Nursing - NURS.AS

The application deadline is March 1, of the application year. All supporting materials must meet the application deadline.

Checklist for School of Nursing Applicants:

1. High School Diploma/or proof of GED
2. Proof of completion of Algebra 2:
   1. In high school within the past 5 years-80 or greater
   2. In a high school adult education  program 80 or greater within the past 5 years
   3. In college within the past 5 years 80 or greater
   4. Challenge at STCC Testing and Assessment  Center 755 4709 Building 17 Placement = Algebra 2 or higher

3. All college transcripts from all colleges attended if credit is requested

4. Completion of the  TEAS 5  BEFORE March 1 of the application year

5. A PAPER application from the admissions office if the application is being submitted prior to January 31 of the application year

6. An On-Line application,  if the application is being submitted after January 31 of the application year

7. The application is to the college with a request for a nursing major

8. An Intra-college Transfer form ( located in the Admissions Office) before March 1 of the application year if you are a current STCC student

9. All midterm grades from any college you are currently attending.  If the college does not have a mid term grade process then a letter on the letterhead of that college signed by the professor is acceptable.

---

Learn more about the STCC/UMASS Amherst Seamless Curriculum Track Associate’s Degree to RN to BS in Nursing Program

http://nursing.stcc.blackboard.com

http://www.atitesting.com

The School of Nursing and the School of Health and Patient Simulation at Springfield Technical Community College are both trendsetters in the use of patient simulation at local, regional, and national levels. This usage enhances the learning objectives of each curriculum. Many faculty members of these two schools have traveled to numerous conferences to either present their simulation work or as a learning experience to better assist them in making STCC a continued trendsetter in simulation activities.

STCC has also hosted conferences in conjunction with organizations such as the National League for Nursing www.nln.org Laerdal©, and more. To see more about simulation at STCC, please visit http://health.stcc.edu/SIMSMedical

The STCC School of Nursing utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to simulation education. Nursing students and faculty collaborate with programs such as Respiratory Care, Physical Therapy Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant, and Radiology in creative simulation scenarios.

STCC also offers numerous other health related programs. Please visit http://health.stcc.edu for more information.

Nursing Specific Information:

The nursing curriculum prepares men and women to be professional nurses who are competent to render safe and effective nursing care to people across the life cycle in both health and illness. The community-centered approach combines both liberal and technical education for eligible student within the college. Graduates of the nursing program receive an Associate of Science in Nursing degree and are eligible to take the computer-based Adaptive National Council Licensure

Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). This test is offered through:

NCLEX Testing with Pearson VUE

Pearson VUE delivers the NCLEX examination for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN),

www.pearsonvue.com/nclex

CORI/SORI:

All accepted nursing students must undergo CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) and SORI (Sexual Offender Record Information) or other relevant check. Dependent on the findings, participation in the Nursing program or clinical affiliation related thereto may be denied. For further information, please contact the Office of the Dean, School of Nursing at tarbell@stcc.edu.

Individuals with previous court convictions must also meet the eligibility requirements of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing for licensure. Prospective students should review the Good Moral Character CMR set by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. For further information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/dph/boards/rn

TRANSFER STUDENTS:

Any student seeking transfer status from another accredited School of Nursing must meet all admission requirements for the School of Nursing at STCC. The requirements are inclusive of Algebra 2 and TEAS 5. All requests for transfer are treated on both an INDIVIDUAL basis and seat available basis.

Accreditation/Approval/Regulation:

The STCC School of Nursing is approved and regulated by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing
239 Causeway Street, 2nd Floor,
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617.973.0900 or 800.414.0168

The school also has full accreditation by the ACEN© Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. ACEN© Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. is a resource of information regarding accreditation status as well as the length and cost of nursing programs. You can contact ACEN© by their mailing address or you can visit their website.

ACEN© Accrediting Commission for  Education in Nursing, Inc. 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850 Atlanta, Georgia 30326 Email: info@acenursing.org Website: http://acenursing.org/

Additional Information:

Students are required to maintain CPR certification (American Heart Association Professional Rescuer) throughout the entire nursing program. Certification must be valid on or before August 15 of the admission year and annually thereafter unless the certification covers a multi-year window. The School of Nursing reserves the right to rescind the admission status of any student not meeting all pre- and post- admission requirements.

