Montgomery County Community College

Nursing AAS

Purpose

The Nursing Program is committed to the preparation of caring professional nurses who employ critical thinking skills and the nursing process in meeting the human needs of clients in a variety of health care settings. Students develop competence in the art and science of nursing within an integrated curriculum which incorporates seminar, classroom, the College Nursing Laboratory, and clinical experiences. Graduates of this National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) accredited Nursing Program are prepared to complete the National Council Licensing Examination—Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). In addition to practicing as a Registered Nurse, graduates may also transfer credits to degree programs beyond the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Nursing.

Philosophy

The Nursing Program subscribes to the Mission and Philosophy statement of Montgomery County Community College. The Nursing faculty has developed and adheres to the following beliefs.

A person is an individual in interaction with the environment. Within this environment, bio-psycho-social-spiritual requirements are necessary for survival and well-being and are known as needs. Health is a homeostatic process which integrates these multiple needs across a wellness-illness continuum. Health involves the ability of the individual to balance internal and external factors to achieve an optimal level of wellness. When this balance is disturbed, a health need may occur.

Nursing is a dynamic process which is both an art and a science. It utilizes critical thinking in the application of knowledge and skills within the context of a professional, caring relationship. Nursing is unique in its ability to provide a comprehensive view of client health needs which requires collaboration with the client and health care team and coordination of available resources. It focuses on human responses to actual and/or potential health needs by utilizing the nursing process and involves a holistic, goal-oriented approach which is adaptive to the needs of the individual, family and community.

The role of the associate degree nurse within the framework of nursing is to provide comprehensive care to diverse clients in a variety of healthcare delivery systems, grounded in evidenced-based practice. The associate degree nurse demonstrates the knowledge, skills, competencies and values inherent in three essential roles: member within the profession of nursing, provider of care, and manager of care.

The teaching-learning process is an interactive process between a teacher and one or more learners in which specific learning objectives or desired behavior changes are achieved. The faculty believe in the concept of a career-ladder approach to nursing education, allowing multiple potential entry points in academic preparation. This preparation should include a core of courses where the student is introduced to the arts and sciences as well as to basic nursing skills and knowledge. Faculty are committed to the idea that the education of the associate degree nurse should be accomplished in institutions of higher education where a balanced distribution exists between nursing and non-nursing courses. This milieu allows students and teachers from multiple disciplines and diverse backgrounds to interact in an atmosphere conducive to learning. In implementing this belief, the nursing faculty established protocols which expedite the movement of practical nurses into advanced standing in the associate degree program, and agreements with colleges/universities that facilitate graduates' progress in their further education.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, each graduate will be able to

1. Integrate critical thinking when incorporating knowledge from the sciences and humanities in the delivery of nursing to clients.
2. Utilize the nursing process in meeting the health care needs of individuals of diverse sociocultural identities across the lifespan.
3. Implement the roles of the associate degree nurse in structured settings.
4. Demonstrate behaviors that reflect the values of nursing as a caring profession.

Admission Guidelines

The Nursing Program may be completed on a full- or part-time basis. Courses required by the Nursing Program curriculum (see Sequence of Courses) are taught throughout the year. Three classes are admitted each academic year (Fall, Spring and Summer).

Admission to the clinical component of the Nursing Program is very competitive and completion of minimum requirements does not guarantee admittance. After submitting the College application, applicants are advised to take non-nursing courses required by the Nursing Program curriculum (see Sequence of Courses) prior to submitting the Petition for Admission to the clinical component of the Nursing Program. The Petition for Admission demonstrates the applicant’s attainment of the Nursing Program Special Admission Requirements and Sequence One courses (see Sequence of Courses). Admission to the clinical component to the Nursing Program is based on a point system and ranking procedure. Points are awarded based on place of permanent residence, number of Nursing Program courses completed, courses completed at Montgomery County Community College, course grades, and the date of application. A Total Point Score is derived for each applicant and used in ranking applicants who submit a completed Petition for Admission for a given admission cycle. The website provides the Petition for Admission and more detailed admission guidelines and procedures. To learn more about the Nursing Program call 215-641-6551 (Central Campus) or 610-718-1906 (West Campus) for dates and location of Nursing Information Sessions.

Due to class size limitations, the College does not guarantee continuous enrollment between non-clinical courses and nursing clinical courses: i.e., A student may complete the required non-nursing courses and have to wait a period of time until there is space available in nursing clinical courses.

Special Admission Guidelines

Students who wish to be considered for admission to the clinical component of the Nursing Program must present credentials in accordance with the following requirements.

