Nursing/RN, Associate of Applied Science

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 National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). 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 fully-equipped college laboratory. Evening and day sections are available.

Students may enter the program in one of three ways: Generic Program, Advanced Standing for Foundations of Nursing or Practical Nurse/Associate Degree Option.

All prerequisites must be completed before submitting an application into the clinical program. Eligible applicants will be evaluated based on selective criteria and ranked according to performance. Admission to clinical nursing courses is granted to the highest ranked applicants. All 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.

Since this is a rigorous program, students with weak basic skills or no previous college-level experience may require a longer period of time to complete the program. In order to progress through the program, a grade of 75 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. An exit exam to identify readiness for licensure is required in the final semester. Students must attain a successful level of achievement on this exit exam to become eligible to register for NCLEX-RN. In addition, students must take an NCLEX review course until the testing standard in the exit exam is reached.

All students enrolled in clinical nursing courses must have a yearly health maintenance survey by their health care practitioner and maintain current liability insurance and BLS-C CPR certification while in the program.

Licensure for the practice of professional nursing is regulated by the New Jersey Board of Nursing. Limitations to NCLEXRN testing, licensure and professional practice may occur for actions or pending actions against any licenses currently held or surrendering of any license, arrest, indictment or conviction for violation of any law or regulation within the last ten years, including motor vehicle offenses, such as driving while impaired or intoxicated.

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