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WNC RIBN Pathway CriteriaFall 2021 Start TermWestern North Carolina Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate NursesA-B Tech Community College & Western Carolina University CohortA-B Tech Application Cycle: 08/01/20 – 01/29/21 at 5pm – No ExceptionsRIBN Defined: A partnership between community or private colleges and universities that utilizes a dual enrollment anda four-year shared curriculum pathway for students to achieve a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) at thebeginning of their nursing careers.Why WNC RIBN? Licensure: Students take the NCLEX exam after Year 3 (YR3) and can work as an RN during the final year, Year 4(YR4) while completing the baccalaureate courses.Save Money: Students pay mostly community college tuition rates for the first three years, plus the cost of one,sometimes two, university courses each academic year.More Experience and Education: Three years of the program include nursing courses and clinical experiences.Traditional baccalaureate and associate degree programs include two years.WNC RIBN Pathway Options: 4-Year and 3-Year4-Year Option: Applicants interested in this option start at Year 1 (YR1) and complete the RIBN pathway in four years.Three years at A-B Tech (ADN) and one year (BSN) through WCU. This is for already accepted RIBN students who have notcompleted all YR1 general education requirements and must start here. Students are dually enrolled YR1-YR3, as definedby the articulation agreement and the institutions’ curriculum standards. Year 4 (YR4) is completed within WCU’s nursingprogram primarily at the Biltmore Campus. The majority of courses are online throughout the BSN portion and parts ofthe ADN program. The ADN portion of the RIBN pathway is not an evening program. Years 1-3: While taking required ADN courses, students also take required BSN general education coursesthrough both A-B Tech and WCU. These early university courses satisfy the liberal arts curriculum and the NSG346 pathophysiology course requirement for a BSN. Year 4: During the fourth and final year, RIBN students are full-time (12 credit hours/semester) in the BSNprogram through WCU. Successful completion of Year 4 completes the BSN portion of the WNC RIBN pathway.3-Year Option: Applicants qualified as candidates for this option start at Year 2 (YR2) and complete the program in threeyears (YR2-YR4). To be eligible to start at YR2, students must have successfully completed all YR1 courses - No Exceptions.Students are dually enrolled with A-B Tech and WCU YR2 & YR3, as defined by the articulation agreement and theinstitutions’ curriculum standards. Year 4 is completed within WCU’s nursing program primarily online and at theirBiltmore Campus.Revised 12-20
Page 2WNC RIBN Application Criteria FALL 2021 Start TermA-B Tech & WCU have a collaborative, dual-admissions process which must be followed at both institutions. WNC RIBN isa competitive, selective admissions pathway and there is no guarantee of acceptance. To compete at A-B Tech, you mustcomplete all processes, including the submission of accurate RIBN application documents to your A-B Tech RIBN Advisorby 5pm on the deadline date. There are no exceptions to the deadline date or time. We are very strict about this rule.A-B Tech Application Cycle: 08/01/20 – 01/29/21 at 5pm – No ExceptionsMinimum WNC RIBN Criteria & Scoring ValuesAdmission to the RIBN pathway is competitive. After meeting all A-B Tech/WCU RIBN program admission requirements, allapplicants are ranked numerically based on the scoring values below.General College Application: Apply first to A-B Tech. Has no ranking value. Do not apply to WCU until the A-B Tech RIBNAdvisor emails you the WCU RIBN link. The link is sent beginning in November. The WCU RIBN Application must be completedby early February.GPA: Value is 25% of overall RIBN application scoreTo apply for admission directly from high school or before completion of at least 20 hours of college-level credit, theapplicant must have an unweighted, cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in high school courses. (no rounding up)If the applicant has completed 20 or more college-level credit hours, the required GPA is the combined, cumulativeGPA of 3.0 or higher from all higher education institutions attended. These 20 hours do not include courses below 100level. The higher grade is used if a course is repeated at the same dent-records/send-transcriptsACT - American College Testing: ACT is required regardless of prior degrees held. SAT is not a substitute. Value is 25% of overall RIBN application score. Visit http://www.act.org to schedule your test.Minimum ACT composite score is 19. Writing portion not required.ACT scores do not expire. Request ACT send the score report to A-B Tech.TEAS - Test of Essential Academic Skills: Assesses a student's preparedness entering the health science fields. Value is 50% of overall RIBN application scoreMinimum TEAS Composite score is 70. *See important test registration information