Enrollment Procedures for Returning, Transfer, or Challenge Students

We are pleased that you have selected the College of Marin Registered Nursing Program to continue your preparation for a career in the Nursing profession. The following information has been prepared to assist you in the planning and enrollment process. Please read and follow directions carefully.

• Application Packet - 2013 (198 Kb pdf)

                    Informational Meeting for Advanced Placement Students

                               Challenge, Transfer and Returning Students

                                 Date will be posted after November 1, 2012

All courses taken at colleges other than the College of Marin must be approved on the Petition for Substitution Form. Please complete the Petition for Substitution and follow directions for submitting the document and transcripts.

Definitions

Program Capacity

Application Dates

Course Prerequisites and Assessment Scores

Challenge Procedures

Requirements for a Completed Application

Screening Procedure for Enrollment in the Program

Relevant College of Marin Phone Numbers

Application Form

• Please download the new Application Form (pdf) above.

  Your application must be placed in a sealed envelope and mailed or delivered to:

           College of Marin

           Admissions and Records Department

           Attention:  RN Program Application

           835 College Avenue

           Kentfield, CA 94904

• PLEASE NOTE:

         LVN TO RN APPLICANTS ARE ONLY ENROLLED IN THE FALL SEMESTER.

         RETURNING STUDENTS AND CHALLENGE STUDENTS MAY BE ENROLLED IN THE SPRING OR FALL SEMESTER.

* These files require Adobe Acrobat Reader which you may download for free from Adobe's web site.

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Definitions

• Returning student: student who left College of Marin Nursing Program in the second, third, or fourth semester after successfully completing the first semester.
• Transfer student: student who successfully completed one or more semesters of nursing education courses in another program.
• Challenge student: student or individual who had prior nursing education (LVN or PT) or individual with other health care education or experience who wishes to enter the nursing program with advanced standing and receive credit for previous education or work experience.

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Program Capacity

Each year, the Nursing Program receives more requests for enrollment than the Program is able to accommodate. Enrollment in the Registered Nursing Program is limited because of facility constraints, the on-going shortage of highly qualified nursing faculty, and the need to maintain a safe student/teacher ratio in the clinical setting.  Enrollment for advanced placement, transfer, and challenge students occurs on the basis of available clinical spaces.

The best way to enhance your opportunity for enrollment is to review the enrollment requirements carefully, ensure that you satisfy all requirements, and that you provide timely application materials that verify that you meet all the enrollment requirements. The Program is committed to providing equal educational opportunities for qualified Program applicants

Application Dates

Students seeking enrollment in the first or third semester of the Program (i.e., the Fall term) must submit their completed application materials by February 1st.  Applications are accepted January 2nd through February 1st.  Applications for enrollment will NOT be accepted for consideration either before January 2 or after February 1st. 

Applications for enrollment in the second or fourth semesters are accepted September 1 through October 1 for the spring semester. It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide complete and accurate materials by the closing dates.  Applications that are incomplete on the closing dates cannot be considered for review. 

A description of what constitutes a complete application package for new students is discussed in section IV below.

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Course Prerequisites and Assessment Scores

In order to be eligible for enrollment in the Program, students must complete course prerequisites and achieve required minimum assessment scores.

A.  Course Prerequisites Completion: No student may enroll in the Program unless he/she has successfully completed certain courses.  It is premature for a student to submit an application package if the student cannot complete all course prerequisites for enrollment in the Program BY THE END OF THE FALL SEMESTER PRIOR TO SUBMISSION of the application TO THE PROGRAM FOR THE FOLLOWING FALL ADMISSION or by the spring semester prior to submission of the application to the program for the following spring admission..  

B.   Course Grades:  Students must successfully complete all prerequisite courses.  This means the student must receive a letter grade of “C” or higher in all prerequisite courses for entry into the Program.  Grades of “C minus,” “Credit/no credit,” or “pass/no pass” grades are not accepted. All Nursing courses required for licensure which have been completed prior to admission must also be successfully completed with a grade of “C” or higher.

C.  Seven Prerequisite Courses: The Program has established seven prerequisite courses that MUST be taken before a student can begin instruction in the Program.  The seven prerequisite courses are listed below. The prerequisite courses are designed to assure that students who are accepted into the Program have the necessary skills, concepts, and/or information to pass the Registered Nursing courses and achieve academic success in the Program. 

The prerequisites for entrance into the program are:

1.     Nursing Education 90, Introduction to Nursing Education and Practice.

2.     *Chemistry: One semester of college chemistry (Chemistry 110 or Chemistry 114 or Chemistry 115) or one year high school chemistry are approved as equivalent courses. A year of high school chemistry may be accepted. Must be taken for a letter grade.

3.     *Anatomy: One four- or five- (semester) unit college human anatomy course with laboratory (Biology 120). Must be taken for a letter grade.

