Nursing, A.A.S.

Contact Information

Program Requirements

Required Program

Degree/Certificate:    Associate in Applied Science
HEGIS Code:            5208.10
SUNY Code:             0622
Major Code:             NURS

The Career

Health care would not exist as we know it without the continuing accomplishments of the nursing profession. Our contemporary health delivery system depends upon those in this respected and increasingly well-compensated profession.

Registered professional nurses are prepared for and capable of providing services to individuals, families and groups in such settings as hospitals, acute-care facilities, clinics, nursing homes, community health agencies, home care, government health facilities and others. Nursing is a personally rewarding career.

Opportunities for employment will continue to be available in response to a national nursing shortage.

The NCCC Approach

The Niagara County Community College Registered Nurse program is committed to the education of registered professional nurses and the promotion of wellness in the community.

The Nursing program offers clinical experiences at hospitals, health care facilities and community agencies in Niagara, Erie and Orleans counties to provide students with important clinical experiences in all areas of health care.

Graduates of the program are eligible to take the National Council License Examination (NCLEX-RN) for registered nurses through the State Education Department and after licensure are eligible for multiple RN to BS nursing programs locally for in-class and online formats.  Affiliation agreements are in place to assist students in furthering their education to the bachelor of science degree in nursing.  Contact the Admissions Office for more information.

The Registered Nurse program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, which is located at 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Georgia 30326 (404) 975-5000, www.acenursing.org.

Admission & Curriculum Change Requirements

All applicants (first time, readmit, transfer and continuing students) must meet the NCCC admission application requirements and the following Nursing admission requirements.  Applications must be submitted between September 1 and March 1 for the next September class: 

1. High school diploma or equivalency diploma.
2. A minimum overall high school average of 80 percent or overall college GPA minimum of 2.0.
3. Successful completion (minimum 80 percent or B) of:

a high school-level biology or chemistry course OR minimum C or better college-level biology (BIO 109/109L or BIO 117/117L or BIO 213/213L) or chemistry course (CHE 120/CHE 111); The most recent BIO or CHE grade is the grade that will be considered and each BIO or CHE course may be repeated only once, regardless of institution; For students who took BIO 213 five or more years ago the course must be repeated; If the student was unsuccessful at one or more attempts in BIO 213 five or more years ago (C- or less) those grades will not be considered for entrance into the Nursing program–however, the course MUST be retaken prior to acceptance in the Nursing program and a minimum grade of C achieved.  This includes those grades that are exempted under Fresh Start and for students transferring into the program from another program or institution.

4. Satisfactory completion of all academic foundation requirements. To be accepted into the program applicants must earn the minimum required score on placement assessments or pass the academic foundations course listed below:

If below the required score in		Will need to pass
	Writing		ENG 099
	Reading		AAC 042
	Mathematics		MAT 002

Note:  these academic foundations courses do not count toward the degree.

5. Current high school students with 12-college credits or less will have their overall high school GPA used for ranking.  Those applicants who have more than 12-college credits will have the overall college GPA used for ranking.  
6. Students who have had a grade of less than passing in two nursing courses at NCCC or other nursing programs are not eligible.

Requirements to Remain in the Program:

Once accepted into the RN program, continued matriculation is contingent upon:

1. An acceptable physical examination report. Health records including a physical exam, immunizations or titers proving immunity and verification by the health care provider that the student may participate in the clinical nursing program with no restrictions must remain current for the entire period of enrollment in the Registered Nurse program. The student is responsible for all costs related to the physical examination report.  For more detailed information, see the NCCC website–Nursing Information Center.
2. Certification in Basic Life Support for Professional Rescuer or Basic Life Support Provider is required and must remain current throughout the entire program.  For acceptable certifications, see the NCCC website–Nursing Information Center.
3. Annual immunization for seasonal flu (influenza) is required.

Advanced Standing

Graduates from Practical Nurse programs are eligible for limited advanced standing and should consult the Nursing Education Department for details.

Applicants who have questions regarding their qualifications should contact the Admissions Office at 614-6200.

Persons who would like to apply to the Registered Nurse program should contact the Admissions Office.

