EPCC Nursing New Student Orientation Gail Meagher MSN, RN Dean of Nursing Pauline Ballesteros MSN, RNC ADN Coordinator Kimberly Golucke RN VN Coordinator

Welcome!!!!! Thank you for taking the time to review the EPCC Nursing and Vocational Nursing Programs. We appreciate you’re allowing us to show you that EPCC is “the best place to start.”

Introductions My name is Kimberly Golucke, and I am the Vocational Nursing Coordinator. My name is Pauline Ballesteros, and I am the Associate Degree Nursing Coordinator. Our job is to help you throughout your nursing education. We are also faculty members, and will be teaching you some classes.

Getting Started Once you have made the decision to start on your nursing education, there are three classes that you must complete before applying. These classes are: Biol 2401 and 2402 (Anatomy and Physiology I and II), Math 1314 (Precalculus I College Algebra and Geometry)  OR Math 1324 (Introductory Mathematics for Business and  Social Science). ADN students also need Biol 2420 (Microorganisms and Disease).

Getting Started cont. See the nursing counselors to find out what other classes are required on your degree plan.

Getting Started cont. If you have questions about which classes to take on the ADN degree plan, contact Maria Guerrero or Veronica Cena , the Nursing Counselors, at 831- 4022 or 831- 4123.

Getting Started cont’d If you have questions regarding the VN degree plan, please call the vocational nursing counselor, Pat Duran at 831-7092.

Getting Started cont. You will need the following programs specific criteria: a current CPR card (it must be the eight hour class with AED) evidence of having taken a First Aid class within the year (it must be the eight hour class) a report of a negative annual PPD skin test or chest x-ray evidence you have seen this orientation

Getting Started cont. a current physical assessment performed by an American licensed physician / nurse practitioner / physician’s assistant physical technical standard form completed evidence of current immunizations (MMR, Td, Varicella, or a note from a physician that you had chicken pox or a positive titer, Hb, or other DSHS required)

Getting Started cont. You must have documentation that you have completed the entire 3 vaccinations for Hepatitis B. If you want to start the series, you must have completed it before you start clinical. Remember that it takes AT LEAST 16 weeks to complete this.

Getting Started cont. Paperwork to provide to the physician’s office for the physical may be obtained from Pat Marioni, the Lab Supervisor at RG. Her phone number is 831-4010. Her office is H109 in the new Health Science building at RG. You can also get paperwork from Henry Dominguez, the Lab Assistant at MDP. His number is 831-7133. His office is D109 at Mission del Paso.

Getting Started cont. You may schedule a physical assessment at the Border Health Clinic at the Rio Grande campus (or any clinic of your choosing). The phone number is 831-4017.

Getting Started cont. You will need to take the admission exam called the Accuplacer. Contact a nursing counselor to find out the programs’ current grading requirements.

Nursing Policies Before accepting your slot, all of the college policies need to be considered. For a complete listing of the college’s policies, see the EPCC homepage, and click on the link for Administration. You will also have access to the Nursing Student Handbook on the nursing web page. In it, specific nursing policies are outlined. READ it CAREFULLY before accepting your slot.

Acceptance Once you have applied for a nursing program, your application will be “ranked” against other students who have applied. You will be notified via US mail when you have been accepted into the program, and will need to accept the slot in writing. Call specialized admissions with questions.

Acceptance A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK and a DRUG SCREEN must be completed after acceptance into either program, which you must clear to stay in your program. Declaratory Orders will be discussed, per Texas Board of Nurse Examiner policy, after your acceptance into the program. For questions, call the program coordinator.