below.Prior TEAS scores must be 2 years or newer*For more information about the TEAS, visit http://www.atitesting.com. Due to Covid-19, the revised TEAS process is as follows: Register through ATI: https://www.atitesting.com/teas/register. Once on the ATI website, choose the Nursing option andeither PSI located on Patton Avenue to test online in person, or choose Proctorio to test online from home. Both test sitesare through ATI. Either test site you choose, a Test Ticket is not needed from me since testing is not on campus this year. If you earn a TEAS Composite Score of 70 or higher, request ATI, which receives all scores no matter which test site youchoose, send your Official Score Report to A-B Tech. The score report is Official when it comes from ATI and not thestudent. Make the request early enough for it to arrive to A-B Tech no later than 01-29-21. No exceptions. There is a 60-daywaiting period between the first and second test attempt so plan accordingly. For potential candidates requesting RIBNCriteria/Testing information in December, you can only test once due to the 60-day rule. Finally, email me a PDF of your Score Report, which means my version of your report is Unofficial, which is okay for me, butnot A-B Tech. I request a PDF because it arrives in the proper size for readability. Your Unofficial report lets me know whereyou are in the RIBN application process. If you tested twice, I need copies of both score reports.Revised 12-20
Page 3Additional Testing Information: Applicants are responsible for costs associated with the TEAS and costs for study guides or practice tests.If an applicant does not follow through and take the TEAS or submit official scores, the applicant is disqualified from moving forward withthe RIBN application process.WCU allows their students to take the TEAS at WCU. In this case you would send a pdf of your WCU TEAS score report to me as the RIBNAdvisor. Make sure your name is visible on the report when you email it.Qualified TEAS scores from a location other than WCU are accepted provided the Official scores are on file with A-B Tech before theapplication deadline and are two years or newer.For applicants with disabilities, the ATI website provides the opportunity to make accommodations.Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College is invested in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Support Services ispart of Student Services and is in the K. Ray Bailey Student Services Center. For detailed information contact supportservices@abtech.edu or (828)398-7581. An appointment with the Director of Support Services or the Support Services Advisor is recommended prior to enrollment in order to discussany special concerns.Two Additional Minimum Admission Notes:1.All students are required to have graduated from high school or completed a High School Equivalency (HSE) or Adult HighSchool Diploma to be eligible to enter any selective, allied health program, including WNC RIBN. You must have self-certifiedthis requirement on your A-B Tech College application. To be considered a qualified RIBN candidate, you must have satisfiedthe following UNC minimum course requirements: 4 units of English 3 units of mathematics (Algebra I and II, Geometry) 3 units of science (life science, physical science, and a laboratory course), chemistry required*, with a ‘C’ or greater 2 units of a language other than English (same language) – American Sign Language (ASL) counts2.Notice to non-U.S. Citizens – Admission to RIBN is open only to individuals with legal status or lawful presence. Some clinicalsites may have additional immigration/citizenship requirements. Successful completion of clinical rotations is required forprogram completion. The college refund policy applies if a student drops the program after being denied clinical siteprivileges. Non-citizens are encouraged to contact the appropriate licensing/certifying agency to determine if they are eligiblefor licensure/certification upon graduation – decisions regarding licensure/certification are solely the responsibility of thelicensing/certifying agency.*See next page for the RIBN Application steps for a Fall 2021 pathway entry. Candidates apply by the 01-29-21 deadline,and if accepted, begin RIBN in Fall of 2021. WCU lets candidates know their acceptance status via email in March or April.Therefore, please do not contact me or WCU after submitting your RIBN Application to check your acceptance status. Youwill not receive a response until WCU has made the final decision.Revised 12-20