It is mandatory that students entering the STCC School of Nursing have their certification or recertification completed and on record annually by August 15. This is inclusive of new admissions.

All required health records, immunizations, and physicals MUST be filed in the STCC Health Services office by August 15. The Health Office is located in the Building 20 Suite, third floor center. The School of Nursing reserves the right to rescind the admission status of any student not meeting as well as submitting all post- admission requirements in a timely manner.

CPR Certification is available through STCC. Information can be found at: Health Care Training.

Honors Program - All qualified nursing students are encouraged to participate in the Honors Program.

Matriculation:

In order for a student to matriculate in the School of Nursing, the student must maintain a quality point average of 2.30 (C+) or 77% in each nursing course.

The final course grade is calculated as follows:

1. The average of three term exams and a final cumulative exam will equal 90% of the final grade. The grade of a special project will equal 10% of the final grade. A final course grade of 2.3 (77%) or better is required to pass the course.
2. A student must pass the clinical portion of the course in order to qualify to write the final exam (grading for clinical portion is Pass-Fail). Transcript grade for clinical failure will be recorded as F.
3. An average of 2.30 (77+) on these exams is required to pass the course. The final course grade, if below C+ or 77 will be recorded as a letter grade with transcript stamped: NOT ELIGIBLE FOR MATRICULATION IN NURSING and the DATE .
4. No more than one failed nursing course may be repeated.
5. Grades are not rounded up.

Eligibility for Promotion:

• Students must attend scheduled lectures and clinical hospital laboratories.
• Students must pass academically and clinically.
• Students must achieve a minimum grade of “C+” (77+) in all other required courses, in order to be eligible for graduation. Students must function according to Technical Standards and clinical objectives. Technical Standards
• Students must be able to maintain ALL Technical Standards at all times without exception. Programmatic Technical Standard (PDF)-A signature of agreement is kept on file for all students.
• It is the students responsibility to report special needs to the appropriate offices.

The School of Nursing bases its curriculum on the Nurse of the Future Competencies©, as set by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. These can be viewed at the Nursing & Allied Health Initiative.

NOTE: Segments of the Nursing courses are planned in conjunction with the clinical agencies, and may deviate from the College hours.

Procedure for the admission and advanced placement of L.P.N.s to STCC School of Nursing:

1. The challenge examination for L.P.N.s will be administered only after an L.P.N. with current registration has been fully admitted as a student in the School of Nursing.
2. Student records show that the accumulated theory and clinical experience of the student meet the curriculum requirements for School of Practical Nursing in Massachusetts.
3. The LPN license must be in good standing without restriction or violation.
4. It is the LPN’s responsibility to contact the Office of the Dean of the School of Nursing, (413) 755-4855 for additional information. NOTE: All LPNs who successfully challenge will be required to pay for the total number of credits assigned to NURS-102 (8 credits). This information will be reflected on the final transcript.
5. LPN candidates must take NURS-104 Freshman Seminar/Trends. This course is challenge exempt and needs to be completed before entering the spring semester (NURS-202). Trends is not a challenge course and must be taken at the scheduled time.
6. The NURS-102 Challenge Examination for LPNs will be scheduled for administration at a date to be determined by the School of Nursing prior to beginning the nursing curriculum. A student has a right to sit for the examination once, as no retakes are permitted. This examination provides the LPN with an opportunity to validate knowledge of the concepts usually presented in NURS-102, which is the foundation for the subsequent nursing courses.
7. Attainment of a 77+ is the minimum passing grade in theory. (77+ = C+ + 2.3 QPA) The challenge examination for NURS-102, may not be retaken.
8. The challenge MUST be completed before beginning NURS-102, not after.
9. LPNs are considered on an individual basis.

