Associates of Applied Sciences Nursing Program (AAS)

Program Overview

The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing curriculum is designed to provide graduates with the necessary knowledge and skills to be eligible to attain licensure as registered nurses upon successful completion of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®) and allows graduates to provide nursing care in a variety of settings.

The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS) Program at the University of the District of Columbia at the Community College located at 5171 South Dakota Avenue, NE is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326, 404.975.5000.

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate of Applied Science nursing program is Initial Accreditation.

The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS) program is approved by the District of Columbia Board of Nursing (2201 Shannon Place SE, Washington, DC 20020, 202-724-8800).

UDC offers the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS) Degree. The curriculum reflects high standards of professional practice and incorporates guidelines from practice trends, professional organizations, and accrediting agencies.

The program’s curriculum helps students develop the knowledge base and clinical competencies required to meet the healthcare needs of patients across the health continuums. Nurses treat patients of all ages and health statuses – from premature infants to the aged in critical care, acute care, rehabilitation, and home care settings.

Vision

The vision of the AAS Nursing Program is to provide a positive, supportive learning environment where students acquire the necessary knowledge and skills through evidence-based, innovative instructions to become a safe and competent practitioner for direct client care to meet the diverse healthcare needs of our community.

Mission

The mission of the AAS Nursing Program is to prepare competent practitioners to meet the health-related needs of the diverse citizenry of the District of Columbia and the global society at large and to address health needs across the lifespan. Graduates can practice in a variety of settings under a variety of conditions (including natural and man-made disasters). The mission embraces various levels of educational preparation for the nursing discipline. These programs enable graduates to achieve educational, career mobility and practice advancement.

End-of-Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Associate of Applied Sciences Nursing Program, students are expected to:

1. Utilize judgments in practice, substantiated with evidence, that integrate nursing and other disciplinary knowledge in the provision of safe, quality care and promote the health of patients and the family.
2. Model effective and therapeutic communication to improve the health outcomes of patients and their families.
3. Implement the best evidence-based practice that is available based on the values and preferences of patients, families, and communities.
4. Examine the effectiveness of information and health technology in decision-making to mitigate errors, support decision-making, and communicate with the interdisciplinary team.
5. Integrate leadership skills and theories based on evidence-based practice that results in optimal wellness for patients and their families.
6. Coordinate holistic, compassionate, safe, and effective care, respecting patients’ preferences, values, age, culture and needs.
7. Model professional, legal, and ethical standards in the provision of quality nursing care for patients and their families.
8. Plan safe and effective methods to improve the quality and safety of health care systems based on patient outcomes data.
9. Plan strategies based on evidence-based methods to minimize the risk of harm in the environment for clients, self, and others.
10. Collaborate with nurses and other interdisciplinary professionals to plan patient outcomes that result in optimal health.

Academic Information

The UDC Office of Admissions processes applications to the University and UDC-CC, and upon admission, students identifying Nursing as a major, are assigned to a Student Success Advisor for ongoing advisement.  When accepted into clinical courses, students are assigned to a nursing faculty advisor. A separate application is required to enroll in the Professional/Clinical Division (P/CD) of the program. Admission to the fall and spring Clinical Nursing program is competitive.

Information about the degree offerings in the Nursing Program presented at this site supersedes printed documents. The 2022-2024 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog, AASN Student Handbook for each semester; UDC website; and current Undergraduate Nursing Student Handbook for undergraduate students provide information regarding admission, progression and graduation policies. Nursing Handbooks are provided to all students admitted to the Nursing Program and Nursing students are responsible for using these public documents to enhance their academic experiences and are held accountable for policy adherence.

Admission Eligibility Requirements – Effective Fall 2024

• Good standing with the University, including accounts, academic standing, and other University admission requirements.
• Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0 or higher.
• All pre-requisite general education courses (including IGED courses) must be completed with at least a “B” grade.
• All pre-requisite science courses (including BIOL) must be completed with a grade point average of 3.0 and completed within the most recent five years at the time of application. Transfer students must complete all pre-requisite science courses (including BIOL) with a grade of at least “B.”  Transfer students must complete science and BIOL courses within the most recent five years at the time of application.
• A grade of “D” or “F” in more than one pre-requisite course (within five years from applying to the program) will disqualify the student’s eligibility; the student will not be accepted into the program.

