Jefferson Community and Technical College Nursing Program Review

Jefferson Community and Technical College (JCTC) is located in Louisville, Kentucky. It was founded in 2005 and is a public two-year college that is part of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. JCTC is the largest community college in the system.

It has in the region of 15,000 students who are enrolled in a variety of associate degree programs and for programs that lead to a diploma or certificate. There are over 70 programs and more than 300 degree, diploma, and certificate choices offered at Jefferson. JCTC has six campuses, including two that are located in Louisville. Four others are located in Valley Station, Carrollton, Shelbyville, and Shepherdsville.

Nursing Programs

Practical Nursing

The Practical Nursing (PN) program at Jefferson leads to a diploma. When a graduate passes the NCLEX-PN, a license is granted naming the graduate as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). This program is offered in downtown Louisville, Shelby County, and Carrollton. Although a few courses may be taken at night, most classes are offered in the daytime. Admission to the program is selective. Applicants must apply to the college and also to the nursing program by submitting an application and an official copy of their high school transcript and one from any college that they have attended.

Student entrance test scores must show that an applicant is ready to take college level courses. If scores are not acceptable, then developmental classes are available, but applicants are not accepted into the nursing program until they demonstrate the ability to complete college level courses. Applicants must be certified as Medicaid Nurse Aide/State Registered Nurse Aid and must have completed a Basic Life Support CPR course. Another requirement is that applicants must demonstrate computer literacy. In addition, applicants must have a grade point average of at least 2.0 on all college classes that they have taken. The PAX-PN Exam must be taken within 12 months before applying to the PN program as well.

Once admitted to the PN program, students maintain a 2.0 grade point average. Between 49 and 57 credits are required to complete the program, and this can be done in three semesters. Basic courses in English, math, and psychology plus computer literacy are prerequisites before beginning the nursing courses.

Associate Degree Nursing Program

Jefferson Community and Technical College offers a two-year Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program for those who are interested in becoming Registered Nurses. The program provides liberal arts and science courses as well as nursing core courses and clinical to students to prepare them to work as entry level nurses upon graduation. The NCLEX-RN national exam for licensure is required to attain licensure as a Registered Nurse. This program is offered at the downtown Louisville campus.

The ADN program focuses on providing experience for students in all of the major aspects of nursing that they will probably encounter in their careers at some point. Students who are interested in the program are strongly encouraged to meet with a nursing advisor before applying to the nursing program to complete an Academic Program Plan. The advisor will help the candidate customize their educational plan so that all courses are covered. Between 72 and 76 credits are needed for graduation, depending on whether or not the student requires any remedial or development courses in addition to prerequisite courses. Applicants must have State Registered Nurse Aide certification.

Campus-Based LPN-RN Bridge Course

The campus-based Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to Registered Nurse (RN)Bridge Course leads to an Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) for LPNs who want to become RNs. At the completion of their studies, the graduate may take the NCLEX-RN to become licensed as a Registered Nurse. Students who want to enter a Bridge Course must obtain the application to the program at the preadmission conference. Candidates should also meet with a nursing advisor, and this requires an appointment. At this meeting, they must bring copies of their unofficial transcripts so that the advisor can determine which courses may be necessary. LPNs may take Nursing Accelerated Challenge Exams, and if any of these are passed, credit is awarded for a beginning nursing course. Most LPNs are able to transfer about half of the necessary credits needed into the ADN program. The result is that they are often able to skip the first year of nursing courses and focus on other prerequisites and liberal arts and science courses that they may need before beginning the nursing courses in their second year at the college. Most LPNs are able to pass Challenge Exams because they are based on their previous studies as well as on their daily work with patients. It is definitely worthwhile and time-saving to take these exams.

Options for LPNs to Enter the LPN-ADN Program

A LPN may enter the ADN program and be granted credit by several options. One of these is through Articulation. If the LPN has passed the NCLEX-PN and has an unrestricted license as an LPN, the nurse will receive credit for the first semester nursing courses in the Associate Degree Nursing Program. It is then necessary to complete only three of the four semesters. Another way to receive credit for courses previously taken is to take the campus-based Bridge Course. The LPN who is currently licensed and has passed the NCLEX-PN may take this course to receive credit for an additional semester of nursing courses. After the credits for the Bridge Course are awarded, it is necessary to take only two semesters of nursing courses to finish the program.

LPNs may also enroll in the Online Learn on Demand LPN-ADN Program to receive credit for previously completed nursing courses taken while working on the LPN diploma. Students complete online work to receive credits for beginning nursing courses and to opt out of one or two semesters. The final way for LPNs to enter the ADN program is by enrolling in the program and completing the four semesters that they would need to complete if they were not an LPN. Students must have a 2.75 grade point average on all prerequisite and co-requisite classes before being admitted to the LPN to RN Bridge Course or prior to advanced standing placement. Applicants with the highest grade point averages in these courses are accepted into the program as space allows.

Contact:
Jefferson Community and Technical College
200 West Broadway,
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 213-5333

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