Nursing (A.A.S.)

Department of Nursing — Curriculum Code 2104

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

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 at the Essex County College main campus to facilitate student learning. In addition, a multi-media computer laboratory is available for Nursing student use. The Nursing degree 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.

Nursing Program – RN Fact Sheet
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About this A.A.S. in Nursing degree

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

It is recommended that you apply to the College as a General Science (curriculum code: 0603) major and indicate interest in the Nursing program. The following are the minimum standards for admission into the Nursing program:

  • 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 an overall college GPA of 2.5 or higher.

  • Successfully complete all of the program pre-requisite courses with a grade of “C” or better.

    • ENG 101: College Composition I
    • BIO 121: Anatomy & Physiology I (within 5 years of admissions)
    • CHM 101 or CHM 103: College Chemistry I or General Chemistry I
    • PSY 101: Introduction to Psychology

 

  • Completion of ONE time ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS-RN) upon approval to test granted by nursing department. A score 60 and above qualifies you to be placed in the rank for admission to the program. Test taken outside of Essex County College will NOT be evaluated.

For other admissions requirements, contact the Nursing Department or see the RN Program Fact Sheet. Qualified applicants are admitted on a space-available basis. Admission to the nursing program is based on a statistically-weighted candidate ranking system.

Note: In addition to the Nursing program requirements, transfer students must have completed a minimum of 9 credits at Essex County College to be eligible for admission to the Nursing program.

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

Yes. Many colleges have “upper-division” nursing programs that allow associate’s degree graduates to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.).

Currently ECC has articulation agreements with New Jersey City University, Kean University, and Montclair State University.

How long will it take me to complete this degree?

The Nursing degree program is a full-time program that can be completed in a two-year period (after the program prerequisite courses are completed) if you register for an average of 13 credits each semester.

The Essex County College Nursing program is approved and accredited by the:

New Jersey Board of Nursing

124 Halsey Street, 6th Floor

Newark, NJ, 07102, (973) 504-6430

https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/nur/Pages/default.aspx

 

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), Inc.

3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA, 30326

(404) 975-5000

www.acenursing.org

 

Nursing Program Pass Rate, Completion and Job Placement Chart :
Student Outcome Data 2016 – 2018

Where should I direct specific questions about this program?

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

Program Requirements

General Education Requirements

Written & Oral Communication (6 credits)
ENG 101 (3 credits)
ENG 102 (3 credits)

Scientific Knowledge & Reasoning (8 credits)
BIO 121 (4 credits)
BIO 122 (4 credits)

Society & Human Behavior (6 credits)
PSY 101 (3 credits)
SOC 101 (3 credits)

Historical Perspective (3 credits)
Choose one of the following history courses: HST 101, HST 102, HST 111, HST 112, HST 121, HST 122, HST 131, HST 132, HST 134, HST 135, HST 136, HST 137, HST 161 or HST 162 (one 3-credit course)

Major Course Requirements

CHM 101 College Chemistry I (4 credits) or CHM 103 General Chemistry I (4 credits)

BIO 211 Microbiology (4 credits)

BIO 251 Pharmacology (3 credits)

NRS 104 Nursing I (6 credits)

NRS 114 Nursing II (8 credits)

NRS 206 Nursing III (8 credits)

NRS 216 Nursing IV (8 credits)

NRS 217 Nursing Seminar: Nursing V (2 credits)

Notes:

(1) The minimum passing grade for all courses designated BIO, CHM, PSY or NRS is “C.” If you earn a grade below “C”, you need to repeat that course.

(2) Course substitutions are not acceptable in general education requirements.

(3) Students enrolled in the Nursing program will be required to submit to criminal background checks, drug screen, health clearance, and CPR certification in connection with their clinical placement at certain health care organizations. All expenses for criminal background checks, health clearance, and CPR certification are the responsibility of the student.

(4) Consult the NJ Board of Nursing for specific information on licensure requirements at www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/medical/nursing.htm.

Recommended Sequence of Courses

Total Credits Required for Degree: 66

Prerequisite Courses
BIO 121 Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
CHM 101 College Chemistry I OR CHM 103 General Chemistry I (4 credits)
ENG 101 College Composition I (3 credits)
PSY 101 General Psychology I (3 credits)

First Semester
BIO 122 Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)
ENG 102 College Composition II (3 credits)
NRS 104 Nursing I (6 credits)

Second Semester
NRS 114 Nursing II (8 credits)
BIO 251 Pharmacology (3 credits)
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)

Third Semester
NRS 206 Nursing III (8 credits)
BIO 211 Microbiology (4 credits)

Fourth Semester
NRS 216 Nursing IV (8 credits)
NRS 217 Nursing Seminar (Nursing V) (2 credits)
Historical Perspective requirement (one 3-credit course)

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, English, and Mathematics as well as other pre-requisites and co-requisites for some of the courses, as listed in the Course Descriptions section.

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