Nursing

The Associate Degree Nursing Program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and approved by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, the graduate is eligible to apply to Educational Testing Service (ETS) and the New Hampshire Board of Nursing for the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Prior to meeting all program course requirements, the matriculated Nursing students may be eligible to apply to the NHBON for additional licensure after successful completion (defined as achieving a minimum course grade of "C") of the following Nursing courses:

The New Hampshire Board of Nursing's licensing regulations may restrict candidates who have been involved in civil or criminal legal proceedings. Questions about licensing restrictions should be addressed to the New Hampshire Board of Nursing, 21 South Fruit Street, Suite 16, Concord, NH 03301. Questions about the status of accreditation for the Nursing program should be addressed to the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway-33rd floor, New York, NY 10006.

The goal of the Associate Degree Nursing Program is to prepare the student to provide direct care to clients in acute care, long-term care, and other structured settings. As a member of the discipline, the student collaborates with the healthcare team to provide and manage the care of clients. The student utilizes the nursing process as a basis for decision making in caring for well clients and clients with possible or actual health problems.

Learning experiences and clinical practice may vary in time and in locations, including days, evenings, and/or weekends.

The program may be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. Classroom and clinical components of the Nursing courses must be completed concurrently. All nursing courses must be completed within four years of the date of entry into the first nursing course. Students re-entering the program must meet current requirements necessary for graduation. Advanced Placement and transfer are possible through transfer credit and/or Excelsior College testing. Students may enroll in Liberal Arts and Science courses prior to admission to the Nursing program. Enrollment in these courses does not guarantee acceptance into the Nursing program. Students admitted into the Nursing program must take nursing courses in sequence, and must achieve a minimum grade of C (73.33) in all major theory and science courses (Nursing, Anatomy & Physiology I & II, and Microbiology) and a grade of "Pass" in clinical courses in order to continue in the program. Students who do not successfully achieve the minimum grade in the major theory,
science and other co-requisite courses as outlined in the program course sequencing will be suspended from the Nursing program.

All nursing students must be CPR-certified before taking any nursing courses and must maintain the certification throughout the program. This program is physically strenuous and requires some heavy lifting. Individuals must be able to meet the general health demands of the program in order to satisfy course/clinical objectives.

Admissions Criteria

A review of all COMPLETED applications will begin in March. Nursing program applications must be completed by February 28 to be considered for early acceptance in the fall class. If the class is not filled with qualified applicants by that deadline, we will accept completed applications until July 1. After that point the program will be closed.

Nursing candidates must submit or complete the following criteria for admission consideration:

1. High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.

2. Satisfactory completion of high school biology, algebra, and chemistry or equivalent with a grade of "C" or greater or proof of current enrollment.

3. An official transcript of high school and/or post secondary courses to verify prerequisites. Transcripts must have the high school or college seal or stamp to be accepted.

4. Complete the National League for Nursing Preadmission RN examination* with scores of 50 or greater in each of the three areas tested: Math, Science, and Verbal Ability. Applicants are permitted to take this exam once in any 12-month period.

5. Two professional references, work or education related. (Forms provided by college.)

6. Complete an application for the program.

*The NLN Preadmission RN examination is designed to identify areas that may need strengthening before a prospective student begins the major course of study in Nursing. To receive information regarding the NLN Preadmission RN examination or to register for a specific exam date, contact the Admissions Office at (603) 775-2306.

Nursing Readmission Policy
Students matriculated in the Nursing program who withdraw or do not achieve the required minimum grade in the Nursing or science courses and are not able to continue in the Nursing program may be eligible for readmission consideration. A student may be readmitted to the Nursing program one time only. Students who have failed a Nursing course because of unsafe practice involving actions or non actions are not eligible for readmission to the Nursing program (see Nursing Course Syllabi: Evaluation Methods). Readmissions are contingent upon space availability. The student applying for readmission will be required to meet the curriculum requirements in effect at the time of readmission. In order to be reconsidered for admission, the student must:

Submit a written, dated letter requesting readmission consideration to the Chair of the Department of Nursing. In this letter, briefly and generally outline the reason(s) you were previously unable to continue in the program and identify the Nursing course to which you are requesting readmission.

Students who have requested readmission consideration will be ranked according to their Nursing course average. As space availability is determined, students will be readmitted based on their ranking order. Students will then be notified of the status of their request, in writing by the Admissions Department.

Advanced Placement or Transfer
In addition to the general admission criteria, students seeking advanced placement or transfer must have completed all prerequisite coursework by examination, challenge or transfer credit. Excelsior College examinations are available for the challenge process and are necessary to meet Nursing course requirements as follows:

Advanced Placement: A student be a currently licensed practical nurse (LPN). In addition, in order to be considered for advanced placement into NURS211, Nursing III, a student must successfully complete the following Excelsior College examinations. A minimum grade of "C" or better is required in all three exams in order to be granted credit:

#461: Nursing Concepts 1
#462: Nursing Concepts 2
#463: Nursing Concepts 3

Students accepted for advanced placement into the senior year are required to take NURS200 Advanced Placement Seminar prior to the start of the senior year.

Transfer: In order to be considered for Transfer from another Nursing program into NURS 112, Nursing II, students must have successfully completed (defined as achieving a minimum course grade of "C") a Nursing Fundamentals course while matriculated in another nursing program within the past two years and the following Excelsior College examination #403: Fundamentals of Nursing

Nursing Transfer Credit Policy: In addition to specific nursing course transfer policies noted above and other NHCTC Stratham & Portsmouth transfer credit policies, Anatomy & Physiology I and II and Microbiology must be taken within a 10 year period from the time of acceptance into the Nursing program.

Technical Standards
After acceptance and prior to registration, all nursing students must:

1. Submit a report of a current physical examination, including all required health screening and immunizations (as indicated on the
Red Cross: CPR for the Professional Rescuer Course or an American Heart Association equivalent.

2. Possess and Maintain personal health insurance

3. Possess and maintain professional liability insurance (available at the College campus)

4. Acquire and maintain certification form the American Red Cross: CPR for the professional Rescuer Course or American Heart Association equivalent.

5. Have a criminal background check.

6. Travel policy: transportation to and from the practicum site is the responsibility of the student.

7. Provide documentation that they received the Hepatitis B vaccine or a signed waiver.