Nursing A.A.S.

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The Program

The purpose of this curriculum is to prepare the student for first level positions in patient care. The curriculum includes courses in adult medical/surgical nursing, obstetrics, pediatrics, psychiatric nursing, professional nursing practice and pharmacology. Upon successful completion of the program, the student is eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurse. The nursing courses combine theory with the opportunity to apply knowledge in the laboratory, in hospitals, and health-related agencies.

Students will enjoy the personalized instruction offered by experienced, highly qualified faculty. Classes are delivered in high-tech classrooms and a fully equipped practice lab. Students will experience a supportive and caring environment. College faculty teach all courses and provide individual guidance in clinical nursing experience.

The traditional weekday program is two academic years in length if pursued on a full-time basis. Some laboratory experiences may be scheduled during evening and weekend hours. Because of the intense nature of the Nursing Program, the student may find that part-time study is more appropriate.

The Weekend Scholar option is designed for those students who wish to become a registered nurse, but prefer a non-traditional academic schedule. The nursing courses are offered every other weekend over a period of two full years (including summers). The class and laboratory sessions will be taught at the College, while the clinicals will be offered at various agencies. The Weekend Scholar option begins in January. Classes and clinicals meet Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It is highly recommended that students complete most of the liberal arts and science courses prior to enrolling.

Academic program requirements include a grade of “C” or higher in each required nursing course and each required science course. Students must successfully complete a medication calculation competency in NUR 111, NUR 112A/NUR 112B, NUR 231A/NUR 231B and NUR 232 in order to progress in the nursing curriculum or to graduate.

Eligibility for licensure as a registered nurse in New York State by persons who have been convicted of a crime (felony or misdemeanor) or have charges pending in any state or country will be determined through an investigation by the New York State Education Office of Professional Discipline.

Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Nursing program with an A.A.S. degree will meet the following learning outcomes:

• Incorporate concepts of basic needs in his or her practice to maintain optimal wellness of patients at all developmental levels
• Utilize the nursing process to meet the basic needs of individuals of all ages experiencing common and/or complex health problems
• Use communication skills effectively when interacting with health team members, patients, families, and peers
• Demonstrate competency in performing technical skills for individuals with common and/or complex health needs
• Practice as a team member in collaboration with other team members
• Provide health teaching for individuals experiencing common and/or complex health problems to maintain or restore optimal health
• Maintain ethical, legal, and professional responsibilities of nursing practice
• Demonstrate accountability in areas of personal and professional development as a responsible and informed citizen

Utilize theories and/or concepts of bio-psycho-social sciences and liberal arts in the application of the nursing process

Career Opportunities

Registered nurses promote health and care for sick, disabled, and injured individuals. They administer medications and treatments, assist physicians during treatment and examination, refer patients to physicians and other health care specialists, and help patients cope with illness. Nurses are advocates and health educators for patients, families, and communities. Registered nurses are found in surgery, maternity, pediatrics, emergency room, intensive care, or cancer treatment departments of hospitals; in physician offices and clinics; home health care agencies and nursing homes; temporary help agencies; schools; government agencies;

surgicenters and emergency medical centers; and health maintenance organizations. With advanced training, RNs can become nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified registered nurse anesthetists, or certified nurse midwives.

The health care industry is expected to grow much faster than average, 23% from 2006-2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is due to technological advances in medical treatment and an aging population.

Transfer Opportunities

As a graduate of Jefferson, you will have many transfer opportunities to consider and will be able to choose from a wide variety of colleges and universities to pursue your baccalaureate degree. Jefferson has partnered with some selected academic institutions to develop agreements that help students transfer smoothly.  These agreements assist students with selecting courses in their academic program that will transfer effectively to specific baccalaureate programs:

SUNY Institute of Technology, Nursing, B.S.
Le Moyne College, Nursing, B.S.
SUNY Canton, Health Services Management: Health Services, B.T.
Franklin University, Health Care Management, B.S.
SUNY Upstate Medical University, B.S., R.N. to M.S.
SUNY Empire State College, B.S.

Admission to the Program

Completed applications for fall admission to traditional weekday program will be reviewed starting in February. Completed applications for spring admission to the weekend program will be reviewed starting in September. Applicants for admission to the nursing curriculum must meet the admission standards established by the College. All applications will be considered competitively. Academic preparation, experience, and motivation are considered by the Nursing Admissions Committee. When there are more qualified students than space in the Nursing class, the Nursing Admissions Committee will start a waiting list of qualified students. Students on the waiting list are notified of their acceptance into the Nursing program as space becomes available in the class. Each semester, at the end of the first week of classes, the waiting list is dissolved. Students desiring to enter the Nursing program must reapply for admission.

