Home find your success @ rvcc

Health Science Education Department

Department Chair: Patrice Case, MSN, RN-BC, CNE

Raritan Valley Community College Student Nurse Pinning Ceremony
Thursday, May 16, 2013 - 4:00 p.m.
The Edward Nash Theater

Nursing Programs

Allied Health programs
  Faculty and Staff New Jersey Heroes Act  


I. Nursing Programs

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the volume of applications for the Nursing program, only applicants who live or work in Somerset or Hunterdon County are eligible for admission at this time.

* We do not admit students in transfer from other Nursing Programs

**Acceptance to the college does not imply admission to the clinical nursing program

The Health Science Education Department at Raritan Valley Community College was originally organized in 1969 as the Nursing Department and graduated its first class in 1972. Since its inception, the nursing program has been accredited by both:
The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission -
3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850
Atlanta, Georgia 30326,
(www.nlnac.org)
(404) 975-5000		 The New Jersey Board of Nursing -
124 Halsey Street, 6th Floor
Newark, NJ 07101
(http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/nursing)
(973) 504-6430.

RVCC has developed articulation agreements through the University Center with schools such as Kean University and Rutgers University, among others, which allow students to easily transfer credits and obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from those institutions. Click here to read about the University Center here at RVCC, including Kean University's RN to BSN Program.  To read specifics about Kean University's RN to BSN Program, click here. For more information regarding Kean University's RN to BSN Program, please contact: 

Kathleen L. Neville, Ph.D.,  Kean University School of Nursing                    Professor and Program Coordinator of Offsite Nursing Programs at RVCC               908-526-1200 X8917    kneville@kean.edu  

Click here to read more about the Nursing Program's Philosophy, Framework, and Goals.

The Health Science Education Department offers two routes to prepare students for a career as a Registered Nurse, both leading to an AAS in Nursing. The Generic program is the entry-level route for students without prior nursing education, available as a Day or Evening/Weekend option. The Practical Nurse-Associate Degree (PNAD) program is the bridge option for students who have completed a Licensed Practical Nurse program, graduated the LPN program with a 3.25 GPA or higher, and are currently licensed and working as LPNs in New Jersey. The PNAD program operates primarily as a Day program. LPNs who do not qualify for the PNAD program may apply to the Generic program, and have the option to pursue Advanced Standing. To be eligible for Advance Standing, you must live or work in Somerset or Hunterdon County. Contact Nadine Larson for more information about Advanced Standing, or other admission questions that are not answered by the information and downloadable packets below:
Click here to view a power point that is presented during Nursing Information Sessions

Once admitted to the clinical nursing program, all students must comply with the Health Maintenance Policy.

Criminal History Background Check information for preclinical nursing students who are applying for the clinical nursing program:

Background checks must be done BEFORE a student applies to the clinical nursing program through the company Adamsafeguard - http://adamsafeguard.com. RVCC School Code for adamsafeguard criminal history background checks for preclinical nursing students - rvcdn. RVCC School code for adamsafeguard criminal history background check for an existing clinical nursing student update - rvcdn2. Direct student background link - https://adamsafeguard.acciodata.com/pub/schoolcheck_selectschool.html

Information for current RN Students:
The Nursing Program Policy Manual can be downloaded from here

Directions to Clinical Agencies

NJ Board of Nursing RN Licensure by Examination Packet

Enrollment Verification and Graduation Verification

Drug Screening Information for Clinical Nursing Students (students enrolled in NURS classes here at RVCC) - Fall 2013 - Click Here

Nursing Information Sessions
Students must attend a Nursing Information Session to be eligible to apply to the clinical Nursing program. These sessions are offered in the fall and spring semesters. Students can attend a Nursing Information Session at any time. Attendance is recommended during the semester before finishing prerequisites to ensure enough time to complete any outstanding requirements. A Nursing Information Session is the only place a student may obtain a clinical application. Clinical applications will only be made available to qualified students who attend the ENTIRE information session - late entry to the information session will not be permitted. Clinical applications can be turned into Nadine Larson once all prerequisites have been met. A student is not eligible to apply to the clinical nursing program until they have completed ALL prerequisites.

The nursing information session is approximately 90 minutes. Students must attend the entire session in order to receive a clinical application - no one will be allowed to enter once the information session has started. No confirmations will be sent for RSVP'S!