1. Submit a completed College application indicating nursing as the intended major (NR.GS).
2. Submit high school transcript or GED scores. Applicants must have completed work equal to a standard high school course with a minimum of 16 units including:
   1. Two units of mathematics (one of which is algebra)
   2. Two units of science (one unit of biology and one unit of chemistry with a minimum grade of "C") with related laboratory or equivalent. Applicants without high school biology and/or chemistry can satisfy this requirement by completing BIO 121 and/or CHE 121 with a grade of "C" or better.
3. In addition, one of the following must also be submitted:
   1. ACT score composite of a minimum of 18
   2. SAT score of a minimum of 800
   3. SAT I score of a minimum of 920
   4. SAT Reasoning minimum critical reading and math combined score of 920
   5. College transcript indicating at least eight (8) credits of science with a minimum grade of "B" and six (6) credits selected from the Nursing curriculum with an overall minimum grade point average of 2.5.
4. Complete all science courses within ten years prior to enrollment in the first nursing clinical course, except Anatomy and Physiology I and II, which must be completed within five years of enrollment.
5. Take the College's Placement Tests in English, Mathematics, and Reading and complete any required developmental courses with a grade of "C" or better.
6. Submit official college transcripts for credit evaluation before registering for any courses at the College.

Advanced Standing

1. Applicants considered for advanced standing include transfer students who were in good standing from collegiate professional nursing programs or diploma nursing programs, and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). All advanced standing applicants must submit documents for credit evaluation and determination of placement in the Nursing Program.
2. Advanced standing applicants must meet all Special Admission Requirements and have successfully completed the equivalent of all courses in Sequences 1 and 2 of the Nursing Program curriculum.
3. Applicants submit a completed Petition for Advanced Standing Admission. Admissions for advanced standing applicants is on a space available basis.
4. LPN applicants ...
   1. Must have graduated from an accredited Practical Nurse Program and hold licensure as a practical nurse.
   2. Submit LPN transcript and any other college transcripts.
   3. Receive credit for NUR 110.
   4. May challenge Anatomy and Physiology I and II (BO 131 and BIO 132) through Excelsior College. A passing score of "C" or above is required on the challenge exam. LPNs who successfully challenge Anatomy and Physiology I and II and receive a minimum score of "B" may use this grade to meet Special Admission Requirements (8 credits of lab science courses with a minimum "B" grade in each course).
   5. Before registering for NUR 050, Nursing Role Transition, schedule the Nursing Placement Test for LPNs by calling 215-641-6646. Results of the Nursing Placement Test for LPNs determines the applicant's placement in either NUR 112 or NUR 211.
   6. Obtain a score of "C" or better on the Nursing Placement Test for LPNs to be eligible for enrollment in NUR 211. Note: All Sequence 3 courses must be completed prior to enrollment in NUR 211. Microbiology and Immunology (BIO 140) may be challenged through Excelsior College. A passing score of "C" or above is required on the exam. LPNs who successfully challenge Microbiology and receive a minimum score of "B" may use this grade to meet Special Admission Requirements (8 credits of lab science with a minimum "B" grade in each course).

Program Requirements

Upon acceptance to the clinical component of the Nursing Program, students are required to

1. Attend the mandatory Nursing Program Orientation.
2. Purchase student liability insurance annually (approx. $35).
3. Purchase the Nursing Program uniform, uniform jacket, shoes, hose, name pin (approx. $300).
4. Purchase nursing laboratory supplies (approx. $55).
5. Assume all responsibilities for transportation to and from the healthcare agency to which they are assigned for clinical experience.
6. Have a physical examination, which includes documentation of selected vaccinations and a urine drug screen, within six months prior to entering the Nursing Program’s clinical component and annually thereafter.
7. Maintain current CPR certification until completion of the clinical nursing courses by passing the American Heart Association’s Health Care Provider OR the American Red Cross’ Professional Rescuer course.
8. Submit documentation of an Annual Influenza Vaccination.
9. Submit application for Child Abuse History Clearance, FBI Clearance, and PA Criminal Record Check every two years (approx. $75). NOTE: a Child Abuse History will and a Criminal Record and/or FBI Record may exclude the student from participation in the clinical component of the Nursing Program.
10. Complete a summative standardized examination at the completion of the Nursing Program (approx. $40).

Curriculum

First Semester

Courses in the Nursing major are listed in sequential order. Some courses are required prior to taking other courses. In those cases where a non-nursing course (courses with a prefix other than NUR) is listed in a given sequence, it must be taken with or prior to the Nursing course listed in the same sequence.

Sequence 1 - Prior to Petitioning for Admission to the Nursing Program Clinical Component

Sequence 2 - After Acceptance to the Nursing Program Clinical Component

Prior to Admission to the Nursing Program Clinical Component for Advanced Standing into Sequence 3 or 4

Sequence 3

Sequence 4

Sequence 5

TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS CREDIT: 70

Revised - 5/11, 2/11, 7/10, 2/07