Associate Degree Nursing RIBN Admissions

Application Period Has Closed

Important Note: The criteria below is for the Fall 2024 application period and is subject to change prior to the next application period.

 

Associate Degree Nursing-RIBN Option Fall 2024 Application Criteria

Application Period: September 5, 2023, to February 12, 2024

Thank you for your interest in the Associate Degree Nursing program, RIBN option, at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Please read this information thoroughly. We want to make sure you have the best possible chance of being selected by completing all processes and submitting all necessary application documents completely, correctly, and by the deadline. Please email admissions@abtech.edu if you have questions regarding enrolling at A-B Tech or email amyjparker@abtech.edu if you have questions about applying for the Nursing program.

The RIBN option is an A.A.S. Dual Enrollment track offered in collaboration with Western Carolina University (WCU). Students are accepted into and take courses at both A-B Tech and WCU during enrollment in the RIBN option. Students may be accepted as either a first-year RIBN or as a second-year RIBN student depending on the number of completed general education courses. For questions or additional information, contact the RIBN advisor by emailing amyjparker@abtech.edu.

You must be a high school graduate or have an Adult High School or High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma to be eligible to enter any Selective Program and have self-certified this requirement on your A-B Tech College application.

The Application Period

Students seeking the RIBN option will apply for WCU admission and A-B Tech. A-B Tech will begin accepting applications on September 5, 2023. All deadlines and requirements in this document must be met to be eligible to apply. Contact the RIBN advisor for WCU application information. She can be reached at amyjparker@abtech.edu.

Anatomy And Physiology Requirement

Year I RIBN Students

BIO-168 and 169 will be completed during year one (I) along with additional general education courses.

Year II RIBN students

Successful completion of:

  • Anatomy and Physiology I (BIO-168 or acceptable substitute) and Anatomy and Physiology II (BIO-169 or acceptable substitute) taken within 5 years of the Fall 2024 term start from a regionally accredited institution with a “C” or higher is required prior to the Fall 2024 term start. Course completion will be verified prior to full acceptance into the program

Minimum Score Requirement For Act Exam

Applicants will be required to score a minimum composite score of 19 on the ACT (no test score substitutions). ACT scores must be on file with the College prior to meeting with the RIBN Advisor to complete the application/eligibility form for the RIBN Fall 2024 cohort. The ACT requirement is waived for students who have 20 hours or more of college credit (100 level or higher) and have maintained a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale in all college courses.

Minimum Score Requirement For ATI TEAS Exam

Applicants will be required to score a minimum composite/total adjusted TEAS score of 70.

Minimum GPA Requirement

Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

NAI Requirement

Year I RIBN Students

May complete the NAI course during year one.

Year II RIBN Students

Must provide documentation of their NAI to the RIBN Advisor at the time of completion of the Verification/Selection Form or documentation of enrollment in an NAI course that will be completed before August 2024.

How To Apply

  1. Complete and submit the standard A-B Tech Application. (This is NOT an application to a Selective Program. The application to the Associate Degree Nursing program will be done separately after you meet with a Student Advisor and are approved as eligible to apply.)
  2. Applicants must certify on their college application that they are a high school graduate from a valid institution, an adult high school graduate from a valid institution, or have a valid high school equivalency (HSE). High school graduation or the equivalent from a regionally accredited, valid institution is generally required for Financial Aid purposes. You must have this high school equivalency by the first day of classes to enter the Selective Program.
  3. Applicants must complete New Student Orientation prior to meeting with a Student Advisor to complete the Verification/Selection Form. Waivers may apply.
  4. Year II applicants must submit documentation of successful completion of Anatomy and Physiology I (or acceptable substitute) taken within 5 years of the Fall 2024 term start from a regionally accredited institution with a “C” or higher prior to application to the RIBN option.
  5. Eligible applicants must document college readiness in English and math. Visit Placement Overview for detailed information or contact the RIBN Advisor, amyjparker@abtech.edu to learn about the acceptable options. Documentation of college placement must be completed or on file by February 12, 2024.
  6. Once you meet the minimum requirements to apply to the program, you will be given permission and instructions to schedule the ATI TEAS exam by the RIBN Advisor. You must complete this step and the Verification/Selection form by February 12, 2024. You must schedule and take the ATI TEAS test by February 19, 2024, to be considered as an applicant for the RIBN program. Applicants submitting scores must ensure scores are received by 5:00 p.m. on February 19, 2024. No exceptions.

