The Associate in Science degree in Nursing is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and has full approval from the Board of Registration in Nursing of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The Nursing Program offers a specific sequence of courses that lead to the Associate in Science degree. Upon successful completion of the degree program, the Director of the Nursing Program will furnish documentation to the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing verifying that a student has met the legal responsibilities to be eligible for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Cape Cod Community College (CCCC) Nursing Program graduates become licensed as Registered Nurses upon successful completion of the NCLEX-RN.
IMPORTANT NOTE: COVID Vaccination Statement
Vaccination against COVID-19 is required for the Nursing Program. All nursing students must have an updated Covid-19 vaccine administered on or after 9/12/2023 and these vaccines are due July 15, 2024.
Program Outcomes
- 70% of ASN students admitted into the program will complete the nursing program within 150% of the program length.
- 80% of all first-time NCLEX-RN test takers will pass during the same 12-month period.
- 90% of graduates who respond to Nursing Graduate Survey will be employed as a registered nurse within 12 months after graduation.
For 2021 to 2023:
| Outcomes | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program Completion Rates within 150% of program length | 78.4% | 63.8% | 80% |
| NCLEX-RN Pass Rates First time test takers |
83.09% | 85.71% | 91% |
| Job Placement Rates based on student responses to Nursing Graduate Survey |
96% | 100% | 96% |
Learn more about the program at Associate in Science - Nursing
Nursing Admissions Special Admissions Requirements
Program Handbook Nursing Program Student Handbook
Requirements
Pre-admission Requirements
First Semester
Second Semester
Third Semester
Fourth Semester
BIO251, BIO252, and BIO109 or BIO151 These courses meet the revised General Education requirements (effective Fall 2023)
ENL101, PSY101, ENL102, BIO252, PSY233, HEA200, and BIO281: Courses that can be completed in advance of applying to the Nursing Program.
Note: For those students seeking additional courses, or planning to continue their education to achieve a baccalaureate degree, the following courses are recommended: HEA120, HEA201, SOC106, SOC220, PHI210 and courses in computers or keyboarding.
See: Admissions Requirements: Associate Degree in Nursing
More Information:
- Center for Nursing and Allied Health: An experiential learning environment
- Nursing Program Overview: An introduction to the Nursing Department.
- RN-BS at 4Cs: UMass Boston Partnership
Employment opportunities are available as an entry-level Registered Nurse in hospitals, long-term care facilities and other health care agencies.
This occupational profile is provided by O*NET.
See also: What can I do with this major?
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be competent in the following areas:
- Safety: Utilizes the nursing process to provide safe, effective, evidence-based nursing care that is appropriate to the needs of the patient.
- Professionalism: Practices professional nursing within the legal, ethical, and regulatory framework of the profession
- Patient Centered Care: Provides holistic, compassionate care that recognizes the patient’s individual, physical, and spiritual needs, and cultural values.
- Teamwork and Collaboration: Functions effectively within nursing and interdisciplinary teams, fostering open communication, mutual respect, shared decision making, team building and development.
- Evidence-Based Practice: Integrates current evidence-based practice and continuous improvement initiatives into clinical practice decisions to deliver high quality and safe patient care.
Nursing Course Progression
Students must maintain a cognitive grade of 77% or better in each nursing course and a satisfactory clinical evaluation in order to proceed to the subsequent nursing course. Cognitive grades are calculated on nursing exams only.
CPR Certification
Submit a copy of the card (front and back) and current certification. The following two courses are the only approved courses: “American Heart Association, Healthcare Provider” or “American Red Cross, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and Health Care Provider.”
Drug Screening
Students are required to complete drug screening at a testing site designated by Cape Cod Community College early in the first semester of the freshman year. Drug screening may be repeated throughout the program as required by clinical settings. LPNs are tested Fall semester.
Criminal Offender Record Information and Sex Offender Record Information
Please refer to the policy statement of Criminal Offender Record Information and Sex Offender Registry Information checks. CORI/SORI checks may be required throughout the program.
Good Moral Character: Standard for Licensure
Applicants who have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor by a court of law must comply with the requirements to document "Good Moral Character" through the Massachusetts Board of Nursing before being eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination to become licensed as a Registered Nurse. An individual who has been convicted of certain designated felonies is permanently ineligible for licensure as a Registered Nurse in Massachusetts.
