Academic Catalog

Nursing (ASN)

Admission Requirements

The Associate of Science in Nursing Program at Gordon State College is designed to prepare students for a rewarding career as registered nurses. Upon successful completion of the program, the unlicensed graduate is eligible to apply for licensure as a registered professional nurse after successfully passing the national licensure exam (NCLEX-RN).

Applicants must have graduated from high school or received a GED. All students must be admitted to Gordon State College by the deadline for the application period for which you are applying. Students must also submit a separate online application for the nursing program. Application periods and required paperwork are posted on the Department of Nursing website.

To be considered for acceptance into the nursing program, students must have:

  1. Acceptance to Gordon State College
  2. Exemption from or completion of all Learning Support classes.
  3. Nursing core classes must be completed with a minimum grade of C or better. A grade of D in any core class is not accepted by the Nursing department.
  4. Minimum cumulative/overall GPA of 2.5 to be eligible to apply.
  5. Have a minimum cumulative/overall GPA of 2.75 in all required science and math courses.
  6. Completion of a Nursing Admission Test.
  7. BIOL 2251K Anatomy & Physiology I, BIOL 2252K Anatomy & Physiology II, and BIOL 2260K Foundations of Microbiology must all be less than 5 years old at the time of admission. No exceptions.
  8. Not failed two (2) or more nursing courses in any unsuccessful attempt at a nursing program, including LPN. A grade of D is considered failing in a nursing program. 
  9. Not failed any nursing course with a grade of F in any unsuccessful attempt in a nursing program, including LPN.
  10. Ability to meet Department of Nursing Core Performance Standards.

  11. It is strongly suggested that 75% of the core course requirements be completed prior to applying to the nursing program. To be eligible to apply to the program, the applicant must have completed MATH 1111 College Algebra and  BIOL 2251K Anatomy & Physiology I.

Self-managed nursing applications are available online only during selective periods from the Department of Nursing website. Application deadlines are posted online.

Admission to the Nursing Program is selective and competitive. Applicants with the strongest credentials will be accepted first. A student must be accepted into the Nursing Program to be able to register for nursing classes.

Applicants who are not accepted must reapply during the next application period. The Nursing Program reserves the right to end the application period once enough
qualified applications have been received.

Progression / Readmission Policy

To progress through the nursing program, the student must attain a “C” (75%) or better to pass any nursing course and have satisfactory clinical performance. If a student withdraws from one nursing course, they must withdraw from all nursing courses within the same semester.

A student may apply for readmission to the Gordon State College Nursing Program one time only under the following conditions:

  1. The student has not previously failed or withdrawn from another nursing course, semester, or program.
  2. The student failed the required course(s) for one semester of the nursing program with a grade of “D” 68 - 74.99, or the student withdrew from the semester with a grade of W. (Students that fail any nursing course(s) with an “F” 67.99 or less, are not eligible to return to the nursing program.)
  3. The student has no written disciplinary actions on file that may establish a pattern of unprofessional behavior.

If the student meets the above criteria, the student may appeal to return to the semester they failed or withdrew. To appeal, the student must submit an academic request form to the department no later than midterm of the following semester. The student must return to the semester within one calendar year of the failed attempt.

Readmission will be dependent on the outcome of the appeal and seat availability/clinical capacity. This policy is in effect no matter where in the program the student is unsuccessful, and for all Gordon State College nursing programs. The student may be required to sign a contract outlining requirements to be readmitted into the nursing program.

Core Performance Standards

All potential and enrolled students in the Department of Nursing must meet the following Technical and Nursing Performance Standards that encompass intellectual, physical, and social competencies required to provide safe client care.