Page 4How to Apply to WNC RIBN at A-B TechA-B Tech RIBN Application Cycle: 08/01/20 – 01/29/21 at 5pm – No ExceptionsRead the Fall 2021 WNC RIBN Criteria carefully. The information below is only one portion of this criteria document.Please note that each Fall, A-B Tech has approximately 45 seats available for well-qualified RIBN candidates.1.Complete a free A-B Tech college application online at wwwabtech.edu/apply. For program of study select: GeneralOccupational Technology-Nursing RIBN Option. The college application is NOT an application for acceptance to anallied health program, including RIBN. It is simply a college entry application. All Official transcripts must be evaluatedfor RIBN before meeting with the RIBN Advisor.2.Should you decide to move forward with applying to RIBN, to help guide your RIBN pathway journey, the RIBN Advisorcreates/shares with you your individualized, semester-by-semester Education Plan.3.The short RIBN application is completed separately by the RIBN Advisor in January. Then it is emailed to the candidatefor a signature. No essay required.4.For current high school students, the college requires an Official (unopened) high school transcript be on file after yourFall grades are posted. Minimum overall (unweighted) GPA of 3.0 – no rounding up.5.Request ACT.org send your Official scores to A-B Tech. Not a copy. Visit www.act.org for more information. CurrentWCU students can take the ACT at WCU. Visit www.wcu.edu. Type ‘ACT Residual’ in the search box. Minimum scorefor A-B Tech is 19. The Writing portion is not required.6.Take the TEAS: See updated process on Page 2 of the RIBN Criteria.All documents applicants submit with their application for WNC RIBN must be true, correct and complete. Falsification of documentation mayresult in denial of admission or dismissal after admission. Admission criteria are subject to change from year to year.NURSE AIDE I (NA I) & CPR REQUIREMENTPrior to starting Year 2 of the RIBN pathway, all RIBN nursing students must by the end of May: Hold a documented, current, unrestricted credential as a Nurse Aide I (NA I) from the North Carolina Nurse Aide Registryhttps://www.ncnar.org/index1.jsp and the Division of Health Service Regulation. A copy of your current listing on the NCDHSR Nurse Aide Registry website is acceptable documentation. A-B Tech also offers a Nurse Aide Refresher course. Call ourContinuing Education department for more course information: (828) 398-7878. If you wish to seek a waiver for the NA Icourse, visit https://www.ncnar.org. Students are required to obtain CPR certification from the American Heart Association. This CPR for the healthcareprovider/professional rescuer course must include hands-on skill demonstration of one and two rescuer adult, child and infantCPR and use of an AED.Revised 12-20
Page 5Criteria for Continuation of ProgramStudents accepted and enrolled in WNC RIBN are required to: Maintain a cumulative 2.25 GPA to remain in the RIBN pathway. Maintain a minimum of ‘C’ in all courses. Grades below a ‘C’ are unacceptable and results in dismissal from RIBN. Pass all Year 1 (YR1) courses, as defined in the curriculum, before starting Year 2 (YR2). No Exceptions. Complete all YR2 and YR3 courses, as defined in the curriculum, before starting YR4 with WCU. Pass the NCLEX (national board exam) after Year 3 before proceeding to Year 4.Important Information for All RIBN Students Before Starting Year 2!NURSE AIDE I (NA I) & CPR RequirementPrior to starting Year 2 in the RIBN pathway (NUR courses), all RIBN students must by the end of Spring:Hold a documented, current, unrestricted credential as a Nurse Aide I (NA I) from the North Carolina Nurse Aide Registryhttps://www.ncnar.org/index1.jsp and the Division of Health Service Regulation. A copy of your current listing on the NC DHSR NurseAide Registry website is acceptable documentation. A-B Tech offers a Nurse Aide Refresher course. Call our Continuing Educationdepartment for more course information: (828) 398-7878. If you wish to seek a waiver for the NA I course, visit https://www.ncnar.org.Students are also required to obtain CPR certification from the American Heart Association. This CPR for the healthcareprovider/professional rescuer course must include hands-on skill demonstration of one and two rescuer adult, child and infant CPRand AED.Criminal Background Checks and Drug ScreeningsCriminal background checks and drug screenings are required by clinical sites for students entering the selective alliedhealth programs. These screenings are conducted at the student’s expense by a professional and independent vendor.Failure to achieve acceptable standards for these screenings will result in the denial of clinical privileges. For questionsrelated to possible issues for a successful background check, contact Ms. Christy Andrews, Nursing DepartmentChairperson. Successful completion of clinicals is required for program completion. The college refund policy applies if astudent drops the program after being denied clinical site privileges. Please view the refund policy on the A-B Tech websitefor clarification. Criminal background checks are also required by WCU prior to entering Year 4 of the RIBN curriculum.Applicants should be aware that the North Carolina State Board of Nursing (NCBON) requires criminal background checksincluding fingerprints for all applicants for initial licensure and may deny licensure to individuals convicted of amisdemeanor or felony. The NCBON does not become involved in reviewing the applicant’s conviction record until suchtime as