Middlesex Community College Academic Catalog 2020-21 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Nursing (Day)
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Associate in Science
Lowell Campus - Day, Starts Fall or Spring Semester
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MCC’s Nursing Program is offered as a Day option and an Evening/Weekend option, and is designed to prepare nurses at the Associate in Science degree level and provide eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses). The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN ): 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326; 404-975-5000 and approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
The curriculum provides a sound background in field-related science, technical skills and general education with learning experiences in the classroom, nursing laboratory and clinical settings.
Applicants to the Nursing Program are advised that compliance with the “Good Moral Character” requirement of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing is evaluated for any applicant for initial licensure with a criminal conviction or disciplinary action against an LPN license or any state issued professional license.
In order for a student to be eligible to participate in an academic, community or clinical program that involves potential unsupervised contact with children, the disabled, the elderly, or other vulnerable populations, the student may be required to undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check and/or a Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) check .
Admission to Nursing - Day & Evening/Weekend Options
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Required Course Prerequisites
- Completion of high school or college level Biology or Anatomy & Physiology I with labs with a grade of C or better (73% or higher)
- Completion of high school or college Chemistry with a lab with a grade of C or better (73% or higher)
- Minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA
- Attendance at an Overview of the Nursing Program Session (Mandatory)
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Required Testing
- Completion of the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) at Middlesex or another school in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts system with an Adjusted Individual Total Score of 62% or higher within the last year.
- Eligible for MAT 177; eligibility may be demonstrated through placement, current enrollment, or previous college coursework
- The College placement test is not required for admission to the program, but may be needed for course placement or to meet a non-nursing course requirement.
Required Documents
- Nursing Admission Requirement Certification Form
- Middlesex Community College General Admission Application
- Health Recommendation Form (Three Required)
Deadline
Admission to the Nursing Program is on a rolling basis. Applicants are admitted on a space-available basis as their applications, including all requirements, are completed. Although there is no deadline, students are encouraged to apply early, as space is limited.
Requirements After Admission to Nursing
Before beginning the Nursing Program, admitted students must also:
- Earn and submit a current certification in CPR at the Health Care Provider-level (offered monthly at MCC) which is valid for the entire academic year and renewed annually.
- Students accepted to Health Programs must be in compliance with the current immunization requirements specified by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for Health Care Personnel (HCP) and in accordance with state law, MGL, Chapter 76, Section 15C, and its regulations at 105 CMR 220.700 in order to participate in an externship placement or clinical experience.
- Students must submit the Student Health Record form, provided by Middlesex Community College, to the Health Complaince Officer, at the Enrollment Center. Required documentation of health status includes a completed physical examination; a two-step Mantoux (TB/PPD) skin test or blood test (T-Spot or Quantiferon Gold) for tuberculosis; a color deficiency test; proof of immunity against Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Varicella; and one lifetime dose of TDAP (Tetanus/Diphtheria/Acellular Pertussis) with Td boosters every 10 years thereafter.
- All nursing students are required to carry health insurance, available through the college, if needed.
- Additionally, students need to submit documentation of annual influenza vaccine by September 30th of each year.
Admission Notes
Non-Massachusetts residents will be admitted on a space-available basis only.
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Advanced Placement for Licensed Practical Nurses:
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) who meet the college’s Nursing Program admission requirements may apply for advanced placement on a space-available basis. LPNs may request credit for prior learning and apply those credits to an Associate in Science degree in Nursing.
Requirements for LPNs Seeking Advanced Placement:
- Option I - for all LPNs: Applicants for advanced placement must successfully complete the following courses prior to admission: college Anatomy & Physiology I with lab, Introduction to Psychology, and Cultural Anthropology. LPNs may challenge NUR 101, Fundamentals of Nursing, and NUR 102, Fundamentals of Nursing Practicum, by taking and scoring 75% or higher on the NLN Accelerated Challenge Exam. Upon completion of the challenge process and admission, students may be awarded credit for these courses and may enroll in NUR 155, Intergenerational Nursing. After admission, applicants must also successfully complete a 15-hour Nursing Transition Seminar (NUR 080), which is offered in August and January. Admission with advanced placement is on a space-available basis.
- Option II - for graduates of LPN programs that have an articulation agreement with Middlesex Community College: Middlesex Community College has articulation agreements with several post-secondary practical nursing programs. Recent graduates of these programs (within the last five years) who are admitted into MCC’s associate degree program may be eligible to receive credit for NUR 101, NUR 102, NUR 155 and NUR 156 by meeting the requirements of the articulation agreement between the LPN program and MCC. Prior to admission, advanced placement applicants must successfully complete the following courses: Pharmacology for Nurses, college Anatomy & Physiology I & II with labs, Introduction to Psychology, Cultural Anthropology, and English Composition. After admission, applicants must also successfully complete a 15-hour Nursing Transition Seminar (NUR 080) which is offered in August and January. Admission through articulation is on a space-available basis. Further information is available at the Student Information Centers.
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Career and Transfer Outlook:
Graduates are prepared to assume entry-level staff nurse positions in a variety of health care settings. Through articulation agreements, graduates can obtain bachelor’s degrees in nursing and advanced degrees that will provide opportunities to pursue careers in nursing administration, nursing education and advanced practice as nurse practitioners.
Helpful Hints:
Students often find that taking non-nursing required courses prior to entry into the Nursing Program allows them to focus more effectively on the nursing curriculum.
Program Specifics:
- All nursing classes and labs are held during the day at Middlesex Community College’s Lowell campus, in the Health, Science & Technology Center.
- Time Commitment: Nursing courses are essentially five days each week, with classes and simulation labs on three days, and practicums in client settings on the other two days. Practicum hours vary and may involve hours as early as 6:30 a.m. and as late as 9 p.m. Additionally, students are expected to complete skills practice and computerized nursing simulations in open lab hours. Homework averages two hours of study/reading for each class hour.
- Students are responsible for purchase of uniforms and professional textbooks.
- Transportation to off-campus clinical sites is not provided.
- Clinical experiences may be scheduled during evening hours.
Program Outcomes:
Graduates of the Nursing Program are prepared to:
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Patient-Centered Care- Provide safe, holistic, compassionate, and coordinated care to patients, families, and communities across the lifespan.
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Communication- Interact effectively with patients, families and colleagues, fostering mutual respect and shared decision making to enhance patient satisfaction and health outcomes.
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Evidence-Based Practice-Apply the best current evidence coupled with clinical competence and consideration of patients’ preferences, experience, and values to make practice decisions to provide safe care.
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Informatics and Technology-Use advanced technology to analyze information and collaborate in order to make decisions that minimize harm and optimize patient outcomes.
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Quality Improvement (includes System-based Practice)- Analyze data, using resources within the environment, to monitor the outcomes of care processes to provide care that is of optimal quality and value.
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Leadership (includes Teamwork and Collaboration)- Use leadership skills to influence the behavior of individuals or groups of individuals and to foster team learning and development in a way that will facilitate the establishment and acquisition/achievement of shared goals.
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Professionalism- Demonstrate the attributes of professionalism consistent with moral, altruistic, ethical, legal, regulatory, and humanistic principles.
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