Nursing, AAS: Advanced Placement Option for Licensed Practical Nurses

PURPOSE: The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS): Advanced Placement Option (APO) for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) is designed to prepare students with a current, unrestricted LPN license in the Commonwealth of Virginia to master entry level registered nurse knowledge while recognizing their education and skill level as a current LPN. Students will integrate the art of nursing skills with the science of health education to provide holistic client care.

Upon satisfactory completion of this program, the student will be eligible to take the National Council of State Boards of Nursing examination (NCLEX-RN), for licensure as a registered nurse (RN). Opportunities for the entry level RN include employment in a myriad of health care settings.

TRANSFER GUIDELINES: Transfer opportunities for associate of applied science degrees, if existing, are very specific in nature. Students enrolling in an applied science degree with plans to transfer should explore opportunities with an advisor.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: Acceptance into the AAS APO program is selective and competitive. Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance into the AAS program. Applicants not selected for the program must complete and resubmit a new application packet each year. Applicants for the AAS program are selected one time per academic year.

Students considering the AAS APO program are required to successfully complete the prerequisites earning a “C” or better in all required prerequisite coursework. Students may be enrolled in any or all prerequisite coursework during the semester in which applications are due. Students who qualify for admission will be accepted with the contingency that they complete the prerequisites by the end of the semester with a C or better, and have a minimum GPA as described below.

• Graduation from high school or satisfactory completion of the certificate of general education development (GED or equivalent); unofficial copy required.
• Application to Laurel Ridge Community College and the nursing program.
• Laurel Ridge Community College placement test (if required) and completion of any developmental work that may be identified by the placement test. Must show proficiency in MDE 10  or eligibility for MTH 154 .
• Curricular GPA of 2.5 or higher based on the specified prerequisite courses (ENG 111 , PSY 230 , SDV 101 , BIO 141 , BIO 142 )
• Meet certain computer competencies prior to entering the nursing program. Applicants are required to review and sign “Essential Computer Competency Checklist”. Students without the required skill set are encouraged to enroll in ITE 152 , CSC 110  or equivalent. 
• Completion of the required HESI LPN to RN exam with a score of 850 or higher on the Composite score. Weighting for admission will be considered for each of the required components, which includes Basic Care, Physiological Adaptation, Safety/Infection Control, Psychological Integrity, and the Composite score.
  • Two attempts on the HESI admission exam are permitted per application cycle.
  • HESI admission exams are good for two application cycles only.

Pre-Nursing students are strongly encouraged to attend a nursing information session. Dates, times, and locations are posted on the Laurel Ridge Community College Nursing website.

Upon acceptance to the AAS APO program the student will be given instructions with regards to the following:

• Submit a completed medical history and physical examination, including immunizations.
• Provide proof of Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers by the American Heart Association.
• Complete a criminal background check and drug screening required of each student. The cost of the background check and the drug screen are the responsibility of the student.
• Comply with all rules and guidelines of the Laurel Ridge Community College Student Handbook.
• Sign an agreement which releases all clinical agencies and their employees, Laurel Ridge Community College, The Virginia Community College System and the Commonwealth of Virginia from any liability for any injury or death to the student or damage to his/her property arising out of agreement of use of facilities associated with the nursing program.
• Nursing students enrolled in NSG courses are required to purchase health insurance from an independent provider.
• Failure to meet the above requirements will be cause for administrative withdrawal of the student form the nursing program.

Successful completion of the required 67 credits with a minimum grade of “C” in all general education and nursing courses is required for the AAS.

APPROVAL: The Laurel Ridge Community College AAS APO is approved by the State Board for Community Colleges, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and the Virginia Board of Nursing, Southern Association of College and Schools (SACSCOC) and State Council for Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).

ACCREDITATION: The Nursing Program is accredited by:

and approved by:

NOTE: General education courses may be taken at any time prior to admission in the AAS program; however, general education courses must be completed no later than the semester in which they are outlined in the curriculum below.