An applicant for admission to the Nursing Program must:

• Complete Jefferson’s Free Application for Admission and the Nursing Supplemental Application, both available online at www.sunyjefferson.edu or upon request.
• Submit high school transcripts, GED test scores and/or college transcripts.
• Be a high school graduate or have an equivalency diploma.
• Have successfully completed, with a “C” or better, a year of high school biology and chemistry within the past 7 years or have successfully completed, with a “C” or better, a semester of biology and one year of chemistry in college within the past 7 years. (If the courses are older than 7 years, the applicant will be required to document current competency in science by taking one semester of either a college-level biology or chemistry with a grade of “C” or higher.)
• Have successfully completed MTH 174 with a grade of “C” or higher or have successfully completed, within the last 2 years, MTH 125 or MTH 155 with a grade of “C” or higher.
• If applicant has completed MTH 125 or MTH 155 with a grade of “C” or higher between 2 and 7 years ago, the applicant will be required to document current competency by completing ALH 110 with a grade of “C” or higher or successfully complete a MTH 155 placement test.
• If more than 7 years since applicant successfully completed MTH 125 or MTH 155 with a grade of “C” or higher, the student must successfully complete a MTH 155 placement test or successfully repeat MTH 125 with a grade of “C” or higher.
• Pretest at the ENG 101 level or have successfully completed ENG 100.
• Applicants must have a minimum cummulative GPA of 2.500 or a High School grade average of at least 70.
• If born on or after January 1st, 1957, provide proof of immunity to measles, mumps and rubella.
• In addition to the JCC College requirements, submit results of a current physical examination, a Mantoux test (done within 3 months of beginning clinical experience in the Nursing Program), proof of  a tetanus immunization (done within the past ten years), and proof of rubella immunization or results of a rubella titer. These particular requirements may be submitted upon acceptance into the program.
• Present a card of completion in Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers. This must be renewed annually. This may be submitted upon acceptance into the program.

Abilities and Skills Required for Nursing

The following abilities and skills are essential for a student to be successful in the Nursing program and to become employed as a Registered Nurse.

The student must:

• Lift and carry a minimum of 25 pounds unassisted.
• Sit, bend, reach and/or walk and stand for most of the work day.
• Push and pull a patient using appropriate body mechanics.
• Possess dexterity to successfully manipulate and utilize supplies and equipment such as:  syringes, dressings, suctioning equipment, oxygen equipment, and assistive devices.
• Safely lift and transfer patients from stretcher to bed (vice versa) or bed to wheelchair (vice versa) using minimum and maximum assistive techniques.
• Possess the ability to express oneself verbally and in the written word and illustrate good interpersonal skills.
• Possess the ability to successfully calculate mathematical medication problems relevant to clinical situations and appropriately prepare and administer these medications.
• Be able to work in a fast-paced, potentially stressful environment:  (a) School:  handle stresses of an intense nature in the classroom, laboratory, or clinical setting.  (b) Work:  possess the flexibility to adjust and react to rapid changes in the patient status.
• Maintain a grade of “C” or better in nursing courses and science courses.

The deadline for submitting an application for the traditional program is January 30th. The deadline for the Weekend Scholar option is September 1st.

All prerequisites must be completed prior to application to the nursing program.

*Prospective students who have previous college credits for BIO 106, 111, 131, 203, or 204 or their equivalents will meet the Biology pre-requisite for the Nursing Program.

Readmission to the Program

Students must apply for readmission to the Nursing Program through the Jefferson Community College Admissions Office. The deadline for submitting an application for the Fall semester is January 30th. The application deadline for the Spring semester is November 1st.

Once a student has been unsuccessful in the Nursing Program, s/he may reapply only once for readmission.

Any student who seeks readmission to the Nursing Program must meet program requirements in effect at the date of re-entry.

Readmission is subject to approval of the nursing faculty.

Except for the circumstances specified above, nursing students are governed by general College regulations regarding academic standing.

Once matriculated into the Nursing program, a student has four years to complete the program requirements.

Students reapplying to Nursing 112 A, B or Nursing 231 A, B MUST enroll in the corresponding co-requisite course in the semester in which they are seeking readmission. If students have previously passed the co-requisite with a grade of “C” or better, they are still required to enroll and successfully complete the co-requisite.

Transfer into the Program

Students wishing to transfer from another nursing program to Jefferson’s nursing program must complete all pre-requisites, complete the application process, and be accepted into the program. Transfer students must provide the Nursing Department Chairperson, course syllabi of successfully completed (“C” or better) nursing courses. Each syllabi must indicate course hours, contact hours, clinical hours, and laboratory hours. The Chairperson will review each course and confer with appropriate Nursing faculty to ensure the student has met the equivalent course in the JCC nursing curriculum. If a student is lacking in a particular area, every effort will be made to accommodate the student’s need.

Medication Calculation Competency

Medication calculation competency will be a critical element in NUR 111, NUR 112A, NUR 112B, NUR 231A, NUR 231B, and NUR 232. This medication calculation competency policy will become effective beginning with the incoming class Fall 2005.

A medication calculation examination one hour in length will be administered prior to the first week of each semester. Students not receiving 100% competency for NUR 111, NUR 112A, NUR 112B, NUR 231A, NUR 231B, and NUR 232 will have two (2) additional opportunities to retake a different version of the medication calculation examination and receive 100% competency in order to remain in the nursing program. Those students not receiving 100% competency after these three (3) examinations will be unable to continue in the nursing program. Calculators will not be used during NUR 111 and NUR 112A, NUR 112B examinations. Calculators will be used during NUR 231A, NUR 231B, and NUR 232.

Jefferson Community College is fully accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 3343 Peachtree Road NE Suite 850 Atlanta, Georgia 30326.

For More  Information

Lisa Cooley, Assistant Professor of Nursing, Nursing Department Chair
lcooley@sunyjefferson.edu
315-786-2340

Julie Soule, Coordinator of the Weekend Nursing Program and Assistant Professor of Nursing
jsoule@sunyjefferson.edu
315-786-2436

Application and Admissions Information
Office of Admissions
admissions@sunyjefferson.edu
315-786-2277 or Toll Free 1-888-435-6522