Program Goals:
The Nurse Education program prepares students for a career as a Registered Nurse. Graduates of the program assume responsibilities related to direct patient care in a variety of settings, including, but not limited to, hospitals, clinics, extended care facilities, home and community health agencies. Upon successful completion of this program, students are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The Quinsigamond Community College Nurse Education Program is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The program will also prepare students for further study at four year colleges and universities.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the program graduates will be able to:
- Relate Orem’s self-care model to the nursing management of individuals, families and groups throughout the life cycle.
- Relate Erikson’s developmental stages when planning for and delivering nursing care.
- Assume the role of the nurse in ways that reflect integrity, responsibility, ethical practice and an evolving identity as a professional nurse committed to evidence-based practice, caring, patient advocacy, and safe quality care for diverse patients in various settings.
- Effectively communicate verbally, nonverbally, in writing or with computer based technology with the patient, family and other health professionals with a patient-centered focus.
- Use the nursing process and other theoretical concepts in the comprehensive delivery of care.
- Make judgments in nursing practice, based on evidence, that integrate nursing science in the provision of safe, quality care and promote the health of patients, families and communities.
- Employ relationship-centered interventions that are caring, compassionate, nurturing, protective, therapeutic and respectful of human differences
- Participate in a spirit of inquiry to help promote and maintain health and reduce risks for patients, families and communities by challenging the status quo, questioning underlying assumptions and offering new insights to improve quality of care.
- Collaborate within the nursing and inter-professional teams to foster open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision-making in order to achieve quality patient care.
- Manage patient care through planning, organizing, directing and delegating with an emphasis on system effectiveness to provide quality health care and a safe environment for patients and workers.
- Advocate for patients, families and oneself to retain or develop new pathways which encompass one’s uniqueness, dignity, diversity and freedom toward a holistic well-being.
Admissions Process:
Admissions inquiries should be directed to admissions [at] qcc [dot] mass [dot] edu .Prospective students may apply to the program of their choice by following the enrollment steps at the following link: http://www.qcc.edu/pages/Enrollment_Steps.html
CORI, SORI, Finger Printing & Drug Testing:
A Criminal Offenders Record Information (CORI) and Sexual Offenders Record Information (SORI) are required in the program each semester. Students should be aware that a court record may prevent them from taking the NCLEX-RN examination and participation in clinical sites. More information is available from Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. Finger printing may be required and drug testing is required.
Applicants should understand that the State Board of Registration in Nursing reserves the right to refuse an applicant the privilege of sitting for the NCLEX-RN examination based on a Good Moral Character Licensure requirement. (Refer to CORI/ SORI above)
Additional Cost:
Nurse Education students should anticipate additional expenses for professional uniforms, standardized testing, CPR certification, health immunizations and physical exams. Also, there may be additional costs associated with the purchase of textbooks, professional liability insurance, licensing examinations applications, mandatory clinical make-up and any required skills for remediation.
Technical Performance Standards:
See page 17 in the catalog or the Technical Performance Standards page.
Credit for Prior Learning:
Students enrolled in this program may be able to earn academic credit for prior learning. Please contact the office of Career Placement Services at careerservices [at] qcc [dot] mass [dot] edu, 508.854.4439, Room 272 A.
Career Outlook:
Please consult The Massachusetts Career Information System at http://masscis.intocareers.com/ or The Occupational Outlook Handbook at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ for specific occupational information. The CIP code for this program is 51.3801.
Transfer Articulations & Opportunities:
Prospective students may learn more about transfer articulation agreements at the following link: http://www.qcc.mass.edu/transfer/ArticPathways.html. More information regarding transfer opportunities is available at: http://www.qcc.mass.edu/transfer.
Additional Program Information:
- The program also prepares students for further study at four-year colleges and universities, as well as to provide a broad background for employment in health care facilities.
- Courses in both Nurse Education and Liberal Arts are required in the program curriculum. Nursing courses include clinical experiences in area hospitals, rehabilitation, long term care and community agencies, as well as classroom study and laboratory practice on campus.
