COLLEGE OF APPLIED & NATURAL SCIENCES

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Admission

Louisiana Tech maintains as its highest priority the education and development of its students in a challenging, yet supportive community of learners. Louisiana Tech grants the Associate of Science in Nursing in a vibrant university culture of excellence. Upon completion of the nursing program and approval by the State Board of Nursing, graduates are eligible to take the licensing exam and enter into professional nursing practice as a registered nurse. Tech graduates are highly recruited, maintain an outstanding NCLEX pass rate, and are ready to continue to grow professionally as lifelong learners.

Requirements for admission

The Division of Nursing welcomes applications from individuals who are interested in beginning a career as a registered nurse. Following admission to the University students may begin taking general education requirements for the nursing curriculum. Applicants for the clinical nursing program are selected twice each year (Fall and Spring quarters).

The application process is competitive based on the following five components:

Cumulative grade point average for all college/university courses attempted (minimum GPA to be considered is 2.6)
ACT score (best composite score)
Three letters of recommendation (addressed to the Division of Nursing Admission Committee). Letters must be written within one year of the application deadline. Letters can be received through mail (PO Box 3152, Ruston, LA 71272), hand-delivered to the Nursing Office (GTM 323), or signed, scanned and emailed to Dr. Donna Hood (Director, Division of Nursing) dhood@latech.edu
Essay attached to your application form (2-3 double-spaced pages addressing the four questions listed below)
Completion of required science courses. Although you are not required to complete these courses prior to beginning your clinical courses, you are given additional points for successful completion of each required biological science course in the nursing curriculum prior to selection of the clinical cohort.

Essay questions to be addressed:

What characteristics do you have that will help you succeed in the program and as a future nurse?
How did you become interested in joining the nursing profession? What is your story or motivation for choosing nursing?
Why is Louisiana Tech’s nursing program the right fit for you?
What volunteer/leadership/ life experiences do you have? How do you relate those experiences to your future success as a nursing student?

All application components must be received or postmarked by the application deadline.

March 1 for cohort beginning Fall Quarter
November 1 for cohort beginning Spring Quarter

Once a student receives an acceptance letter, they must complete the approval process requirements of the Louisiana State Board of Nursing. Instructions will be provided with the acceptance packet.

Core Performance Standards are included below and should be reviewed.

Students must receive approval to enroll in a clinical course by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.

Requirements for licensure

According to Louisiana law governing the practice of nursing, a nursing graduate must complete the approved educational program preparing for licensure as a registered nurse, be approved to test, and must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to be licensed as a registered nurse.

Clinical requirements

Clinical agency affiliation requirements include documentation of the following for clinical nursing students prior to beginning any clinical nursing course: annual criminal background check and drug screen, immunity to measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, negative TB test, current season flu vaccine, tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis and hepatitis B series vaccines, professional liability insurance, health insurance, and AHA Healthcare Provider CPR.

Division of Nursing Core Performance Standards

Functional Abilities	Standard	Core Performance Standard Examples *Examples of relevant activities provided in this document are not inclusive, but simply suggestive.
Academic Progress	Advance from learning experiences relevant to program objectives	Able to attend and participate in scheduled class, clinical, and laboratory assignments Satisfy designated course/program objectives as specified in syllabi Complete degree plan as required by Program/University/state licensing agency
Professional Conduct and Behavior	Behave in a respectful, ethical, and professional manner with all	Utilize intellectual abilities, exercise good judgment, and promptly complete all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of clients Recognize that one’s own values, attitudes, beliefs, emotions, and experiences affect perceptions and relationships with others Function effectively under stress and adapt to an environment that may change rapidly without warning and/or in predictable ways Learn and abide by professional standards of practice and the Nursing Code of Ethics Engage in patient care delivery in all settings and be able to deliver care to all client populations Respect the policies and procedures of clinical agencies and the Division of Nursing as a representative of Louisiana Tech University Demonstrate professional attitude, civility and respect for peers, instructors, clinical agencies, clients, and families Demonstrate ability to get to class/clinical autonomously and punctually
Emotional stability	Emotional stability sufficient to tolerate rapid and evolving environment	Adapt effectively and maintain composure when subjected to changing environments, especially those with high tension/stress levels Respond in an emotionally controlled manner in learning situations and emergencies Poses no threat to self or others Maintains therapeutic boundaries
Gross Motor and Fine Motor Skills	Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective nursing care	Ability to execute movements required to provide general care and treatment to patients in all health care settings Move within confined space Sit and stand while maintaining balance Perform full range of motion of body joints Ability to stoop and bend within 1” of floor Has the gross and fine motor ability to grasp small objects Perform electronic documentation and keyboarding
Physical Endurance and Stamina	Physical abilities sufficient to sustain physical activities incurred for safe and effective nursing care	Perform client care for an entire length of clinical experience, 8-12 hours Transfer/position/lift clients up to 50 pounds with assistance without causing harm to self or others Lift and carry objects up to 30 pounds Stoop, bend, squat, reach overhead as required to deliver care in non-emergent and emergent situations Perform CPR according to professional standards
Visual Acuity	Visual ability with or without assistive devices sufficient for observation and assessment	Accurately read small print on medication labels, syringes, discriminate color changes and intensity Accurately read computer/tablets, monitors and equipment calibrations Observe and appreciate non-verbal communications when performing nursing assessment and interventions
Auditory Perception	Auditory ability with or without assistive devices sufficient for observation and assessment	Has the auditory ability to monitor alarms, emergency signals, and cries for help. Hears verbal exchanges among health care personnel and clients Hears ability to detect and distinguish changes in pitch/tone Hear in situations when not able to see lips
Tactile	Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment	Performs palpation functions with accuracy for physical examination and therapeutic interventions such as pulses, temperature, texture, firmness, softness, and physical landmarks
Smell	Olfactory ability to monitor and assess health needs and environmental situations	Detect odors from client indicative of disease process or infection Detect smoke, gases, or noxious smells that could impact client safety
Interpersonal Skills	Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds	Negotiate interpersonal conflict Respect differences in clients Establish professional rapport with clients, peers, and co-workers Recognize and respect cultural variations, beliefs, and values that affect health behaviors Practices verbal and nonverbal therapeutic communication Ability to work in small groups on course/clinical activities
Critical Thinking Skills	Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment	Exhibits arithmetic competence that would allow the student to read, understand and perform accurate calculations for computing medication dosages and intravenous flow rates Identifies cause/effect relationships in clinical situations, develops, evaluates, and revises nursing plan of care as appropriate Identify, respond, and make appropriate judgment for safety and emergency situations in the clinical setting Demonstrate critical thinking and cognitive abilities sufficient for problem solving and clinical judgment
Communication	Communication abilities (hearing, speaking, reading, and writing) sufficient for interaction with others in verbal, written, assisted, and electronic form	Effectively collaborate with client’s, family, and healthcare providers Ability to communicate sufficiently to teach others, explain procedures, interact effectively with others, and convey information Must be able to give and receive constructive feedback, process feedback, and use it to confirm behavior to expected professional standards Ability to speak, comprehend, read and write English at a level that meets the need for accurate, clear, and effective communicationAbility to read, interpret, and communicate relevant data

Application for admission

Accreditation

The Division of Nursing is accredited by the Accreditation Commission of Education in Nursing (ACEN). Contact information: 3343 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 850 Atlanta, GA 30326 – 404.975.5000 –

The Division of Nursing is approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN). Contact information: 17373 Perkins Road Baton Rouge, LA 70810 – 225.755.7500