The following sessions are scheduled for the Spring 2013 semester:
 
  • Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at 4:00pm in Grand Conference Room A *Last session before late admission deadline (non-transfer students only may apply at the late admission deadline) of 5/17/13

To RSVP for any Nursing Information Session, send an email with "Will Attend Nursing Information Session" in the subject line. NO confirmations will be sent for RSVP's - please consider yourself registered upon doing so.

*Please see the following web link if you need to find any of the room locations for the information sessions - www.raritanval.edu/uploadedFiles/about/collegetour.swf
Top of Page

ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Information
The ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is the required nursing entrance test for admission. Information about the test content and study materials can be found at www.atitesting.com. The test covers Reading, Math, Science, and English. The test is $35.00, payable to the ATI TEAS website the day of the test. There is a $15.00 proctoring fee payable to RVCC via check or exact cash the day of the test.

The overall score (all 4 sections) and the Reading and English section scores are used in the RVCC admission process. There is no minimum score required for application, but TEAS scores do affect the total admission score. For RVCC admission, students can test once every 4 months. For 2013 admission, TEAS results will only be accepted from tests taken since September 2011. TEAS testing given at RVCC during the fall and spring semesters and is for RVCC students only who are applying to RVCC's clinical nursing program.

Students can search for ATI TEAS Version V testing dates (the test must consist of all four parts for RVCC admission requirements - Reading, English, Math, & Science) at www.atitesting.com. TEAS test results from an offsite facility must be submitted with the clinical application for review!!!!

**If you require testing accommodations due to a documented disability, please contact the Office of Disability Services at 908-526-1200 Ext. 8418 or email disabilityservices2@raritanval.edu to apply for accommodations before taking the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills

        Spring 2013 ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills @ RVCC

  •  The May 15, 2013 TEAS date is full as of 4.18.13
 TEAS testing dates at RVCC for September 2013 will be announced on this website in August 2013
If students wish or need to test off campus, please visit www.atitesting.com for information regarding taking the ATI TEAS Version V at a PSI testing center

TEAS testing dates on campus are posted monthly in the Fall and Spring semesters.

LPN Step Test
The LPN Step test is a required prerequisite and entrance exam for students wishing to apply to the LPN-RN program here at RVCC - PNAD Program. It will be given during the Fall semester at RVCC prior to the clinical application deadline for PNAD.

Study materials for this test may be found at http://www.atitesting.com/ati_store/prodcut.aspx?zpid=1221 and https://www.atitesting.com/Solutions/PreNursingSchool/LPNSTEP.aspx The LPN Step Test is testing a students' knowledge as an LPN. It is based on the NCLEX-PN test plan. Materials used to study for the NCLEX-PN would assist the student as well.

Students that will be eligible to apply for the Summer 2014 PNAD (clinical application deadline 12/31/13) program can check this website in August 2013 for the Fall 2013 LPN Step Test Date.

**If you require testing accommodations due to a documented disability, please contact the Office of Disability Services at 908-526-1200 Ext. 8418 or email disabilityservices2@raritanval.edu to apply for accommodations before taking the ATI LPN Step Test.

Nursing - LPN program
Raritan Valley Community College is making every attempt to provide a continuation of the Practical Nursing program that was offered by Somerset County Technology Institute. However, the RVCC program must be sanctioned and accredited by the New Jersey State Board of Nursing, who at this time has a moratorium in effect on the acceptance of new applications for any LPN programs. Therefore, RVCC is not accepting applications from potential LPN students at this time. We encourage you to explore the many other certificate programs available at RVCC, including Medical Assistant, Medical Coding, Fitness Specialist, and Ophthalmic Science.

If you would like to be put on a list to receive information about the LPN program when it becomes available, click here.
Top of Page

II. Allied Health Programs:

Degree Programs
Associate Degree (AS) - These programs award an Associate of Science Degree and prepare a student for transfer to a 4-year college or university.


Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) - These programs award an Associate of Applied Science Degree and offer the dual advantage of preparing students for immediate employment while simultaneously allowing them to accumulate a significant number of transferable credits.


