Associate in Science Degree Nursing Program LPN-ADN Bridge Option

19 Pages·2014·0.36 MB·English

by  Cara Bennett

SEPTEMBER, 2014
This information pertains to the LPN to ADN Bridge class of May 2015.
Qualified applications will be accepted from 8:00 a.m. Feb 9, 2015, until 4:30 p.m. February 20, 2015.

-an equal opportunity college-

CF Health Sciences Information Sessions
Associate in Science Degree Nursing Program

LPN-ADN Bridge Option

Welcome to the online information session for the College of Central Florida (CF) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Bridge option! The information provided here is intended for LPNs interested in
becoming associate degree nurses through the CF program. We hope you find this information clear and helpful. At the end
of this online program you will have an opportunity to give us input or ask questions about this session. Please let us know
how we can improve the information to make it more beneficial to our future students!
We provide a lot of information in this presentation. Some applicants find it helpful to complete one section at a time and
take a break between sections. This makes the information easier to digest!
The College of Central Florida (CF) is located at 3001 SW College Road, Ocala, FL 34474; the phone number is 352-873-5800.
(See campus map at http://www.cf.edu/about/ocalamap.htm.) CF maintains an open door admission policy (this means that
individuals who have a high school diploma or GED certificate will be admitted to the college) and consistently strives to
provide programs beneficial to all students. The college website at http://www.cf.edu/index.htm includes information about
the college, admission requirements (see http://www.cf.cc.fl.us/departments/sa/admissions/index.htm), an application to the
college, and information on financial aid opportunities. Students should explore financial aid options and apply for financial
aid well before beginning the program. For general college admission questions go to the Enrollment Service Center (website
address http://www.cf.edu/prospective/getting_started.htm) , Bryant Student Union, Room 102. The Bridge option is
“limited access” and requires a separate application (see next section).
The LPN-ADN Bridge option is offered on the Ocala campus. It begins in May and ends the next May. It is a one-year
intense program leading to an Associate in Science Degree in Nursing. The Bridge option has been designed to validate and
build upon the licensed practical nurse’s (LPN) education. The Florida Board of Nursing has approved the program and the
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN, formerly NLNAC), (3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850,
Atlanta, [phone].) has accredited it. In order to progress in the program, graduate, and be eligible to apply for licensure
as a registered nurse, including taking the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), you must attain a grade of
“C” or better in all courses, nursing and non-nursing, that are a part of the program (for NUR-prefix nursing courses a “C” is
75%).
In the U.S., Florida and this area there is a nursing shortage. Because CF’s service district
is Marion, Citrus, and Levy counties, in-district residents will be accepted into the nursing
program first before any consideration can be given to out-of-district applicants.
To learn about the role of the registered nurse go to
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm
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LPN to ADN Curriculum
The LPN to ADN Bridge option begins in May of each year on the Ocala Campus. The program is one calendar year, May to
May. In the summer semester students will complete the first nursing course in this option, Bridge Nursing. This is an intense
course that builds on the LPN’s knowledge and skill and includes content from the first year of the generic nursing
program. In the fall students will enter the Nursing III course and in spring Nursing IV. Students will also complete
Socialization for Bridge during the summer (first) semester and Socialization III during the fall (second) semester.
Nursing education has three components
1. Theory instruction, this may be in-class or online. Academic credit for this is one 50-minute hour per week per credit.
2. Skills laboratory (lab) where students learn psychomotor hands-on skills and the decision-making surrounding these skills.
3. Clinical experience in extended care, acute care, and community agencies where students learn the holistic practice of
nursing.
Academic credits for lab and clinical are three hours per week per one credit.
Credit is based on a 16-week semester (fall and spring semesters.) Since summer semester is 12 weeks, hours are multiplied by
15 and divided by 12. Thus, summer hours per credits are the same as the 16-week semester but hours per week are greater.
Note that nursing courses require more hours-per-week than most academic courses due to the 3:1 clock hour to credit ratio
for lab and clinical. Generally in nursing classes, clinicals, and skill labs are offered over three to four days a week, with
periodic testing on another day. Schedules vary each semester. As examples nursing course calendars are included on the CF
website (see http://www.cf.edu/departments/instruction/health/adn/calendars.htm).
The LPN-ADN Bridge option is designed to build on the LPN’s expertise as a practical nurse. Therefore, applicants are
expected to have the ability, within the scope of practice of the practical nurse, to give total care to a minimum of two patients
in the acute care setting. Practice as an LPN will be evaluated at the beginning of the LPN to ADN Bridge option.
Students who were unsuccessful as an LPN in the generic Associate Degree in Science Nursing program are not eligible to
enter the Bridge option.
NOTE: Class and clinical hours may be between 7 am and 10 pm Monday – Friday, and clinical hours may occur on Saturday.

