Associate in Science Degree

Nursing Program

Overview

The Associate in Science degree in Nursing is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and is approved by the Board of Registration in Nursing of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The Nursing Program offers a specific sequence of courses that lead to the Associate in Science degree. Upon successful completion of the degree program, the Coordinator of the Nursing Program will furnish documentation to the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing verifying that a student has met the legal responsibilities to be eligible for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX). Cape Cod Community College (CCCC) Nursing Program graduates become licensed as Registered Nurses upon successful completion of the NCLEX-RN.

For 2013 to 2015:

• Program completion rates were 83.33% to 96.88%.
• NCLEX pass rates for first time test takers ranged from 82% to 93.44%.
• Job placement rates were 89.36% to 100% based on the responses to our Nursing Graduate Survey.

In preparing your application, the Admissions Office and Nursing Program recommend that you review the following information.

Information Sessions
It is essential that all Nursing applicants attend a Group Information Session that will include meeting with the Coordinator of Nursing, CCCC Admissions representative, and a review of application procedures and details about the Nursing Program. These sessions are scheduled periodically throughout the fall and spring semesters.

Application Procedures
A. Nursing applications are accepted only for the Fall Semester.
B. Each applicant will be evaluated relative to all other applicants in the current pool.
C. Applicants must submit all of the following items to the Admissions Office by January 25:

1. A completed CCCC Application for Admission.
2. An official high school transcript or GED diploma.
3. An official transcript(s) from all colleges or universities ever attended (if applicable).

Qualifications for Admission
Satisfactory performance in the most recent educational experience is required and must include:

• Successful completion of Pharmacology Calculations (NUR100) within the last two years as of January 5. At CCCC, (MAT030 Elementary Algebra or MAT035 Algebra for Non-STEM) is a prerequisite for this course.
• Successful completion of Chemistry for the Health Sciences (CHM109), or an equivalent college/university chemistry course. At CCCC, (MAT030 Elementary Algebra or MAT035 Algebra for Non-STEM) is a prerequisite for this course.
• Successful completion of Human Anatomy & Physiology I with a lab (BIO107 or BIO251 or the equivalent). At CCCC, CHM109 Chemistry for the Health Sciences or an equivalent college/university chemistry course is a prerequisite for this course.
• Applicant must be able to meet the physical and behavioral capabilities outlined in the Nursing Program Technical Standards.

Nursing applicants with previous college credit may have fulfilled one or more prerequisites at another college or university. Transfer credit may be awarded if official transcripts show equivalent college-level course work required for the Nursing Program, from an accredited college or university, with a grade of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better.

Priority will be given to applicants who:

• demonstrate academic excellence in the prerequisite courses: Pharmacology Calculations, Anatomy and Physiology I, and Chemistry
• demonstrate academic achievement in the prerequisite courses and English Composition 101, Anatomy and Physiology II, and Psychology 101.

Please Note: 

• All candidates will be considered relative to the applicant pool.
• Students applying for the Evening Option will be prioritized based on academic excellence in the required pre-admission courses.

Assessment Placement
The Basic Skills Assessment is required of all entering students. These examinations help to assess achievement levels in mathematics, writing and reading skills. The test results will assist in placing students into the correct level courses. Students who are required to study developmental educational courses should anticipate a three year program of study.

Waiting List
When the appropriate numbers of students have been accepted, the remaining qualified applicants are placed on the waiting list. Admission will be offered to applicants on the waiting list when an accepted student withdraws or is withdrawn by the Admissions Office. The waiting list is maintained until the first day of the fall semester, and then it is dissolved.

Nursing Course Progression
Students must maintain a cognitive grade of 77% or better in each nursing course and a satisfactory clinical evaluation in order to proceed to the subsequent nursing course.

CPR Certification
Students are required to document and maintain CPR Certification throughout the Nursing Program. There are a variety of certification programs available. However, when choosing a CPR certification course, students must ensure that the course includes adult, child, and infant CPR and a written and practical exam for Healthcare providers.

Drug Screening
Students are required to complete drug screening at a testing site designated by Cape Cod Community College early in the first semester of the freshman year. Drug screening may be repeated throughout the program as required by clinical settings.

Criminal Offender Record Information and Sex Offender Record Information
Please refer to the policy statement of Criminal Offender Record Information and Sex Offender Registry Information checks. CORI/SORI checks may be required throughout the program.

Good Moral Character: Standard for Licensure
Applicants who have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor by a court of law must comply with the requirements to document "Good Moral Character" through the Massachusetts Board of Nursing before being eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination to become licensed as a Registered Nurse. An individual who has been convicted of certain designated felonies is permanently ineligible for licensure as a Registered Nurse in Massachusetts.

Health Requirements
Nursing students must complete specific health and immunization requirements. For more information, please visit Student Immunization Records.