Health Requirements
Nursing students must complete specific health and immunization requirements found in the Nursing Program Student Handbook.
Nursing Student Accountability for Patient/Client Care
The Cape Cod Community College nursing student must demonstrate accountability for his/her own actions in the delivery of nursing care in a way that ensures the health and safety of patients/clients, staff and self. The student will be able to function in a manner that does not pose a direct threat as defined by the Board of Registration in Nursing (BORN) as “a significant risk to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated by a modification of policies, practices, or procedures or by the provision of auxiliary aids or services.”
Students who are evaluated as unable to meet the Nursing Program Technical Standards may follow the Cape Cod Community College grievance policy.
Nursing Program Technical Standards
In order to be eligible for and successfully complete the Nursing Program, certain physical and behavioral standards are required as part of the program and clinical/lab experience. These technical standards have been developed using the U.S. Department of Labor's skills and abilities for those working in a medical setting. Some cooperative work experience opportunities may have additional requirements beyond the technical standards listed here and requirements may vary by agency. Students must satisfy the program’s technical standards and the individual agency requirements before a clinical assignment is approved.
These technical standards are established in accordance with the Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American with Disabilities Act. All students must be able to satisfy these standards with or without a reasonable accommodation. These include:
Communication (Verbal and Non-Verbal)
- Communicate effectively either independently or with corrective devices.
- Communicate in English through reading, orally and in writing to instructors, professors, clinical staff, clients, families and all members of the health care team.
- Understand oral directions/requests from health care workers, clients, voice pages and telephone messages stated in a normal tone.
Auditory Ability
- Hear all alarms on technical and supportive equipment set at a normal volume.
- Listen and respond to distress sounds from clients.
- Accurately detect audibly blood pressure readings with a stethoscope.
Visual Ability
- See and accurately read all written medical information pertaining to the client.
- See and accurately read all readings and functions of technical equipment pertaining to client care.
- See and accurately read all calibrated containers for accurate measurement of body fluids and specimens.
Physical Strength (Gross Motor Control)
- Ability to lift 25 pounds unassisted in a safe manner, thereby protecting yourself, the client, and those in close proximity to you.
- Bend and/or lift to assist client and manipulate client equipment.
- Lift to safely transfer or position all clients in various situations.
- Move, push or pull equipment, beds, stretchers, wheelchairs, etc.
- Ability to raise arms over one’s head in order to assist clients and manipulate equipment.
- Walk/ stand for extended periods and distances over an 8-hour period.
Manual Dexterity (Fine Motor Movement)
- Accurately manipulate dials, gauges, buttons and switches to set, monitor and care for client care related equipment.
- Safely and effectively perform dressing procedures without contaminating the wound.
- Successfully don and remove protective apparel (including sterile gloves) to maintain standard precautions.
Behavioral/Mental Performance
- Function safely, effectively and calmly under stressful situations.
- Prioritize and manage tasks simultaneously.
- Exhibit social skills necessary to interact therapeutically with clients, families, staff and faculty.
- Maintain personal hygiene consistent with department dress code guidelines.
- Display ethical attitudes and actions consistent with professional behavior.
- Display the social skills to behave with politeness, tact and sensitivity to others in all settings.
- Exhibit respect for cultural and ethnic differences of clients, peers and individuals.
- Remain free from alcohol and/or chemical impairment in classroom and clinical settings at all times.
Nursing Evening Option – Overview
The course sequencing is based on the term of enrollment. Nursing classes and clinical experiences are scheduled on selected evenings and weekends dependent upon number of students enrolled. Completion of BIO281 is strongly recommended.
Nursing Program – LPN to RN – Overview
Applicant to be considered for admission to this program, the applicant must have a current LPN license and have completed all prerequisites: BIO151 or BIO109, BIO251, BIO252, ENL101, ENL102, PSY101, PSY233.
Completion of BIO281 and HEA200 is strongly recommended prior to admission but is not required.
Student must complete during Q1 Summer session beginning Summer 2023:
NUR133: Health Assessment for Nursing and NUR101: Dosage Calculations
Upon successful completion of NUR133, the student will be awarded 16 credits: 13 credits for prior learning (LPN unencumbered Licensure) and 3 credits for NUR133. Completed requirements will admit the student to the third semester Nursing course, NUR204: Physical & Mental Health I, based on space availability.