Associate Degree Nursing (to become an RN)

Program Mission Statement

The Associate Degree Nursing Program prepares graduates to write the National Council Licensure Examination to become registered nurses. The program curriculum combines general education and nursing education and is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and is approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing. Consistent with the Mission of Bluegrass Community & Technical College program faculty support lifelong learning and workforce development through faculty efforts in continuing education and community service.

Bluegrass ADN program has two campuses that prepare students to become registered nurses. The Cooper campus offers classes during the day, and our Lawrenceburg campus offers classes in the evening and weekend.

Career Path

Graduates of the Associate Degree Nursing program are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Admission Requirements

Initial Admission:

• Attend a pre-admission nursing conference.
• Submit completed application packet to the Office of Admission no later than February 15th.
• Submit a completed application for admission to BCTC if you are not a current student.
• High school transcript indicating that the applicant has or will complete a high school course of study or a passing GED official score report.
• Official transcripts for ALL colleges, universities, and/or vocational schools attended since high school.
• NLN PAX-RN Exam, must be current within 3 years.

You may be admitted to the program before completing the pre-requisite classes, but the courses must be successfully completed before enrolling in the Nursing 101 course.

Students applying for admission to the Associate Degree Nusing program are admitted through a selective admissions process. 

The application process is competitive and based upon NLN PAX-RN Examination and GPA. Contact the Assessment Center at (859) 246-6669 for information and to schedule these exams.

Admission is open to all qualified students regardless of economic or social status, and without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, marital status, beliefs, age, national origin, or handicap.

Pre-requisites

The following must be completed before entering the first nursing course, but these courses are not required to be completed before applying:

• Applied Math (MAT 110, formerly MA 151) or College Algebra (MAT 150, formerly MA 109)  or MA 111 or higher with a grade of "C" or better.
• General Psychology (PSY 110)
• Anatomy & Physiology I (BIO 137, formerly BSL 110) with a grade of "C" or better
• Prior to enrolling in Nursing 101, students must provide documentation of required immunizations, CPR certification and successful completion of a MNA/NAA 100 or a minimum of 75 hour nursing assistant course or its equivalent and documentation of computer literacy as defined by KCTCS.

Advanced Standing Admission:

    Students who qualify as Advanced Standing:

• Have taken nursing courses at an accredited college.
• Have taken nursing courses at BCTC.
• Successfully graduated from PN program.

Criteria for Advanced Standing Admission

• Attend a pre-admission nursing conference.  
• Submit a completed application for admission to BCTC if you are not a current student.
• High school transcript indicating that the applicant has or will complete a high school course of study or a passing GED official score report.
• Official transcripts for ALL colleges, universities, and/or vocational schools attended since high school.
• NLN PAX-RN Exam, must be current within 3 years.
• Submit two letters of recommendation from previous clinical nursing for (readmit or transfer students only).

All "advanced standing" application packets must be received in the Office of Admissions two months prior to the start of classes in order to be considered for advanced standing admission to the nursing program. If you have any questions about this process, please contact the Office of Admissions at (859) 246-6210 or via e-mail: Nathan Congleton (nathan.congleton@kctcs.edu).

Deadline for Advanced Standing Applicants:

• Spring 2014 - Friday, November 8, 2013
• Summer 2014 - Friday, April 14, 2014
• Fall 2014 - Friday, June 13, 2014

ADN Pre-nursing Conference

Conferences will begin promptly at 1:00 p.m. Any student arriving late for the Pre-Admission Conference will not be admitted and should plan to attend on a different date.

• Friday, September 13, 2013
  1:00 - 3:00 p.m., Cooper Campus (Oswald Building, 230)
• Friday, October 4, 2013
  Leestown Campus (Student Center C-Building)
  • Note: This conference is a special session for advanced standing applicants only. Any potential advanced standing applicants are encouraged to attend this session.
• Friday, October 11, 2013
  1:00 - 3:00 p.m., Lawrenceburg Campus
• Friday, November 8, 2013
  1:00 - 3:00 p.m., Cooper Campus (Oswald Building, 230)
• Friday, December 6, 2013
  1:00 - 3:00 p.m., Lawrenceburg Campus
• Friday, January 17, 2014
  1:00 - 3:00 p.m., Cooper Campus (Oswald Building, 230)

Any student seeking admission to the AD nursing program must attend one session. Conference pre-registration is NOT necessary!

Free parking for the Cooper Campus conferences is available in the 'C' lot between the Oswald Building and the Commonwealth Stadium during the time of the Friday afternoon conferences only.

Program Length

The length of the Associate Degree Nursing program, including general education courses is five semesters. Please refer to the ADN Program Curriculum for information regarding nursing course sequencing. Nursing courses are only offered in the semesters indicated.

Credentials Offered

Graduates of the Associate Degree Nursing program are awarded an Associate of Applied Science Degree and are eligible by coursework to take the NCLEX-RN. Successful completion of the NCLEX-RN and licensure by a state Board of Nursing permits the graduate to seek employment as a Registered Nurse.