Nursing, A.S.

Graduates are able to:

• Identify, integrate and evaluate current evidence, with consideration of patient preferences, and apply clinical reasoning to practice nursing safely and competently
• Provide respectful, culturally appropriate patient-centered care to diverse populations by partnering with patient and family members to empower participation in shared decision-making
• Demonstrate open communication, shared responsibility and mutual respect as a member of the nursing and interprofessional team, to promote quality patient care
• Implement interventions based on legal and ethical obligations to mitigate the risk of harm related to individuals, organizations, and the community
• Utilize clinical reasoning and critical thinking within the discipline’s legal and ethical framework to create a culture of safety that prevents the risk of harm
• Demonstrate proficiency in technology and application of nursing informatics to enhance, deliver, communicate, integrate, and coordinate patient care
  
  

Achievement of Program Outcomes (PDF) 

In an effort to provide you with the most current and comprehensive information about our programs, prospective nursing students must attend a Nursing Information Session as part of application requirements. Applicants who attend receive specific nursing application materials and step by step submission instructions for priority processing. Applicants who have attended an info session within the last two years are responsible for meeting current admission requirements. Dates and times for information sessions can be found on the Information Sessions page.

Completed nursing program applications must be submitted by February 1st to be considered for priority acceptance. Applications that are received between February 1st and March 15th will be reviewed for consideration if spots remain available in the incoming class.

Submission of a completed application is the responsibility of the nursing candidate. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Candidates must complete the college admission requirements and provide documentation of the following criteria for admission consideration:

• Attend a mandatory Nursing Information Session.
• Complete application for the program.
• Proof of satisfactory completion of high school algebra with a grade of C or better. Anatomy and Physiology I requires high school bio and high school chemistry. If transcript indicates a numerical grade point average with no grade equivalent, a minimum of 73.33 is required.
• A personal statement.
• Complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) of Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) with a Total Score of 66% or better. Applicants are permitted to take this test three times in a calendar year; no sooner than four weeks between attempts. Test scores are valid for a period of two years.

The TEAS Test evaluates the academic ability of prospective RN students. See www.atitesting.com for information about preparing for the test.

Admission to the nursing program is competitive. Selection is determined by a cumulative point system that is based on applicable college courses and grades, and the ATI TEAS scores. Special consideration points are given to applicants who have completed Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II prior to the February 1st deadline with a grade of “C” or better within the past eight years from the time of acceptance, and for those applicants who have taken their co-requisite and pre-requisite courses at Manchester Community College.

Qualified students who are not accepted in the selection process may be assigned to a prioritized waiting list based on the above criteria. They may be subsequently admitted if an opening becomes available prior to the beginning of the fall semester. The waiting list will be discarded six weeks prior to classes beginning. Students still desiring admission must reapply for the following year.

It is understood that acceptance is conditional upon submission of satisfactory evidence in the form of the following documents no later than four weeks prior to the beginning of the semester:

• Submit a report of a current (within 1 year prior to beginning first Nursing course) physical examination, including required health screening and all immunizations/titers (as indicated on the physical examination form).
• Possess and maintain personal health insurance. When enrolled in the nursing program, students must notify the Director of any changes with healthcare coverage.
• Possess and maintain professional liability insurance. This professional liability insurance coverage is an annual fee through MCC.
• Acquire and maintain certification in BLS for Healthcare Providers.
• Complete a criminal background check (through college’s approved vendor) with satisfactory results (cost to be incurred by student). MCC’s background check is due within 21 days after attending the mandatory nursing program orientation. Students will repeat the NH State Police criminal background check prior to their senior year.
• Complete drug testing through college’s approved vendor. Students may also be required to provide an additional criminal background check and drug testing throughout the course of the program based on clinical facility requirements.

This partnership between MCC and Franklin Pierce University (FPU) allows students to earn a Bachelor Degree in Nursing from FPU in one year after completion of their Associate Degree in Nursing from MCC. Students accepted into the Pathway option will take courses that meet the requirements of both colleges during their first three years at MCC, receive their A.S.N. and be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam. During their fourth year they will complete their Bachelor Degree in Nursing at FPU. To learn more, students must attend a Pathway Information Session that is scheduled through MCC’s Office of Admissions.

Prospective students must attend an LPN to RN Nursing Information Session. Applicants who have attended an info session within the last two years, are responsible for meeting current admission requirements. A & P II, Human Growth and Development and Microbiology must be completed by May 15th.