The AAS Nursing Program is now accepting applications for the Spring 2025 admission from September 5, 2024 through September 25, 2024. Please follow the below instruction to ensure your application is complete:

1. Two Professional (i.e. Supervisor, Professor, Assistant Manager or Manager only) recommendations letters should be submitted by the evaluator and email to Mr. John Trapps at john.trapps@udc.edu.

2. Click here for application form. Click here for the program of study.

3. For Application, essay, and unofficial transcript(s) Submission:

• Click on the link to gain access to the portal: https://portal.castlebranch.com/IU61
• Click on place order.
• Then Select IUdmfall: Fall Nursing Applications Document Manager and follow the instructions.
• You will be informed via email by Dr. Vonda Rogers, when to complete the Global Background Clearance.

Prerequisite Courses Effective Fall 2024

Students must have a cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0 or higher. All pre-requisite general education courses (including IGED courses) must be completed with at least a “B” grade. All pre-requisite science courses (including BIOL) must be completed with a grade point average of 3.0 and completed within the most recent five years at the time of application. A grade of “D” or “F” in more than one pre-requisite course (within five years from applying to the program) will disqualify the student’s eligibility; the student will not be accepted into the program.  If general education courses (non-nursing) were completed more than five years ago at the time of application submission and received a grade lower than “C”, and/or no longer offered at UDC they will not be included in the GPA calculation.

Admission Testing Requirements

For entry into the program Fall 2024, eligible applicants will be required to take the National League for Nurses (NLN) NEX Examination. Each tester will be responsible for paying the $52.50 NEX Pre-Admission Examination fee.

Pre-Admission Exam for AASN $52.50

NEX (Nursing Entrance Examination) Pre-Admission Examination Benchmark Scores for Program Entry Fall 2024:

• Verbal – 64%
• Math – 60%
• Science – 62%

NEX Study Materials

• NEX Study Materials
  • NEX Prep Study $32 per content area
    • Material & Practice Exam
• NEX Prep Bundle $75

Projected Costs

• Castlebranch – application submission $7.99 & clinical compliance $32 (both one-time payment)
• Nursing Uniforms and supplies (Uniforms, shoes, lab coat, penlight, scissors, stethoscope, and blood pressure cuff) – $250
• NLN NEX Pre-Admission Examination – $52.50
• Background Check – $64

Progression, Academic Standing, and Course Performance Grading

Nursing students are eligible for progression upon meeting the following contingencies:

1. Achievement of a grade of “77” or better is required in all nursing courses listed on the Program of Study, and a cumulative 2.8 GPA must be maintained; if a cumulative GPA of 2.8 is not maintained, the student will be removed from the nursing program and will not be allowed to re-enter the nursing program until the student’s cumulative GPA is a minimum of 2.8. Students should seek advisement from their assigned nursing faculty advisor.
2. Incomplete grade(s) must be removed before progressing to another nursing course.
3. Pre and/or co-requisites must be completed for each nursing course prior to progression. Only one nursing course may be repeated throughout the duration of the program.
4. Once admitted to the nursing program, generic students have a maximum of three years to complete degree requirements.

View the Program of Study →

Withdrawal/Dismissal

Students will be limited to only one withdrawal throughout the program. Any student who withdraws more than once will be dismissed from the program. A grade of C or better is required of ALL courses listed on the program of study. Only one opportunity is given to repeat a nursing course. Students whose transcripts show two grades below “C,” either D or F, in nursing courses will not be retained in the nursing major.

Other reasons for dismissal include any incident where continuing in nursing would be detrimental to the health of the student or to others, verified academic dishonesty, code of conduct violations and unethical practices in classroom or clinical settings. While a student may be dismissed from the nursing program, she/he may not be dismissed from the University and can be assisted with identifying another major.

Readmission

1. Students in good academic standing who have not been enrolled for one or more semesters in the AAS nursing program must submit a letter of intention by the 3rd Friday in January for consideration for the following Fall term and the 3rd Friday in September for the following Spring term in order to be screened for eligibility to register for nursing courses.
2. Students who withdraw from the AAS nursing program and apply for readmission at a later date, even though the student has earned a “C” grade in nursing courses during a previous enrollment, may be asked to repeat some or all of the nursing courses previously completed, especially if the time between withdrawal and readmission is one year or longer.
3. Any student in the nursing program who has a break in their program of study must demonstrate clinical competencies beginning with the Foundations of Nursing skills and the last clinical course that the student was enrolled.
4. Readmission of nursing students is contingent upon recommendations of the APG Committee and space availability. If a student is readmitted, he/she will be readmitted on space availability under the current curriculum plan.

