Health Sciences Programs

The Health Science Division offers a variety of programs to prepare health professionals. Programs leading to the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree with stackable certificates are available. The Health Science programs are designed to provide the highest quality education to students in order to meet the community’s need for quality health professionals.

Associate in Applied Science (AAS) 

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree program is designed for students who plan to seek employment based upon the competencies and skills attained through a specific program of study. While not designed to meet the needs of students who transfer to senior institutions, portions of these programs may transfer. In order for a student to graduate with an AAS degree, he/she must follow a prescribed program of study or career path. The AAS degree shall be comprised of at least 60 semester credit hours but no more than 76 semester credit hours. While each prescribed program of study/career path varies, the following standards are required as minimum degree requirements from the General Studies Curriculum in the Alabama College System.

Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing

Approval/Accreditation 

The Associate Degree Nursing program and the Practical Nursing option are approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing. All agencies used as clinical sites are approved/accredited by an appropriate organization.

Degree and Licensure

The Division of Nursing offers two points of exit within the nursing program. After successful completion of the third semester of the nursing curriculum, the student is awarded a certificate in practical nursing and may be eligible to apply for licensure as a practical nurse. After successful completion of the five-semester nursing curriculum, the graduate is awarded an Associate in Applied Science-Associate Degree Nursing and may be eligible to apply for licensure as a registered nurse. Fees for the examination and the license are set by the testing and licensing authorities and are the responsibility of the student.

Students are referred to the Alabama Board of Nursing Administrative Code at the Alabama Board of Nursing website www.abn.state.al.us  for “Grounds for Denial of a License.” Legal background questions are incorporated on the Alabama Board of Nursing application for a license. Applicants to whom these regulations may apply may contact the Board of Nursing for additional information.

Upon successful completion of the NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN, the graduate will be able to practice as a beginning practitioner in his/her respective field of study.

Nursing Program Requirements

Students who are enrolled in the nursing program have increased responsibilities due to their direct contact with clients in health care settings. Certain additional standards for admission and progression through the programs of study, as well as, regular College admission and progression standards are required. For a complete discussion of criteria for admission and progression in the nursing program, contact the Nursing Department at nursing@cacc.edu or refer to the College website.

Campus Facilities

The nursing program on the Childersburg campus is housed in the Jim Preuitt Nursing and Allied Health Building. Instructional facilities include a large lecture hall, a conference room, one classroom, a nursing skills laboratory, a nursing simulation lab, and a computer lab. A classroom, a computer classroom/skills lab, and a simulation lab comprise the nursing instructional facilities located in the Business and Science Building on the Alexander City campus. Three classrooms, a skills lab, and a simulation lab are housed at the Prattville Campus. The Talladega Center consists of one large skills lab and one classroom. General education courses are offered on the Alexander City, Childersburg, and Prattville campuses, as well as, at the Talladega Center and online.

Clinical Facilities

In addition to campus laboratory and simulation facilities, various agencies are utilized to provide nursing students with opportunities to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to function as nurses. Currently, the Division of Health Sciences maintains clinical agreements with area healthcare facilities that provide clinical learning opportunities.

Transportation and parking fees to clinical facilities are the responsibility of the student. Students are subject to assignment and rotation through any or all of the clinical facilities. Request for placement at specific clinical agencies are not accepted. Clinical agencies may be added or deleted as deemed necessary.

Admission Procedures and Criteria

Applicants who wish to pursue a nursing career, should first complete the application and admission procedures required by the College, and then contact an academic advisor to develop a plan to meet the admission requirements for the nursing program. An ACT composite score of 18 or a TEAS composite score of 58 is required for admission to the nursing program. Information regarding registering for the ACT is located under Enrollment on the toolbar on the College’s website (www.cacc.edu).

Prior to applying for admission to the nursing program, the student may enroll in the general education courses required within the nursing curriculum. If the student has numerous family or work commitments, has been away from the academic setting for an extended period of time, or has a weak academic background, the student is encouraged to enroll in general education courses before attempting to enter the nursing program. General education courses cannot be postponed later than the term specified in the outlined curriculum. The nursing program is planned as a combined sequence of nursing and general education courses and students may take all the required general education courses once admitted to the nursing program. Prior credit for general education courses does not shorten the length of the nursing curriculum due to the required sequencing of the nursing courses.

