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Nursing

Program Description

Nursing is a career that combines both art and science. Nurses directly care for patients and their families in a variety of settings. While nursing is a highly-sought after career by many, those that are most likely to be successful choose nursing because they care about and want to help others.

Nurses must possess a wide variety of knowledge, skills, and abilities. They must be knowledgeable about disease processes that impact patients across the entire lifespan. They have to perform technical skills such as intravenous catheter insertion. They also need to be able to empathize with patients and families to understand what they are going through. Nurses will see life begin with the birth of a baby and will be with patients as they take their last breath.

While nurses commonly work in the hospital or acute care setting, there are many other settings nurses can work in such as long term care facilities, schools, clinics or doctor’s offices, correctional institutions, mental health care facilities, and drug and alcohol abuse treatment centers. No matter where a nurse works, the goal is to provide safe quality care in a manner that demonstrates respect for persons and their individual needs.

The VGCC Nursing programs prepare students for a career in nursing by providing instruction in the classroom, SimLab, and clinical settings. Students practice skills that will be used in clinical in the SimLab first using manikins and other equipment. Students also participate in clinical simulation in the SimLab in which scenarios that the student may encounter as a nurse are created using high-fidelity manikins and equipment. Each semester, students are assigned a clinical rotation in which they provide care to patients and their families in different settings under the guidance of an RN clinical instructor or preceptor. Students participate in clinical in all of the following areas: medical-surgical; mother-baby; pediatrics; mental health; and community health. Our clinical sites include local agencies such as Maria Parham Health, Granville Health Systems, and the Granville-Vance Health Department, as well as large teaching hospitals such as Duke University Health System and UNC Hospitals.

Virtual Tour of our lab on Main Campus.

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Contact
KELLY
ELLER
Director, Nursing
MAIN CAMPUS - Henderson
Room:
5242
(252) 738-3241
KIMBERLY
ROBERTSON
Academic Advisor
SOUTH CAMPUS - Creedmoor
Room:
G1103-B
(252) 738-3526
Degree
Diploma
Certificate
Workforce Training

Program Details

In order to work as a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in North Carolina, students must complete a nursing educational program and then apply for licensure with the North Carolina Board of Nursing. A component of obtaining a license as an RN or LPN is passing the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX). Graduates of an RN program take the NCLEX-RN and graduates of a PN program take the NCLEX-PN. In addition, graduates must have a background check conducted prior to the North Carolina Board of Nursing issuing a license as an RN or LPN.

Application Deadlines

Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program (TEAS ≥ 58%)

Begins Fall 2025
Application Dates: November 1st, 2024 – March 31st, 2025
Acceptance/Alternate/Denial Letters: April 2025

Practical Nursing (PN) Program (TEAS ≥ 58%)

Begins Spring 2026
Application Dates: May 1st, 2025 – September 30th, 2025
Acceptance/Alternate/Denial Letters: October 2025

LPN to ADN Program (RN Fundamental ≥ Level 1)

Begins Spring 2026
Application Dates: May 1st, 2025 – September 30th, 2025
Acceptance/Alternate/Denial Letters: October 2025
Additional Requirement: RN Fundamentals score must be Level 1 or higher

The School of Health Sciences (SHS) strives to provide admission processes that are fair and equitable for all students who have the desire to become healthcare professionals. Additionally, we have an obligation to set our students up for programmatic success and board passage.

The SHS admission processes for the nursing programs will select students based on the completion of the listed minimum requirements and on a first completion basis. If one of the nursing programs is your desired program of study it is important that you begin the process now.

We recognize that no one process is perfect; however, we will continue to monitor our processes to improve and to ensure equitable opportunities for all applicants. Please read the admission requirements very carefully and follow the instructions as directed.

Application Instructions – Overview

Vance-Granville Community College offers three distinct nursing programs: the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program, the Practical Nursing (PN) Program, and the LPN to ADN Program. The following outlines the application requirements and process for each of these programs.

Minimum Application Requirements

  1. GPA Requirement
    • All applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale.
  2. TEAS Score Requirement
    • Applicants must achieve a TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) score of 58% or higher.
  3. Point System
    • Admission to the Nursing Programs is competitive and based on a points system. Points are awarded based on a variety of factors, including certificates, degrees, course completion grades, and other academic achievements. For detailed information on how points are awarded, please refer to the Nursing Minimum Admission Review (PDF, 173 KB), also available through the Academic Advisor.
    • In the event of a tie in points, the applicant with the highest GPA will be given preference.
  4. Course Expiration Policy
    • Please note that all Biology (BIO) courses must have been completed within the last 10 years to be eligible for points in the admissions process.

LPN to ADN Additional Requirement: RN Fundamentals score must be Level 1 or higher

Steps to Apply

  1. Apply to VGCC
    • If you are not already a student, you must first apply to Vance-Granville Community College. This can be done through the VGCC Admissions Office or apply to VGCC online via CFNC.
  2. Meet with an Academic Advisor
    • Schedule and attend a meeting with an academic advisor. The advisor will assist you in planning your course of study and ensuring you meet all prerequisite requirements for the nursing program to which you are applying.
  3. Attend a Mandatory Nursing Information Session
    • It is mandatory to attend a Nursing Information Session. These sessions provide critical information about the nursing programs, the application process, and what to expect if accepted.
  4. Complete the Nursing Program Application
    • Submit a completed application for the specific nursing program you are interested in. The application form can be obtained from the Nursing Department or downloaded from the VGCC website during the application period.
  5. Submit All Required Documentation
    • Ensure that all necessary documents (e.g., transcripts, TEAS scores, proof of GPA) are submitted by the specified application deadlines.

