Program Codes:
NRB.AS
Associate in Science Degree
This program prepares students for entry-level positions in nursing and for taking the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®). It has been approved by the New Jersey Council of Presidents and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Georgia 30326, 404.975.5000, http://www.acenursing.org and the New Jersey State Board of Nursing, 124 Halsey Street, 6th floor, Newark, NJ 07102, 973.504.6430, http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov
To all prospective students:
Please be advised that the Nursing Program is currently revising the Nursing Curriculum. The curriculum pre-requisites and co- requisites are not anticipated to change. The number of credits for each nursing course and the content included is under review and revision; therefore, what is included on the website may not ultimately be the curriculum plan in September 2018. Please contact the nursing program at 732.906.4660 if you have any questions.
Below are required courses and recommended course groupings and sequences for program completion.
Courses may have prerequisite and corequisite requirements. Check course descriptions for details.
A study of cellular transport mechanisms and tissues as they relate to organs and systems. Structural and functional features of the skeletal, muscular and nervous systems and special senses are examined. Recommended for students in the health sciences.
Provides a psychological basis for the understanding of human behavior. A survey of fundamentals that are necessary for subsequent psychology courses. Topics include but are not limited to: learning, motivation, cognition, personality, abnormal behavior, development and social psychology.
Through a variety of writing projects requiring competence in clear, correct, and effective English, students will use inferential and critical skills in the process of composing documented essays. Extensive reading materials serve as structural models and as the bases for discussion and for the writing of essays involving response, analysis, and synthesis.
RDG-011 may be taken as a co-requisite if not previously completed with a grade of "C" or better.
This course explores the concepts of man, environment, health and nursing in a holistic approach to health and wellness. Nursing process, communication principles and techniques, physical assessment, teaching/learning theory, professional role and practice responsibilities, therapeutic modalities and nursing interventions are studied, as well as the life-style factors that may influence a client\'s health state. Faculty supervised learning laboratory and clinical practice provides students with opportunities to develop the cognitive and psychomotor skills related to clinical competencies: physical assessment, client safety, hygiene, activity, nutrition, fluid and electrolyte balance, comfort, rest and sleep, elimination, oxygenation as well as the therapeutic modalities of surgery and pharmacotherapy. Practicum experiences are provided in a variety of settings.
American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification for Health Care Providers
BIO 111, ENG 121, PSY 123
A continuation of BIO 111. A study of the structure and function of the body is continued by examining the endocrine, reproductive, circulatory, digestive, respiratory and excretory systems.
BIO-111 with a minimum grade of “C”
This course introduces students to the psychological development of the individual across the life span. Developmental concepts and theories are reviewed and applied in the study of the various stages of life.
This course builds on previous learning and develops clinical competencies in the role of provider of care and educator for the client and family experiencing the psychophysiologic effects of acute and chronic phases of health alterations and their therapeutic modalities. The focus of this course is evidence-based nursing care using the nursing process and systematic nursing assessment to plan and implement nursing interventions determined by the client's individualized health care needs. Faculty supervised clinical and laboratory experiences provide students the opportunity to plan and implement nursing care to clients experiencing health alterations in a variety of health care settings. Communication skills, professional nursing practice standards and behaviors, as well as implementation of teaching/learning theory are incorporated throughout the course.
BIO 112, PSY 232
An introductory study of the microbial world with emphasis on the nature and behavior of microorganisms, the interrelationships that operate between microbes and the human host in health and disease and the principles of prevention and control of infectious disease. Laboratory experience develops techniques in the proper handling, observation and identification of microbial cultures. Recommended for students in the health sciences.
A grade of “C” or better in ENG-121
The nursing process is used to plan and implement evidence based nursing interventions for members of a family unit experiencing developmental, physical and/or mental health changes or alterations. During childbearing and childrearing the promotion and maintenance of holistic health and wellness is emphasized. Health restoration is incorporated in discussion of reproductive issues, developmental tasks, psychosocial issues, adaptive mechanisms as well as other factors influencing health. Faculty supervised clinical and laboratory experiences provide students the opportunity to practice clinical competencies appropriate to the role of provider of care, educator, counselor and patient advocate. Communication skills, professional nursing practice standards and behaviors, as well as implementation of teaching/learning theory are incorporated throughout the course.
BIO 211
The course examines health as a variable entity having physiological, psychological, social and multicultural dimensions. The course explores the relationship between cultural and health behavior as a means of increasing cultural sensitivity. The course employs an individualized participatory approach that includes assessing one's own health status and behavior as well as exploring a personal decision making process. Topics include but are not limited to: establishing a basis for wellness, understanding sexuality, making responsible decisions about substance use and abuse, maintaining fitness and protecting one's self against disease and environmental risk factors.
Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Humanities (GE HUM).