- All clinical experiences are under the supervision of Quinsigamond Nurse Education Faculty and entrance into most clinical agencies will require the wearing of a standardized school uniform.
- To be eligible to continue in the program, the student must achieve a grade of “C” or higher in all nursing (NUR) courses and in BIO 111, BIO 112 and BIO 232. Students who have received a grade below a C in BIO 111, BIO 112 or BIO 232 are required to repeat the course and obtain a grade of “B” or higher by the end of the semester in which they are required or required as a pre-requisite.
- In addition, the student must demonstrate satisfactory performance in the nursing laboratory and in the clinical settings.
- The student must also satisfy all course and program requirements, including regulations on attendance and conduct, in order to be eligible for certification for licensure. Students who do not have completed health files (including titres and immunizations) submitted to the Nurse Education department and cleared by the Health Data Base Administrator by July 15th, April 1st (Evening Students only for summer rotations) and January 5th of the respective semester will be removed from their nursing courses and will have to file for readmission to the next available semester.
- Readmission is not guaranteed and is always based upon space availability. Please review the readmission policy outlined in the QCC handbook.
- All students accepted in the NUR, NUL, NUP and NUE programs must obtain Health Care Provider (Red Cross) or BLS for Health Care Providers (American Heart Association) CPR certification and provide documentation of immunization currency and satisfactory health status prior to beginning clinical experiences.
- A Social Security Number is mandatory for NCLEX Application (Licensure) with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
Curriculum:
| Course Title | Course # | Offered | Plan to Take | Grade | Credits | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | ||||||
| Anatomy & Physiology I | BIO 111 | F/S/SU | 4 | BIO 101 or AP Biology, Coreq-ENG 101 | ||
| English Composition & Literature I | ENG 101 | F/S/SU | 3 | ENG 100 or approp place score | ||
| Semester 2 | ||||||
| Anatomy & Physiology II | BIO 112 | F/S/SU | 4 | BIO 111 | ||
| Fundamentals of Nursing | NUR 104 | F/S | 7 | Coreq-BIO 112, PSY 101, NUR 103 | ||
| Current Concepts in Nursing & Health Care I | NUR 103 | F/S | 1 | Coreq-BIO 112, PSY 101, NUR 104 | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | PSY 101 | F/S/SU | 3 | Coreq-ENG 100 or approp place score | ||
| Semester 3 | ||||||
| Medical Microbiology | BIO 232 | F/S/SU | 4 | BIO 112 or CHM 123 or CHM 105 | ||
| Medical Surgical Nursing I / Maternal Newborn | NUR 105 | F/S | 8 | NUR 101 or NUR 103 and NUR 104, Coreq- BIO 232, PSY 121 | ||
| Survey of Life Span Development: Conception to Death | PSY 121 | F/S/SU | 3 | PSY 101 | ||
| Semester 4 | ||||||
| English Composition & Literature II | ENG 102 | F/S/SU | 3 | ENG 101 | ||
| History Elective* | 3 | |||||
| Medical Surgical Nursing II / Pediatric | NUR 201 | F/S | 10 | NUR 105,Coreq--ENG 102, any HST, SOC 101 or SOC 111 | ||
| Introductory Sociology (Principles) or | SOC 101 | F/S/SU | 3 | Coreq-ENG 100 or approp place score | ||
| Social Problems & Social Change | SOC 111 | F/S/SU | 3 | Coreq-ENG 100 or approp place score | ||
| Semester 5 | ||||||
| Humanities Elective* | 3 | |||||
| Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing III / Mental Health | NUR 202 | F/S | 10 | NUR 201, Coreq- NUR 203, Humanities Electives | ||
| Current Concepts in Nursing & Health Care II | NUR 203 | F/S | 2 | NUR 201, Coreq-NUR 202 | ||
| Total credits required: | ||||||
Program Notes:
*May be taken in either the first or second semester of the second year.