Note: Some Bridge option course content is offered online. It is strongly recommended that if not computer
literate, students acquire these skills before entering any Health Sciences program. Minimum skills include: word
processing, spreadsheet, PowerPoint, use of e-mail with attachments, internet browser and use of the internet for
literature research.

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May Admission Bridge Students
(Associate in Science Degree) Course Sequencing
The following courses must be successfully completed with a grade of “C” or better and a minimum 2.75 GPA prior to
beginning classes in the Bridge option.
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Number Course Credits
Advisement/Orientation (if new to CF)
*BSC 2085 Human Anatomy & Physiology I 3
BSC2085L Human Anatomy & Physiology I Lab 1
BSC 2086 Human Anatomy & Physiology II 3
BSC 2086L Human Anatomy & Physiology II Lab 1
MCB 2010C Microbiology 4
HUN 1201 Human Nutrition 3
**MAC 1105 College Algebra
Or
**STA 2023 Statistics 3
PSY 2012 General Psychology 3
E NC 1101 Freshman Composition Skills I 3
DEP 2004 Human Growth & Development 3

BRIDGE COURSES (Term I – Summer C– 12 weeks)
NUR 1004C Bridge Nursing 7
NUR 1003 Socialization into Nursing for LPN to ADN Bridge 2

Term II (Fall)
NUR 2732C Nursing III 9
NUR 1830 Socialization into Nursing, III 2
***[HUM 1020] Introduction to Humanities [3]

Term III (Spring)
NUR 2734C Nursing IV 10

* BSC2085C has a prerequisite (see course description in CF Catalog for choices to meet this requirement.) Competency at the prerequisite level may
be demonstrated through the ANAT test offered at CF Testing Center. The prerequisite does not count toward the nursing program.
**College Algebra or Statistics may have a prerequisite of MAT1033 (Intermediate Algebra) depending upon placement test scores. If such course is
required, it does not count toward the nursing program.
*** May be taken as a prerequisite
Students must also meet the CF requirement for computer competency. This competency is met by completing NUR2734C Nursing IV.
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Note: Students who possess an associate degree or higher from a regionally accredited university or community
college in the state of Florida will have satisfied the core requirements
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Minimum Criteria for LPN to ADN Bridge Application
Although CF has an open door policy, the nursing program is limited access. This means you must apply separately to the
nursing Bridge option. The college and nursing program applications are different.

1. College Application
All applicants to the Bridge option must submit the College of Central Florida application and be accepted to CF as a student
in good standing. This process is totally online; see requirements at the following link: Starting and Succeeding at CF.
• Use major code 2139 to designate CF program of study. If an applicant already has an AA or higher degree, use
major code 9250.
• CF students who have not been enrolled for more than one year must submit a college Readmission Application
before enrollment in any courses can be done. There is no fee for a Readmission Application.
• Acceptance to the college does not guarantee acceptance to the nursing program.

Bridge Option Application Process
In addition to the college entry process, the following are required for admission to the Bridge option.
2. Information Session
All applicants to the Bridge option must complete this online information session. These sessions are specifically designed to
provide in-depth information regarding the criteria and application process. It is best to complete an information session
before beginning to take academic courses for the nursing program.
Applicant will validate completion of this information session at the end of the session.