Applicants who have been treated for chemical dependency or mental disorders or who have been convicted of a criminal offense, including driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, may contact the Board of Nursing (www.abn.state.al.us) for additional information. According to legal statues and regulations of the Alabama Board of Nursing, individuals that violate the Administrative Code of the Alabama Board of Nursing may be denied a license.

Applicants are admitted to the nursing program each fall and spring on the Alexander City, Childersburg, and Prattville campuses. Students are admitted to the nursing program at the Talladega Center each summer. LPN to RN Mobility students are admitted each fall to begin NUR 209. Applicants should consult an academic advisor well ahead of the date they plan to apply for admission to the nursing program to allow time to meet the admission requirements.

The admission procedures and criteria are subject to revisions at the state level. Any revised admission procedures and criteria will be available on the College website (www.cacc.edu). All applicants are advised to regularly check the College website for any updates to the admission procedures and criteria.

Requirements for Application to the Nursing Program

Applicants to the nursing program must be admitted to Central Alabama Community College and must submit the “Application to Nursing Program” by the required date as delineated below. Admission to the College does not imply admission to the nursing program. A complete admission file must include:

1. Application for admission to Central Alabama Community College
2. Appropriate Application for admission to the nursing program
3. Official high school transcript or GED certificate if required by Central Alabama Community College for unconditional admission
4. Official transcripts from all colleges attended
5. Official ACT or TEAS composite score
6. Letter of good standing if applicant has previously been enrolled in a nursing program at another institution
7. Additional documents as needed to meet the minimal requirements below.

Minimum admission requirements for the Nursing program include:

1. Unconditional admission to the College.
2. Receipt of completed application for the nursing program before the published deadline of February 1st for summer and fall admission and September 15th for spring admission, or first official College week day thereafter for deadlines falling on weekend or College recognized holiday.
3. A minimum of 18 ACT composite score National or Residual (ACT) or a TEAS score greater than 58%.
4. A minimum of 2.5 GPA on a 4-point scale for the nursing required academic core courses and a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA at current institution. Only grades accrued at duly accredited postsecondary institutions will be considered in the GPA calculated for consideration of admission to the nursing program.
5. A minimum of 2.5 (without rounding) high school GPA on a 4-point scale for students without prior college work (GED will be used if applicable).
6. Meet the essential functions for nursing.
7. Eligible for ENG 101, BIO 201, and MTH 100.
8. Complete the ATI Launch: Nursing Academic Readiness program prior to the start of NUR 112 or NUR 209 (information provided after admission to the program).

NOTE: Admission to the Nursing Program is competitive, and the number of students accepted is limited. Meeting minimal requirements does not guarantee acceptance.

Calculation of Points for Applicants Meeting Minimum Admission Standards

After meeting all minimum requirements, applicants are rank-ordered using a point system based on:

1. ACT score. Possible of 36 points with no time limit on when the test was taken. TEAS scores are calculated to provide an equivalent ACT score.

2. Points for grades in ENG 101, MTH 100 or higher, BIO 201, and BIO 202. Twelve points possible. Points for grades are delineated below:

   • A=3 points
   • B=2 points
   • C=1 point

   If a student is awarded CLEP credit for the courses indicated above, the student will receive points as delineated below:

   • AP Examination score of 3=1 point
   • AP Examination score of 4=2 points
   • AP Examination score of 5=3 points
3. Possible ten additional points awarded as delineated below:
   • Up to four points awarded for the applicant’s GPA on the nursing required general education courses
   • Three points awarded if the applicant has never been enrolled in a nursing program.
   • Three points awarded if all general education courses have been completed

A total of 58 points are possible with these selection criteria. If a tie in the number of points occurs for a slot in the nursing program, the GPA for nursing required general education courses will be utilized as the tie breaker.

