTCC will not be able to ensure the completion of program requirements and graduation competencies.
8. Inability of a student to complete program requirements and graduation competencies will result in suspension from the Health program.
9. Any student suspended from a Health Program can avail themselves of the standard GTCC processes for appeal, grievance, and/or readmission.

Licensing Exam

Individuals who successfully complete the three semester diploma Practical Nurse (PN) Program are eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensing Exam-PN). This exam must be passed in order to practice as a Practical Nurse. Individuals who successfully complete the five semesters of the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program are eligible to apply to take NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensing Exam-RN). This exam must be passed in order to practice as a registered nurse.  The LPN who enters the Associate Degree Nursing Program with advanced standing must successfully complete NUR 214, NUR 211, NUR 212, and NUR 213 to be eligible to apply to take NCLEX-RN. This exam must be passed in order to practice as a registered nurse.

The individual wishing to take NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN must submit a registration form to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing as well as an application for licensure to the appropriate State Board of Nursing. Individuals must submit a criminal background check prior to testing for North Carolina licensure.

The Web Site address for the North Carolina Board of Nursing is www.ncbon.org

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Nursing Assistant II Listing

Successful completion of NUR 102 of the Practical Nursing program or NUR 112 of the Associate Degree Nursing Program allows the individual to apply for listing as a nurse aide II. In order to be listed as a nurse aide II, the individual must have a current nurse aide I listing in good standing with the North Carolina Nurse Aide Registry.

Course Schedules

Once a student has been accepted into the a nursing program, the student will be assigned a schedule each semester and should register themselves accordingly. Students must be flexible with scheduling; individual requests cannot be considered. This process is necessary in order to accommodate clinical unit availability and general education courses that are required per semester.  Students should be aware that clinical experiences may last from 6 to 12 hours per day.

The ADN Day program class/lab components are offered during the daytime.  The clinic experiences are generally during the day as well but evening and/or weekend hours may be scheduled as needed.

The ADN Evening/Weekend program class/lab components are offered during the week in the evening generally starting at 4pm.  The clinical experiences may be in the evening during the week beginning at 3pm or on the weekends during the day or evening hours.

The PN program class/lab components are offered during the daytime.  Clinic experiences are generally in the daytime but evenings and/or weekends may be scheduled as needed.

There are situations in which class/lab/or clinic must be rescheduled for a variety of unforeseen circumstances. Efforts will be made by the faculty to notify students of these changes in a timely manner.