4.     *Physiology: One four- or five- (semester) unit college human physiology course (Biology 224), with laboratory. Must be taken for a letter grade.

5.     *Math: Math 101 or Math 101AB or Math 101XY or College of Marin assessment test qualifying for Math 103 (challenge option). Effective Fall 2009 Math 103 is the college graduation requirement.

6.     *English: English 150. Must be taken for a letter grade.

7.     *Microbiology: One four- or five- (semester) unit college microbiology course (Biology 240), with laboratory.  Must be taken for a letter grade.

* Notes:

a.  If you are considering transfer of these courses, see Academic Transfer Program information in the College of Marin catalog.

b.  Courses required for the Registered Nursing Program may have their own prerequisites. Please refer to the individual course in the catalog for complete information on prerequisites.

c.  Thirty-Unit Option LVN prerequisites include physiology and microbiology.

D.  Courses completed at other institutions:

It is not necessary to take all the prerequisites at the College of Marin.  If you took some or all of the prerequisite courses at another college and you are considering transferring these courses to Marin, please follow Procedures for Substitution of Courses for the College of Marin Registered Nursing program below. Prerequisite courses taken at institutions other than the College of Marin must be evaluated prior to acceptance into the Nursing Program. 

• Foreign Colleges Transcripts
  Transcripts from foreign colleges and universities will be accepted only when evaluated by UC, CSU, or an evaluating service recognized by College of Marin. The service recommended by the college is International Education Research Foundation, Inc., P. O. Box 66940, Los Angeles, CA 90066, telephone (310) 390-6276.
  Credit will be granted when the academic level of the course work is deemed to be comparable to that of classes taught in fully accredited U.S. colleges and universities.

E.  Pre requisite and Co-Requisite Challenge:

If you believe course work you took at other institutions or that experience you have is equivalent to what you would learn in a prerequisite course, you can “challenge” a course prerequisite. The “challenge” process is a rigorous assessment that requires you to demonstrate that you already have the knowledge or ability to succeed in the course or Program despite not having taken a particular prerequisite course.  Contact the Nursing Department for the RN challenge information.  Like prerequisite courses themselves, challenges to prerequisite courses must be successfully completed prior to starting courses 

F.  Course Recency: 

Courses in nursing education that were taken by returning students three or more years prior to a return to a nursing program will not be accepted.  Three or more years reflects a significant lapse in time and the student must repeat all such courses. 

Note:  There is no recency requirement of the seven prerequisite courses listed above.

G.  Course Planning:

Because clinical placements require day and evening scheduling, it is strongly recommended that all course requirements for RN licensure and AS degree requirements be taken prior to entry into the Nursing Program.  Once a student starts the Nursing Program, it may be difficult to schedule other courses that are needed for RN licensure or the AS degree.

H.  Course Advisories: 

In addition to completing required prerequisite courses, the College of Marin strongly recommends that students who seek entry into the Program take two additional courses that will help them prepare for Nursing Instruction.  These courses are referred to as “advisory” courses and are described below.

The Advisory courses that are strongly recommended for entrance into the Program are:

• NE 95: Effective Strategies for Success in the Registered Nursing Program
• CIS 101: Computer Information Systems

I.  Assessment Scores: 

1.  Students who have successfully completed all course prerequisites must also achieve an assessment score of at least 72% to be admitted to the Program.  The assessment score is determined by a formula which takes into account: (a) overall college GPA in the last five years, (b) the grade received in English 120 or 150, (c) the GPA in core biology courses (Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology prerequisites), and (d) course repetition in core biology courses. Course repetition is often necessary when a student received a substandard grade of “D,” “F,” “FW,” No Credit,” or “No Pass,” or withdrew from a course with a “W” without completing it.  This formula generates a score which is used to determine eligibility.  Students will be required to have a score of at least 72%.

In determining the overall college GPA, a letter grade of “C” will be assigned to any with a grade of “Credit” for calculating that composite score.

               To access the Chancellor's Formula you may download this Excel Worksheet:Formula Worksheet-

                                    You will need to have Office Excel to download and input data to this worksheet.

                 Go to bottom of spreadsheet and link with “Data Entry”

                  Under student, you can try many scenarios with students…student 1, 2, 3, 4, etc

                  College GPA is the last five years of college work overall  GPA

                  Core Bio GPA are only for Bio 120, 224, 240

                  English GPA for English 150

                  Repetitions for core biology:  .33 = one time, .66 = two times, and 1 = three times

2.  Applicants who have satisfactorily completed all course prerequisites and received an assessment score of at least 72% as described above, will then also be required to successfully complete the Test of Essential Skills (TEAS) prior to entry into the Program.  Those applicants who do not meet the cut score of 62 on the TEAS V will have one year to remediate and demonstrate readiness before retesting.  Demonstration of readiness to enter the Program includes both successful completion of the remediation plan and successful retaking of the TEAS.  Any student not meeting the remediation requirements within one year will be required to restart the application process as a new student. See Assessment Readiness Test Guidelines, available from the Nursing Department.