Important Application Information

To be eligible for admission all qualified ADN, RIBN option, applicants will be required to take the ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) exam. The ATI TEAS exam may only be completed at a location within the United States of America per ATI guidelines.

The ATI TEAS exam will be paid for by the student at the time of online registration on the ATI website. Information on the ATI TEAS exam and associated costs can be found at ATI Testing. Applicants should not schedule the ATI TEAS until after meeting with the RIBN Advisor and approved as eligible to apply.

The ATI TEAS composite (total adjusted) score will be used to rank applicants for the ADN program and a minimum score of 70 is required to be considered for the RIBN Option. You may use your TEAS composite score from a previous test session if the score is 5 years old or newer. Students may use scores already on file with the college if they are 5 years old or newer. Individuals may submit a TEAS score in lieu of testing during the application period. It is the applicant’s responsibility to follow up to ensure scores are received.

Applicants may select only one of the following:

  1. Testing at the Testing Center at the A-B Tech Asheville Campus on Victoria Road in Asheville, NC.
  2. Testing at an approved testing facility in another location.
  3. Use an existing score already on file at the College provided the score is 5 years old or newer.
  4. Request to submit only one score from a testing session that occurred prior to the application period at another testing facility. If multiple test scores are received on a single report (regardless of the reason for or source of the error), the earliest composite score will be used.

Please Note: Test scores will not be accepted and applicants may not schedule the ATI TEAS exam until after the applicant has completed the Verification/Selection Form with the RIBN Advisor.

If an applicant does not follow through and take the ATI TEAS exam, they are disqualified from moving forward in the admission process.

Applicants in need of testing accommodations should contact Support Services at (828) 398-7581 or supportservices@abtech.edu at least three weeks prior to your testing date.

Important: Students who submit TEAS exam scores must ensure scores are received by 5:00 p.m. on February 19, 2024. It is the applicant’s responsibility to email the Testing Center at testingcenter@abtech.edu to confirm scores were received prior to the testing deadline of February 19, 2024.

Admission To The ADN RIBN Option Once Minimum Requirements Have Been Met

  1. You will receive the points of your TEAS exam composite score (adjusted individual total score). The ATI TEAS exam includes Reading, Math (including Algebra), Science, and English sections. The TEAS exam composite score will be used to rank applicants. Applicants will be required to score a minimum composite/total adjusted ATI TEAS score of 70.

    In the event of a tie score, the TEAS Reading score will be used to break the tie. If a tie remains, the TEAS Math score will be used. Both Reading and Math have proven to predict success.

  2. For Year II RIBN students, successful completion of Anatomy and Physiology II (BIO 169 or acceptable substitute) with a “C” or higher is required prior to Fall 2024 term start. Course completion will be verified by the RIBN Advisor and Nursing department prior to full acceptance into the program.
  3. All accepted Year II RIBN students Must attend the program orientation session held by the Nursing department. Program orientation details will be provided by the department after acceptance to the program. PLEASE NOTE: Failure to attend the program orientation will result in the loss of a seat in the class. Year I accepted students will attend orientation at the beginning of year two.
  4. Final admission to the Nursing program shall be contingent upon documentation of physical and emotional health that would provide evidence that is indicative of the applicant’s ability to provide safe nursing care to the public, satisfactory completion of required immunizations, and current CPR for the Healthcare Provider certification. Immunizations and CPR must remain current while enrolled in the program.

Notice to non-U.S. Citizens

A-B Tech welcomes non-citizens with work authorization through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to the Selective Programs. Clinical site eligibility is determined by the sites themselves and can be impacted by immigration status. Non-citizens should discuss their non-citizenship status with their Selective program advisor as soon as they are accepted into the program so that accommodations can be made if possible.

Please note: Non-citizens who are eligible for the Selective Programs may not be eligible for certain clinical sites. Successful completion of clinical rotations is required for program completion. If a student drops the program after being denied clinical site privileges due to non-U.S. Citizen status the college refund policy will apply. Non-citizens are encouraged to contact the appropriate licensing/certifying agency to determine if they are eligible for licensure/certification upon graduation – decisions regarding licensure/certification are solely the responsibility of the licensing/certifying agency.