Nursing Student Accountability for Patient/Client Care
The Cape Cod Community College nursing student must demonstrate accountability for his/her own actions in the delivery of nursing care in a way that ensures the health and safety of patients/clients, staff and self. The student will be able to function in a manner that does not pose a direct threat as defined by the Board of Registration in Nursing (BORN) as “a significant risk to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated by a modification of policies, practices, or procedures or by the provision of auxiliary aids or services.”

Students who are evaluated as unable to meet the Nursing Program Technical Standards may follow the Cape Cod Community College grievance policy.

Nursing Program Technical Standards

In order to be eligible for and successfully complete the Nursing Program, certain physical and behavioral standards are required as part of the program and clinical/lab experience. These technical standards have been developed using the U.S. Department of Labor's skills and abilities for those working in a medical setting. Some cooperative work experience opportunities may have additional requirements beyond the technical standards listed here and requirements may vary by agency. Students must satisfy the program’s technical standards and the individual agency requirements before a clinical assignment is approved.

These technical standards are established in accordance with the Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American with Disabilities Act. All students must be able to satisfy these standards with or without a reasonable accommodation. These include:

Communication (Verbal and Non-Verbal)

• Communicate effectively either independently or with corrective devices.
• Communicate in English through reading, orally and in writing to instructors, professors, clinical staff, clients, families and all members of the health care team.
• Understand oral directions/requests from health care workers, clients, voice pages and telephone messages stated in a normal tone.

Auditory Ability

• Hear all alarms on technical and supportive equipment set at a normal volume.
• Listen and respond to distress sounds from clients.
• Accurately detect audibly blood pressure readings with a stethoscope.

Visual Ability

• See and accurately read all written medical information pertaining to the client.
• See and accurately read all readings and functions of technical equipment pertaining to client care.
• See and accurately read all calibrated containers for accurate measurement of body fluids and specimens.

Physical Strength (Gross Motor Control)

• Ability to lift 25 pounds unassisted in a safe manner, thereby protecting yourself, the client, and those in close proximity to you.
• Bend and/or lift to assist client and manipulate client equipment.
• Lift to safely transfer or position all clients in various situations.
• Move, push or pull equipment, beds, stretchers, wheelchairs, etc.
• Ability to raise arms over one’s head in order to assist clients and manipulate equipment.
• Walk/ stand for extended periods and distances over an 8-hour period.

Manual Dexterity (Fine Motor Movement)

• Accurately manipulate dials, gauges, buttons and switches to set, monitor and care for client care related equipment.
• Safely and effectively perform dressing procedures without contaminating the wound.
• Successfully don and remove protective apparel (including sterile gloves) to maintain standard precautions.

Behavioral/Mental Performance

• Function safely, effectively and calmly under stressful situations.
• Prioritize and manage tasks simultaneously.
• Exhibit social skills necessary to interact therapeutically with clients, families, staff and faculty.
• Maintain personal hygiene consistent with department dress code guidelines.
• Display ethical attitudes and actions consistent with professional behavior.
• Display the social skills to behave with politeness, tact and sensitivity to others in all settings.
• Exhibit respect for cultural and ethnic differences of clients, peers and individuals.
• Remain free from alcohol and/or chemical impairment in classroom and clinical settings at all times.

Nursing Evening Option – Overview
The course sequencing is based on the term of enrollment. Nursing classes and clinical experiences are scheduled on selected evenings and alternate weekends. In addition to the prerequisites listed for NUR107-Day Option, students must complete the following course work prior to admission to the Evening Option: ENL101, PSY101, BIO108, PSY233, and ENL102 or COM103. Completion of BIO281 is strongly recommended.

Nursing Program – LPN to RN – Overview
In order to be considered for admission to this program, the applicant must have a current LPN license and have completed all prerequisites. In addition to the prerequisites listed for NUR107-Day Option, students must complete the following course work prior to admission to the transition course: ENL101, PSY101, BIO107, PSY233, and ENL102 or COM103. Completion of BIO281 is strongly recommended.

NUR132 – The LPN in Transition course is offered during the late spring. Successful completion of NUR132 admits the student to the third semester Nursing course, NUR201.

Career Outlook

Employment opportunities are available as an entry-level Registered Nurse in hospitals, long-term care facilities and other health care agencies.

This occupational profile is provided by O*NET.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the Nursing Program, students are able to:

• Synthesize data from biopsychosocial sciences for patients/clients at all developmental levels to provide nursing care
• Synthesize knowledge of stress-adaptation theory to promote and restore health
• Synthesize components of the nursing process to assist patients/clients to move toward optimal health
• Integrate knowledge of the patients/clients relationship to family, community and the external environment in providing nursing care
• Develop therapeutic nurse-patient relationships
• Function as a member of the multidisciplinary health team caring for individuals with common problems in acute and long-term structured care setting
• Demonstrate accountability for delegation of nursing tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel
• Provide nursing care based on the profession's ethical code of behavior and with respect for the beliefs and cultural practices of others
• Demonstrate accountability for own actions in the delivery of nursing care
• Integrate information literacy into one’s role as a life-long learner.