Associate in Science Degree in Nursing

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Should I consider nursing as a career?
Yes, if you enjoy working with and caring for people; able to accept, give and use constructive feedback; have good manual dexterity and coordination; able to speak and write well; able to work independently and within a team; and have a strong background in math, science and English. Back to top.

Where can I find more information about nursing as a career?
Visit the Maida Kamber Center (MKC) for Career and Transfer Services in `Ilima 104 or its website (see the Related Links section). The MKC provides career counseling, resources, and information. Back to top.

What degrees and certificates do you offer?
The associate in science (AS) degree. Back to top.

How can I obtain advising information about the KCC nursing programs?
Attend a Nursing Information Session. For a current schedule, click on Nursing Information Session. Back to top.

When can I apply to enter the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program at Kapi‘olani Community College (KCC)?
You must first complete the ADN prerequisite courses and the National League for Nursing (NLN) Pre-Admissions RN exam, after which you can complete an application to enter the ADN program in the fall or spring. The fall semester application period is December 1 to February 1; while the spring semester application period is June 1 to September 1.  The prerequisite courses can be completed at Kapi‘olani Community College or other campuses within the University of Hawai‘i (UH) System.  Courses completed at institutions outside of the UH System may also be used to fulfill the ADN prerequisite courses.  To complete the prerequisite courses at a campus within the UH System, please complete the UH System Application Form and identify your preferred campus and indicate your major as liberal arts or unclassified.  For more information, click on ADN Admissions Procedure. Back to top.

What’s the difference between the prerequisite courses and the co-requisite (support) courses for the KCC ADN program?
The ADN prerequisite courses must be completed before the application deadline, while the ADN co-requisite (support) courses can be completed before the application deadline or while in the ADN program.  Time and funding permitting, you are encouraged to complete the co-requisite courses before applying to the ADN program in order to obtain extra consideration on your application as well as concentrate solely on the nursing courses while in the ADN program.  For a listing of these courses, please click to Associate in Science Degree in Nursing. Back to top.

How long it will it take to complete the prerequisite and co-requisite courses for the KCC ADN program?
The minimum of length of time will consist of three terms (e.g., Fall, Spring and Summer or a combination thereof), since the ZOOL 141 (Human Anatomy and Physiology I), ZOOL 142 (Human Anatomy and Physiology II) and PHRM 203 (General Pharmacology) courses must be completed in the proper sequence.  ZOOL 141 serves as a prerequisite for ZOOL 142, while both ZOOL 141 and ZOOL 142 serve as prerequisite courses for PHRM 203.  You can decide how and when you want to complete the other prerequisite and co-requisite courses around the ZOOL 141, ZOOL 142 and PHRM 203 courses.  You are encouraged to complete the English and math courses early on, since some of the other ADN prerequisite and co-requisite courses require a certain level of English and math qualification. Back to top.

Is there a time limit on the prerequisite and co-requisite courses for the KCC ADN program?
The science courses (i.e., Zoology, Microbiology and Pharmacology) have a five-year time limit, which must be completed within the last five years prior to the first day of the application period.  As an example, for the Fall 2009 applicants, the first day of the application period is on December 1, 2008, which will require that their science courses must be completed between December 1, 2003 and December 1, 2008.

The chemistry course is the only science course that does NOT have a five-year time limit.  The chemistry course grade is also not included in the calculation of the grade point ratio (GPR) for the pre-nursing courses.  You must fulfill the chemistry course requirement by completing one year of high school chemistry or one semester of any college-level chemistry course with a grade of “C” or better.

There is no time limit for all other (non-science) courses. Back to top.

Am I able to re-take any prerequisite and co-requisite courses for the KCC ADN program and obtain a better grade in order to enhance my application to the KCC ADN program?
Yes, you may retake a prerequisite or co-requisite course to obtain a better grade in order to enhance your nursing application, since the KCC Nursing Department does not have a limit on the number of times that a course can be repeated for a better grade. To clarify, when retaking a course for which you received a grade of “D” or “F,” if you receive a higher grade after retaking the course, this higher grade will change your cumulative GPR.  When retaking a course for which you received a passing grade of “C,” if you receive a higher grade after re-taking the course, this higher grade will not change your cumulative grade point ratio (GPR).  In both situations, when reviewing your application for the KCC ADN program, the KCC Nursing Department will look for the higher grade for the course retaken. Back to top.

Do I need to maintain a certain grade and achieve a certain grade point ratio for the prerequisite and co-requisite (support) courses?
All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher.  A 2.5 cumulative grade point ratio (GPR) is required for the pre-requisite and co-requisite courses. Back to top.

Does my KCC cumulative grade point ratio (GPR) count, when my application is reviewed by the KCC Nursing Department?
Your cumulative grade point ratio at Kapi‘olani Community College must be at least 2.0 or higher (which is a “C” average or higher) for ALL courses completed at KCC in order to be considered for the KCC ADN program.  However, your KCC cumulative GPA is not used for ranking purposes, when applicants are selected for the KCC ADN program. Back to top.