3. Prerequisite Courses
(a) At the time the Bridge application is submitted, student must have completed or be currently enrolled in the last of
the prerequisite courses required for the program (see LPN-ADN Bridge in CF catalog. Student must have an overall
college grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 and a 2.75 GPA for nursing curriculum courses. For information on how to
calculate a GPA see the college catalog. (Visit our GPA Calculator at http://www.cf.edu/programs/gpa.htm.) Calculate
the GPA for nursing required courses only. Applicants must meet with a Health Sciences academic advisor (by
appointment only; call extension 1274) within 60 days prior to submitting the program application to make sure the
applicant meets the academic requirements for Bridge. A grade of less than a “C” received in any pre or corequisite
course must be corrected with a “C” or higher and posted on transcript before student will qualify to apply to the program.
Those who meet all other criteria but who are currently enrolled in the last of the prerequisite courses at the time they apply
will have their applications fully processed after they complete the courses. We will validate your nursing related courses
and grades through the CF Registrar.
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If offered, an applicant may take any pre or corequisite course on the Ocala, Citrus, or Levy campuses. Once admitted to the
program, nursing classes may be on the Ocala or Citrus campus. Applicants currently enrolled in a pre or corequisite course at
an institution other than CF must submit a copy of the fee bill (attached to the application). Applicants are responsible for
requesting that up-to-date transcripts be sent to CF as soon as the course is completed. Clinical experiences are in Citrus,
Marion, and Levy counties.
(b) Course Limitations. The program will accept English, General Psychology and Humanities courses completed with a
“C” or higher according to State of Florida guidelines (no limitation on when course was taken). The three sciences (Human
Anatomy & Physiology I, Human Anatomy & Physiology II and Microbiology), Human Growth and Development, College
Algebra or Statistics, and Human Nutrition must be fewer than seven years old at the time of beginning the first Bridge
nursing course.
For the following courses, if an applicant’s course will be more than seven years old when beginning Bridge Nursing, the
applicant may:
Sciences: choose to
(1) retake the course(s) or
(2) pass an appropriate exam administered by the Science Department. If the applicant chooses to take the exam, the
applicant must make arrangements for the exam in the Science Department.
(NOTE: For science courses retaken because of age limitation, grade will be used for GPA calculation, but will not be used
toward “Points for Science Course Grades.”)
Human Growth & Development: choose to
(1) retake the course or
(2) pass a CLEP exam.
College Algebra or Statistics: choose to
(1) retake the course;
(2) take the course not already taken;
(3) pass a CLEP exam (College Algebra); or
(4) Achieve at least 124 on the PERT Math section within one year prior to application date.
Human Nutrition: choose to
(1) retake the course; or
(2) pass an appropriate exam administered by the Health Sciences Division. If the applicant chooses to take exam, the
applicant must make arrangements for it in the Health Sciences Division office in Building 19.
Note: If choosing to retake a course, the applicant must see a Health Sciences advisor for registration.

4. TESTING
Placement Testing
All applicants to the Bridge option must have achieved minimum scores in the Reading, Language, and Math sections on a CF
college placement test. (See CF catalog for placement tests and scores.) Students with less than minimum scores must have
completed the preparatory classes in the deficient areas and must have completed college credit courses in English and Math
with a grade of “C” or better to be eligible for consideration for admission to the Bridge option.
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Nursing Admission Testing
Bridge program applicants are required to take an admission test specifically designed to assess academic and personal
readiness for higher education in health care. We strongly encourage students to study and prepare for this test to achieve the
highest possible scores. Study guides are available in the LRC (Ocala and Citrus) or may be purchased. Various websites also
offer study hints and tools.
The admission test is the HESI Admission Assessment or HESI A2 (see
http://evolve.elsevier.com/staticPages/i_reach_exams_assessment.html for more information). The test includes Math,
Reading Comprehension, Grammar, and Vocabulary. To qualify for seating in the Bridge program applicants must score a
minimum of 80 percent on Math, Reading Comprehension and Grammar, and minimum of 74% on Vocabulary (NO
EXCEPTIONS). Applicants who do not achieve minimum percent must remediate according to the table below. After
required remediation, the applicant may retake the test (must retake the entire test). Passing scores are valid only for the
current Bridge admission.
NOTE: Schedule the first HESI test to allow sufficient time for remediation and retesting before application
deadline should this be required.
HESI Score 40% - 50% 51% - 60% 61% - 70% 71%-79% (or 71%-
73% for Vocab.)
Days to remediate 180 days 120 days 90 days 30 days
for Reading (6 months) (4 months) (3 months) (1 month)
Days to remediate 90 days 60 days 60 days 30 days
for other 3 areas (3 months) (2 months) (2 months) (1 month)
Applicants must pay for the test at the cashier’s window in Building 5 (current cost $40.00). The test is usually available on
Wednesdays at 12:00 noon. Applicants must contact the Testing Center in Building 5, ext. 1564, to schedule a date to take the
test. If desired test dates are full, ask to be scheduled as a “stand by” tester in case any of the scheduled testers do not show.
For consideration for admission, applicants must attach a copy of the latest test taken with test scores reflecting minimum
percent or higher in the areas of Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary, and Math to the Bridge application.
• Applicants are limited to taking the test twice per year. NO EXCEPTIONS. (The year begins with the date the first
test is taken.)
• For validation purposes, the test must be taken at the CF Testing Center.
• No calculator may be used.
5. Applicant Residency
The College of Central Florida’s service district is Marion, Citrus and Levy counties. In-district residents will be accepted into
the ADN program first before any consideration can be given to out-of-district applicants. Falsification of residency
information on the ADN application will result in withdrawal from the applicant pool or program.
EXCEPTION: Applicants living in a neighboring county, but having completed their general education at CF may
petition the Admission Committee for an exception to the residency criterion. Submit a letter of petition with your
application.