This course concentrates on clients and families dealing with mental health and/or physiological crisis. Current issues in health care and nursing care delivery systems, including management styles, leadership, delegation and conflict resolution are explored. Experiences in critical care nursing units and acute care facilities provide students the opportunity to practice clinical competencies appropriate to the role of provider of care, educator, counselor, patient advocate and manager. Communication skills, adherence to professional nursing practice standards and regulations and implementation of teaching/learning theory to clients and groups are incorporated throughout the course.
Prior to matriculation, a nursing student must undergo a complete history and physical examination and be in compliance with the MCC and Nursing Program policy on immunizations. A student is required to have a criminal background check and drug test performed with satisfactory results acceptable by MCC and the Nursing Program and/or participating clinical facility as a condition of admission, initial enrollment and/or continued enrollment. An offer of admission will not be final and enrollment not permitted until the completion of a satisfactory criminal background check. Admission may be denied or rescinded or enrollment terminated based on the results of the criminal background check and drug test. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and achieve a “C” grade or better in all nursing courses in order to progress in the curriculum. A “C” in nursing is 77-80. Students must achieve a “C” grade or better for all science courses in the Nursing Program. If a student receives a grade less than “C” in any science course of the nursing program, the student is allowed to repeat one science course only once. Any other unsatisfactory science grades will result in program dismissal. An unsatisfactory grade (i.e. a grade less than “C”) in NRB-121 results in dismissal from the Nursing Program. Students have the option to reapply to the program once if they are dismissed. Students are allowed only one reapplication/readmission to the nursing program. If the student is readmitted to the nursing program and achieves a final course grade of “D” or “F” in NRB-121 on the second attempt, the student is dismissed and is ineligible to reapply for admission. If a student earns a grade of “D” in any nursing course other than NRB-121, the student may retake the course once (space permitting and providing the GPA is at least 2.0) and must achieve a grade of “C” or better. If the student is readmitted to the nursing program and achieves a final course grade of “D” or “F”, the student will be dismissed from the Nursing Program and is ineligible to reapply for admission. If a student achieves a grade of “F” in any nursing course other than NRB-121, the student will be dismissed from the Nursing Program. The student will be ineligible to reapply for admission to the Nursing Program. Students must adhere to the policies of MCC and affiliated health care agencies. A student should complete the nursing program within three years of beginning enrollment in the first nursing course, unless written allowance by the nursing director or Dean of Professional Studies is provided. A student who does not successfully complete the major nursing sequence under the above conditions may not continue in the program.
The pass rate for the NCLEX is as follows:
Class of 2014 - 88.31%
Class of 2015 - 87.5%
Class of 2016 - 92.75%
Raritan Bay Medical Center (RBMC) is the Nursing Program partner and is the primary clinical site for the Nursing Program.
No. When an applicant is admitted to the nursing program, the student starts the first nursing course in September. If you are not admitted, then you may reapply for the next class.
The standard duration of this Associate Degree program is four semesters (two years). Many students elect to take the science and general education courses required in the program before entry into the program. However, the four nursing courses must be taken in sequence and still require four semesters before graduation. Each nursing course may require Monday through Friday attendance.
The student must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher and meet the academic standards of progress to stay in the nursing program.
The New Jersey State Board of Nursing requires that an applicant for licensure as a registered nurse must submit to the Board evidence, in such form as the Board may prescribe, that the applicant is of good moral character, is not a habitual user of drugs and never been convicted or has not pleaded nolo contendere, non vult contendere or non vult to an indictment, information or complaint alleging a violation of any Federal or State law relating to narcotic drugs. Application for licensure may be denied by the Board if violations exist. All licensure candidates must undergo a criminal history record background check, including fingerprinting prior to the issuance of the license.
The courses students take may be applied to the Bachelor of Science (BSN) Degree. Any final decision regarding transfer courses will be made by the receiving college. MCC has articulation agreements with Felician College and Kean University that makes the transfer process as seamless as possible. The articulation between the colleges provides students the opportunity to complete their BSN on MCC’s campus.
Yes, there are practical considerations, health considerations and legal considerations that you should review before making the decision to choose nursing as a career:
The following Practical Considerations are listed so the students may be better able to assess their career choice in terms of ability to succeed in the program and gain employment in the field:
Due to the nature of clinical experiences in the Nursing Program, students will be participating in a work environment that has the potential of exposure to bloodborne pathogens and infectious diseases. All students accepted into the Nursing Program are provided with instruction on infection control protocols specific to the Program in order to reduce the risk of disease transmission. Students may be required to get a flu vaccine.
Students in the Nursing program must provide proof of having health insurance every semester.
A student is required to have a criminal background check performed with satisfactory results acceptable by Middlesex County College and the Nursing Department and/or participating clinical facilities as a consideration of admission, initial enrollment and/ or continued enrollment. An offer of admission will not be final and enrollment not permitted until the completion of a satisfactory criminal background check. Drug testing is a requirement for the program. Admission may be denied or rescinded or enrollment terminated based on the results of the criminal background check and the drug testing.