Selection and Notification

1. The selection and notification policies reflect the philosophy of the nursing program. The selection policies provide for equal consideration of all applicants and for protection against discrimination as to age, sex, race, color, creed, religion, marital status, national origin, veteran’s status, or disability unrelated to the nursing program essential functions.
2. Applicants who have met all admission requirements and completed the admission procedure by the deadlines are eligible to be considered for admission. Documents received after the deadline will not be accepted.
3. Due to limited enrollment, all applicants who meet the minimal admission criteria may not be admitted.
4. Applicants with incomplete files will be notified regarding the deficiencies prior to the application deadline, if the application is received early enough to provide such notification. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure his/her file is complete.
5. Applicants who have been notified of their selection for admission must acknowledge intent to enter the program by the specified date.
6. Applicants who do not respond as prescribed above will forfeit their place in the class and will have to request admission for the next class if they desire to be admitted. All vacancies in a new class will be filled by qualified applicants who have met the admission requirements. Individuals admitted/reinstated that do not attend the semester for which they are admitted/reinstated will have to reapply for admission/reinstatement in order to be considered for the next admission/reinstatement semester. Applicants are responsible for insuring that all transcripts are current and up-to-date. Official transcripts that are not current and up-to-date will render the applicant’s file incomplete. Admission/reinstatement to one semester does not guarantee admission/reinstatement into future semesters.
7. Upon admission and by the dates specified by the Division of Nursing, students must:
8. Submit a change of major to the Office of Student Services
   1. Pay required annual premiums for nursing student liability insurance.
   2. Submit annual medical examination forms, which evidence a satisfactory level of health, including freedom from chemical dependency. Agreements with affiliated clinical agencies require that students be free of communicable diseases and be able to provide nursing care for clients.
   3. Students will be required to undergo drug and alcohol testing prior to clinicals and for “cause.” Students will be responsible for the cost of such testing. Students will be required to undergo a criminal background check prior to clinicals. As with the drug and alcohol testing, the student will be responsible for the cost of the criminal background check. Any student denied clinical access by a clinical affiliate will be subject to dismissal from the program.
   4. Submit evidence of health insurance. Neither the College nor affiliated clinical agencies provide health care for students. Certain affiliated clinical agencies require students to have health insurance before participating in clinical learning experiences at the agency.
   5. Pay required fees for standardized assessment/achievement resources.
   6. Submit evidence of American Heart Association Basic Life Support Provider CPR certification. Online CPR certification is not accepted.
9. Applicants admitted to the nursing program and students reinstated that are not in continuous progression will be required to attend nursing orientation. Failure to attend all of the orientation will subject the student to withdrawal from the program.

Progression Policy

In order to progress in the nursing program, the student must:

• Achieve a grade of “C” or better in all required general education and nursing courses. A student that has an unsuccessful attempt in a nursing course (“W,” “D,” or “F”) cannot progress until the course is completed successfully. Unless previously completed, students must complete all required general education courses according to the Alabama Community College System Nursing Education curriculum. Exceptions must be approved by the Health Science Program Administrator.
• Be acceptable by clinical agencies for clinical experiences.
• Maintain the ability to meet essential functions for nursing with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Maintain program health requirements including health insurance
• Maintain American Heart Association Basic Life Support Provider CPR certification. Online CPR certification is not accepted.

Prior to a student taking NUR 211, a total of two unsuccessful attempts in two separate semesters (“D,” “F,” or “W”) in the nursing program will result in dismissal from the program. If a student fails NUR 211, regardless of previous performance in nursing courses, the student is not eligible for reinstatement. The student may apply to the LPN to RN Mobility track for the next admission cycle.

Reinstatement Policy

Students who have a withdrawal or failure in a nursing course and are eligible to return to that course will be considered for reinstatement to the program.

Reinstatement to the nursing program is not guaranteed. Selection for reinstatement is based on the Criteria for Reinstatement delineated below. Students must adhere to nursing curriculum and program policies and procedures in effect at the time of reinstatement. Reinstatement can be denied due to, but not limited to, any of the following circumstances:

1. Unavailability of faculty and clinical sites;
2. Failure to meet the Criteria for Reinstatement.

Students not eligible for program reinstatement may apply for program admission as a new student and must submit all admission criteria. If accepted as a new student, the student must take or retake all nursing program courses.

Criteria for Reinstatement

1. Students who experience non-progression through the nursing program and who desire reinstatement in the program must apply for reinstatement to the program. A student must request reinstatement within one year from the term of non-progression to be eligible for reinstatement. Students dismissed from the program for disciplinary reasons and/or unsafe client care in the clinical area will not be allowed reinstatement to the nursing program.
2. A student may be reinstated to the nursing program only one time. The reinstatement is not guaranteed. All nursing program admission standards must be met.
3. If a student has a documented extenuating/mitigating circumstance that should be considered related to a withdrawal or failure, then this student may request a hearing before the nursing faculty committee or other appropriate College committee for a decision on repeating a course or readmission to the program.
4. A student must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the current institution for reinstatement.
5. Student has had no more than one non-progression since program admission. Reinstatement to the program will only be allowed one time.
6. Demonstrate satisfactory nursing skills.
7. Meet acceptability criteria for placement at clinical agencies for clinical experiences.
8. Demonstrate ability to meet essential functions for nursing with or without reasonable accommodations.
9. Demonstrate current American Heart Association Basic Life Support Provider CPR certification. Online CPR certification is not acceptable.
10. Maintain program health requirements including health insurance.
11. Orientation is required for students seeking reinstatement who are not in continuous progression prior to registration for nursing courses.
12. Students whose unsuccessful attempt occurs in NUR 211 or 221 may apply for the LPN to RN Mobility option. These students must meet all the admission requirements for the LPN to RN Mobility option including a 2.5 GPA on the general education courses inherent to the nursing curriculum; 2.0 cumulative GPA at current, native institution; and a valid Alabama Practical Nursing License.