ADN Degree Plan You can expect in the first nursing semester: RNSG 1413 (Foundations for Nursing Practice) and 1260 (Clinical - Nursing - Training I) And RNSG 1208 (Dosage Calculations for Nursing)

ADN Degree Plan Prior to progressing to the second semester, the student must have completed: RNSG 1301 (Pharmacology) PSYC 1301 (Introduction to Psychology)

ADN Degree Plan Second semester: RNSG 1441 (Common Concepts of Adult Health) and RNSG 1261 (Clinical - Nursing - Training II) AND RNSG 2213 Mental Health Nursing and RNSG 2260 (Clinical - Nursing - Training V)

ADN Degree Plan Prior to progressing to the third semester, the student must have completed: PYSC 2314 (Human Growth and Development)

ADN Degree Plan Third semester: RNSG 2201 (Care of Children and Families) and RNSG 2262 (Clinical - Nursing - Training III) AND RNSG 2308 (Maternal/Newborn Nursing and Women’s Health) and 2263 (Clinical - Nursing - Training VI)

ADN Degree Plan And in the final semester: RNSG 1343 (Complex Concepts of Adult Health) and RNSG 1263 (Clinical – Nursing – Training IV) RNSG 2221 (Management of Client Care) and RNSG 2261 (Clinical – Nursing – Training VII) AND RNSG 2130 (Professional Nursing Review and Licensure Preparation)

Malpractice Insurance For each semester that you are registered in nursing clinical courses, you will automatically be charged for malpractice insurance. We require that all of our students have the insurance. We may also require evidence of health insurance.

VN Degree Plan You can expect in the first semester: NURA 1160 and 1301 (Nurse Aide in a Health Care Organization I) VNSG 1260 and 1423 (Basic Skills) And VNSG 1227 (Drug and Dosage)

VN Degree Plan Prior to advancing to the second semester, the student must complete: RNSG 1301 (Pharmacology) PYSC 1301 (Introduction to Psychology)

VN Degree Plan In the second semester: VNSG 1261 and 2413 (Applied Skills II) VNSG 1163 and 2214 (Applied Skills III) VNSG 1166 (Practicum (or Field Experience) – Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) Training)

VN Degree Plan Prior to progressing to the third semester, the student must complete: PYSC 2314 (Human Growth and Development)

VN Degree Plan And in the final semester: VNSG 1262 and 1234 (Pediatrics) VNSG 1263 and 1230 (Maternal/Neonatal Nursing) VNSG 1119 (Leadership and Professional Development)

Typical Costs Students will need to purchase: nursing student supply kits for Foundations, Dosage Calculations, Common and Complex Concepts, and Care of Children and Families, or NURA / Basic Skills, Drug and Dosage, and Applied Skills II and III. The kits are purchased at Allied Medical, and range in cost from approximately $50-$200.

Typical Costs cont. You will also need a stethoscope, penlight, and blood pressure cuff. These are available at any uniform store, and range in price from approximately $15 up to hundreds (you won’t need one that $$$!!) A watch with a second hand. At least one white uniform (it’s better if you can get two) with the EPCC school patch (available at the bookstore and some uniform stores) sewed to your left sleeve.

Typical Costs cont. A lab coat, with the EPCC school patch on the sleeve A name tag (available to order at any local uniform store) White shoes (leather athletic shoes are okay) Hose and underwear appropriate to wear under a white uniform.

Typical Costs cont. At least one professional outfit, including closed toe shoes, to wear to the hospital when you pick out patients the night before clinical. Books can be purchased at the school bookstore. Costs for the program depend on whether or not you buy all of the recommended texts, and if you buy new or used books. For approximate costs, see nursing counselors or program coordinators.

Typical Costs cont. During the last semester, you will need to apply for licensure with the state board of nursing, and to write the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN exam. Payments for this will be in the form of two money orders. Applications are done on-line.

Typical Costs cont. You will be required to have your finger prints taken to be submitted to the FBI for another criminal background screen before you can sit for the state licensure exam. This will be done at your own cost.

Graduation The day that you will be working for, is the day that you receive your Vocational Nurse Certificate or Associate Degree in Nursing.

??? Questions ??? If you are unclear about anything that you have read, please feel free to contact Pauline Ballesteros ADN Coordinator, at 831-4093, email address pballes1@epcc.edu or Kimberly Golucke, VN Coordinator, at 831-7081, email address kgolucke@epcc.edu.

Other Numbers Financial Aid 831-4195 Developmental Education (Tutoring) 831-4020 Student Services RG 831-4035 MDP 831-7017 Specialized Admissions 831-2588 Bookstore RG 831-4015 VV 831-2550 RAP 831-2601 PASS RG 831-2128 MDP 831-7129 Nursing Office 831-4220