Prospective students need to be aware that nursing involves contact with communicable diseases. All students entering nursing programs must meet the following health requirements:

• Current CPR Certification (American Heart Association Health Care Provider Course)and a Physical exam
• TB Test (PPD) 2-step initial screening and 1-step thereafter
• Tetanus or DR (must be within 10 years)
• Measles, Mumps, and Rubeola vaccines and titers
• Varicella vaccine and titer
• Hepatitis B, 3 vaccinations plus a titer or a written waiver
• Yearly influenza
• Covid vaccination, unless approved exemption

BACKGROUND CHECK AND DRUG SCREEN

In accordance with the policies of many of our clinical facilities as well as in compliance with the recommendations of the National Council, State Boards of Nursing and the Maryland Board of Nursing, Frederick Community College’s Nursing Program requires all nursing students to have a criminal background check and drug screening. This background check and drug screening will be completed PRIOR to full admittance to the program and may be repeated during the program as deemed necessary.

All students must be successfully cleared via this background check and drug screening to be admitted to the clinical facilities. If a student is not successfully cleared, the student may not enter the clinical setting and, therefore, will be unable to meet the Nursing Program’s requirements.

If, during the program, a student tests positive for an illegal or un‐prescribed drug, the student will be immediately terminated from the program.

The Maryland Board of Nursing prohibits nursing students from taking care of clients if the student compromises client safety. In accordance with this law, the instructor is obliged to dismiss students from a unit if a condition exists which compromises client safety, such as fatigue, substance abuse, physical illness, emotional instability, or inadequate preparation for clinical experience. Any student who is under the influence of any chemical substance (drugs or alcohol) may be terminated from the nursing program. All students are required to undergo drug screening and background checks.

Program applicants are advised that the Maryland Board of Nursing as well as other State Boards of Nursing may deny licensure to any individual they deem to be unsuitable for the practice of nursing. Examples include, but are not limited to, falsifying application information, habitual intoxication and/or narcotic addiction, convictions or “nolo contendere” pleas for felonies or crimes of moral turpitude, whether or not appears of other proceedings are pending or in progress (Maryland Nurse Practice Act).

UNIFORMS

Uniforms are required for clinical learning experiences. All students must wear the official school uniform.

The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) measures basic essential skills in the academic content areas of reading, mathematics, science, and English. The TEAS is used as a part of the admissions process in most Nursing programs across the nation. The minimum qualifying scores to be considered for admission to FCC’s Nursing Program have been determined by a committee of Nursing educators and assessment specialists and supported by peer‐reviewed evidence.

Students who wish to apply for admission to FCC's Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program (including Transition-to-RN applicants)  or FCC’s Practical Nursing (LPN) Certificate program must complete the TEAS and earn minimum qualifying TEAS scores before the application deadline for the respective program. If a student does not complete the TEAS and earn qualifying TEAS scores to submit with their application to the Nursing Program, their application will not be evaluated.

Frequently Asked Questions about the TEAS

WHEN SHOULD I TAKE THE TEAS?

• Students must register for and take the TEAS prior to their appropriate application deadline. Applicants must complete the TEAS prior to submitting their application to the program, and applicants must earn a score that qualifies their application for consideration by the nursing program (see “SCORE” information below).
• It is recommended that students take the TEAS 2-to-3 months prior to the application deadline. The TEAS must be completed and qualifying TEAS scores earned prior to the application deadline.

WHEN IS THE TEAS OFFERED?

• Please refer to the ATI website for TEAS testing information, or contact FCC’s Testing Center ([email protected]) or FCC’s Advising Office ([email protected]).
• Students must complete the TEAS and earn qualifying TEAS scores before the application deadline of February 1st for the daytime cohort of the Associate Degree in Nursing or the Practical Nursing Certificate program, or by the September 15th application deadline for the evening and weekend cohort of the Associate Degree in Nursing Program.

WHAT WILL I NEED TO REGISTER FOR THE TEAS?

• Students will need their FCC ID number, a credit card, internet‐access, and an e‐mail address to complete the online registration.
• TEAS registration information can be found online the ATI website.  The applicant will need to create an account. It is important to remember the username and password, as it is needed to access the TEAS on test day.

REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE TEAS:

• Register and pay for the TEAS on the ATI website.
• On the right, above the log‐in fields, click on the link and follow the instructions to “Create an Account with ATI.”
• Continue on the website for choosing the institution where the exam will be taken.
• Drop down menus will appear. Select "Maryland" in the state field and "Frederick" in the city field and click the "NEXT" button.
• You should then see the upcoming dates the TEAS will be offered here at FCC. Click the "Register" link next to the date on which you wish to take the TEAS.
• A summary will appear and the applicant can verify the order is correct, then continue and pay for the TEAS appointment with a credit card.
• When prompted, choose "ADN" for the Associate’s Degree in Nursing or RN program or “PN” for the Practical Nursing Certificate program.  Ignore any other option that may appear.

WHERE SHOULD I GO ON MY SCHEDULED TEST DATE?

Review information on the ATI website regarding accessing the TEAS on test day.  Contact FCC’s Testing Center ([email protected]) with any questions.

HOW LONG DOES THE TEST TAKE?

Nursing applicants should allow four (4) hours to take the test. Please arrive or log in early, as testing will start promptly at the scheduled times. Nursing applicants will not be allowed to test upon late arrival or login, and will forfeit testing fees. Nursing applicants are able to reschedule by following the Registration Instructions listed above.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO THE TEST?

Review information on the ATI website regarding required and allowable materials for testing.  Contact FCC’s Testing Center ([email protected]) with any questions.

HOW MUCH DOES THE TEST COST?

For cost of taking ATI TEAS, see current cost information at www.atitesting.com. Non‐FCC students applying to other programs must pay an additional $30 testing fee. The FCC Testing Center accepts cash, check made payable to FCC, and credit or bank cards.

WHAT IF I'VE ALREADY TAKEN THE TEAS AT ANOTHER SCHOOL?

• TEAS scores that qualify an application for review (see “SCORE” FAQs) and that will be less than two years old at the application deadline are valid and can be submitted with the application to the Nursing Program. Nursing applicants must log into the ATI website and request that a copy of previous scores be sent to the FCC Testing Center. FCC Testing Center contact information is available on the ATI website.  Nursing applicants must upload a copy of their qualifying TEAS scores, which shows scores for all areas of the TEAS, with their online application to FCC’s Nursing Program.
• Only ATI TEAS scores are accepted for application to FCC’s Nursing Program. 
• If TEAS scores will be older than 2 years at the application deadline, the TEAS must be taken again and qualifying TEAS scores must be earned for an applicant to be considered for admission.

HOW CAN I STUDY FOR THE TEAS?

• ATI offers a study manual and two practice assessments for the TEAS. These study materials can be found on the ATI website. For information about study materials, click on "ATI Product Solutions" and "Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)."
• Students may also purchase TEAS study materials from FCC’s Bookstore.
• Copies of the ATI Official study manual are available on reserve in FCC’s Gladhill Learning Commons (Linganore Hall).   These copies cannot be checked out of the library and students should refrain from marking up the manuals.
• There are other websites that offer TEAS prep material. (Simply search online for "TEAS test prep" or "TEAS practice questions"), and there are apps than can be downloaded to smartphones.
• In general, first‐year level classes at FCC should also be good preparation for the TEAS. The Science portion of the TEAS does require some knowledge of general cell biology, basic chemistry, and topics covered in Anatomy & Physiology.

HOW OFTEN CAN I TAKE THE TEAS?

• Students can take the TEAS twice during each application and admissions cycle. There are application and admission cycles in the fall semester and in the spring/summer semester each academic year. Please consult the Nursing Department website for application due dates.. 
• The TEAS must be paid for each time it is taken. It is possible for a nursing applicant to take the TEAS twice in each testing (admission and application) window, as long as the applicant schedules an appointment for one of the days offered in the beginning of the testing window dates.
• Students can take the TEAS one time only during any 30‐day period. Students who wish to take the TEAS a second time must wait a minimum of 30 days in between attempts.

SCORES

An applicant must submit qualifying TEAS scores with their application to the Nursing Program to be considered for admission.
Minimum qualifying TEAS Score – all scores must be achieved on the same test:

• Overall score in the proficient range or above (minimum 58.7% overall) and
• Minimum math score of 69% and
• Minimum reading score of 69%

A qualifying TEAS score cannot be older than 2 years at the application deadline.

WHAT DO I DO ONCE I HAVE MY TEAS SCORES?

