LPN to RN

Admissions Procedure for Advanced Standing of Licenses Practical Nurses 

Articulation Plan 

In support of the Nursing Education Articulation Plan for Kansas, Butler Community College Department of Nursing provides an opportunity for articulation of the licensed practical nurse (LPN) into the second year of the associate degree nursing curriculum. This is offered only on the El Dorado campus. At the time of graduation, the student has earned an Associate in Applied Science Degree and is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination - Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). 

Butler Community College believes in the concept of educational and career mobility, encouraging each individual to continue to build on the foundation of education and experience already achieved in reaching individual potential. The nursing faculty encourages the LPN to evaluate resources and personal abilities in order to establish realistic career goals. 

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) are provided the opportunity to apply for advanced standing within the nursing program. Specific requirements for advanced standing can be obtained by: 

Accessing the Butler Nursing website for Admission Process for Advanced Standing for LPNs 
E-mailing your name and address to Department of Nursing at: mridder@butlercc.edu and requesting Advanced Standing Materials be sent to you. 
Calling the Department of Nursing 316.322.3140.

STEP 1: Admission to the College

Butler Community College is an open admission institution, offering classes to individuals representing a full spectrum of academic ability. A free application for admission is required. 

STEP 2: Admission to the Associate Degree Nursing Program

LPNs seeking admission to the associate degree nursing program must be admitted to Butler and must also apply for admission to the Advanced Standing for LPN-to-RN Nursing Program.

Completion of the online application to the Nursing Program is the student’s responsibility.

Butler Advanced Standing Nursing Program grants admission twice a year with qualified applicants each fall and spring semester to the El Dorado campus

All required application materials must be received in the Nursing Department by May 20th for admission into the following fall semester, and by September 20th for admission the following spring semester.  

Prospective students must understand qualifications required for licensure as a Professional Nurse in Kansas. The Kansas State Board of Nursing will not license individuals with certain criminal offense history. You may inquire via the KSBN Web site. 

Qualifications for writing the state board licensure examinations.

Grounds for disciplinary action/denial of license.

Crimes against persons.

Kansas State Board of Nursing
Landon State Office Building
900 SW Jackson Street, Suite 1051 
Topeka, Kansas 66612-1230
Main: 785.296.4929
http://www.ksbn.org/ 

Applicants must have a current LPN license in the State of Kansas that will be verified by the nursing program. 

Applicants must submit proof of successful completion of a Kansas LPN IV certification course or evidence of previous PN curriculum that meets IV certification requirements.. 

Applicants must submit all original and official college transcripts from any college previously attended to the registrar‘s office showing completed prerequisites and a copy of transcript of practical nursing education. 

The following courses (24 college credit hours) must be completed successfully (with a grade of “C” or better; cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher) to be eligible for advanced standing: 

Anatomy & Physiology* 5 credits 
Pathophysiology 4 credits 
English Composition I 3 credits 
General Psychology 3 credits 
College Algebra (MA 131 or above) 3 credits 
Developmental Psychology 3 credits 
Therapeutic Nutrition 3 credits

Total 24 credits 

Note: For students currently enrolled in prerequisite courses at the time of application, official final grades are to be received in the Nursing Department no later than May 20th for admission into the following fall semester, and by September 20th for admission the following spring semester. Applicants will not be considered if currently enrolled in a class at the time of the application deadline.

* A&P successfully completed within the past 5 years OR provide documentation of successful completion of A&P (greater than 5 years) and evidence of currently working in a healthcare setting providing direct patient care (using A&P knowledge such as LPNs, EMTs, Paramedic, military medic) for at least 1000 hours over the previous 12 months. Both Anatomy and Physiology must be included and total at least five credit hours.  

Additional courses required for the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree: 

Concurrent or before NR 243: Microbiology** 5 credits 
Concurrent or before NR 244: English Comp II or Public Speaking 3 credits
** Microbiology must be taken either before or concurrently with 3rd semester NR243 and must be at least 5 credit hours.

Courses taken at other institutions must be from an accredited community college or four-year school in order to transfer and be eligible for credit. 

STEP 3: Ranking for Final Selection

The number of positions available in the second and third semester nursing classes varies with each class depending on the number of students progressing through the curriculum. A minimum 16 third semester positions are dedicated to qualified advanced standing applicants each semester. 

Applicants will be ranked in descending order according to the following criteria:  

GPA of the required prerequisites 
2 points for at least 1 year or more of work experience as an LPN 
2 points for completion of a “Navigating Challenges in…” PD course (PD134 ...College Health Sciences Pathways is preferred) or equivalent with a B or higher 
Only official transcripts and/or verification of final grades will be used. 
Applicants meeting the designated deadline will be given first consideration for admission. 
Applicants not meeting the deadline cannot be guaranteed consideration for admission. 
In the event the final applicant score cannot discriminate to a single applicant, all application materials of the applicants with the same final applicant score will be reviewed with selection based on the most highly qualified applicant.

All selected and non-selected applicants will be notified in writing by Butler’s nursing department. 

STEP 4: Selected Student Responsibilities for Acceptance

Admission to the program is contingent upon completing the following student responsibilities: a satisfactory background check, negative urine drug test, and completion of all clinical requirements and vaccinations. 

Selected applicants are given a specified time period to complete the required student responsibilities to accept their position in the class. Information on how to complete the screenings will be included in the contingent acceptance letter. 
If any selected applicants either do not accept, do not complete the required responsibilities on time, or if any accept and then withdraw prior to the beginning of classes, the vacancy created will be offered to the next highest ranked applicant. 
See CLINICAL REQUIREMENTS AND POLICIES section of this handbook for complete listing of all clinical requirements.  
Upon official acceptance into the nursing program the student will enroll in Health Assessment for the Practice of Nursing (3 credits), and Nursing Concepts for Advanced Standing (3 credits) courses, prior to entering third semester. These courses will introduce the philosophy and conceptual framework of the nursing curriculum and other content to prepare the student for upcoming nursing courses.
After successful completion of Health Assessment for the Practice of Nursing and Nursing Concepts for Advanced Standing, the requirement of the first-year nursing course(s) will be waived. No grade will be earned, however, successful completion of the first level of the nursing program is acknowledged. 
Applicants who are not selected for admission are asked to communicate, in writing, their desire to reapply for the next class to the Nursing Department prior to the May 20th and September 20th deadlines. 
Files of applicants who do not communicate a desire to reapply will be deleted.

Technical Standards

Nursing at the Associate Degree level involves the provision of direct care for individuals and is characterized by the application of verified knowledge in the safe and skillful performance of nursing functions. Therefore, in order to be considered for admission or to be retained in the program after admission, all applicants should possess: 

Sufficient visual acuity, such as needed in the accurate preparation and administration of medications, and for the observation necessary for patient assessment and nursing care. 
Sufficient auditory perception to receive verbal communication from patients and members of the health team and to assess health needs of patients. 
Sufficient gross and fine motor coordination to respond promptly and to implement the skills, including the manipulation of equipment required in meeting health needs. 
Sufficient communication skills (speech, reading, writing) to interact with individuals and to communicate needs promptly and effectively as may be necessary in the individual‘s interest. 
Sufficient intellectual and emotional functions to plan and implement care for individuals.

For Information: 

Contact Michele Ridder, Advanced Standing Coordinator at mridder@butlercc.edu 

Contact the Nursing Department at nursing@butlercc.edu