Nursing

Posted:  October 6, 2021

SPRING 2022 ADMISSION CYCLE:
Deadline to apply is October 30, 2021

Watch the Online Pre-Admission Conference
here

(Microsoft PowerPoint or PowerPoint Viewer required to view file)

Applications will be accepted for the:
* RN Program
* LPN To RN Bridge Program
* Transition Medic To RN Program

IMPORTANT UPDATES FOR SPRING 2022

1. The Pre-Admission Conference for Spring 2022 admission cycle is an online conference available for on-demand viewing.  The link to the online conference is available near the top of this page.  Nursing applications will be available after conference attendance.

2. Deadline for Spring 2022 admission:  October 30 at 4:30 pm - Nursing application and test scores will be due.

2. Beginning in July 2021, the NLN PAX preadmission exam will be offered in both the remote online exam format and an in-person exam offered on-site at HCC's Workforce Assessment Center.  Please scroll down to the Pre-Admission Exam section on this page for additional information.

3. ACT Requirement:  Since ACT has resumed more routine testing practices, the ACT/SAT will be reinstated according to regular nursing admission requirements.

What Is Nursing?

The Hopkinsville Community College Nursing Program prepares graduates for a challenging career in health care. Both the Associate Degree in Nursing (Registered Nursing) and the diploma in Practical Nursing will open a wide array of opportunities that can lead to career advancement in acute and chronic care of patients. The goals of nursing education at HCC are to develop the ability in graduates to enhance human flourishing, demonstrate sound nursing judgment, develop professional identity and possess a spirit of inquiry in order to improve patient outcomes.

What are my career choices?

Job opportunities as a Registered Nurse include, but are not limited to:  hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, child care centers, educational facilities, and physician's offices.

Job opportunities as a Licensed Practical Nurse include, but are not limited to:  hospitals, long-term care facilities, physician offices, and home health care.

 

What are my degree, diploma, or certificate options?

**NOTE:  If you cannot access the PDF files in the below links, please use the contact information to the left to request a copy.  Thanks.**

• Registered Nursing Program (RN Program)
  • Associate of Applied Science in Nursing: 2-year program (4 semesters)
    • RN Program Admission Packet (updated 2/5/2021)
    • Traditional RN Program Curriculum Requirements (updated 2/5/2021)
    • RN Program Student Handbook (Spring_2021)
  • Admission Cycles:   each Fall (August start) and Spring (January start)
• Practical Nursing Program (PN Program)
  • Diploma: 11-month program (August-June)
    • PN Program Admission Packet (updated 2/5/2021)
    • PN Program Curriculum Requirements (updated 2/5/2021)
      
    • PN Student Handbook (Spring 2021)
      
  • Admission Cycle:  each Fall (August start), NEXT ADMISSION CYCLE - FALL 2022
• LPN To RN Bridge (3 semesters)
  • Successful completion of 3 semesters in the RN Program will result in the awarding of the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree
    • LPN To RN Bridge Admission Packet (updated 2/5/2021)
    • LPN To RN Bridge Curriculum Requirements (updated 2/5/2021)
    • Student Handbook - same as RN Program Student Handbook listed above
  • Admission Cycles: each Fall (August start) and Spring (January start)
• NEW FOR FALL 2021! Transition Medic To RN (4 semesters)
  • Potential student who has achieved Level 10 status as a military medic (MOS 68W) may be awarded credit for the clinical component in the 1st and 2nd semesters of the traditional RN program.
  • Successful completion of the 2-year (4 semester) program will result in the awarding of the Associate in Applied Science in Nursing degree.
    • Transition Medic To RN Admission Packet (Updated 2/5/2021)
    • Transition Medic To RN Curriculum Requirements
    • Student Handbook - same as RN Program Student Handbook listed above
  • Admission Cycles: each Fall (August start) and Spring (January start)

Certificates

• Medicaid Nurse Assistant
• Advanced Nursing Assistant
  • Gainful Employment Disclosure Information

Diploma

• Practical Nurse
  • Gainful Employment Disclosure Information

Admissions Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the RN or PN Program, the below requirements must be met.