• When scores meet the minimum qualifying requirements: A copy of the results must be submitted to the FCC Testing Center if taken through another testing location. When taking the TEAS through the FCC Testing Center, students will receive a printed copy of their scores soon after completion of the test. Nursing applicants may request a personal copy of the results. These scores will be verified with ATI once your scores becomes official. If the TEAS was taken somewhere other than FCC, students must request an official copy of their scores from ATI. ATI charges for a transcript request, and this can be paid by credit or bank card. Visit the ATI website and log in. Students need to upload TEAS exam results showing all qualifying scores for all sections of the TEAS with the online Nursing Program application.
• When scores DO NOT meet the minimum requirements: Nursing applicants will not be considered for admission to any of the three nursing programs. Review materials are available for studying and applicants may retake the TEAS at least 30 days after their previous attempt. Applicant must earn qualifying TEAS scores prior to the application deadline.  .
• How do I report my score? If the TEAS exam is taken through the Testing Center at FCC, the student will print out 2 copies of the results. One copy is for the student, the other copy is for the Testing Center.  Each applicant must upload a copy of their qualifying TEAS scores with their application to FCC’s Nursing Program regardless of whether they completed the TEAS through FCC’s Testing Center or through another Testing Location. The uploaded TEAS scores must show scores for all sections of the TEAS exam.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING

Enrollment in the clinical portion of the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program, Transition-to-RN Program and the Practical Nursing Certificate (LPN) Program is limited by the availability of staff and facilities. To be considered for admission, students must:

1. Complete and submit an application for admission to Frederick Community College and provide proof of residency.
2. Complete and submit a separate application for the ADN program or the LPN program to the Department of Nursing by February 1st preceding the expected the fall semester entrance (daytime ADN and LPN program), or by September 15th for the expected spring semester (evening and weekend ADN program) entrance. Applications are available online on Nursing Program Homepage.
3. Residents of Frederick County are given priority consideration for admission.
4. Prior to the above application deadlines, each applicant must register and complete the TEAS, and earn TEAS scores that qualify an applicant to be considered for admission to the Nursing Program. See Score Information above under FAQ about the TEAS.
5. Submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities to FCC’s Registration and Records Office by the Nursing Program application deadline.
6. Complete FCC’s assessment testing unless otherwise exempted.
7. Attend a nursing program information session or meet with a nursing advisor (recommended).

To be included in the pool of applicants for admission to the clinical portion of the nursing program (ADN, LPN, or Transition-to-RN), students must complete all required prerequisite coursework including Anatomy & Physiology I (with lab), Anatomy & Physiology II (with lab), and Microbiology (with lab) by the end of the semester in which they are applying to the Nursing Program, and send all official transcripts from other colleges and universities attended to the Registration and Records Office by the Nursing Program application deadline. These sciences cannot be older than 5 years at the Nursing Program application deadline, and none of these sciences (or their lab components) can be enrolled in more than twice in the 5 years prior to the Nursing Program application deadline. Withdrawals, audits, and grades of F or D all count as an enrollment.

To apply to FCC’s Associate Degree in Nursing Program (including FCC’s Transition-to-RN program), applicants must complete the following pre-admission courses:

** Sciences must be completed by the end of the semester in which application is submitted to the Nursing Program.  The sciences cannot be enrolled in more than twice each in the five years leading up to the application deadline (withdrawals, audits, and grades of D or F all count as an enrollment), and none can be older than 5 years at the application deadline.

One (1-3 credit) PHED, HLTH or NUTR course is required to earn the Associate Degree in Nursing. Three-credit NUTR102 (HE102) or NUTR200 (HE200) Nutrition is recommended to fulfill this requirement for students interested in the dual-admission RN-to-BSN partnership with Frostburg State, Towson, or the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON).

For additional information, see the Pre-Health Professions: Associate Degree in Nursing Information Sheet and Point Scale

To apply to FCC’s Practical Nursing Certificate (LPN) program, applicants must complete the following pre-admission courses:

** Sciences must be completed by the end of the semester in which application is submitted to the Nursing Program.  The sciences cannot be enrolled in more than twice each in the five years leading up to the application deadline (withdrawals, audits, and grades of D or F all count as an enrollment), and none can be older than 5 years at the application deadline.

For additional information, see the Pre-Health Professions: Practical Nursing Certificate Information Sheet and Point Scale

CLINICALS

The Nursing Program offers a daytime as well as an evening and weekend options for the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).  The Practical Nursing Certificate (LPN) is a daytime program only. To ensure appropriate and adequate clinical experiences, clinical rotations can be scheduled at any time based on clinical agency availability and may not be limited to the option selected. When applying to the nursing program, students should be prepared for all possible clinical schedules available for their designated course(s) each semester. Please note: Nursing clinical classes begin during the fall semester for the Daytime Option and during spring semester for the Evening and Weekend Option.

