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 presently has "Approval with Warning" from 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 Director 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-RN). Cape Cod Community College (CCCC) Nursing Program graduates become licensed as Registered Nurses upon successful completion of the NCLEX-RN.

For 2017 to 2019:

• Program completion rates were 75.5% to 83.1%.
• NCLEX pass rates for first time test takers ranged from 69% to 93%.
• Job placement rate was 92% to 96% based on the responses to our Nursing Graduate Survey.

Admissions Requirements: Associate Degree in Nursing

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
Submit a copy of the card (front and back) and current certification. The following two courses are the only approved courses: “American Heart Association, Healthcare Provider” or “American Red Cross, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and Health Care Provider.”

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.

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:

1. Synthesize knowledge of biopsychosocial sciences to provide care and promote health for patients/clients with chronic health problems.
2. Integrate the components of the nursing process to assist patient/client to move toward optimal health.
3. Integrate knowledge of the patient/client relationship to family, community and external environment while providing culturally competent nursing care.
4. Develop a therapeutic nurse patient/client relationship considering advocacy and ethical principles.
5. Synthesize concepts of stress adaptation to implement the plan of care for patient/client with chronic common health problems.
6. Demonstrate accountability and ethical principles while functioning as a member of the multidisciplinary health team.
7. Devise a plan to implement evidence-based practice in a variety of clinical settings.