Delgado Community College Nursing Program Review

Delgado Community College (DCC) is located in New Orleans, Louisiana. The main campus, City Park Campus, is located in Navarre, a neighborhood next to New Orleans City Park. Other campuses are located in the East and West Banks of the city, the East Bank of Jefferson Parish, and on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain in Covington.

Another campus is in Slidell that is located in St. Tammany Parish. It is part of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, along with eight other community colleges. There are around 19,000 students enrolled in this large college that was founded in 1921. Today, it is the oldest and largest community college in the state with seven locations.

Nursing Programs

The Charity School of Nursing has campus learning resources located at the main campus of the college. There is a Skills Lab that simulates a clinical setting. It is complete with 23 beds and full body manikins and realistic anatomical models. There are three separate labs that are used by students who are in the Registered Nursing program. Associate degree students also practice on the human patient simulator, which is a high-tech that breathes, has vital signs, heart and lung sounds, eyes that blink, pupils that respond to light, pulses in the body, and it responds to treatment in the same way that a human would. Nursing students also have access to a Media Services Department where they can create video programs, a computer lab with the latest technology, and a library with 33 computers. The Student Success Resource Center and Academic and Retention Counselor are also available to help students design study plans, to help them with time management, and it offers other support to nursing students.

Practical Nursing

Delgado Community College offers a Practical Nursing (PN) program for those who are interested in a career as a professional nurse. The Charity School of Nursing offers a Technical Diploma Program that leads to a diploma in Practical Nursing. Graduates qualify to take the exam for licensure as a Practical Nurse (PN). These professionals work under the supervision of doctors and Registered Nurses (RNs). This is a limited enrollment program, so not all applicants are accepted into the program. There are developmental courses in English, reading, and math that many students need to take before beginning the LPN curriculum.

Admission requirements are a high school diploma or GED and minimum scores on a pre-nursing entrance exam. Students may take a variety of tests, such as the ACT, TABE, COMPASS, or NET exams for admission to the Delgado Community College Practical Nursing program. ACT scores must be at least 19 in reading and 17 in language. A minimum score of 17 in math on the ACT is also required. Minimum TABE scores are grade 11 in reading and language and grade 10.5 in math. COMPASS scores must be at least 82 in reading, 60 in language, and 44 in math, and NET scores must be at least 56 in reading, 63 in language, and 57 in math.

Applicants must have a grade point average of at least 2.0 in previous college work. A candidate for the program must not have pled guilty or been found guilty of a felony. When a student is accepted into the program, fingerprinting, criminal background check and drug screen are mandatory. Students in the PN program must maintain a minimum grade of at least 80 percent in each nursing course that is taken and in Anatomy and Physiology and Laboratory. A total of 59 credits are required to complete the program.

Associate of Science

Delgado Community College’s Charity School of Nursing also offers an Associate of Science (AS) degree in nursing. Those who complete the program qualify to take the NCLEX-RN for licensure as a Registered Nurse. They may then begin working in many different healthcare facilities as an entry level nurse, or they may continue their studies to complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Students must meet the admission criteria for the college before applying to the nursing department. General admission requirements are a high school diploma or GED and a grade point average of at least 2.0 on any college work that has been completed. A grade point average of at least 2.5 is needed for any non-nursing courses.

Applicants must demonstrate that they are ready for non-remedial status in English and math, according to their pre-entrance assessment. The pre-nursing exam is also required. A drug test is administered upon admission and random drug checks may be given throughout the program. No one with a criminal history record is admitted to the nursing program. It takes five semesters plus one summer session to complete the AS nursing program. Admission is competitive and is decided by the School of Nursing Admissions Committee. Once admitted to the program, liberal arts and science courses plus nursing courses and clinical experience must be completed. A total of 67 credits are required for graduation.

LPN to RN

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) who want to complete their AS in nursing to become Registered Nurses (RNs) may enter the program in several ways. They may enter as any other student who joins the AS program and complete the entire curriculum; they may try to obtain advance place into the second semester of the nursing curriculum if they meet the criteria; or, they may enroll in Transitions in Nursing: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to Registered Nurse (RN). The last option is an accelerated program that moves students through the upper level nursing courses quickly. Once students complete the LPN to RN course, they may receive advance place into the third semester of the nursing courses.

Nursing Success

This is a 1 credit nursing success course that allows prospective students to see what it is like to be a nursing student. It is a tool that helps high school students see if they really want to pursue a career as a professional nurse. During the course, test taking skills, stress management techniques, and other helpful skills are reviewed. Enrollment is open as long as seats are available.

RN Refresher Course

This course is designed for RNs who have been out of the workplace who want to update their skills and knowledge. There are two parts of the course, which are a theory component and a clinical component. The theory section consists of current legal and ethical issues, standards of care, and delegation. Other topics that are covered are infection control, pharmacology, intravenous therapy, and others. The clinical practice component takes place in an inpatient hospital setting where students are supervised as they practice the clinical care that they reviewed in the classroom. Admission requirements are that the applicant must have a current RN license or ability to obtain this license. A temporary RN permit may be obtained.

Applicants must also have completed a CPR course for healthcare providers, have liability insurance, medical insurance, and submit their health records showing proof of required immunizations. Drug screen and credential background checks are also required. Classes are held during the daytime on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and clinicals are each Thursday and Friday from 7 AM to 5 PM. Only 14 students are admitted to the program, and the first 14 applicants to submit all of the required admission documents are admitted.

Contact:
Delgado Community College
615 City Park Avenue,
New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 671-5012

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