application is made to take the national examination.Applicants for Selective Allied Health Programs must demonstrate the ability, with or without reasonableaccommodations, to meet certain technical standards critical to the successful completion of the program. Thesestandards include skills and abilities essential for such things as operation of equipment; evaluation and manipulation ofpatients; evaluation of microscopic components and color reactions; and communication with patients, families and othermedical personnel. For an explanation of specific physical and cognitive requirements for WNC RIBN, refer to the “ProgramRecommendations for ADA Technical Standards” notebook, which is available in the Admissions Office or on the A-B Techweb page. For further clarification, contact the Christy Andrews, Nursing Department Chair, at (828) 398-7264.Revised 12-20
Page 6WNC RIBN Readmission PolicyThe following readmission policy applies to students who receive an unsuccessful grade, or who voluntarily withdraw from theWNC RIBN pathway. Unsuccessful grades are defined as below a ‘C‘ or a ‘U’.Year 1 of RIBNStudents in RIBN must pass all Year 1 (YR1) classes with a ‘C’ or higher, as outlined in the RIBN curriculum. If this standard is not met,application for readmission to YR1 of RIBN must be submitted during the next regular admissions cycle. The student seekingreadmission is required to submit a new application packet to the RIBN Advisor. GPA will be calculated at the time of application forreadmission. The decision to admit a student applying for readmission to YR1-First Semester is based upon the applicant’s rankedadmission score in the overall applicant pool.Years 2 – 4 of RIBNStudents who fail, earned a course grade lower than a ‘C’, for two or more NUR (Nursing) courses are NOT eligible for readmissionto the RIBN pathway. Students applying for readmission to Years 2 – 4 are required to submit a request for readmission to both A-BTech and WCU. Application for readmission to both institutions must be submitted in one packet for review and should be submittedto the A-B Tech RIBN Advisor. WCU does have an abbreviated application form through their School of Nursing student services. Checkthe WCU website.Consult with the A-B Tech Nursing Department for its specific readmission policy. For WCU, submit a written request for readmissionaddressed to the chairperson of the WCU School of Nursing Undergraduate Student Affairs Committee. Approval for readmission toYear 2, 3, or 4 is granted by the committee, acting as the program Admissions Committee. The written request for readmission shouldinclude an analysis of why the student did not progress, as well as a plan for success that addresses strategies for improvement, asapplicable. The committee reserves the right to interview the student seeking readmission, as well as the right to require the studentto comply with additional requirements or conditions as deemed appropriate. In addition, the committee must receive at least twoletters of support from the A-B Tech nursing faculty addressing the student’s previous performance and potential for successfulcompletion of the RIBN curriculum, if readmitted. Readmission is based on availability of a seat in the RIBN pathway.If a student receives an unsuccessful grade in RIBN, they may not proceed to any subsequent course which has the course in questionas a prerequisite. The student must repeat the course in question before proceeding to the next higher course in the pathway.Readmission of students who have progressed beyond the third semester, but who have been unsuccessful in a subsequent semester,is dependent upon space availability, demonstration of proficiency in a variety of clinical procedures, and other issues pertinent toreentering students. Students are required to meet with the Nursing Department Chairpersons at A-B Tech and WCU for specificreadmission guidelines.ADDITIONAL RIBN INFORMATION PERTAINING TO PROFESSIONAL ATTIREUNIFORM – During YR2 & YR3 the uniform for a RIBN student is the same as other students in the associate degree (ADN) program, except forwearing the RIBN patch as indicated by each community college uniform policy. There is not a specific uniform for YR4 of RIBN. Professional attire isworn along with the white lab coat with the RIBN patch. In YR4, a WCU clinical ID badge is also worn.CLINICAL ROTATIONS – Allied Health students are required to complete clinical rotations which may require travel more than one hour from campus.Clinical rotations may be conducted during weekend and/or evening hours. Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation.Revised 12-20
Page 7TECHNICAL & PHYSICAL STANDARDS FOR THE STUDENT NURSE:To enter and to complete the nursing prog
by the articulation agreement and the institutions’ curriculum standards. Year 4 (YR4) is completed within WU’s nursing program primarily at the Biltmore Campus. The majority of courses are online throughout the BSN portion and parts of the ADN program. The ADN portion of the RIBN pathway is not an evening program.