Nursing Course (Class and Clinical) Performance Requirements

Students are expected to function as accountable, responsible, and self-directed individuals. The course syllabi provide course details and serve as the student-faculty contracts for the course. The course syllabi and modules identify objectives, teaching methods, learning activities, and evaluation criteria to guide students. Course schedules provide testing details, content and/or assignments.

• Classroom attendance is expected and academic integrity is required. Absenteeism jeopardizes academic success. A breach in academic integrity will result in dismissal from the nursing program.
• Clinical and Laboratory attendance in nursing is mandatory. All planned learning experiences, whether on-campus or off-campus, are required to meet course objectives. Students are responsible for purchasing and maintaining uniforms and uniform accessories.
• Health clearance through the University Health Services is required annually and is a pre-requisite to clinical placement in accord with the healthcare agency policies and D.C. laws.
• CPR Certification (American Heart Association Healthcare Providers Card Only) must be maintained by all students enrolled in nursing courses.
• Health problems and/or pregnancy, which would interfere with the student’s ability to meet program objectives, will be considered on an individual basis. Students with health problems and/or pregnancy must have written permission from their physician and sign a student release form prior to clinical laboratory and classroom experiences. Specific agency health policies must be observed.  Students are required to sign a Student Release Form. This form includes the following statement:
  • I hereby release the Nursing Program and the University of the District of Columbia Community College from responsibility for any injury or illness to me (or if I am pregnant, my unborn fetus) while attending hospital or other clinical settings.  I understand that risks do exist for me (and if pregnant, my unborn fetus) while practicing nursing in the hospital or other clinical settings and I do assume any and all risks involved.

Grievance Procedures

Students have rights and responsibilities to express concerns regarding faculty-student matters and perceived problems. Students are encouraged to follow the chain of command and seek assistance from faculty members and academic advisors to resolve issues at the lowest level of authority. If the matter cannot be resolved at the level of occurrence, the student is to use the established Grievances Policy located in the Nursing Student Handbook.

Grade Appeal Procedures

Grade appeals that cannot be resolved at the departmental level with the professor, go to the Director of Nursing. If the grade appeal cannot be resolved at the Director of Nursing level, then go to Community College Academic Appeals Committee. Complaints of discrimination can be filed with the UDC Office of Human Resources to address affirmative action, equal employment opportunities, disability-handicap-limitation accommodations, racial harassment, and sexual harassment. The Discrimination Policy is located here.

Code of Conduct and Ethics

Nursing students are expected to follow the National Student Nurses’ Association Code of Academic and Clinical Conduct, American Nurses’ Association Code of Ethics, and UDC Code of Student Conduct. Students at UDC assume the obligation to maintain standards of academic integrity. Violation of academic obligations includes unethical practices and acts of academic dishonesty, such as cheating, plagiarism, falsification, and the facilitation of such acts. Academic integrity is expected and required for retention in the nursing program. Violations of the Contract of Civility and Respect Code of Student Conduct will result in dismissal from the nursing program.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) the Nursing Program at the University of the District of Columbia makes every effort to provide reasonable accommodations for all individuals with a disability https://www.udc.edu/cc/counseling-and-accessibility-resource-center/. The program does not discriminate against applicants because of gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnic background, political affiliation, or disability.

Advisement

Nursing students are assigned to faculty advisors according to the first letter of the students’ last names or status (LPN, transfer students from another nursing program, or RN). New students (Freshman Level or Transfer) admitted to the University who indicate an interest in nursing should report to the Student Success Center for advisement. Students must be accepted as nursing majors or have permission to register for AASN. Continuing students who are nursing majors enrolled in clinical nursing courses are to see their assigned advisor during the early registration period each semester for academic counseling. Students are encouraged to make appointments with their faculty advisor for academic counseling at least once per semester prior to the registration periods, to facilitate optimal progression through the program.

View faculty advisor assignments →

Contact Information

Dr. Susie Cato, DNP, MSN, MASS, RN
Interim Director of Nursing
202-274-5914
scato@udc.edu
5171 South Dakota Avenue NE, Room 310
Washington, DC 20017