Transition to Associate Degree Nursing ATA: Associate in Technical Arts

Admission to the Transition to Associate Degree Nursing Program

Application to the Transition to Associate Degree Nursing Program requires a separate application in addition to the application to Olympic College. Admission to Olympic College does not guarantee admission to the TADN Nursing Program. Admission to the Program is based on a factoring system. Students are admitted to the Program for entrance in Spring Quarter to the Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN) program. Students admitted to the program will take a LPN-RN Transitions course prior to Spring Quarter. Students will be admitted on a space available basis.

To be considered for admission to the TADN Program, all of the following must be submitted to the Office of Admissions:

1. Proof of an unencumbered license as a Practical Nurse (LPN) in the State of Washington;
2. Washington Community College Application Form;
3. Official transcripts from all educational institutions attended beyond high school (this includes all colleges, universities, vocational-technical schools, and hospital nursing schools);
4. Olympic College Transition to Associate Degree Nursing Program application, submitted when currently enrolled in the final prerequisite course(s);
5. Achievement on the Accuplacer Reading Comprehension Test of a 96 (Classic Version) or 276 (Next Generation Version) or above;
6. Completion of the following prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of 2.0 in each course: CHEM& 121; BIOL &241, &242, and &260; ENGL& 101; and PSYC& 100 or PSYC 102.

It is the student’s responsibility to request all transcript(s). Transcripts and/or credentials must be official and must be sent DIRECTLY to the Office of Admissions by the issuing institution(s).

To be considered for Spring Quarter admission, all documentation must be received in Admissions by August 31st.

Students who have been offered acceptance into the TADN Nursing Program will be required to attend an orientation session prior to the beginning of Spring Quarter.

Proof of the following is required after provisional acceptance into the Transition to Associate Degree Nursing/ADN Program:

• Current immunizations
• Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers Certification
• Non-refundable liability insurance
• Personal health insurance
• Criminal History Information Background Inquiry Check

A student who cannot participate in patient care delivery in clinical settings based on a positive Background Inquiry Check will not meet program progression requirements.

Reentering Olympic College Transition to Associate Degree Nursing Students
Reentering Olympic College Transition to Associate Degree Nursing students must complete an application for reentry by the specified date, and must have credential requirements to be eligible to reenter the program.
 

The Olympic College Nursing Program is accredited by:

The two-year ATA in Nursing curriculum is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission, and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) formerly National League Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and/or ACEN
3343 Peachtree Road NE
Suite 850
Atlanta, GA 30326
P: (404) 975-5000
www.acenursing.org

Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission
P.O. Box 47864
Olympia, WA 98504-7877
360-236-4700
Fax number: 360-236-4738
Email address: nursing@doh.wa.gov
www.doh.wa.gov
 

Program

Olympic College offers a four-quarters plus 1 course curriculum designed to prepare qualified men and women to become Registered Nurses. The curriculum is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission (www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/Professions/Nursing), and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (www.acenursing.org). The Program includes a balance of general education courses, nursing theory, and nursing practice. Following acceptance, most students will complete the program in four academic quarters. A minimum 2.2 (80%) grade point must be earned in each TADN course. Graduates are prepared for employment as Registered Nurses in home health care, hospitals, long-term care, and community-based care agencies. The graduate of the TADN/ADN Program will receive the Associate in Technical Arts Degree which qualifies the candidate (for eligibility) to take the NCLEX examination for licensure as a Registered Nurse. The license permits the nurse to use the legal title of Registered Nurse in the State of Washington.

Additional costs:

1. Uniforms, including regulation shoes, laboratory coat, name pin, Olympic College patch for uniform and laboratory coat, and Nursing Skills laboratory packets;
2. Wristwatch with sweep second hand and stethoscope;
3. Nursing student liability insurance;
4. Malpractice insurance;
5. Personal health insurance;
6. Student Nurse Association dues (optional);
7. State license application fee;
8. NCLEX-RN fee;
9. Transportation to and from clinical facilities;
10. Nurse Legislative Day;
11. Criminal background check and immunization tracker.

The Olympic College Nursing Program values a foundation of information technology upon entry into the Transition to Associate Degree Nursing program.  This foundation of information technology includes word processing, accessing information and communicating through email and on-line teaching and learning tools, such as textbook resources or CANVAS©.  Performance of searches using Internet and intranet resources (electronic course reserves and library searches) is expected of students in the TADN program.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Professional Values/Lifelong Learning/Global Perspectives (Member of the Profession)
   Definition: Professional values are demonstrated by providing direct care for clients across the life span, collaborating with nursing colleagues and other caregivers, and accepting accountability and responsibility for one’s practice within a legal and ethical framework. Lifelong learning is a commitment to developing an awareness of one’s current knowledge and formulating a plan to increase knowledge to positively impact client care. Global perspectives is recognizing diversity of ideas, points-of- view, opinions and backgrounds and demonstrating the ability to develop a mutually respectful working environment that will benefit client care.
2. Communication (Member of Profession, Manager of Care, Provider of Care)
   Definition: Communication is an interactive sharing of information (verbal, nonverbal & written) that can be demonstrated by continuity of quality care for the client and their family. Effective communication is an ongoing and dynamic process that includes the use of therapeutic skills and health education strategies in the promotion, maintenance and/or restoration of health that has clarity, purpose and sensitivity.
3. Clinical Reasoning (Provider of Care, Manager of Care)
   Definition: Clinical reasoning uses the skills of clinical judgment and decision making, which requires solid theoretical knowledge and the ability to notice clinical signs, interpret observations, respond appropriately, and reflect on actions taken. It is the process used to assimilate information, analyze data, and make decisions regarding client care. (Noticing, Interpreting, Responding, Reflecting)
4. Nursing Informatics/Information Literacy (Provider of Care)
   Definition: Nursing informatics integrates nursing science, computer science, and information science to manage and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom into nursing practice. (ANA, 2009)