Applicants must be a currently licensed LPN and successfully complete the NLN Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (NACE) I: Foundations of Nursing (see “NACE” tab above) with a required overall percent correct score of 70% or better. Test scores are valid for a period of 12 months prior to application deadline. Applications and required documents must be completed by January 15th to be considered for acceptance in the Hybrid course. An interview will then be arranged with the Director of Nursing and nursing faculty.

Transfer into NURS112M is an option only if there is space available in the program. Returning MCC nursing students and LPN-RN candidates have priority. Space availability is usually determined early December. To be considered for transfer from another nursing program, students must:

• Have permission of the Director of Nursing.
• Have successfully completed (as defined by the home institution for progression in the nursing program) a Nursing Fundamentals course within the past 2 years.
• Successfully complete the ATI Fundamentals exam with a Level 2 or better.

Transfer students accepted into NURS112M must attend Nursing Process Seminar prior to the start of NURS112M and must have completed all prerequisite coursework by examination or transfer credit.

In addition to specific nursing course transfer policies noted above and other MCC transfer credit policies, Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II and Microbiology must be taken no more than 8 years prior to the semester of entry into the Nursing program.

Students matriculated in the Nursing program who withdraw or do not achieve the required minimum grade in the Nursing or science courses and are not able to continue in the Nursing program may be eligible for readmission consideration. A student may be readmitted to the Nursing program one time only. Readmissions are contingent upon space availability. The student applying for readmission will be required to meet the curriculum requirements in effect at the time of readmission. In order to be reconsidered for admission, the student must:

Meet with the Director of the Department of Nursing:

• Readmission for NURS111M – Request opportunity to reapply
• Readmission for NURS112M, 211M and 212M:
  • Outline the reason(s) you were unable to continue in the program and your plan for successful completion of the program.
  • Submit a written dated letter requesting readmission to the Director of the Department of Nursing and identify which Nursing course you are requesting readmission for.

Students who have failed a Nursing course because of unsafe practice involving actions or non-actions may or may not be eligible for readmission to the Nursing program.

The Nursing Program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and approved by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing (NHBON). Upon satisfactory completion of the program, the graduate is eligible to apply to the NHBON for the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). MCC’s NCLEX pass rates can be viewed at www.oplc.nh.gov. The NHBON’s licensing regulations may restrict candidates who have been involved in civil or criminal legal proceedings. Questions about licensing restrictions should be addressed to:

The NH Board of Nursing,
121 South Fruit Street
Concord, NH 03301
603-271-2323

Questions about the status of accreditation for the Nursing program should be addressed to:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
Phone: (404) 975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the associate nursing program is continuing accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm

Prior to meeting all program course requirements, matriculated nursing students may be eligible to apply to the NHBON for additional licensure after successful completion (defined as achieving a minimum course grade of “C”) of the following nursing courses:

• Nursing I – Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA)
• Nursing III – Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

The MCC nursing program holds formal articulation agreements with 13 colleges and universities:

• Aspen University
• Chamberlain University
• Colby Sawyer College
• Emmanuel College
• Endicott College
• Franklin Pierce University
• Granite State College
• New England College
• Purdue University
• Rivier University
• Salve Regina University
• Southern NH University
• Walden University.

MCC must ensure that patient safety is not compromised by students during learning experiences. Therefore, the student is expected to demonstrate emotional stability and exercise sound judgment, accept direction and guidance from a supervisor or faculty member and establish rapport and appropriate interpersonal relationships with peers, staff and patients and their families.

The following technical standards have been established to provide guidance to students as to skills and abilities required to function successfully in the program and ultimately in the profession of nursing. Applicants who think they may not be able to meet one or more of the technical standards must contact the Director of Nursing to discuss individual cases.

• Sufficient hearing to assess patient needs and to understand instructions, emergency signals and telephone conversations.
• Sufficient visual acuity to observe patients, manipulate equipment and interpret data; visual acuity sufficient to ensure a safe environment, identify color changes, read fine print/writing and calibrations.
• Sufficient speech and language ability to express, comprehend and exchange information and ideas verbally and non-verbally and to interact clearly and logically with patients, family members, physicians, peers and other medical personnel.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions, respond appropriately in emergencies or unexpected situations and to cope with variations in workload and stress levels.
• Sufficient strength and motor coordination to perform the following physical activities: manual dexterity to operate and handle equipment, moving and transfer of patients; and performing CPR.
• Travel Policy: Transportation to and from the clinical site is the responsibility of the student.