Students must meet the following criteria prior to applying to the DNE RN to BSN Program:

• Have been admitted as a student at Del Mar College. For more information go to Becoming A Viking
• Have earned an associate degree in nursing (ADN) from a nationally or regionally accredited institution of higher education that is a Board Approved Nursing Program, or a diploma in nursing from a national nursing accreditation agency. Official transcripts from all prior colleges and universities must be submitted to Del Mar College.

Lower Division Courses

Students must have a Cumulative GPA of 2.5 for the lower division general education courses listed below. A minimum grade of C must be earned in those courses designated with an asterisk (*). No other courses are considered in calculating student’s Cumulative GPA.

• BIOL 2401*
• BIOL 2402*
• ENGL 1301*
• PSYC 2301*
• SPCH Core Elective*
• PHIL 2306*
• CHEM 1406*
• BIOL 2420*
• ENGL 1302
• MATH 1342
• PSYC 2314
• GOVT 2305
• GOVT 2306
• HIST 1301
• HIST 1302
• Creative Arts Core Elective

Notes

For courses that have been completed more than once, the most recent grades (not the highest) will be used for admission purposes and in calculation of a student’s Cumulative GPA.
Students must complete the two (2) credit hour Free Elective requirement prior to start of RN to BSN nursing courses. See RN to BSN Education Plan.
Students may apply if they are within eight (8) credit hours of completion of the Texas Common Core Curriculum plus Free Elective requirement at the May 31st or October 15th application deadline. In progress courses must be included in the student’s application and designated as “in progress” on official transcripts. Courses in progress at the time of application will be reviewed and Cumulative GPA will be recalculated after grades are posted.
All general education courses must be completed with grades posted prior to registration for RN to BSN nursing courses.

• Have a current, unencumbered license as a registered nurse from a state in which the student resides prior to the start of their first RN to BSN nursing course. Applicants cannot be on probation and must report any past or current disciplinary action taken by a licensing board to the Department of Nurse Education (DNE) office.
• Be able to perform the essential skills detailed on the Core Performance Standards worksheet either with or without ADA accommodations. Applicants must sign and submit the worksheet with their application. Students may request the worksheet by emailing RNtoBSN@delmar.edu.
• Meet recommended standards for immunizations for Health Professions Personnel prior to applying for the RN to BSN program track. Additionally, students must submit documentation of the following immunizations (or other acceptable proof of immunity) in the NursingCAS application:
  • Hepatitis B. Students are required to have completed the Hepatitis B vaccine series prior to admission. This series takes 6 months to complete, therefore, documentation of at least the first dose is required at the time of application. The entire series must be complete before the start of classes.
  • Tetanus-diphtheria. One dose of a tetanus-diphtheria toxoid (Td) is required within the last ten years. The booster dose may be in the form of a tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis containing vaccine (Tdap).
  • Two doses of varicella vaccine are required. IF a student has previously had varicella disease (chickenpox), the student will need to submit verification of immunity through the submission of a TITER test.
  • Measles, Mumps and Rubella. If a student has their immunization record and this record reflects two doses of the MMR vaccine then the student is in compliance with all of the MMR requirements. If a student does not have two documented doses of MMR he/she will need to ensure that the minimum requirement is met:
    • Measles: Student born on or after January 1, 1957 must show acceptable evidence of vaccination of two doses of a measles-containing vaccine administered since January 1, 1968 (preferably MMR vaccine).
    • Mumps.: Students born on or after January 1, 1957 must show acceptable evidence of vaccination of two doses of a mumps vaccine. Serological lab showing proof of immunity is acceptable.
    • Rubella: Students must show acceptable evidence of one dose of rubella vaccine.

  • For measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B and/or varicella, serologic confirmation of immunity is acceptable. Evidence of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella consist of a laboratory report at the student’s expense that indicates either confirmation of immunity or infection (commonly known as a TITER test).

  • PLEASE NOTE: Satisfactory compliance with the above-mentioned minimum requirements does not guarantee admission in the nursing program.

Students must meet the following criteria after being accepted, but prior to admission, of the RN to BSN program track:

• Physical Examination
  • Evidence of good physical and mental health through a health screening documented on the standard departmental physical examination. Please note that failure to reveal a pre-existing physical or mental illness could result in dismissal from the nursing program.
• Negative PPD or chest x-ray within the last 12 months or other acceptable documentation of negative TB status.
  • Students with a positive PPD and a negative chest x-ray on admission into the program must complete a TB screening questionnaire annually while enrolled in the program. Students whose responses indicate possibility of TB infection must submit documentation of medical evaluation and treatment, if applicable. Students with a negative PPD on admission who convert to positive while enrolled in the program must submit documentation of medical evaluation and treatment.
  • Other acceptable blood tests for documentation of TB health status include QuantiFERON-TB In-Tube test (QFT-GIT) and T-Spot TB test (T-SPOT).
    • Positive IGRA: A positive test result suggests that TB infection is likely. Additional testing is necessary and includes checking for signs and symptoms suggestive of TB disease, a chest x-ray, and when indicated, examination of sputum or other clinical samples for the presence of TB.
    • Negative IGRA: A negative test suggests that infection by TB bacteria is not likely. No additional testing is necessary.
  • A negative PPD, or other acceptable test documenting negative TB health status, is required yearly thereafter by each student while enrolled in the program.
• CPR Certification
  • Student must submit documentation of American Heart Association BLS Provider or American Red Cross CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and Health Care Providers certification prior to admission. CPR Certification must be kept during the entirety of the nursing program.
• Drug Screen
  • Students are subject to random drug screenings.
• Flu Vaccine
  • While enrolled in the nursing program, students must receive and submit documentation of having received a seasonal flu vaccine annually. Additionally, student must submit evidence of current compliance with all health requirements.
• Health Insurance
  
  • While enrolled in the nursing program, it is encouraged that students maintain personal health insurance, but it is not required. 

