Reading Area Community College ADN-RN Nursing Program Prerequisites & Reviews

Nursing Program

The Associate Degree Nursing Training Program grooms pupils for roles as entry-level nurses in acute and long-term care amenities.

Upon successful completion of the training program, pupils will earn an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. The graduate is qualified to apply and sit for the state licensure exam candidacy (NCLEX) to become a Registered Nurse (RN). Nursing PUPILSs attend classes on the College main campus.

About The School

Reading Area Community College is a public community college situated in Reading, Pennsylvania, United States of America. The college was established in the year 1971 and serves the greater Reading area and also Berks region, Pennsylvania, USA.

Total estimated program cost is USD $16,576

Following are the minimum requirements for ADN-RN Nursing Program. Minimum admission standards include:

1. Have completed work equal to a standard high school course with a minimum of 16 units, including four units of English, three units of Social Studies, two units of Mathematics (1 of which is Algebra), and two units of Science with a related laboratory or its equivalent. Applicants whose high school academics were completed outside of the United States will have to apply for a Certificate of Preliminary Education through the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
2. Have completed with grades of “C” or higher, one course in algebra, laboratory biology, laboratory chemistry, and one advanced laboratory biology course. The course must be one Carnegie unit in length, or its equivalent.

If a student does not have or does not test at the appropriate level for:

• Algebra – take MAT 030 – Algebra I. (See #4)
• Chemistry – take CHE 120 – Principles of Chemistry
• Biology – take BIO 150 – Biology I
• Advanced Biology – take BIO 150 – Biology I (this course meets the requirements for both the biology and the advanced biology requirement)
• Biology and Advanced Biology – take BIO 150 – Biology I as the HS biology and BIO 250 – Anatomy & Physiology I as the HS advanced biology.

3. If enrolled in grade 12, applicants must submit a list of their courses for their senior year. Upon graduation, a final transcript must be submitted.
4. Take college placement test. If the student does not place at the Algebra II level, then he or she must take the recommended math course through and including Algebra I prior to admission to the Nursing Program clinical course. Example: If the math placement score indicates placement into Basics of College Mathematics, then the student must take Basics of College Mathematics or Math Fundamentals, and Algebra I prior to admission. Students must place at the English Composition level on the reading/writing portion of the placement test or take appropriate courses.
5. Upon application to the College:
6. Sign an affidavit stating that the student has not been convicted of a felonious act. The Professional Nursing Law (Act 69, PL 409, No. 10 and PL 233, No. 64) provides that as of January 1, 1986: The Board of Nursing shall not issue a license or certificate to an applicant who has been convicted* of a felonious act prohibited by Act of April 14, 1972 (PL 233, No. 64), known as “The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act,” or convicted of a felony relating to a controlled substance in a court of law of the United States or any other state, territory or country unless:
   • At least 10 years have elapsed from the date of conviction;
   • The applicant satisfactorily demonstrates to the State Board of Nursing that they have made significant progress in personal rehabilitation since the conviction such that licensure of the applicant should not be expected to create a substantial risk of harm to the health and safety of patients or the public or a substantial risk of further criminal violations; and
   • The applicant otherwise satisfies the qualifications contained in or authorized by this act.

* The term convicted shall include a judgment, an admission of guilt or a plea of nolo contendere.

6. A second affidavit must be signed and submitted upon application concerning the Older Adult Protective Services Act and the Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance. This law has no time limit on the list of offenses.
7. Once the prerequisites have been successfully completed, with a “C” grade or better, a clinical petition form must be completed and submitted to the Welcome & Information Center in Berks Hall, Room 001, by the December deadline.

*If BIO 250 – Anatomy & Physiology I was not needed to satisfy the high school prerequisites, please understand it will still be required as a prerequisite for NUR 100 – Nursing I.

8. A point system will be used for selecting students for admission to the nursing program.

• More points will be given incrementally for higher GPA’s. A minimum of a 2.5 GPA must be maintained for consideration for admission.
• More points will be given incrementally for higher grades obtained in the Anatomy and Physiology courses.
• Points will be given for required general education courses completed with a “C” grade or better.

9. Invitations will be sent to the most qualified students to attend an orientation session. This will include the current numbers to fill the class as “provisional accepts” plus a few students selected as alternates.

• A response to the invitation is required.
• Attendance at the all day orientation session on the scheduled date for the full time period is required.
• Failure to meet the above requirements will result in an automatic disqualification for admission.

Students who do not qualify will also be notified that they may re-submit an eligibility form for the following academic year if they choose to.

10. The orientation session will include information about specific documentation that must be returned by the scheduled date to Health Profession Division Office Penn Hall, 420. Failure to return the documentation by the designated date will result in disqualification for admission. The following documentation will be required (but not necessarily limited to):

• Evidence of good health. A physical form will be provided. All applicants will be expected to demonstrate “Essential Abilities/Qualities of a Professional Nursing Student” (see website for details).
• Evidence of a negative drug panel. Form will be provided.
• Evidence of specific immunizations or antibody titers. Form will be provided.
• Evidence of current CPR Certification for the Healthcare Provider by the American Heart Association or Professional Rescuer by the American Red Cross.
• Evidence of current health insurance.
• Criminal Records Clearance and Child Abuse History clearance. Applicants from out-of-state are required to submit an FBI Criminal Background Check. An applicant convicted of any of the “prohibitive offenses” contained in the Older Adult Protective Services Act or an applicant convicted of any type of child abuse will be disqualified from admission to the Nursing Program or continuing in the program regardless of the amount of time that has elapsed from the date of conviction.

11. Once all documentation has been confirmed, letters will be sent out with “full accept” status and appointments to register for NUR 100, Nursing I. A response will be required in order to confirm your status. Lack of a response will result in an automatic disqualification for admission.
12. Students who apply or are on the alternate list are not carried over from year-to-year. Any student including alternates who are not awarded a seat two weeks prior to the start of the semester may re-apply again for a future entrance year.  Students are required to meet any new admission criteria as published for that future entrance year.

CONTACT:

Reading Area Community College

Address: 10 S 2nd St, Reading, PA 19602

Phone: 610-372-4721

Website: https://www.racc.edu/