Nursing (Registered / RN)

The Associate of Science Degree in Nursing (ASN) Program prepares the student for beginning level of practice and for National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Registered Nurses (RN). Graduates are prepared to enter the nursing profession as safe and effective health care professionals who contribute to the health and wellness of their communities. Upon graduation, students are qualified for immediate employment in a variety of healthcare settings that include hospitals, long-term care facilities, and clinics.

The nursing curriculum provides a contemporary, quality education. The program has full approval from the New Hampshire Board of Nursing and national accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). For more information on the ACEN accreditation contact http://www.acenursing.org/.

NURSING PROGRAM MISSION

To facilitate students’ achievement of personal and professional goals and assist them in becoming responsible and contributing members of the nursing profession and their communities. 

Nursing Program Outcomes

• The first-time pass rate for RVCC nursing graduates is equivalent to, or exceeds the 80% pass rate for first-time test takers who are graduates of associate degree nursing programs.
• Seventy-five (75%) of students will graduate from the RVCC Nursing Program within 2 years of the initial admission into the program.
• Within six months of graduation from the RVCC nursing program, 90% of graduates will be employed as Registered Nurses.

Program Information

The Associate of Science Degree in Nursing consists of science, general education, and nursing courses. The nursing courses are sequential and must be completed within three years of entrance into the program for students on the traditional pathway and within two years of entrance into the program for accelerated or advanced practice students. Each nursing course integrates classroom learning with simulation laboratory activities and faculty supervised clinical experiences to prepare students to provide holistic nursing care to individuals, families, and groups in a variety of healthcare settings. The nursing program is offered at the Claremont and Keene campuses. 

Learning experiences may vary in time, location, and may include days, evenings, and/or weekends. Students admitted into the Nursing program must achieve a minimum grade of B- (80%) or higher in the nursing theory courses and a grade of “Pass” in the work-based learning clinical courses in order to continue in the program. All Core Liberal Arts Courses must be achieved with a grade of “C” or higher. All science classes that are transferred into the program should be less than 10 years old. Transfer of science coursework older than ten years will be at the discretion of the Nursing Department Chair.

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN NURSING - PROGRAM OF STUDY

Program Prerequisite Requirements: Current licensure as a Nursing Assistant in the State of NH (or signed waiver if currently working in a medical discipline); Current certification in American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers; Chemistry, Human Biology, or A&P Prep Course (as a prerequisite for Anatomy & Physiology I).

Admission Process

Applicants interested in the Nursing Program should contact the Nursing Department at rvccnursing@ccsnh.edu. To contact admissions please email admissions at rvccadmissions@ccsnh.edu.

Applications are not reviewed until complete. Students are advised to apply early and complete all application requirements on or before the deadline of December 31st. Students are notified of acceptance by March 1st. Student selection for available seats is competitive and based on a point system. (See website for full details). Once accepted, students must be prepared to meet all nursing program requirements by established deadlines in order to begin the nursing sequence in fall semester. 

Students may request a transfer of credits from courses taken at other accredited colleges and universities. The Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs makes final determination of transfer credits. In order to transfer general education courses, they must have a minimum grade of “C” or better. Science courses should be current within the last 10 years. Applicants are require to provide official transcripts to the Office of Admissions at RVCC in order for the transfer process to occur. 

Admission Program Requirements

• Complete the College Application 
• Successful completion of Chemistry, Human Biology, or RVCC A&P 1 Prep Course.
• Achieve a composite score of 66 on the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) assessment.

Additional Requirements

• Licensure – current NH licensure as a Nurse Assistant or Practical Nurse (or signed waiver if currently working in a medical discipline).
• CPR – American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers
• CRIMINAL BACKGROUND RECORD – A NH and federal criminal background record is required. Any fees are at the expense of the student. A history of a felony or selective misdemeanors, may deny entrance into the nursing program. 
• DRUG TESTING – Drug testing may be required prior to the start of any work-based clinical learning experience. Any fees are at the expense of the student. 
• MEDICAL INSURANCE – Students are required to carry medical insurance to participate in clinical. 
• MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION – Current physical exam, with immunizations and vaccinations. See website for complete list. 

The clinical portion of the degree program is offered at area health care facilities (“clinical sites”).  Clinical sites establish their own requirements for persons entering their facilities for educational purposes.  Clinical sites may have established vaccination requirements, including vaccination for COVID-19.  As with all clinical program requirements, the clinical site reserves the right to deny participation to any student who does not meet required clinical criteria and do not follow clinical site policies. Individual programs of study do not have the authority to secure clinical experience(s) for students who do not meet eligibility criteria.  Students participating in clinicals must adhere to the sites’ requirements.  While these are not college requirements, failure to adhere to the clinical site requirements will result in ineligibility to complete the Nursing program.

Technical Standards

All students in the RVCC nursing program must be able to perform diverse, complex, and specific functions and skills. Technical and professional standards for nursing are essential duties which speak to a student’s ability to participate and be successful in the nursing program. These attributes include, but are not limited to personal and professional skills, physical agility, medical safety and other requirements that individuals must possess in order to be eligible for satisfactory completion of the program of study as well as for the desired field of nursing. The qualifications established by the faculty include but are not limited to the following essential technical standards:

• 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 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 transferring of patients, and performing CPR. 
• Ability to utilize intellectual abilities, exercise good judgment, and promptly complete all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients and families.
• The ability to maintain mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients, students, faculty, staff and other professionals under all circumstances.
• The ability to recognize that one’s own values, attitudes, beliefs, emotions, and experiences affect ones perceptions and relationships with others
• The ability to learn and abide by professional standards of practice.
• The ability to self-reflect, be accountable, and willing to acknowledge limitation of knowledge or skills.
• Be willing to accept guidance and feedback from individuals in supervisory positions. 

Further information at http://www.rivervalley.edu/