Nursing - NURS.AS

Applying to this Program

Application:

All applications for consideration for acceptance into the program should be received by the Admissions Office no later than March 1 of the application year.

All supporting materials must be received by the application deadline.  Submit materials to:

Admissions Office
Springfield Technical Community College
One Armory Square
P.O. Box 9000
Springfield, MA 01102-9000

Checklist for Applicants:

 Submit all of the following by March 1:

1. Proof of High School Diploma, or GED.
2. Proof of completion of Algebra 2 (grade 80+), or STCC placement exam. See Admission Prerequisites for details.
3. All college transcripts from all colleges attended, if credit is requested.
4. Completion of the TEAS V, BEFORE March 1 of the application year.
5. Complete Application and fee.
   1. NEW STUDENTS:
      1. Prior to Jan 31: A PAPER application from the admissions office if the application is being submitted prior to January 31 of the application year.
      2. After Jan 31: An ON-LINE application, if the application is being submitted after January 31 of the application year. (http://www.stcc.edu/admissions/howtoapply.asp)
      3. NOTE: The application is to Springfield Technical Community College with a REQUEST for a Nursing Major.
   2. CURRENT STCC STUDENTS:
      1. A Change of Major form (located in the Admissions Office), before March 1 of the application year.
6. All mid-term grades from any college you are currently attending. If the college does not have a mid-term grade process, then a letter indicating current grade, on the letterhead of that college, signed by the professor, is acceptable.

Admission Prerequisites

• High School Diploma or GED
• In order to meet the nursing math admission requirement the applicant must have either completed ALGB-097 (or its equivalent at a high school or accredited college)  within 5 years with an 80 or higher, or placed at the College-math level on the STCC placement test.
• All college level coursework required within the Nursing curriculum with an earned grade of C+ or better.
• Passing TEAS V (The Test of Essential Academic Skills, version 5) score. 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 V 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.
  • The required minimum scores are as follows:

TEAS V after March 1, 2012

*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 student’s responsibility to monitor the web page for expected scores.

Transfer and Advanced Placement Students

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

L.P.N. APPLICANTS: Procedure for the admission and advanced placement of LPNs to STCC’s Nursing Program:

1. The challenge examination for LPNs will be administered only after an LPN with current registration has been fully admitted as a student in 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 Health and Patient Simulation, (413) 755-4510, for additional information.
5. 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.
6. LPN candidates must take NURS-104 . This course is challenge exempt and needs to be completed before entering the spring semester (NURS-202 ). NURS-104  is not a challenge course and must be taken at the scheduled time.
7. The NURS-102  Challenge Examination for LPNs will be scheduled for administration at a date to be determined by Nursing department 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.
8. Attainment of a 77+ is the minimum passing grade in theory. (77+ = C+ + 2.3 GPA) The challenge examination for NURS-102 , may not be retaken.
9. The challenge MUST be completed before beginning NURS-102 , not after.
10. LPNs are considered on an individual basis.

Applying for Re-Admission to this Program

Students who leave this health program before completing it may apply for re-admission.  Click here  for information about the re-admission policy and process.

General Information

 STCC offers an Associates Degree in Nursing program.

• 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 & Physiology 1 , BIOL-232 - Anatomy & 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
• Nursing uniforms are required and must be purchased through the college bookstore
• It is necessary to attend an Information Session: http://www.stcc.edu/admissions/events.asp
• The Nursing program admits students only 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.
• Many of the nursing students at STCC hold degrees in other disciplines.
• Drug Policy Statement 
• Latex Policy , Latex Release Policy 
•  

General Information-Other

Technology Requirements

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

Each student will also need to have a handheld electronic device. Acceptable devices are: iTouch, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, or any other handheld device with the ability to download applications and textbooks.

Additional information will be made available to all admitted students and fully explained at the nursing orientation for new students.

Blackboard

Specific Nursing Department Blackboard Server: http://nursing.stcc.blackboard.com

SIMS Medical Center

“SIMS Medical Center @ STCC  (www.simsmedicalcenter.com) is a nationally recognized patient simulation facility with an experienced faculty and staff dedicated to the exploration of patient simulation with the goal of improved patient care.  

SIMS Medical Center (SMC) provides a state of the art educational environment where students and healthcare personnel obtain new skills and refine existing competencies. SMC has provided workshops for a wide variety of participants, from beginners to “train the trainers.” SMC also provides elementary through high school students a chance to explore health careers.

An emphasis on interdisciplinary scenarios closely replicates the medical workforce environment of today.”

Honors Program

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

Background Testing and Further Requirements

CORI/SORI

All accepted nursing students must undergo CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) and SORI (Sexual Offender Record Information) or other relevant check(s). 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.

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

CPR Certification

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.

CPR Certification is available through STCC. Information can be found at: Health Care Training: http://www.stcc.edu/wd/Healthcare/

Mandatory Health Records

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 not submitting, all post-admission requirements in a timely manner.

Matriculation and Advancement

Matriculation Status

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 2.30 (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 Standard
• 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 student’s responsibility to report special needs to the appropriate offices.

Seamless Curriculum Track & Advanced Degrees

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

Learn more about the STCC/UMASS Amherst Seamless Curriculum Track Associate’s Degree to RN to BS in Nursing Program: http://www.umass.edu/nursing/node/731

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: http://www.umass.edu/nursing/node/731

Elms College: www.elms.edu/academics/academic-divisions/nursing/

American International College: http://www.aic.edu/academics/hs/nursing

Chamberlain College of Nursing: http://www.chamberlain.edu/

Fitchburg State University: http://www.fitchburgstate.edu/academics/academic-departments/department-homepage-nursing/

Framingham State University: http://www.framingham.edu/nursing/index.html

UMass Graduate School of Nursing: http://www.umassmed.edu/gsn/index.aspx

Salem State University: http://www.salemstate.edu/nursing/

Russell Sage University: https://www.sage.edu/rsc/academics/programs/nursing/

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.

Licensing

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

Accreditation and Regulation

The STCC School of Nursing is approved and regulated by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing: http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/hcq/dhpl/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 Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN©).  The ACEN© 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/

Department Personnel