Issues Standard Examples of Activities
Critical Thinking Ability/Clinical Judgment Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment and decision making 1. Use short- and long-term memory
2. Transfer knowledge from one situation to another
3. Process information, evaluate outcomes, problem-solve and prioritize care
4. Identify cause-effect situations
5. Exhibit competency in reading, understanding, and performing calculations for computing medication dosages
6. Develop nursing care plans, evaluate the plan of care
Interpersonal Skills Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds 1. Negotiate successful conflict resolution
2. Respect cultural diversity and the rights of others
3. Establish rapport with clients and colleagues
4. Maintain therapeutic relationships with clients/colleagues
5. Work effectively in small groups
6. Demonstrate verbal and nonverbal therapeutic communication
Communication Ability Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal, written, and electronic form. 1. Write and speak English effectively so as to be understood by the general public
2. Explain health conditions, diagnostic and treatment procedures and initiate health teaching based on assessed needs, available resources, age, lifestyle and cultural considerations
3. Interpret and document client responses to health status through verbal communication, along with nonverbal cues and behaviors
4. Document client information accurately, completely, and legibly through written, oral, and electronic reports
5. Understand and accurately use medical terminology
Mobility Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces and maintain physical tolerance for repetitive movements and demands of the work shift. 1. Move within confined spaces
2. Sit or stand and maintain balance
3. Reach above shoulders and below waist
4. Twist, bend, stoop, climb on stool or stairs, and move quickly in response to potential emergencies
5. Push, pull, lift or support up to 50 pounds. Use upper body strength.
6. Administer rescue procedures, i.e. cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Motor Skills Gross and fine motor skills sufficient to provide safe, effective nursing care. 1. Grasp small objects with hands
2. Manipulate small objects with fingers (IV tubing, pencil/pen) -
Pinch/pick (manipulate a syringe, eyedropper, etc.), twist (turn objects)
3. Perform physical activities necessary to do basic nursing skills such as putting on sterile gloves, donning mask and gown, operating a manual and/or electronic blood pressure cuff and other essential skills
4. Provide or assist client with activities of daily living
5. Manipulate instruments, supplies, and equipment with speed, dexterity, precision, and adequate eye-hand coordination
6. Perform electronic keyboarding/ documentation and/or extensive writing with a pen
7. Calibrate and use equipment (syringes, vials, ampoules, medication packages, manual blood pressure cuff, etc.)
8. Position clients correctly and efficiently
Hearing Ability Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs. 1. Hear auditory alarms such as monitors, fire alarms, and call bells
2. Ability to discern auscultation sounds and cries for help
3. Ability to accurately take orders over the telephone
Visual Skills Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary for safe client care. 1. Perform basic nursing skills such as inserting an IV, counting respirations, preparing and administering medications
2. Observe client’s condition and responses to treatment
3. Read small print, gauges, thermometers, measuring cups,
syringes, and other equipment
4. Discriminate colors, changes in color, size, and continuity of body parts (skin color changes, color of drainage)
5. Identify, prepare, and administer medications accurately
6. Identify hazards in the environment
7. Visualize written words and information on paper and on a computer screen correctly
Tactile Ability Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment 1. Feel vibrations to detect pulses, etc.
2. Detect temperature
3. Feel differences in sizes and shapes and detect surface characteristics
Emotional Stability Emotional stability sufficient to tolerate rapidly changing conditions and environmental stress. 1. Establish therapeutic interpersonal boundaries
2. Provide clients with emotional support
3. Adapt to changing environment and stress while maintaining professional conduct and standards
4. Focus attention on task
5. Perform multiple tasks concurrently
6. Handle strong emotions
7. Use appropriate coping strategies
Professional Behavior Respect the nursing profession and behave in a respectful, ethical, and professional manner with others in the class, laboratory, or clinical area 1. Interact respectfully and appropriately with peers, faculty/facility staff, and clients
2. Engage in self-evaluation of behaviors and practice performance
3. Collaborate effectively with clients/families, interdisciplinary teams
4. Integrate ethical behavior in nursing practice
5. Incorporate the standards of the profession into behaviors and actions
6. Respect and adhere to the policies and procedures of the Department of Nursing and
clinical agencies

Source: Southern Council on Collegiate Education for Nursing (1993) and National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.: Guidelines for Using Results of Functional Abilities Studies and Other Resources (1999)