Students are accepted into the RN to BSN program track for admission to fall or spring semesters.

• Application period for a fall semester entry is February 14th - May 31st.
• Application period for a spring semester entry is July 1st - October 15th.

 

All prospective Del Mar College nursing students must complete and submit applications for admission to the nursing program through NursingCAS.  NursingCAS is an internet based, third party application service and is not affiliated with Del Mar College.

The links below are provided to assist students with completing the application:

• NursingCAS Homepage
• Preparing to Apply with NursingCAS
• NursingCAS Application Instructions
• NursingCAS Applicant Help Center

If an applicant has additional questions regarding the NursingCAS website or completing the online application, contact NursingCAS Customer Service using one of the following:

• Phone: 617-612-2880
• Email: nursingcasinfo@nursingcas.org
• Contact Form

Admission Point System

• Selection of students for admission to the RN to BSN program is conducted using a point scoring system as follows:
  • Nursing GPA (NPGA) Points
    • Nursing GPA are awarded based on each student’s overall ADN nursing coursework GPA as follows:
      • 3.5 - 4.0 = 10 points
      • 3.0 - 3.49 = 8 points
      • 2.75 - 2.99 = 5 points
      • 2.5 - 2.74 = 3 points
      • 2.0 - 2.49 = 1 point
• Individual Grade Points (IG) Points
  • IG Points are awarded based on individual grades received in select general education courses. Points are awarded as follows:
    • A = 4 points
    • B = 3 points
    • C = 1 point

Minimum C Required	Lower Division Courses
BIOL 2401*	ENGL 1302
BIOL 2402*	MATH 1342
ENGL 1301*	PSYC 2314
PSYC 2301*	GOVT 2305
SPCH Core Elective*	GOVT 2306
PHIL 2306*	HIST 1301
CHEM 1406*	HIST 1302
BIOL 2420*	Creative Arts Core Elective

 

Note: Courses with grades of D or that are ‘in progress’ at time of application will be awarded zero points.

Admission Class Selection

Students satisfying admission requirements are ranked from highest to lowest based on Total Admission Points (NPGA Points + IG Points). Students with the highest ranking will be conditionally accepted until all available positions are filled. If a tie breaker is necessary, ADN graduates from Del Mar College will be given priority admission.

All applicants must be able to perform the essential skills included in this document either with or without ADA accommodations. 

 

Element	Description	Examples (not all inclusive)
Communication	Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form. Communication is understandable to others.	Explain treatment procedures, initiate health teaching, document and interpret nursing actions and patient/client responses.
Interpersonal	Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.	Establish rapport and maintain professional demeanor with patient/client, family, and colleagues.
Critical thinking cognitive ability	Critical thinking sufficient for clinical reasoning.	Ability to handle multiple tasks and problem solve simultaneously. Identify cause-effect relationships in clinical situations; utilize the nursing process in developing nursing care plans. Transcribe orders, interpret orders, and intervene appropriately.
Sensory: visual, auditory, olfactory	Visual ability sufficient for observations and assessment necessary in nursing care. Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment. Auditory ability sufficient to provide safe and effective nursing care. Ability to detect variety of smells, including noxious odors.	Assess and observe patient/client responses; able to identify and distinguish colors and shades of the same color. Hears, with and without background noises, monitor alarms, emergency signals, auscultatory sounds, and cries for help. Identify distinct body odors or body fluids, such as C. diff and alcohol breath. Detect gas smells.
Mobility	Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces.	Move in patients' rooms, workspaces, and treatment areas. Standing for long periods of time, lifting up to 30 lbs., one or two person assists; turning, rolling, or ambulating another person; manipulating equipment; performing patient care with fingers and manual dexterity.
Academic integrity	Cite references using APA format; Avoid collusion.	Any act of academic dishonesty, including cheating in the classroom or clinical setting violates standards.
Ethical practice	Abide by Code of Ethics for nursing students. Comply with all legal requirements regarding the privacy of patient records.	Protect client privacy and comply with all legal requirements related to patient records. Avoid fabrication of reports or records of interactions with clients, social networking violations.
Professional character	Truthfulness, caring, equality, respect, professional attire.	Accountable for behavior; self-discloses errors. Show respect and compassion for all clients without regard to gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious background, and social status. Adhere to dress code; arrive on time to class and clinical.
Emotional stability	Emotional stability is the capacity to maintain emotional balance and a stable mood when faced with psychological stressors.	Adapt to and make sound clinical judgments in stressful situations. Remain calm, think clearly, and stay focused in a pressured and distracting environment. Cope with environmental changes. Able to regulate and suppress negative emotions. Perceive and appraise challenges with resilience. Display effective coping mechanisms. Effectively deal with strong personal emotions.
Professional boundaries	Professional boundaries are the lines within which a client's best interests are consistently served.	Recognize the need for vigilance in maintaining professionalism and boundaries in diverse practice settings. Behaviors are consistent with the duty to always act in the best interest of clients. Set limits to the nurse-client relationship that ensure a safe, therapeutic relationship.
Empathy	Empathy is the use of emotional resonance to understand a client's experience of distress.	Use of cognitive skills to evaluate a client's experience. Attentive to client's emotional cues, identify their emotional state and reflect understanding of that experience. Demonstrate an understanding of what a client is communicating, feeling, and needing.
Compassion	Compassion is an awareness of another's suffering accompanied by the desire to alleviate it.	Provide a safe and comforting environment. Respect clients' rights, dignity, and their involvement in decision making. Focus on clients' needs and focus the emotion generated by their circumstance into an active response.