Practical Nursing (PRCN) Program
Admission Procedures
Admission Application Period
The application period for the Practical Nursing program will depend on when the program will be offered during the academic year. In the Fall 2009, the KCC Practical Nursing (PRCN) Program will be offered at Windward Community College (WCC) starting in September 2009. The application period for the PRCN Program at WCC was on June 22, 2009 to July 24, 2009.
In the Summer 2010, the Practical Nursing (PRCN) Program will be offered at Kapi‘olani Community College starting in May 2010. The application period for the PRCN Program at KCC will be on October 1, 2009 to December 15, 2009. All PRCN prerequisite courses, admissions procedures and ATI-TEAS Exam must be completed by the application deadline.
Interested students should visit the KCC Kekaulike Information and Service Center (KISC) in ‘Ilima 102 to obtain and submit a PRCN application starting on October 1, 2009. The PRCN application may also be downloaded via the “Forms” section within this webpage starting on October 1, 2009.
Interested students are also encouraged to check the KCC web site or contact the Nursing Department for updates on when the PRCN program will be offered again in the future.
Acceptance Criteria
All applicants who have met the minimum requirements are considered for acceptance on a best qualified basis. Applicants are ranked on a point scale based on the following criteria: a) Grade point ratio for completed pre-requisite and co-requisite (support) courses; b) ATI-TEAS Examination score; and c) co-requisite (support) courses completed by the application deadline. Applicants must also complete the following admissions requirements: 1) Completion of a state-approved nurse aide course (within the past three years) or nurse aide work experience (within the past three years after completing a formal nurse aide course) and 2) completion of a (15-hour) medical terminology course. Applicants deemed as residents of Hawai‘i for tuition purposes are considered first; after which non-resident applicants are considered on a space-available basis.
In its effort to address underserved regions and populations within the state of Hawai‘i, the Kapi'olani CC nursing department is offering its practical nursing (PRCN) program at Windward Community College (WCC) starting in September 2009. The application period for the PRCN program at WCC was on June 22, 2009 to July 24, 2009.
Admission ProceduresStep #1: Attend a Nursing Information Session before the application deadline.
See Nursing Information Session for dates and times available. The schedule may also be obtained from the Nursing Department office in Kōpiko 201.
At the information session you will learn more about the nursing career pathway, program, curriculum, admissions, and application requirements. After attending an information session, and for additional academic advising and support, visit a counselor during walk-in advising periods on Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m. to noon and on Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Kōpiko 201.
Step #2: Complete all prerequisite courses.
Complete all Practical Nursing Program prerequisite courses before applying to the Practical Nursing Program. A “C” grade or higher is required for all courses. For more information, click on Practical Nursing Program. Completing program co-requisite (support) courses is recommended.
To apply to KCC to begin taking the prerequisite courses, click on Admissions and follow the instructions. Identify your major as “Liberal Arts” or “Unclassified.”
To register online for the prerequisite and co-requisite courses (after you’ve been accepted to KCC), go to http://myuhportal.hawaii.edu and follow the instructions.
Step #3: Complete Assessment Technologies Institute-Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI-TEAS) Exam.
Complete the ATI-TEAS exam within the appropriate application period timeframe. The minimum acceptable percentile score is 65%. After completing the computer-based ATI-TEAS Exam, you will receive your score immediately after the test is completed. The Kapi‘olani Community College Nursing Department will also have access to your test results. The exam score remains current for three years. The exam may be retaken every three months. The higher score will be used if taken more than once.
To learn more about the ATI-TEAS Exam, please visit: http://www.atitesting.com/global/students/teas-faq.aspx .
Step #4: Submit the UH Systems Application Form and KCC Admissions Application/Checklist before the application deadline.
If you are new, transferring or returning to Kapi‘olani Community College, you must complete a “University of Hawai‘i System Application Form.” For a copy of the application form, click on UH System Admission Forms (see the "Forms" section). Identify your major as: “PRCN.”
All students applying to the PRCN Program must complete an PRCN Admissions Application/Check List. The Check List Form will be available only during the application period. For the Fall 2009 PRCN Program, the application period will be from June 22, 2009 to July 24, 2009. The Admissions Application/Checklist Form will be available starting on June 22, 2009.
Step #5: Official College Transcripts
For courses completed at a campus outside of the University of Hawai‘i (UH) System, you must have official transcripts sent directly to the Kekaulike Information and Service Center (KISC). To be considered for transfer, a course description must accompany each course taken outside of the UH system.
For courses completed outside the UH System and which were evaluated by UH System schools (other than Kapi‘olani Community College), these courses will also need to be evaluated by the KISC.
For courses completed at a campus within the UH System, you do not have to have transcripts sent to the KISC.
To formally transfer all courses completed outside of Kapi‘olani Community College, you must submit the Transcript Evaluation Request Form to the KISC. The transcript evaluation can be done prior to or as part of your application to the nursing program, but the transcript evaluation is NOT required as part of your application to the nursing program. After you are accepted into the nursing program, you will be required to complete the Transcript Evaluation Request Form for all courses completed outside of Kapi‘olani Community College.
For a copy of the “Transcript Evaluation Request Form” (see the “Forms” section).
Step #6: Selection and Acceptance
Accepted students will be notified by mail of their acceptance into the PRCN Program. Accepted students will receive an Acceptance Notice and “Health & Safety Packet” from the Nursing Department. The Acceptance Notice will include information about an Orientation Session, health forms, technical standards, and other related requirements.
Step #7: Attend mandatory Orientation Session for PRCN students.
New PRCN students are required to attend a mandatory Orientation Session to prepare for entry into the nursing program. The Orientation Session will provide an introduction to the first-semester nursing courses and will also cover the required books and fees, health requirements, academic requirements, nursing student handbook and required uniforms and supplies. Uniforms and supplies may be purchased during the orientation session. Picture taking for the required nursing student photo ID badge is also completed at the Orientation Session.
Step #8: Complete all health and safety requirements.
New PRCN students are required to complete the following health and safety requirements:
- Current certificate for CPR for Health Care Providers
- Current certificate for First Aid
- Tuberculosis clearance (card or physician’s report) within the past 12 months.
- Tetanus vaccination within the past 10 years.
- Positive Rubella titer blood test.
- Positive Measles titer blood test or two MMR immunizations.
- Positive Varicella (chicken pox) titer blood test or two Varicella immunizations.
- Positive Mumps titer blood test or two MMR immunizations.
- Positive Hepatitis B titer (HbsAb) with signed consent form or 3 Hepatitis immunizations with signed consent form.
- Physical examination completed by primary care provider confirming health status.
- Verification of personal health insurance.
New PRCN students are required to purchase professional liability insurance via the Kekaulike Information and Service Center (Cashier’s Office) in ‘Ilima 102. New PRCN students must also complete a criminal background check and drug/urine testing which are administered via the clinical facility.
Step #9: Register online and pay your tuition.
You will register for your nursing courses on-line after attending the Orientation Session. To register online, go to http://myuhportal.hawaii.edu and follow the instructions to login. Payment may be made on-line or at the Kekaulike Information and Service Center (Cashier’s office) in ‘Ilima 102.
The College requires tuberculosis (TB) and Measles Mumps & Rubella (MMR) clearance in order to register for courses.
You are encouraged to apply for financial assistance at the Kekaulike Information and Service Center in order to help cover the cost of your tuition and fees. (See the “Related Links” section for more information).
