Nursing, AAS

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.

The Registered Nurse program has been accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission since 1976. The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission is located at 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Georgia 30326 (404) 975-5000, www.nlnac.org.

Program Admission Requirements For Fall 2012

Students admitted for September class start.  Applicants will be ranked based on overall GPA.

All applicants (first time, readmit, transfer and continuing students) must meet the following admission requirements and apply by February 1 for the September class:

1. High school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED).
2. An overall high school average of at least 80 percent of College GPA 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)

4. The most recent grade is the grade that will be considered and each course may be repeated only once, regardless of institution.
5. 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.

6. If college-level courses were completed prior to the student starting in the Registered Nurse program, and these courses are to be used to fulfill degree requirements, a minimum grade of C or better is required in each of these courses.
7. 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 college GPA used for ranking.  

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.
2. Certification in Basic Life Support for Professional Rescuer is required and must remain current throughout the entire program.  For acceptable certifications, see the NCCC website–Nursing Division.

Advanced Standing

Graduates within the last five years from the NCCC Practical Nurse (Clock Hour) program are eligible for advanced standing in the Nursing (RN) program; consult the Nursing Education Division office for details. Graduates from other Practical Nurse programs are eligible for limited advanced standing and should consult the Nursing Education Division 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 both BIO 213 E and L (Anatomy and Physiology I), BIO 214 E and L (Anatomy and Physiology II) and 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) is limited to one opportunity to repeat the failed course. A student, who is failing at the time of withdrawal from a clinical course (W grade) or withdraws from the college (X grade) in a failing status, may repeat only one clinical course in the sequence.  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.

Unsafe Clinical Practice: When a student is unable to provide safe nursing care at an off-campus facility, the chairperson of the Nursing program, 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 means, 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 in 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:

• Use Maslow’s Theory of Motivation and Hierarchy of Needs as a framework in assisting individuals to maintain their basic needs and prioritize them when there is an interruption in their ability to meet those needs.
• Incorporate developmental considerations as identified by Erikson in providing individualized, comprehensive nursing care.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive nursing plan utilizing the nursing process and critical thinking skills to make patient-centered decisions within a variety of acute community and long-term settings.
• Demonstrate respect for the dignity and worth of each individual recognizing unique cultural and spiritual values.
• Demonstrate caring behaviors in provision of comprehensive nursing care.
• Utilize effective verbal, non-verbal and written communication when interacting with members of the health team.
• Demonstrate accountability and responsibility in providing a safe environment.
• Perform psychomotor skills incorporating nursing judgment, principles of safe practice and current technology.
• Employ teaching-learning principles in the provision of health education to maintain and restore wellness for individuals and families.
• Manage the care for a group of patients while functioning collaboratively as a member of the health care team.
• Maintain ethical and legal standards of nursing practice.
• Demonstrate accountable behavior in the provision of comprehensive nursing care.
• Demonstrate personal and professional growth.