How do I prepare for the National League for Nursing (NLN) Pre-Admissions RN exam?
You are encouraged to consider using the exam study guide titled the National League for Nursing’s Review Guide for RN Pre-Entrance Exam, 2nd Edition (ISBN 0-7637-2486-6).  The study guide may be purchased at the KCC Bookstore (in ‘Ohi‘a 116) or via private commercial bookstores or the internet.  Although you may elect to take the NLN exam at any time, you may want to consider completing the ADN prerequisite courses first before completing the NLN exam.  Completing the ZOOL 142-142L (Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lecture and Lab) may also provide additional background knowledge in preparation for the exam. Back to top.

Is there a time limit on my National League for Nursing (NLN) exam score?
Your NLN exam score is good for three (3) years.  As long as the exam score has not expired, you may use the same exam score when initially applying to the nursing program and if re-applying to the nursing program in a subsequent semester. Back to top.

Am I able to re-take the National League for Nursing (NLN) exam, if I am not satisfied with my initial NLN exam score?
Yes, you may re-take the exam every six (6) months.  If the second exam is taken less than the six months after your first exam, your second exam score will be voided and, in order to be eligible to retake the exam, you must wait another six months from the date of your second exam.

If you’ve taken the exam more than once, you should complete your nursing application by indicating the best score you received on the NLN exam.  The KCC Nursing Department does not use the most recent exam score or does not average out the multiple scores received.  Instead, the KCC Nursing Department will consider your best exam score received. Back to top.

Are letters of reference needed as part of my application?
Letters of reference are not necessary for the ADN application.  The Nursing Department is in the process of seeking approval to amend the admissions/application process which will enable applicants to submit letters of reference to affirm prior health/medical work experience; thus enabling applicants with health/medical work experience to receive additional consideration on their application.  The Nursing Department regrets any inconvenience caused by its premature announcement that letters of reference will be accepted for the Fall 2008/Spring 2009 application.  For updates, you are encouraged to revisit the KCC website periodically, attend a KCC Nursing Information Session or contact the KCC Nursing Department at 734-9305. Back to top.

How are students selected for the nursing program?
For the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program, the “best qualified” applicants are selected based on three criteria: their grade point ratio (GPR) for the prerequisite courses and co-requisite courses (if completed before the application deadline), their composite score for the National League for Nursing (NLN) Pre-Admissions RN exam and their completion of the co-requisite courses before the application deadline.  A range of points are assigned for the GPR for the prerequisite and co-requisite courses, for the composite scores for NLN exam and for each co-requisite course (completed before the application deadline).

For the LPN-RN Transition program, the “best qualified” applicants are selected based on the same criteria for the KCC ADN program as referenced above.  Transition Program applicants must also have a current LPN licensure and complete one year of full-time LPN work experience within the appropriate setting.

For the Adult Residential Care Home Operator (ARCH) program, the “first qualified” applicants are selected based on when they complete their application and the English reading requirement for the course.  ARCH Program applicants must also have a current nurse aide certification and complete six months of nurse aide work experience within the appropriate setting.

For the Long-Term Care Nurse Aide course, the “first qualified” applicants are selected based on when they complete their application and the English reading requirement for the course.

For the ADN Program and the Transition Program, qualified applicants who are deemed as Hawai‘i residents for tuition purposes are considered first for acceptance; after which, qualified, non-resident applicants are considered on a space-available basis.  Military personnel and their dependents are eligible to pay resident-level tuition based on their non-resident military exempt tuition status; however, they are deemed as non-residents when applying for the KCC nursing programs, since the military personnel’s home of record determines the state of residence. Back to top.

How many applications are received and how many students are selected for the nursing program each semester?
For the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program, the Nursing Department at Kapi‘olani Community College receives approximately 100-150 application each semester of which approximately thirty (30) to fifty (50) students are accepted each semester.  The number of acceptances will depend on the availability of instructors.

For the LPN-RN Transition program, the KCC Nursing Department receives approximately 10-30 applications each semester of which approximately ten (10) to twenty (20) students are accepted each semester depending on the availability of instructors.

For the Adult Residential Care Home Operator (ARCH) program, the KCC Nursing Department receives approximately 10-30 applications each semester of which approximately ten (10) to twenty (20) students are accepted each semester.

For the Long-Term Care Nurse Aide course, the KCC Nursing Department receives approximately 20-30 applications each semester of which approximately ten (10) to twenty (20) students are accepted each semester depending on the availability of instructors. Back to top.

After applying to the nursing program, when will I be notified of my application status?
Fall applicants who apply for the ADN program by the February 1st deadline will be notified of their application status by mid-April.
Spring applicants who apply for the ADN program by the September 1st deadline will be notified of their application status by mid-October.
If you are applying for the Adult Residential Care Home Operator (ARCH) program or the Long-Term Care Nurse Aide course, you will be notified by the KCC Nursing Department of your application status within five to ten working days depending on when you submit your application to the KCC Kekaulike Information and Service Center (KISC). Back to top.

