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Nursing

Nursing

• Admissions Requirements
• Technical Standards
• NLN Pre-Admission Exam
• Professional References
• Readmission Policy
• Advanced Placement or Transfer Policy
• LPN to RN Transfer Info
• ACE Exam Bulletin
• Degree Program
• Degree Checklist

General Information

• Programs of Study
• Course Descriptions
• Admissions Application

The goal of the Associate’s Degree Nursing Program is to prepare the student to provide direct care to patients in acute care, long term care and other structured settings. As a member of the discipline, the student collaborates with the health care team to provide and manage the care of patients. The student utilizes the nursing process as a basis for decision-making in caring for well patients and patients with possible or actual health problems.

Learning experiences and clinical practica may vary in time and in locations, including days, evenings, and/or weekends.

The program may be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. Classroom and clinical components of the nursing courses must be completed concurrently. All nursing courses must be completed within four years from the date of entry into the first nursing course. Students re-entering the program must meet current requirements necessary for graduation. Advanced Placement and transfer are possible through transfer credit and NLN or Excelsior College Examinations. Students may enroll in Liberal Arts and Science courses prior to admission to the Nursing program. Enrollment in these courses does not guarantee acceptance into the Nursing program. Students admitted into the Nursing program must take nursing courses in sequence, and must achieve a minimum grade of C (73.33) in all major theory and science courses (Nursing, Anatomy & Physiology I & II, and Microbiology) and a grade of "Pass" in clinical courses in order to continue in the program.

All nursing students must be certified in CPR for the Healthcare Provider before taking any nursing courses and must maintain the certification throughout the program. This program is physically strenuous and requires some heavy lifting. Individuals must be able to meet the general health demands of the program in order to satisfy course objectives.

Accreditation

The Associate Degree Nursing Program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and approved by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, the graduate is eligible to apply to the NH Board of Nursing for the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The NH Board of Nursing's licensing regulations may restrict candidates who have been involved in civil or criminal legal proceedings. Questions about licensing restrictions should be addressed to the NH Board of Nursing, 21 South Fruit Street, Suite 16, Concord, NH 03301, , (603) 271-2323 ext. 307. Questions about the status of accreditation for the Nursing program should be addressed to the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) , 61 Broadway,-33rd floor, New York, NY 10006, 1-800-669-1656 ext. 153.

Admissions Requirements

Nursing program applications must be completed by February 1st to be considered for early acceptance in the fall class. If the class is not filled with qualified applicants by that deadline, we will accept completed applications until July 1st. After that point, the program will be closed.

A completed application is the responsibility of the nursing candidate. Candidates must complete the college admission requirements and provide documentation of the following criteria for admission consideration:

• Satisfactory completion of high school biology, algebra, and chemistry or equivalent with a grade of "C" or greater or proof of current enrollment.
• Complete the National League for Nursing Pre-Admission Examination-RN with percentiles of 50 or greater in the "All" category in each of the three areas tested: Math, Science and Verbal Ability. Applicants are permitted to take this exam once in any 6 month period. Test scores are valid for a period of two years.
• Two professional references, work or education related.

* The NLN Pre-Admission Examination-RN evaluates the academic ability of prospective RN students. If you would like to receive information regarding the NLN Pre-Admission Exam-RN or to register for a specific exam date, contact the Admissions Office at (603) 668-6706 ext. 208.

Technical Standards

Upon acceptance and prior to registration, all nursing students after acceptance must:

• Submit a report of a current physical examination, including all required health screening and immunizations (as indicated on the physical examination form).
• Possess and maintain personal health insurance (available through the college). When enrolled in the nursing program students must notify the Director of any changes with health care coverage.
• Possess and maintain professional liability insurance (available through the college).
• Acquire and maintain certification in CPR for the Healthcare Provider.
• Have a criminal background check (cost to be incurred by student).
• Travel policy: Transportation to and from the practicum site is the responsibility of the student.
• Provide documentation that the student has received the Hepatitis B vaccine or submit a signed waiver.

Nursing Readmission Policy

Students matriculated in the Nursing program who withdraw or do not achieve the required minimum grade in the Nursing or science courses and are not able to continue in the Nursing program may be eligible for readmission consideration. A student may be readmitted to the Nursing program one time only. Students who have failed a Nursing course because of unsafe practice involving actions or non-actions are not eligible for readmission to the Nursing program (see Nursing Course Syllabi: Evaluation Methods). Readmissions are contingent upon space availability. The student applying for readmission will be required to meet the curriculum requirements in effect at the time of readmission.

In order to be reconsidered for admission, the student must:

Submit a written, dated letter requesting readmission consideration to the Director of the Department of Nursing. In this letter, briefly and generally outline the reason(s) you were previously unable to continue in the program and identify to which Nursing course you are requesting readmission.

Students who have requested readmission will be ranked according to their Nursing course average. As space availability is determined, students will be readmitted based on their ranking order. Students will then be notified of the status of their request in writing by the Director of the Department of Nursing. Students who are readmitted to the Nursing program will follow the program of study in place at the time they are readmitted.

Advanced Placement or Transfer

Admission of advanced placement or transfer students is contingent upon space availability. In addition to the general admission criteria, students seeking advanced placement or transfer must have completed all prerequisite coursework by examination, challenge or transfer credit. Transfer credit is determined by Academic Affairs based on course concurrence, grade earned and length of time since completion. Excelsior College and NLN examinations are available for the challenge process and are necessary to meet Nursing course requirements as follows:

Advanced Placement: You must be a currently licensed LPN and successfully complete the following examinations:

• Placement into NURS112 - “Decision Score” of 70% or better on the National League for Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam I - Book One: Foundations of Nursing.
• Placement into NURS211 - Complete the following Excelsior College examinations with a minimum grade of “C” or better in all three exams in order to be granted credit:
  # 488 Essentials of Nursing Care: Health Safety
  # 489 Essentials of Nursing Care: Health Differences
  # 490 Essentials of Nursing Care: Chronicity
  # 491 Essentials of Nursing care: Reproductive Health

Students accepted for advanced placement into NURS211 are required to take NURS200 Advanced Placement Seminar prior to the start of the senior year.

Transfer: In order to be considered for Transfer from another Nursing program into NURS 112, you must successfully complete the following Excelsior College examination; #403: Fundamentals of Nursing. A minimum grade of "C" or better is required in order to be granted credit.

Transfer Credit Policy

In addition to specific nursing course transfer policies noted above and other MCC transfer credit policies, Anatomy & Physiology I and II and Microbiology must be taken within a 10 year period from the time of acceptance into the Nursing program.

Nursing Degree Program

Total Credits - 68/69