The Associate of Applied Science Degree program in Health Information Technology (HIT) prepares students for careers in health information management. The Associate Degree Program at Raritan Valley Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) (http://cahiim.org) Health Information Technicians are employed in hospitals, long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, large outpatient and ambulatory care centers, as well as physician offices, health insurance companies and local, state and federal health agencies.For additional information, contact Kathy Reilly.

For the 2010-2011 academic year, 100% of the HIT students who took the RHIT certification exam, either in their last semester or after graduation, passed the exam, thus becoming certified RHITs (Registered Health Information Technicians).

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment of medical records and health information technicians is expected to increase by 20 percent, much faster that the average for all occupation through 2018, because of rapidly increasing scrutiny by health insurance companies, regulators, courts, and growth in the number of medical tests, treatments, and procedures. In addition, with the increasing use of electronic health records, more technicians will be needed to complete the new responsibilities associated with electronic data management.

Please visit www.hicareers for more information on this career path!

Joint Degree Programs
Students enrolled in these joint health care programs attend classed at both Raritan Valley Community College and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey following a prepared curriculum approved by the two institutions. For specific information regarding UMDNJ's tuition, policies and procedures, please visit: http://shrp.umdnj.edu/ For additional information, contact: Kathleen Michell.
Top of Page

Certificate Programs

Designed to Provide Specialized Expertise:

    The Medical Coding Certificate prepares students to determine appropriate medical codes, process coding information and maximize medical reimbursement. As the health care system grows in complexity and advances in medicine and technology continue, hospitals and physicians who want to remain in the competitive health care arena will become increasingly pressed to ensure that they are in compliance with medical coding guidelines and insurance and billing procedures. To this end, qualified medical coders will continue to be significant professionals in a wide range of health care settings. The certificate can be completed within one calendar year. Graduates will be prepared to sit for the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) certification exam to become a Certified Coding Associate (CCA). For additional information, contact: Kathy Reilly
    The Medical Assistant Certificate program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756 727/210-2350 Graduates will be able to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam offered by the American Medical Technologists. For additional information, contact: Martha Logan-Bieler

Non-Certificate Courses
For additional information, contact: Kathleen Michell.
After course is completed, students are eligible to sit for certifying exams.

Allied Health Non Credit
For additional information, contact: Kathleen Michell
Courses prepare students for employment opportunities in a variety of areas.


To register for classes, click here

Central Sterile Processing Information Session December 11th

Refund Policy Allied Health Noncredit courses:

If a student chooses to withdraw from an allied health noncredit course, they will be given a full refund, minus registration fees, up until the second scheduled course. Students will have until end of business day on the Monday following the second scheduled course to request a refund. Any materials included in the cost of the class, must be returned upon deregistration, or no refund will be issued. No refunds are given for the fees associated with criminal background checks, drug testing, liability insurance, uniforms, and/or health maintenance requirements.
For additional health-related academic programs visit the Science Department
Top of Page

Faculty:

Full-Time Faculty:
Nursing:
Fitness/Wellness:
Ophthalmic Science:

Health Information Technology:

Medical Assistant:

Allied Health Programs:

Professor Emeritus: Nursing

Adjunct Faculty and Staff:

Nursing:

  • Megan Allen
  • Jodi Castiglia
  • Shawn Frame
  • Geraldine Gibbons
  • Eva Henry
  • Heather Heithoff
  • Peter Longa
  • Claudia Pagani
  • Nicole Rolston
  • Kathleen Sackett
  • Hilda Sciortino
  • Lina Shi
  • Vanessa Smith
  • Claudette Spencer
  • Mario Sumergioo
  • Nancy Thompson

Ophthalmic Science:

Fitness/Wellness:

Health Information Technology:

  • Penny Del Moral
  • Patty Gillespie
  • Christine Meacham
  • Chintha Ranasinghe
  • Diana Skarbek
  • Marsha Faden
  • Steven Faden
  • Richard Wicker
  • D. Scott Carey
  • Cynthia Korman

Allied Health:

  • Constance Archibald, CNA
  • Stephanie Carey, Public Health

Support Staff:

  • Betty Beede, Part-time Allied Health Administrative Asst.
  • Nadine Larson, HSE Student Services Specialist
  • Ann Pyzik, Department Assistant
  • Linda Curley, Coordinator of Nursing Skills Lab
Top of Page
This page is maintained by Kathleen Michell and Nadine Larson

nc