Is there a wait list for the nursing program?
There is no formal wait list for the nursing programs; however, there is an alternate list that is maintained for only a specific semester.

For the ADN Program and Transition Program, applicants who are not selected for admissions may be deemed as alternates depending on their ranking.  Alternate students are required to attend the ADN New Student Orientation Session and are encouraged to complete the health requirements in case they are selected for the nursing program.  Alternate students may be offered admissions as early as two months before the start of the semester or as recent as one week before the start of the semester.  In either case, alternate students must be ready to start the ADN program at the time they are offered admissions or the next qualified alternate student, who has completed all of the health requirements, will be offered admissions into the program.  Alternates for the ADN Program or Transition Program who are not offered admissions into their semester of application must re-apply to the nursing program in a subsequent semester. Back to top.

I’ve completed all of the prerequisite and co-requisite courses for the KCC ADN program and was wondering if there are other courses that can be completed during the semester before I actually start the ADN program?

Below are other courses that are recommended for pre-nursing students.  While no extra application consideration is given for completing these courses, pre-nursing students gain extra knowledge in preparation for entry into the ADN program.

HLTH 110 – Medical Terminology (2 credits)
HLTH 125 – Survey of Medical Terminology (1 credit)
HLTH 160 – Study of Diseases (3 credits)
HLTH 252 – Pathophysiology (3 credits)
MEDA 100 – Introduction to Medical Assisting (3 credits)
NURS 9 – Long Term Care Nurse Aide (6 credits)
PHIL 250 – Ethics in Health Care (3 credits)

Other courses such BIOC 241-Fundamentals of Biochemistry, BIOC 244-Essentials of Biochemistry and MICR 140-General Microbiology Lab may also be taken in preparation for the UHM Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. Back to top.

What is a nursing student schedule like and am I able to work full-time or part-time while enrolled in the KCC ADN program?
Depending on the scheduled days/times for the lecture, lab and clinical practicum for a specific nursing course, a nursing student schedule encompasses the weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.  The decision to work is a personal choice, however, it is recommended that students lessen their work hours or forego working due to the demands within the nursing program. Back to top.

Is financial aid available for the KCC nursing programs?
Federal financial aid (i.e., grants, college work study and loans), UH System tuition waivers and private nursing scholarships are available for students accepted into the KCC ADN program.  Due to the short-term length of the nurse aide course and Adult Residential Care Home Operator (ARCH) program, federal financial aid is not available for students enrolled into the nurse aide course and ARCH program. Back to top.

Will KCC offer its nursing program at other sites throughout O‘ahu?
The KCC Nursing Department offered its ADN program at Leeward Community College in the Fall 2007 via a pilot project, wherein KCC nursing students were able to enroll in KCC nursing classes which were taught by KCC nursing faculty utilizing classroom facilities at Leeward Community College.  In order to fully offer its nursing program at other sites in Leeward and Windward O‘ahu in the future, the KCC Nursing Department will be working with Leeward Community College, Windward Community College and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) to address accreditation standards that will enable KCC to establish nursing student cohorts at Leeward Community College and Windward Community College in the future.  For updates, you are encouraged to revisit the KCC website periodically, attend a KCC Nursing Information Session or contact the KCC Nursing Department at (808) 734-9305. Back to top.

Is certification available?
The KCC ADN Program prepares its graduates for the National Council of Licensure Examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN). After the first semester of this program, students have acquired skills for employment as nurse aides. After the first year and completing the pediatric nursing course, students are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN examination to become a licensed practical nurse. Back to top.

Will KCC offer its practical nursing program again in the future?
The KCC Nursing Department is hoping to offer its practical nursing program again in the future after revising the practical nursing program’s curriculum in order to focus on long-term care.  The admissions requirements for the practical nursing program at Kapi‘olani Community College will also be revised in terms of the prerequisite courses, co-requisite (support) courses and the pre-admissions exam.  For updates, you are encouraged to revisit the KCC website periodically, attend a KCC Nursing Information Session or contact the KCC Nursing Department at 734-9305. Back to top.

Is the KCC ADN Program accredited?
The KCC ADN Program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and approved by the Hawai‘i State Board of Nursing. Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for admission into the upper division of the Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Back to top.

Accreditation:
National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission
61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006 #33rd Floor
Phone: 212.363.5555 or 800.669.1656
Fax: 212.812.0393
Website: http://www.nln.org/nlnac/

State Approval:
Hawai‘i State Board of Nursing
Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs
1010 Richards Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: 808.586.3000

DCCA-PVL ATT: BON
P.O. Box 3469
Honolulu, HI 96801
Website: http://www.state.hi.us/dcca/pvl/

Do you offer non-credit courses in nursing?
For a current listing of non-credit courses in nursing, please reference the KCC Catalog for non-credit course descriptions. For current offering of non-credit courses, please click on Continuing Education & Training. Back to top.

Degree(s) Offered

Related Links

Nursing Deparment
Kapiolani Community College
Kopiko Building, Room 201
4303 Diamond Head Road
Honolulu, HI 96816-4421

Phone: 808.734.9305
Fax: 808.734.9147

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