Nursing

Accuplacer is a placement test used to ensure students are placed into the courses that best fit their needs. All students who plan to enroll for the first time in a General Education, English, Math, Online, or Hybrid course at Labette Community College must take the appropriate Accuplacer test or provide appropriate Compass, ACT, or SAT scores. Although the Compass placement test will no longer be given at LCC after May 2016, Compass placement scores will be accepted until fall 2021. Placement tests are available in the Student Success Center.

To ensure a quality program and to maximize your chances of passing the national nursing licensure examinations (NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN), a minimum “C” grade is required in all of the general education courses, and a minimum “B” grade is required in all of your nursing courses. “A” grade of “B” in a nursing course at LCC is a grade in the range of 80% to 89.99%.

A Bi-Level program affords flexibility for students desiring to complete the approved LPN program, work for a while, then return at a later date to finish the degree in an accredited RN program. Students who are LPNs who have been working full-time in a hospital setting since graduating from an LPN school is most likely to be successful in articulating into the second level of the LCC program. Completion of the 1-credit Bridge Course is required upon acceptance into the LCC Nursing Program. Availability of spaces for admission is limited. As an LPN applying to the program, you must hold a Kansas LPN license showing IV Certification or evidence that you are in process of obtaining either the license and/or the certification.

Historically, 90-100% of LCC graduates pass the NCLEX-PN on the first attempt. The NCLEX-RN first attempt pass rate has varied from 80% to 100%. In fall 2005, LCC adopted the Comprehensive Review and Assessment Program of Assessment Technologies, Inc. This program provides standardized testing at the end of each course, plus a wealth of review and remediation materials that will facilitate NCLEX success. In fall 2008 Virtual ATI, an NCLEX-RN review course, was added to the curriculum. You will maximize your chances of passing the NCLEX-RN if you maintain grades in your nursing courses at 82% or above, and put your utmost effort into participating in every learning opportunity presented to you. The fact that you can be employed part-time as an LPN during your sophomore year may provide you with additional clinical experience. Nursing instructors are very willing to help you attain your goal of being licensed as a LPN or RN. However, the quality of the learning experience is dependent upon your study skills, management of family, personal stressors, and balancing the amount of study required with the amount of time you are employed.

Clinical sites are contracted based upon availability of sufficient patients and qualified clinical faculty. All medical centers and hospitals in southeast Kansas, northeastern Oklahoma, and southwest Missouri may be used for clinical. Therefore, class days and times will vary according to classroom and clinical space. Weekend, evening, and night hours will occasionally be required for clinical, but you will know in advance to schedule childcare and work arrangements. Students are responsible for the cost of housing and food during clinical. The campus nursing simulation center and skills labs for teaching nursing skills will also be utilized. Completion of community experiences in area agencies, such as schools, healthcare clinics, home health, hospice, etc., is a requirement of most of the nursing courses. The student is responsible for having a reliable personal vehicle. Reliance on carpooling is not permitted. You cannot be assured you will be assigned to the same clinical schedule as your carpool partner.

Past history indicates that students who work more than 20-24 hours per week may be placing themselves at a severe disadvantage in terms of time available for study. If you have family obligations in addition to work, you may compromise your chances of success in the program. It is difficult for a student to work full-time, pass each nursing class with an 80% or better, and pass the NCLEX-RN the first time. To maximize your chance of academic success, we strongly encourage you to contact the Financial Aid Office for advice regarding support available, so that you can plan your financial arrangements to relieve you from having to work full-time. Displaced workers can apply for assistance from Southeast Kansas Works. Contact your local Southeast Kansas Works Office to apply.