Process for Reinstatement

1. Students should contact the Division of Nursing to discuss eligibility for reinstatement.
2. Students must apply for reinstatement to the nursing program within one year from the term of non-progression by submitting the Nursing Program Reinstatement Application and updated admission criteria if applicable. The deadline for submitting the Nursing Program Reinstatement Application for the fall and summer semesters is February 1st, spring semester is September 15th.
3. Students must apply for readmission to the College, if not currently enrolled, and provide updated transcripts, if applicable.
4. Update applicable Nursing Program Requirements including health requirements, immunizations, CPR, and drug and background screening.

Transfer Policy

Transfer students are considered for admission into the nursing program on an individual basis by the Division of Nursing within one year from the last term of nursing course(s). If the student desires to transfer between Alabama Community College System institutions, the Alabama Community College System Standardized Nursing Curriculum courses will be transferred without review of the course syllabus. Nursing courses from any other institution will be reviewed for transferability by the Health Science Program Administrator.

Individuals wishing to transfer must:

1. Possess a grade of “C” or better in all nursing program required courses taken at another institution and possess a minimum of 2.0 cumulative GPA at time of transfer.
2. Be a student in good standing and eligible to return to the previous nursing program. The dean/director of the previous nursing program must provide a letter of eligibility for progression in the previous nursing program.
3. Comply with all program policy requirements at accepting institution.
4. Complete at least 25% of the nursing program required courses for the degree/certificate at Central Alabama Community College.
5. Meet acceptability criteria for placement at clinical agencies for clinical experience.
6. The last nursing courses in which the student was enrolled cannot be more than twelve (12) months old.

Acceptance of transfer students into the nursing program is limited by the number of faculty and clinical facilities available. Meeting minimal requirements does not guarantee acceptance.

No new class or clinical sections will ordinarily be opened for transfer students. First priority for available places goes to students in regular progression in the College’s nursing program.

Students completing NUR 112, 113, 114, and 115 at an institution that only offers the PN program who wish to transfer to another institution to complete the Associate in Applied Science Degree must meet the requirement for 25% course completion at the college awarding the degree. Students who cannot meet the 25% course requirement must apply to the LPN to RN Mobility option and take the transition course to meet the 25% course requirement.

Graduates of Central Alabama earn credits, which are transferrable to four-year colleges and universities. The nursing program provides a foundation for further study in nursing. Four-year colleges and universities determine which credits will be transferred from two-year programs. Academic Advisors are available to assist students who plan to continue their education after graduation. Students should also consult their chosen four-year college or university about specific four-year degree requirements and transfer of credits.

Transient Student Policy

The transient policy applies only to nursing students within the ACCS institutions. It does not apply to students wishing to transfer from other institutions. In addition to any applicable College policies regarding transient students, a nursing student desiring to be transient student must:

1. Meet minimum admission standards for the nursing program.
2. Possess a grade of “C” or better in all nursing program required courses taken at another institution and possess a minimum of 2.0 cumulative GPA.
3. Provide a letter of eligibility from the dean/director of the previous nursing program for progression in the previous nursing program.
4. Secure permission from the primary institution by submitting a Transient Student Form completed by an official of the primary institution.
5. Complete a Transcript Request Form at the end of the term before a transcript will be issued to the primary institution.
6. Comply with all nursing program policy requirements at the accepting institution.
7. Meet acceptability criteria for placement at clinical agencies for clinical experience.

Acceptance of transient students into the nursing program is limited by the number of faculty and clinical sites available. Meeting minimal standards does not guarantee acceptance.

