LPN to ADN Transition Nursing Program

Students who have successfully completed the practical nursing program, hold an active unencumbered PN license, and have earned a minimum score of the 65 percentile on the National League for Nursing’s Foundation for Nurses examination may be admitted to the ADN program after meeting the following additional requirements:

1. Complete the following courses with a “C” or higher: BIO 210, BIO 211, ENG 101, MAT 110 or MAT 120, PSY 201 and an elective in Humanities/Fine Arts. Minimum Program Ready GPA is 2.5 and Overall College GPA is 2.0.

2. Complete NUR 201 and NUR 203 with a minimum grade of “C” to receive exemption credit for NUR 101, NUR 139 and NUR 157. This is a requirement for progression in the transition program.

Graduate LPN students may also enter the program through the normal admission process but will not be eligible for the exemption credit without meeting the above criteria.

Please visit www.ptc.edu/transition for additional program acceptance guidelines.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Purpose Statement

An Associate Degree in Nursing provides the student with the knowledge and skills needed to apply the nursing process to individuals and families across the life span and prepare them to take the NCLEX-RN.

Program Student Learning Outcomes (QSEN):

1. Patient centered care

• Incorporate sensitivity and respect to demonstrate concepts of patient centered care within culturally diverse populations among individuals, families and communities. (Mission Goal I)

2. Teamwork and collaboration

• Function effectively and communicate professionally within nursing and other health care disciplines to achieve quality patient care in response to the needs of individuals and families across the lifespan and the health illness continuum. (Mission Goal V)

3. Evidence based practice

• Integrate evidence based practices to improve patient outcomes across all healthcare populations. (Mission Goal II)

4. Quality improvement

• Analyze data and implement quality improvement measures and continuous evaluation to ensure patient safety across the healthcare continuum. (Mission Goal VII)

5. Safety

• Create a safe environment that results in positive patient outcomes for individuals and families within culturally diverse populations. (Mission Goal X)

6. Informatics

• Integrate appropriate technology in nursing informatics for shared decision making and resolving problems in the delivery of care for individuals and families across the lifespan. (Mission Goal VII and III)

NLN Test Information

• To be eligible to apply for the Transition Nursing Program, students must take and pass the NLN Foundations of Nursing Exam (also called NACE-I or ACE-I) with a minimum score of 65 percentile.  

• The purpose of this exam is to determine if the student recalls enough information from their PN training to be successful in the Transition Nursing Program. 

• A study guide for this exam may be purchased from the PTC campus shop, or students may choose to study the Fundamentals and Med-Surg content from their PN textbooks to prepare for the exam. To see information about the topics covered on the NLN exam, click here. 

• Applicants for the Transition Nursing Program do NOT have to take the ATI TEAS.

• Testing times are 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on the Greenwood campus. There will be NO late admission to the test.  Students who are late will need to reschedule on a space-available basis.

• Students must first set up an NLN account and pay the required fee, which is currently $60, but subject to change. For instructions or to register, click here. 

• Students who do not reach the required score on the NLN Foundations of Nursing Exam are not eligible for the Transition Nursing program.  However, they may be eligible to pursue their Associate Degree in Nursing through the regular, full ADN program.  To understand the requirements for the regular, full ADN program and the application process, click here.