APPLICATION FOR NURSING CLINICALS

Online applications for both the daytime as well as the evening and weekend option  of the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program and for the Practical Nursing Certificate (LPN) program can be found on the Nursing Program webpage on the FCC web site. The online application to the Nursing Program must be submitted through the Nursing Department website.  Applications are not accepted in person or via fax or email.

For both the LPN and the ADN Day Options, the clinical class application deadline is February 1. The Evening and Weekend Option of the ADN program application deadline is September 15th prior to the January start date. Admission into the nursing program is competitive and selective and based on a point system.

POINT SYSTEM

A point system is used to select candidates for admission to the clinical portion of FCC nursing programs (ADN, LPN, and Transition‐to‐RN). Each program has its own separate pool of applicants, and students may apply only to one program in any given semester. Points are assigned for non‐clinical courses completed, residency, cumulative grade point average (GPA) and grades in the pre-admission science courses. Any course(s) being repeated must be completed by the end of the January term in order to count in the GPA calculation for the Daytime option of the Nursing Program, or by the end of the summer session for the Evening and Weekend Option. If a student is completing a pre-admission science course during the application semester, the midterm course grade will be applied to the point scale (including transfer courses). Students will be allowed to repeat any pre-admission science course one time only, including withdrawals, audits, and transfer credits in the 5 (five) years preceding the application deadline for that cohort. In addition, all science pre-admission courses must be completed within five years of the application deadline.

The students with the highest point total will be conditionally accepted into the ADN program. Students with equal point totals will be ordered by GPA from highest to lowest. If an accepted student declines his/her seat in the program or fails to meet the spring or summer course requirements, the next eligible student with the highest score is offered admission to the program.

Once grades have been posted in May for Daytime Option and in January for Evening and Weekend Option, transcripts for those applicants who have been accepted conditionally will again be evaluated. Any student who dropped a course or failed to earn a “C” or better will be re‐evaluated. If, after re‐evaluation, a student’s new point total falls below the cut‐off score for the ADN, LPN, or Transition-to-RN program, he/she will not be eligible for admission to the program and the next qualified candidate will be admitted.

Students not gaining admission to the ADN, LPN, or Transition-to-RN program and wishing to be considered for the next entering class must re‐apply and will compete within the general applicant pool. A student who is admitted to FCC’s Nursing Program but fails NURS 101 must re-apply for admission to the program with the pool of applicants the following year.

CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION TO THE and, LPN, and Transition-to-RN CLINICAL CLASS

NOTE: Anatomy & Physiology I, Anatomy & Physiology II, and Microbiology (and their related labs) may each be enrolled in only twice in the 5 years leading up to the application deadline.  Enrollment includes withdrawals, audits, grades of F or D, and transfer credits. Students enrolled in any of these science courses or their related labs more than the allowed number of attempts will not be awarded any points for the applicable course, regardless of grades earned, and will be ineligible for admission to the Nursing Program. All sciences must be completed with a grade of C or better within 5 years of the application deadline.

Criteria for Admission to the ADN Clinical Class and to the Transition-to-RN Clinical Class

Anatomy & Physiology I, Anatomy & Physiology II, and Microbiology may each be enrolled in twice, including withdrawals, audits, and transfer credits, in the 5 years preceding the application deadline.

Students repeating any of these science courses or their lab components more than the allowed number of attempts within 5 years of the application deadline will not be awarded points for the applicable course, regardless of grade earned, and will be ineligible for FCC’s Nursing Program.

All courses must be completed with a grade of C or better. All sciences must be completed with a grade of C or better and cannot be older than 5-years at the application deadline.

Criteria for Admission to the Practical Nursing Certificate Program

Anatomy & Physiology I, Anatomy & Physiology II, and Microbiology may each be enrolled in twice, including withdrawals, audits, and transfer credits, in the 5 years preceding the February 1st application deadline.

Students repeating any of these science courses or their lab components more than the allowed number of attempts within 5 years of the February 1st application deadline will not be awarded points for the applicable course, regardless of grade earned, and will be ineligible for FCC’s Nursing Program.

All courses must be completed with a grade of C or better. All sciences must be completed with a grade of C or better and cannot be older than 5-years at the application deadline.

CLINICAL LOCATIONS

Frederick Community College Nursing students currently complete clinical experiences at the following sites. Clinical sites may vary from semester to semester.