Policies

Grading Policy for Nursing Courses: The major Nursing clinical courses have three components: lecture (theory), college laboratory and clinical. A student must earn a minimum C grade in lecture (theory), and a passing evaluation in college laboratory and clinical. The student must be successful in each component to earn a passing grade of C. If a student is unsuccessful in any of the three (3) components, a grade of F will be earned. Minimum passing grade in all nursing courses is C.  To continue to progress in NUR 111, students must achieve a C grade in NUR 105.

Minimum Grade in Anatomy & Physiology and Microbiology and General Pharmacology Courses for Nursing Students: A minimum grade of C in BIO 213 E and L (Anatomy and Physiology I), BIO 214 E and L (Anatomy and Physiology II), BIO 221 E/L (Microbiology) and PHA 250 (General Pharmacology) must be earned to progress in the Nursing curriculum.

Repeat Policy: A student enrolled in any nursing curricula (RN Nursing or Practical Nursing) and who fails a major clinical nursing course (NUR 111, 112, 113, 114, 211, 212) (F grade), withdraws from or leaves a nursing clinical course in a failing state (W grade or repeated non-attendance), or withdraws from the college after failing a nursing course (X grade), may be considered for re-admittance, and is limited to one opportunity to repeat the incomplete or failed course.  It should be noted that a student who changes his/her curriculum from one nursing program to another is still limited to one course failure in any other clinical nursing course.  All other clinical courses must be passed on the first attempt. After two unsuccessful attempts in nursing clinical courses, the student is ineligible to return to any nursing program.  This does not affect a student who is passing a clinical course at the time of withdrawing from the course or the college.  All prerequisite Nursing courses must be successfully completed before progressing to the next sequential Nursing course.

Students must re-apply to the College (if applicable) and the Nursing Department by the stated deadline to be considered for return and submit a letter requesting re-admittance to the program.  Acceptance is based on meeting the eligibility requirements for admission to the program, academic history, ranking by program GPA and space availability.  There is no guarantee of re-admittance for students who were unsuccessful in completing a clinical nursing course.  Contact the Nursing Department for more information.

Unsafe Clinical Practice: When a student is unable to provide safe nursing care at an off-campus facility, the Nursing Program Department Head, upon recommendation from the clinical nurse faculty, will remove said student from the clinical laboratory component of the course. Unsafe practice is defined as “placing the patient in clear and present danger.” The student is not eligible for re-admission into the Nursing program.

Five-Year Course Policy: If a student has taken any course with a NUR or BIO prefix five or more years before enrolling in a subsequent NUR or BIO course, the NUR/BIO course(s) must be repeated.  PHA 250 (General Pharmacology) must have been taken within five years of entering the Nursing program. 

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the Registered Nursing program, the graduates will be reported by the New York State Education Department to have passed the NCLEX-RN licensure exam at a rate equal to or exceeding the National and New York State three-year mean, be employed in a position for which the program prepared them and report satisfaction with the Nursing program. Students are expected to complete the program within six semesters. Employers will express satisfaction with the competence level of the graduates.

Student Learning Outcomes

The graduate of the Registered Nursing program at Niagara County Community College is prepared to:

• Develop competent nursing practice by utilization and prioritization of nursing knowledge and information/technology to provide holistic (biophysical, psychological, socio-cultural, spiritual) patient-centered care across the life span

• Provide patient-centered care with sensitivity and respect for the diversity of human experience

• Collaborate professionally and effectively with nursing, interdisciplinary team members, patient, family and/or community members fostering shared-decision making to achieve quality patient care

• Implement psychomotor skills safely and demonstrate role specific nurse competency to provide safe, quality care

• Provide health teaching utilizing concepts of teaching/learning to promote decision making and human flourishing of the patient, family and/or community members

• Demonstrate integrity and accountability while practicing within the ethical, legal and regulatory frameworks of nursing. Utilize information/ technology to mitigate error and support decision making

• Integrate best practices based on evidence with clinical expertise and research in the delivery of optimal health care

• Commit to personal and professional growth incorporating a spirit of inquiry, patient satisfaction and quality improvement