General Minimum Prerequisites

• Algebra 2 grade must be less than five years old. Eligible challenge -earned grade must be 80 or higher.
• All college level coursework required within the Nursing curriculum with an earned grade of C+ or better

General Information:

• No more than one repeated college science course within the past seven years.
  This means that each science course can be repeated once, if desired. Applicable courses include BIOL-132 (Anatomy and Physiology 1), BIOL-232, (Anatomy and Physiology 2) and BIOL-121 (Microbiology).
• All Anatomy & Physiology courses over seven years old must be repeated.
• Students with previous health care related experiences may have an easier transition
• You really must want to be a nurse
• Diversity is embraced
• The nursing shortage will go through 2020 and beyond
• The greatest nursing need is in Long Term and Chronic Care
• Most new graduates will not enter into critical care environments
• Students cannot request individual schedules or professors
• Clinical experiences are variable according to health care provider availability and may be at anytime of day or day of the week
• School of Nursing uniforms are required and must be purchased through the college bookstore
• It is necessary to attend an Information Session
• The Nursing program only admits students in the Fall Semester. Please make sure your application reflects this.
• STCC Graduates are able to become licensed in any or all of the United States and its properties
• NURSING IS THE MOST REWARDING PROFESSION IF IT FITS YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL
• All admitted students will also be required to attend a Summer Transition Program. The program will be four days in length. Attendance is required. The dates and times will be determined annually.
• Drug Policy Statement
• Latex Policy, Latex Release Form
• School Of Nursing Information Sessions

Technology Requirements:

All admitted students will be required to have a personal laptop computer. The minimum operational requirements are as follows:
Student Laptop Specifications

Each student will also need to have a handheld electronic device. Acceptable devices are: iTouch, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, or any other hand held device with the ability to download applications and text books.
Additional information will be made available to all admitted students and fully explained at the nursing orientation for new students.

Application Information

1. TEAS 5 (The Test of Essential Academic Skills, version 5). This assessment test is offered at STCC.
   It is suggested that the preparation book be utilized. The book is available in the STCC bookstore or on line through ATI.
   Registration link: http://www.atitesting.com/
   It is recommended that individuals not attempt to retake the TEAS 5 test prior to 30 days since the last sitting. The highest grades earned in each section will be applied for admission evaluation if multiple attempts are made.
   PLEASE-DO NOT WAIT FOR THE LAST DATES TO TEST. MARCH 1ST OF THE APPLICATION YEAR IS THE DEADLINE.
2. Students need to follow the link below to self register. The required minimum scores are as follows:
   TEAS 5 after to March 1, 2012

	Reading= 73%	Percentile Rank=55
	Math ADN= 68.9%	Percentile Rank= 51
	Science= 55.3%	Percentile Rank= 55
	English= 66%	Percentile Rank= 62

*These are adjusted scores with a percentile conversion based on norms of all students who take the test for all schools. SCORES WILL BE NORMALIZED ANNUALLY BASED ON THE REPORTED PERCENTILE RANKS FOR DEGREE.
It is the students responsibility to monitor the web page for expected scores.

3. Algebra 2 with a grade of 80 or (B-) must be completed in high school or in college within 5 years of seeking admission to nursing. Successful completion of a placement test at STCC achieving the Algebra 2 level will be accepted. Other math classes such as Statistics, Geometry, Business Math, and Trigonometry are not considered for application or acceptance.
   NOTE: These courses can be considered as an elective, meeting core requirements, if the earned grade is C+ or greater.

IMPORTANT:

• NURS 099 or MAST-319, MAST-320 or MAST-321 are not accepted for admission or as an elective in nursing and should not be considered by the applicant for nursing.

School of Nursing
The STCC Seamless Curriculum Track

Learn more about the STCC/UMass Amherst Seamless Curriculum Track Associates’ Degree to RN to BS in Nursing.

Additionally, STCC nursing graduates transfer to many other colleges and universities offering advanced degrees. Students entering STCC holding accredited bachelor, masters degrees or higher may qualify for entry to a Masters in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice degree upon completion of the associate degree from STCC. Individual advising will occur.

Limitless opportunities are possible. Some opportunities are linked below:
University of Massachusetts
Elms College
American International College
Chamberlain College
Fitchburg State University
Framingham State University
UMass Graduate School of Nursing
Salem State University
Russell Sage University

The national trend is for all nurses to advance to higher degrees with a goal of advanced degrees by 2020.

STCC has nursing articulation agreements with numerous Baccalaureate programs such as American International College, Elms College, Framingham State University, the University of Massachusetts - all campuses and Russell Sage College in New York. Students accepted into STCC’s associate degree program are also accepted into the bachelor’s degree nursing program of their choice to complete a four year course of study. Many of the nursing students at STCC hold degrees in other disciplines.

SIMS Medical

Upon successful completion of requirements for the Nursing program, the degree of Associate in Science in Nursing will be awarded.