If a student presents with multiple test scores in one year, only the first score will be accepted unless the student presents evidence of acceptable remediation.

J.  Random selection:  In the event that there are more eligible candidates than openings, actual enrollment will be based on a computerized random selection method.  Each qualified applicant will receive a number for the current application period.

K.   High School education or equivalent: High school diploma, GED, high school equivalency (waived with a college degree). Please note that Title 16, Section 1412 of the California Code of Regulations states that proof of high school education or the equivalent (high school diploma, GED, high school equivalency, college degree) is required by the person applying for a license as a registered nurse. The nursing department requires this proof for licensure application if you are not pursuing the degree option.

Challenge Procedures

Informational Meeting: Challenge students (LVN ) should attend in the fall.  This meeting explains the challenge process.  Date is posted on this website.

Challenge Degree Option Procedures:

1.     LVN Challenge Degree Option Procedures. To receive advanced placement for NE 135, 135L, 138, 140, 140L, 210, 210L, submit:

     a.  Transcript from state-accredited LVN/LPN Program, showing coursework completed with 75% or above. LVN’s who challenged   boards must have their portfolio evaluated for the degree option. Transcripts must have been issued within the last calendar year.

     b.  Current California LVN license.

     c.  Evidence of current experience as an LVN within the last three years.

2.    Thirty-unit Option/Nondegree Option for LVN’S. MUST COMPLETE prerequisite #4 physiology, and #5 microbiology.

Requirements for a Completed Application

All students please follow Section IV (for new students) above.  Additional application requirements include the following:

1.    License.  Submit a copy of a valid California LVN or LPT license, if applicable.

2.    Work Experience.  Submit proof (a written statement from your employer) of one year of continuous employment in an acute hospital or mental health facility in the last three years as an LPT or LVN.

3.    Nondegree Option LVN.   Submit #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, and #9, listed above.

Screening Procedure for Enrollment in the Program

Each application received is reviewed by a Nursing Department Committee to determine that the basic enrollment prerequisites and requirements have been met.  Applications which are not complete by the application due date or which do not verify completion of the listed prerequisites shall not be eligible for enrollment shall not be considered further.  The Committee ensures that:

1. The student completed all prerequisite courses with a “C” or better (a C minus, NoCredit, or No Pass are not accepted) prior to submission of the application for enrollment in the Program. Students who wish to challenge a prerequisite must demonstrate that they have completed the challenge process prior to enrollment. Students who wish to substitute courses not taken at the College of Marin for prerequisite courses must demonstrate that their substituted courses have been approved by the College of Marin. 

2.  The student submitted all required application materials as described in section IV: Requirements for a Completed Application to Admissions and Records Department office by the closing deadline.

3.  Students documented evidence of work or volunteer history in a health related environment or field or equivalent.

4.  The application materials are complete and timely.

5.  The student scored 72% or higher using the composite formula.

6.  The student scored at least 62 on the TEAS 5 (Test of Essential Academic Skills). The TEAS test will be administered to applicants who have met all prerequisites and selection criteria and are eligible for selection for the program.  Please be patient, it will take time for us to complete this procedure.

7.  The student who did not pass the TEAS test submitted evidence of successful  remediation and a score of 62 on the TEAS 5 or 67 on the TEAS 4 on the retest.

8.   Registration priorities are applied.   Vacancies which occur in the RN Program in  the second, third, or fourth semester, are filled according to the following priority:

     1.    Returning students who left the College of Marin Nursing Program in good standing.

     2.    Successful challenge students (LVN ).

     3.   Transfer students or other returning students.

     4.    LVN 30 unit option student.             

It is not necessary to contact the Nursing Department regarding your application status.  You will be notified by mail or email no later than June 1 or January 2 concerning your enrollment status and the assigned test dates for the assessment test.

Final enrollment is contingent on achieving a composite score of 62 on TEAS 5 test.  Spaces, should they occur, will be filled by the next qualified applicant until the Fall Semester begins.  

Reapplication

All students who were determined eligible (met all eligibility requirements and passed TEAS test), but not selected due to a lack of sufficient openings or inability to meet the TEAS composite score, must resubmit the application form and any new supportive documents to be considered for the next year’s Program openings. 

Readmission

Students who drop out of the Program prior to completion of the first semester, must reapply for subsequent admission and are given the same consideration as first time applicants.  All applicants are bound by any new admission requirements and should contact a College counselor or the Nursing Department to determine such requirements. 

Reference Information

The College of Marin catalog is available on line at www.marin.edu. It contains the most complete information on the RN Program, the requirements for Associate degrees, and the many services available at the College of Marin. Be certain to read any addenda that may be published after the catalog is in print.

Relevant College of Marin Phone Numbers

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