• Ballenger Creek Center ‐ Buckingham's Choice
• Carroll Hospital
• Citizens Care and Rehabilitation Center
• Frederick Memorial Hospital
• Glade Valley Nursing Home
• Med‐Star Montgomery Medical Center
• Shady Grove Adventist Hospital

Math for Medication Safety

Here is a Practice Test to help you prepare.

1. On the Blackboard website, click “Community Resources” tab after log in
   • Current FCC students log in with username and password
   • Non-FCC students log in with generic username: nursingstudent1 and password: fcc1234
2. Continue to “Organizational Catalog” and click “Nursing Program”
3. Select “Nursing Program Math for Medication Safety Test for Clinical Students” and click the drop-down box (“˅”) located to the left
4. Click “Enroll”
5. Click “Submit” to complete the self-enrollment, then click “OK”
6. Click “Practice Test” to begin

Free Internet Links for Dosage Calculation Practice (see below)

All clinical nursing students enrolled in the Spring 2020 semester are required to pass the Math for Medication Safety Test with a 95% on or before February 3, 2020. If a student is unable to meet this expectation, the student will be unable to attend clinical and will receive an Unsatisfactory in Professional Behaviors and will meet with the Director of Nursing Education. It is in the student's best interest to take the test as soon as possible (avoid waiting until the last moment).

The Math for Medication Safety Test is a proctored online format. Only approved nursing calculators can be used during the test. Blank paper will be provided. If a student is unsuccessful on the first attempt, the online program will provide feedback for any missed questions. Clinical nursing students that did not receive a 95% or better on the first proctored attempt, will complete the practice test again for remediation, using their own Blackboard log in (do not use the generic account) In order to proceed with the second attempt, the student will obtain a score of 100% on the practice test, and email John Tuskan to indicate the remediation has occurred. The Testing Center will then be notified that you can take the 2nd attempt. There will no longer be a need to print and have the remediation signed by the nursing office. After two unsuccessful attempts, the student must complete a remediation packet. Students needing remediation should email Jane Menker for further information. Failure to succeed on the third attempt will result in the student's withdrawal from the program. Readmission to the program in a future semester is on a space available basis.

To prepare for this format, a practice test is available for your review. It is extremely important that you visit this site PRIOR to taking the Math for Medication Safety Test to gain familiarity with the format.

There will be 20 dosage calculation problems on each test. Content review should include:

1. Conversion between units of measure (metric and household)
2. IV flow rates and infusion times (including international time)
3. Interpreting drug labels and calculating dosage from the label information
4. Reconstitution of drugs from a powder including calculation of dose
5. Weight based dosage calculation

The following conversions must be learned for best results:

All tests will be given by the Testing Center. Students must contact the Testing Center (301.846.2522 / [email protected]) to schedule a date/time. Appointments will be accepted starting about a month before the beginning of each semester. The last test will be administered 30 minutes prior to the end of the session. Students will be required to show a picture ID and follow all Testing Center security procedures.

Any questions or concerns, please contact John Tuskan.
 

Free Internet Links for Dosage Calculation Practice

1. Conversion between units of measure (metric and household)
2. IV flow rates and infusion times (including international time)
3. Interpreting drug labels and calculating dosage from the label information
4. Reconstitution of drugs from a powder including calculation of dose
5. Weight based dosage calculation

DosageHelp.com

Testandcalc.com

Students can review content pertaining to the Math for Medication Safety test prior to attempting the test. A review of dosage calculations is available free on the intranet at the above sites. In addition, students should be able to calculate infusion times in hours/minutes and answer questions in international/military time.

Nursing Student Handbook

The Nursing Student Handbook will serve as a valuable reference guide for the nursing program. Successful completion of any of the nursing program will require many long hours of study and preparation. Please feel free to consult with a faculty member at any time.

Nursing Student Handbook

Nursing Information Video
RN Information Sheet and Point Scale
 

LPN Information Video
LPN Information Sheet and Point Scale

ACCREDITATION INFORMATION

The Associate Degree nursing program at Frederick Community College at 7932 Opossumtown Pike Frederick, MD 21702 is accredited by:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850
Atlanta, GA 30326
Contact Number: (404) 975-5000
www.acenursing.org

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree nursing program is continuing accreditation.

View Certification of Accreditation

Please see Program Goals & Outcomes at the following URL: https://www.frederick.edu/degrees-certificates/nursing/program-goals-and-outcomes.aspx

Kyla Newbould
Director of Nursing Education
Phone: 301.846.2607
Email