• Complete Pre-requisite courses - See above links for the Admission Packet and Curriculum Requirements for specific courses for each program
• Have an active status on a state nurse aide registry - This would show current certification as a Nurse Aide
• Submit ACT scores to the HCC Admissions and Records office
  • RN Eligibility Requirement: ACT composite score of 20 or higher
    (equivalent SAT combined verbal/reading and math score of 940)
  • PN Eligibility Requirement: ACT composite score of 18 or higher
    (equivalent SAT combined verbal/reading and math score of 860)
  • ACT waivers are available if you meet specific criteria as outlined in the RN or PN Admission Packet.
• Submit NLN pre-admission exam scores to the HCC Nursing Department
  • Applicants to the RN or PN program must take the PAX exam
    • RN Eligibility Requirement: PAX composite score of 111 or higher
    • PN Eligibility Requirement: PAX composite score of 99 or higher
  • Applicants to the LPN to RN Bridge program must take the NACE exam
    
    • NACE minimum recommended score is a composite of 76%
  • Applicants to the Transition Medic To RN program must take the PAX exam
    • Eligibility Requirement:  PAX composite score of 111 or higher
• Attend a Pre-Admission Conference (PAC) - Nursing applications distributed after this session
• Submit a Nursing application by May 15 for Fall Admission and by October 30 for Spring Admission
• Complete all HCC admission procedures, including the submission of official transcripts from any college where credit was received

Mandatory Pre-Admission Conference (PAC)

Updated:  October 4, 2021

The Pre-Admission Conference for Spring 2022 admission cycle is held during the fall semester.  The conference is now available online for on-demand viewing.  Please scroll to the top of this webpage for access to the link.  Nursing applications will be available to those who complete the conference requirement.  No in-person conference will be held for this admission cycle.

For the Spring 2022 admission cycle, applications will be accepted for:

     Associate Degree Nursing Program (RN) - 2 years
     LPN to RN Bridge Program (LPN with active license) - 3 semesters
     Transition Medic to RN Program - 2 years

The next PN Program admission cycle will be for Fall 2022.  Applications will be available in Spring 2022.  Please check back in mid-February for more information.

Information About PAX and NACE
Pre-Admission Exams

Updated:  June 30, 2021

Applying for the traditional RN program, Transition Medic to RN program, or PN program?
You will need to take the National League for Nursing's PAX exam.  Click here for details.

Applying for the LPN To RN Bridge program?
You will need to take the National League for Nursing's NACE exam.  Click here for details.

HCC Nursing Program Retest Policy:  The PAX or NACE exam may be taken once every six (6) weeks.

The PAX and NACE exam portal are managed by NLN and their vendors.  Neither the HCC Nursing Department nor the HCC Workforce Assessment Center have access to the registration or payment components of the portal.  All questions must be directed to NLN's customer service teams.  Phone and/or email contact information for these service teams can be found in the Student Guide.

ACT Testing Requirement

Updated:  September 27, 2021

**As announced on this page June 30, the ACT requirement was expected to be reinstated to the regular Nursing admission guidelines.  Since ACT has resumed more routine testing procedures, applicants should plan to meet minimum ACT scores or one of the waivers outlined in the program admission packet for the Spring 2022 admission cycle.  Equivalent SAT scores are accepted in place of ACT scores.**

Applicants must have their ACT/SAT scores on file by the admission cycle deadline.

For the October 30 deadline, if an applicant needs to take the ACT, we encourage him/her to test no later than the September exam date.  ACT's October exam date may not allow sufficient time for the score report to be available before the nursing application deadline.

For the May 15 deadline, if an applicant needs to take the ACT, we encourage him/her to test no later than the April exam date. 

• Traditional RN / Medic To RN minimum score for eligibility:  ACT composite 20 (SAT equivalent 940 in combined verbal/reading and math)
• PN minimum score for eligibility:  ACT composite 18 (SAT equivalend 860 in combined verbal/reading and math)
• See RN or PN Admission Packet for valid waivers to the ACT/SAT requirement

Register at www.actstudent.org.

Other Courses Offered

• Nursing Assistant I (NAA 100)

Accreditation

The Associate Degree Nursing Program and Practical Nursing Program are approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing.  Pursuant to the Kentucky Board of Nursing regulation 201 KAR 20:340, benchmark data for nursing programs in the state of Kentucky can be found at KBN Program of Nursing Benchmark Data.

The Associate Degree Nursing Program at Hopkinsville Community College located in Hopkinsville, KY is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA  30326
(404)975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree Nursing Program is Continuing Accreditation.  View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm.

Licensure, Completion, and Job Placement Rates

Nursing Student Honor Society

On September 21, 2020, Hopkinsville Community College was only the second school in the state of Kentucky to be awarded a chapter in the Alpha Delta Nu Honor Society, governed by the Organization for Associate Degree in Nursing (OADN).  Students who hold a letter grade of "B" in all courses, including prerequisite courses, throughout the nursing program may be invited to be inducted into this honor society.  On December 1, 2020, HCC proudly inducted its first 6 students into the Alpha Delta Nu Honor Society.

 

Additional Information

• Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN)
• National League for Nursing (NLN)
• National Council of State Boards of Nursing(NCSBN)
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Nursing Degree Guide

This information should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog. You should always choose classes in cooperation with your faculty advisor to ensure that you meet all degree requirements.