Apr 25, 2024  
2023-2024 Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nursing/RN, Associate of Applied Science


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The Associate of Applied Science Degree program in Nursing prepares students for entry-level positions in nursing and to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The program is accredited by the New Jersey Board of Nursing and by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The course of study is designed as a career program, although graduates may wish to continue studies for a baccalaureate degree in nursing at a four-year institution. Credits earned are applied in whole or in part to the upper-division program depending on the policies of the institution to which application is made. Articulation agreements which enhance this process are in effect with numerous colleges and universities.

The nursing program includes nursing courses, general education courses and clinical experiences. These experiences are in a variety of health care settings in acute, sub-acute, and long -term care with community-based experiences under the supervision of nursing faculty. In addition, students practice nursing intervention skills in the nursing simulation laboratory. Evening and day sections are available.

All prerequisites must be completed before submitting application to the clinical program. All developmental courses, Medical Terminology and Anatomy and Physiology l and ll must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. Eligible applicants will be evaluated based on selective, objective ranking criteria. Admission to clinical nursing courses is granted to the highest ranked applicants.

 In order to progress through the program, a grade of 78 percent or better in all nursing courses, a grade of “C” or better in all science courses, and satisfactory clinical evaluations are required. Nursing policy states that two grades of D, F, W or AU in any required science courses or Nursing courses will make a student ineligible to continue in the Nursing program. All required science courses must have been completed within the past 5 years. Nursing clinical courses must be taken in an unbroken sequence.  If there is a break in sequence, the student must request re-admission into the program with re-entry on a space-available basis.

Licensure for the practice of professional nursing is regulated by individual State Boards of Nursing which base licensure decisions on whether or not applicants meet all the requirements for licensure as set forth in individual state statutes and rules. Licensure for the practice of professional nursing in New Jersey is regulated by the New Jersey Board of Nursing. Limitations to licensure and professional practice may occur for circumstances including but not limited to pending or actual indictments, information or complaints alleging violation of federal or state laws.


Graduates are able to:

  • provide client-centered holistic nursing care across the lifespan by responding to evidenced wellness states
  • manage and coordinate care for individuals, groups and families experiencing disruptions in wellness states
  • practice as a member within the profession of nursing

 

PLEASE NOTE: Students interested in pursuing the nursing program will initially be enrolled into the AS in Health Science degree as pre-nursing majors. Students must complete the pre-requisites in order to become eligible to apply for selective admission for entrance into the nursing program.
Additional requirement(s): Applicants must complete 6 credits at RVCC prior to applying to the clinical nursing program. ATI -TEAS test may be taken every 3 months.  Entrance testing will be required by the nursing program.  Qualified students who submit proof of residency for Somerset or Hunterdon County are given priority placement. Students must be 18 years of age by July 15 of the application year. Admitted students are subject to the immunization, health screening, drug screening and criminal background check requirements of clinical agencies. Maintenance of Basic Life Support (BLS) and liability insurance is required. Clinical clearance by clinical site is required prior to registration for clinical courses. Costs related to clinical clearance are the responsibility of the student and subject to change.  Clinical site preference is not guaranteed and subject to change.

 

 

 

Curriculum – Generic Program


Prerequisite Courses


Total Credits 65


1 A grade of “C” or better is required in all Science courses and HLTH 150 Medical Terminology  .  A grade of 78 percent or better is required in all Nursing courses.

2  Students who pass the Pharmacology Calculations Placement Exam (PCC Exam) are exempt from NURS 016 Pharmacology Clinical Calculations  .  The PCC Exam is taken after admission to the clinical program. Students who do not pass the Pharmacology Clinical Calculations Exam must successfully complete NURS-016 Pharmacology Clinical Calculations prior to registering for NURS 101 Foundations of Nursing  .

3  Enrollment in these courses is restricted to students formally admitted to the Nursing Clinical Courses.

4 Clinical clearance required for clinical nursing courses. Admitted students are subject to the immunization, health screening and criminal background check requirements of clinical agencies. Clinical clearance by clinical site is required prior to registration for clinical courses. Clinical site preference is not guaranteed and subject to change

 5 Mathematics proficiency through MATH 020 Elementary Algebra  .  This includes placement into MATH 030 Intermediate Algebra  or successful completion of either MATH 020 Elementary Algebra or MATH 030R Intermediate Algebra w/Basic Algebra Review  .

6  The ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is required of all applicants.

7 Complete any developmental courses required in reading and writing, including ESL (English as a Second Language) courses.

 

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