Important Notes

Application Submission: All application materials must be submitted by the specified deadlines. Late applications or incomplete submissions will not be considered.

Communication: Keep an eye on your email and postal mail for communication from VGCC regarding your application status.

For further assistance or more detailed information, please contact the VGCC Nursing Department or your Academic Advisor. Good luck with your application!

Relevant Documents

Note: Health Insurance is required for all students enrolled in the Nursing Programs.  It is recommended that students obtain Health Insurance prior to being accepted into the program as the Open Enrollment Dates do not correlate with our admission dates.  Students without health insurance at the start of the program will be unable to remain enrolled in the program.  For information on obtaining health insurance, please see the Resources tab.

All students enrolled in the Nursing programs must have health insurance by the start of the semester. It is recommended that students obtain health insurance prior to being accepted into the program as Open Enrollment dates do not correlate with admission dates. Failure to have health insurance by the start of the program will require the student to be unenrolled from the program.

Links for Health Insurance Information:

All students enrolled in the Nursing Programs must view this MRI Safety Video and complete the MRI Screening Form annually.

An estimation of the fees associated with the Nursing Programs and other important information can be found in the Nursing Programs Student Handbook.

VGCC NA II Application for Listing

Students in the Associate Degree Nursing program are encouraged to join the VGCC Student Nurses’ Association (SNA) by signing up for membership in the National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA)

Students may be a part of the American Nurses Association and the North Carolina Nurses Association

RN to BSN Affiliated Program Information

  1. Practice professional nursing behaviors incorporating personal responsibility and accountability for continued competence.
  2. Communicate professionally and effectively with individuals, significant support person(s), and members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team.
  3. Integrate knowledge of the holistic needs of the individual to provide an individual centered assessment.
  4. Incorporate informatics to formulate evidence-based clinical judgments and management decisions.
  5. Implement caring interventions incorporating documented best practices for individuals in diverse settings.
  6. Develop a teaching plan for individuals, and/or the nursing team, incorporating teaching and learning principles.
  7. Collaborate with the interdisciplinary healthcare team to advocate for positive individual and organizational outcomes.
  8. Manage health care of the individual using cost effective nursing strategies, quality improvement processes, and current technologies.

Started in 1983, the Associate Degree Nursing Program has graduated many successful RN’s who provide safe, quality, and professional care to our community’s residents. The program provides strong clinical experiences as well as challenging didactic class work.

Courses are taught by a team of instructors using a variety of teaching strategies in order to meet the learning needs of all our students.  The program utilizes a concept-based curriculum with each semester building on the previous.  Clinical experience takes place at local as well as large healthcare facilities and includes rotations in long term care, med-surg, pediatrics, maternal-newborn, mental health, and leadership.  During the final semester, students participate in a preceptorship rotation in which they work one-on-one with an assigned nurse preceptor. Upon graduation from the program, students are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN.

Our NCLEX-RN pass rates are as follows: 2020: 77%; 2021: 77%; 2022: 69%; 2023 cohort: year to date 85% with total first-time test taker average 83%. The current three-year average through 2022: 74% with the 3- year NC Benchmark at: 79%. Further information about NCLEX pass rates can be found at News Publications – Statistics (ncbon.com)

Community and Student update related to Vance-Granville Community College’s Associate Degree and Practical Nursing Programs NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses and Practical Nurses) Scores for 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022: The Vance-Granville Community College Nursing Programs strive for excellence in the education of our nursing students. The NCLEX pass rates for the Associate Degree and Practical Nursing Programs are listed below and noted on the VGCC website. The three-year average for 1st time pass rate for NCLEX-RN is 74% with the NC Benchmark being 79%. The three-year average for 1st time pass rate for NCLEX-PN is 78% with the NC Benchmark being 79%. The nursing programs are working in collaboration with the NC Board of Nursing on opportunities for improvement for the nursing programs as well as how best to support our nursing students. The Associate Degree Nursing Program is on 2nd year warning status and the Practical Nursing Program is on 1st year warning status in accordance with 21 NCAC 36.0320 and 21 NCAC 36.0303 laws related to 1st time pass rates for the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN. Vance Granville Community College has not received notification that the nursing programs are in danger of closure or any other actions that would affect students related to NCLEX scores at this time. Periodically we receive questions related to national accreditation. The VGCC nursing programs have not applied for national accreditation at any point in the past with a national nursing accrediting agency. However, this is a plan for our nursing programs in the future. Students should note that Federal Health Care Agencies may require graduation from a nursing program with national accreditation. We look forward to working with you in the future!

We truly believe in professional development and life-long learning for our students.  Students are encouraged to join the VGCC Student Nurses’ Association (in association with the National Student Nurses’ Association and the North Carolina Association of Nursing Students).  There are also opportunities for students to join professional nursing organizations at the student level.  VGCC has partnered with NC A&T State University and Chamberlain College to facilitate our graduates obtainment of a BSN degree.  Please see additional information under Resources.