Associate in Applied Science in Nursing

Division of Nursing & Allied Health — Curriculum Code 2104

Will Earn Upon Program Completion: Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree

(Also see General Science A.S. Degree Program)

Why major in Nursing?

There is a growing demand for nurses nationwide. Nursing is a service-oriented profession that involves caring for and working with people. A state-of-the-art, well-equipped nursing simulation laboratory is available on campus to facilitate student learning. In addition, a multi-media computer laboratory is available for student use. The nursing program prepares the student for entry-level positions in hospitals and other health care facilities. Upon completion of the program, the student is eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam to qualify for licensure.

If I major in Nursing, can I transfer to an upper-division college or university?

Many colleges have “upper-division” nursing programs that allow associate degree graduates to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.). Articulation agreements exist between Essex County College and New York University, New Jersey City University, St. Peter’s College, Felician College, Kean University, Rutgers University, William Paterson University, and Seton Hall University.

Are there any requirements I must satisfy before I start taking courses in my major?

Apply to the College as a General Science (curriculum code: 0603) student with a major in nursing. The following are the minimum standards for admission:

• Be at college level in reading, English, and mathematics, which may require the completion of developmental courses (e.g., RDG 096, ENG 096, and/or MTH 092) based on placement test scores.
• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Have a college GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Complete the following program prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or better in each: CHM 101 (or CHM 103), BIO 121, and ENG 101. Note that BIO 121 and BIO 122 must both be completed within 5 years of admission.
• Have a combined GPA of 3.0 or higher in CHM 101 or CHM 103, ENG 101, and BIO 121.

For other admissions requirements, contact the Nursing & Allied Health Division. All prerequisite courses must be completed by December 31 for Fall admission and by June 30 for Spring admission in order to sit for the nursing program admission exam. Admission to the program is competitive. Qualified applicants are admitted on a space-available basis. Admission to the nursing program is based on a statistically weighted system, which considers your overall GPA; GPA in BIO 121, CHM 101, and ENG 101; RN PAX Reading score; RN PAX Math score; and RN PAX Science score.

How long will it take me to complete this degree?

The Nursing program is a full-time, day and evening program that can be completed in a two-year period (after the program prerequisite courses are completed) if you register for an average of 14 credits each semester.

Where should I direct specific questions about this program?

Call the Division at (973) 877-1868/1865.

Upon completion of the ECC nursing program, graduates will be able to:

• Synthesize data collected utilizing the frameworks of needs assessment and developmental challenges of the client and family, appraising the clients health status and establishing a foundation for individualized care.  (Assessment Maslow Erikson) (Human Florishing);
• Apply the nursing process in providing holistic care to clients and families across the lifespan during wellness, worried wellness and illness for clients in healthcare agencies and in the community. (Nursing Process);
• Adhere to standards of the nursing profession; practice nursing within legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks. (Professional Behaviors) (Professional Identity) (Integrity);
• Utilize therapeutic communication skills to establish human relationships and collaborate with the client and the multidisciplinary health care team to meet the needs of clients (Collaboration) and promote positive outcomes. (Communication) (Quality);
• Exhibit clinical decision making using evidence based practice and critical thinking in assisting clients and families to promote optimal health. (Clinical Decision Making)(Spirit of Inquiry) (Nursing Judgment);
• Demonstrate caring behaviors while engaging in the art and science of nursing. (Caring Interventions);
• Utilize teaching-learning principles to design, implement, and evaluate the outcomes of teaching plans with clients and families. (Teaching and Learning);
• Manage care with fiscal efficiency using available resources in meeting client and organizational needs. (Managing Care);
• Participate in lifelong professional development. (Professional Behaviors) (Professional Identity); and
• Utilize evidence based practice to ensure safe and effective practice for the client, family and the professional nurse. (Evidence Based Practice) (Safety Standards).

NOTES:
(1) The two General Education Integrated Course Goals, Ethical Reasoning & Action and Information Literacy, are both addressed by the required curriculum described above, regardless of specific choices made by the individual student.
(2) This plan assumes the completion of all required developmental courses in reading, writing, and mathematics as well as other pre- and co-requisites for some of the courses, as listed in the Course Descriptions section.