Program Completion

Students completing NUR 112, 113, 114, and 115 and the required academic courses for the first three semesters will be awarded the Practical Nursing certificate. Students who have completed all the required academic courses and continue in the program through completion of NUR 211 and NUR 221 will be awarded an Associate Degree in Applied Science. Students are responsible for meeting all the progression and graduation requirements.

Graduate Competencies

Evaluation

Within any given course, the grading policy shall be determined by the instructor(s). The grading policy shall be presented at the beginning of the term and will govern the evaluation process.

A student’s progress through the nursing curriculum is evaluated utilizing a variety of methods of evaluation including, but not limited to, examinations, clinical performance evaluations, assignments, and standardized assessments/achievement examinations.

Clinical evaluations will be determined on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory performance rating scale. Clinical evaluations are based upon the student’s performance of nursing care and correlated nursing written assignments. An unsatisfactory clinical evaluation will result in a grade of “F” for the nursing course regardless of the theory grade for the course.

Any student involved in an incident such as, but not limited to, unsatisfactory clinical performance will receive the grade of “F” in the course where the incident occurred. The “F” will be assigned in the instructor’s grade book on the day the incident occurred, but will not be posted until the end of the semester to the student’s transcript. The student will not be allowed to withdraw any time after the incident even if the incident occurs prior to the College’s published withdrawal date. This policy supersedes the College’s withdrawal policy if such an incident occurs. A student assigned a failing grade by an instructor in the aforementioned circumstances may appeal the instructor’s decision by following the Complaint and Grievance Procedures outlined in the College Catalog & Student Handbook.

The following grading scale is used for the theory portion of nursing courses taught at Central Alabama Community College:

A grade of “C” is required in every course within the nursing curriculum in order to progress through the nursing program. In order to pass a nursing course, the student must achieve a grade of “C” or better in theory and must have a satisfactory clinical evaluation. There will be no rounding of test scores or final course grades in the nursing program.

Clinical Requirements

Students must abide by the policies and procedures of the agencies that Central Alabama Community College is affiliated with for the provision of clinical experiences in order to meet the student learning outcomes. Students will be required to undergo drug and alcohol testing prior to clinical and for “cause.” Students will be responsible for the cost of such testing. Students will be required to undergo a criminal background check prior to clinicals. As with the drug and alcohol testing, the student will be responsible for the cost of the criminal background check. Any student denied clinical access by a clinical affiliate will be subject to dismissal from the program. Failure to meet course outcomes results in a grade of “F” for the course.

Students provide their own transportation to the assigned clinical agencies. A student who rides with another to the assigned clinical agencies is to provide his/her own liability insurance.

Clinicals may be held during the day, evening, night and/or weekend.

Prior to participation in clinical learning experiences within the affiliated agencies, the student must present verification of satisfactory mental and physical health, liability and health insurance, and American Heart Association Basic Life Support Provider CPR certification at the health care provider level in addition to the aforementioned requirements. No student will be allowed to participate in clinical learning experiences until the requirements have been fulfilled.

All laboratory activities are considered clinical experiences. Students will abide by all requirements as stated above and outlined in the Nursing Student Handbook regardless of healthcare setting, skills laboratory, or simulation experience.

Students have a responsibility to provide care to all the patients assigned to them, including AIDS patients. Refusal to care for any patient will subject the student to dismissal from the program. However, neither Central Alabama Community College nor any member of the Division of Nursing is responsible for any infectious disease or teratogenic effects that a student may contract.

Auditing of Courses

Nursing courses are not open for students to audit.

Nursing Program Options

The Nursing Program supports the mission of the College. The Division of Nursing offers two points of exit within the nursing program.

After successful completion of the third semester of the nursing curriculum, the student is awarded a certificate in practical nursing. Graduates of the practical nursing option may be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses. After successful completion of the practical nursing option and the licensure examination, the graduate is prepared for entry-level employment. The PN option is approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing.

Licensed practical nurses provide basic nursing care. Licensed practical nurses work in a variety of health care settings including, but not limited to, long-term care facilities, physician’s offices, correctional facilities, and schools. The median annual wage for licensed practical nurses was $44,090 in May 2016 as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The employment of licensed practical nurses is projected to grow 12% from 2016-2026 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

After successful completion of five semesters of the nursing curriculum, the graduate is awarded an Associate in Applied Science-Associate Degree Nursing. Graduates of the associate degree program may be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. After successful completion of the associate degree nursing program and the licensure examination, the graduate is prepared for entry-level employment.