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6. Academic Advisement
After completing the online information session if you have further questions you may schedule an appointment with a Health
Sciences advisor. Call 352-854-2322, ext. 1274 to schedule. All transcripts of previous work must be on file in CF’s Office of
Admissions and Records and transcript evaluation should be completed by the Admission Office before making an
appointment with the advisor.
Applicants must meet with a Health Sciences academic advisor (by appointment only; call extension 1274) within 60
days prior to submitting the program application to make sure the applicant meets the academic requirements for
Bridge. At the time of the pre-application meeting with the advisor, the student will be given a copy of the “Pre-
application ADN Advising Record” signed by the advisor. This student copy is TO BE ATTACHED TO THE
APPLICATION. This record assures the student’s academic readiness to apply. Included in this record is a review
of educational requirements, substitutions, verification of HESI requirements, and the point system.

7. Current Florida LPN License
8. Current CPR card (two-person rescue; adult, infant/child.) The program accepts only the American Heart Association
Basic Life Support for the Health Care Provider card, the Red Cross Professional Rescuer card, or the American Safety and
Health Institute (ASHI) CPR Pro card.

INDIVIDUALS WITH A CRIMINAL HISTORY MAY NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR ADMISSION TO
HEALTH SCIENCES PROGRAMS

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CRITERIA FOR POINTS TOWARD BRIDGE ADMISSION
Prior to awarding of points, Minimum Criteria for Bridge Application [as explained in detail starting on page 4 in
this information session] must be met. Points will be awarded based on the criteria listed below. A point total will be
determined for each applicant. Applicants will be placed in order, highest to lowest, based on total points. A
worksheet follows, which is for applicant’s use; worksheet does not need to be submitted.

► Points for HESIA2 Scores
For scores on HESIA2, 0.5 points will be added for each percentage point over 84% for each of the following sections:
reading, grammar, vocabulary, and math.
(Example: for a score of
90% on grammar 90% – 84% = 6 points; therefore 6 X 0.5 = 3 points
86% on math 86% – 84% = 2 points; therefore 2 x 0.5 = 1 point
Total = 4 points for HESIA2.)

Documentation: Attach HESIA2 scores to application. We will verify with HESI, Inc.
Possible points: Up to 8 points per test Total possible: 32 points

► Points for Science Course Grades
For grades in required science courses, BSC2085 A&P I, BSC2086 A&P II, and MCB2010C Microbiology, for the first time
taken:
Grade Points
A 9
B+ 6
B 3

Grades for courses completed at another college must be submitted to and accepted by CF to show on the CF degree audit. If
science class and lab are separate courses the two will be added and the average grade for both will be used.
Documentation: We will verify grades on CF degree audit; only courses and grades in the CF degree audit will be used, no
attachment needed.
Total Possible: 27 points
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► Points for Previously Qualified Applicants With No Program Space Available
Bridge applicants who applied for Bridge admission and were fully qualified but could not enter the program because space
was not available will receive 5 points. The applicant must reapply within two years of the original application.
Documentation: Attach the letter from CF nursing advising that applicant was qualified but no space was available. Save this
letter, copies will NOT be available.
Total Possible: 5 pts
Highest Total Points Possible 64
Applicants must submit complete documentation for points. Applications must be complete with all attachments at
the time of submission. Attachments will not be accepted after submission of the application. Decisions of the
committee regarding awarding of points are final.

Keep a copy of your entire application!

BRIDGE APPLICATION PERIOD

In 2015 applications for the ADN Bridge option will be accepted in the Nursing Office, Ocala Campus, Building 19,
Room 111, during the following period:
February 9th thru February 20st during business hours 8 am to 4:30 pm
All applications received in Nursing Office during this time period will be given equal consideration. Date and time of
application submission are NOT criteria for acceptance in the program.
Selection of Candidates
The selection process will be completed by an admission committee. Each application will be reviewed to ensure that the
applicant meets minimum admission criteria and again to calculate points for admission. Applicants who meet minimum
criteria will have points calculated and be placed in order by points (highest to lowest). Applicants with the most points will be
selected for the class until the class is full. If there is a “tie” for the last place(s) in the class (two or more students with the
same number of points) the student(s) will be selected based on the highest GPA for nursing. If students have the same GPA
a student will be randomly selected.
Notification of Applicants
Applicants will be notified by mail of acceptance status. Notify the Nursing Office, Bldg. 19, Room 111 of any change of
address! Applicants not admitted must reapply to be considered for the next admission.
SEPTEMBER 2014