Questions regarding program admission for non-citizens may be made to advising@abtech.edu.

Other Important Information – Read Carefully

Any School of Nursing student deemed to have violated the College Student Code of Conduct may not be eligible for admission or re-admission to School of Nursing or Allied Health programs.

Certain immunizations are required by the clinical agencies to participate in clinical. Please note: COVID-19 vaccination requirements are based on clinical affiliate requirements and are subject to change.

Criminal background checks and drug screenings will be required by clinical sites for students entering the Selective Programs. These screenings will be 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. Successful completion of clinical is required for program completion. The college refund policy applies if a student drops the program after being denied clinical site privileges.

Applicants should be aware that the North Carolina State Board of Nursing requires criminal background checks including fingerprints for all applicants for initial licensure and may deny licensure to individuals convicted of a misdemeanor or felony. The NC Board of Nursing does not become involved in reviewing the applicant’s conviction record until such time as the application is made to take the national examination.

Applicants for Selective Programs must demonstrate the ability, with or without reasonable accommodations, to meet certain technical standards critical to the successful completion of the program. These standards include skills and abilities essential for such things as the operation of equipment; evaluation and manipulation of patients; evaluation of microscopic components and color reactions; and communication with patients, families, and other medical personnel. For an explanation of specific physical and cognitive requirements for the nursing program, refer to the Program Technical Standards. For further clarification, contact the Chair of Nursing at (828) 398-7264.

Students accepted into the nursing program will be required to obtain CPR certification from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross prior to program orientation. This CPR for the healthcare provider/professional rescuer course must include hands-on skill demonstration of one and two-rescuer adult, child, and infant CPR and the use of an AED.

If you are not selected for the nursing RIBN option, you may apply for the traditional nursing option.

All documents that you submit with your application for the nursing program must be true, correct, and complete. Falsification of documentation may result in denial of admission or dismissal after admission.

Admission criteria are reviewed each year and are subject to change from year to year.

Students enrolled in the nursing program must complete all pre-requisite courses before proceeding with any nursing course. All courses in the program are prerequisites for courses in subsequent semesters. Students may have to enroll in general education and related courses that are scheduled as either Day or Evening courses to be able to meet the prerequisite requirements.

Nursing students will be required to complete clinical rotations, which may require them to 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.

Selective Program Readmission Policy

The following readmission policy applies to students who receive an unsuccessful grade in a Selective Program, or who voluntarily withdraw from such a program. Unsuccessful grades are defined as “D” or “F”.

  1. If you receive an unsuccessful grade in a Selective Program, you may not proceed to any subsequent course, which has the course in question as a prerequisite. You must repeat the course in question before proceeding to the next higher course in the program.
  2. Due to the selective nature of the Associate Degree Nursing RIBN Option, it will be necessary for students who have received an unsuccessful grade in a NUR course during their first semester to reapply for regular admission to the program during the next application period.
  3. Students who receive an unsuccessful grade in a NUR course during subsequent semesters should contact the Chair of Nursing to petition for re-enrollment. These students may also reapply for regular admission to the program during the next application period.

Important: Admission to the Nursing program is limited to two times unless granted an exception by the approval of both the Chair of Nursing and the Vice President of Instructional Services.

We appreciate your interest in A-B Tech and the Nursing (RIBN Option) program.

 

Student Preparation And Testing Resources Available

College Placement

Test resources are available from:

SAT or ACT study guides, which are available at various libraries and bookstores, are also good resources for testing preparation.

ATI TEAS

Test resources and online registration and payment are available at the following website:

Study guides are available for review in the Locke Library, the A-B Tech Madison, and the Goodwill Workforce Training Center sites. Study guides may also be purchased online from the test vendor ATI at the online store link or at the A-B Tech Bookstore. Online practice assessments are also available on the vendor's website.

TEAS prep courses can be taken at A-B Tech through Continuing Education. For available courses, visit Continuing Education Online Registration.

Additional Preparation Resources

  • March2Success provides free personal assessments and preparation tools for the college placement test and the ATI TEAS exam.

For career assessments and exploration, visit Focus 2. Email careerservices@abtech.edu or call (828) 398-7581 for an individual appointment.

Updated August 1, 2023