This program is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (currently status: Approval with Warning) and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN, formerly NLNAC) (current status: Accreditation for Good Cause).
Nursing combines science and the art of working with people. Nurses are integrally involved in the lives of their clients, helping them to maximize their health and cope with illness. Nurses per- form multiple roles in the care of their clients. Not only do they provide hands-on care, they also act as educators, counselors, coordinators and conciliators. Using scientific knowledge and technical skills, nurses continually assess the physical, emotional and social status of their clients. Nurses work with clients and their families to devise plans of care for each situation. As they continually monitor client progress, they make important decisions about appropriate methods to deal with problems.
Nursing offers diversity in roles and settings, a wide range of career paths, employment opportunities and competitive salaries. People are attracted to nursing by the focus on caring, flexibility of working schedules and challenges to excel within the profession. RNs are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, home care, clinics, health centers, physicians’ offices and the military. BCC’s nursing program is a sequence of lecture, skills, laboratory and clinical courses. Graduates are eligible to take the licensing examination to become registered nurses (RNs).
Essential Functions
Students in this program must be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to perform essential functions for a maximum of an 12-hour shift;
- Demonstrate the ability to protect a patient when the patient is standing and ambulating on all surfaces with or without the use of assistive devices, including canes, crutches and walkers;
- Demonstrate the ability to safely move a patient over 100 pounds from one surface to another using the appropriate level of help;
- Demonstrate safe body mechanics in the process of all patient treatments, including lifting and carrying small equipment (under 50 pounds) and moving large equipment (over 50 pounds);
- Demonstrate the ability to manipulate dials on equipment;
- Demonstrate the ability to coordinate simultaneous motions;
- Demonstrate the ability to perform occasional overhead extension;
- Demonstrate the ability to hear blood pressure, heart and lung sounds with or without corrective devices;
- Demonstrate the ability to palpate soft tissue including pulse, muscle and bones;
- Demonstrate the ability to perform nursing interventions: sterile procedures, dressing changes and when necessary follow infection control procedures, administer medications (including dosage calculations);
- Display adaptability to change;
- Establish effective relationships with others;
- Communicate effectively, safely and efficiently in English by:
- Explaining procedures;
- Receiving information from others;
- Receiving information from written documents;
- Exhibiting appropriate interpersonal skill (refer to ANA Code for Nurses);
- Analyzing and documenting assessment findings and interventions;
- Distinguish color changes; and
- Detect an unsafe environment and carry out appropriate emergency procedures including:
- Detecting subtle environmental changes and odors including but not limited to the smell of burning electrical equipment, smoke and spills;
- Detect high and low frequency sounds, including but not limited to alarms, bells and emergency signals.
Career Educational Mobility: LPN to ADN
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) who apply to BCC’s Associate in Science degree in Nursing program may challenge the first two nursing courses (NUR-101 and NUR-102) through a standardized theoretical test.
Applicants who pass the challenge examinations will receive 17 credits for NUR-101 and NUR-102 upon admission. In addition to meeting all other nursing admission standards, applicants must have licensure as a practical nurse in the state of Massachusetts through successful completion of the National Certification Licensing Exam (NCLEX) as a condition for provisional admission and by August 10th of the admitting year.
Students must enroll in NUR-201 within one year of taking the challenge exam. Enrollment requires the completion of a “bridge” course (NUR-106) during the summer prior to admission.
At a minimum, five (5) seats are reserved for student who declare intention to transit to LPN/ADN mobility pathway and have met all ADN admission requirements, attended the nursing information session and completed the LPN/ADN matriculation form.
General Admission Requirements
- Math: High school graduate within the past two years with a GPA of at least 2.7 and a minimum grade of B (80) in Algebra II or Accuplacer placement into college-level math or successful completion of the Mathematics Challenge Assessment or completion of a college-level math class with a minimum grade of C (MAT-123 Statistics recommended for transfer);
- English: Readiness to take ENG-101 as demonstrated through the Accuplacer or completion of a college-level composition course (ENG-101) with a grade of C (73) or better;
- Completion of college chemistry (CHM-150 or CHM-101), prior to January 2018, with a grade of C (73) or better or one year of high school college preparatory chemistry with a grade of C (73) or better, completed within the last seven years; Students completing college chemistry (CHM-150 or CHM-101), but after January 2018, require a grade of C+ (77) or better.
- Support Courses: Completing a minimum of 10 credits of college-level ADN support courses.
- Students who have not completed BIO-201, BIO-202, BIO-207 and/or CHM-150 or CHM-101 prior to January 1, 2018, will be required to earn a grade of C+ (77) or better in these courses to be eligible for admission to the ADN program. Courses taken prior to January 1, 2018 require a C (73 or better). These four science courses, (BIO-201, BIO-202, BIO-207 and CHM), must be completed within seven years of entry into the program. Any waivers to this provision require direct approval from the Director of Nursing (contact Admissions Office to begin waiver process).
- Attend a Mandatory Nursing Information Session. Register online at www.berkshirecc.edu/nursinginfo.
Students who have met all the general admissions requirements must apply by June 1 to be considered for the fall semester. Students must submit an application to the college and a Nursing Program Matriculation form. All students are notified of admission decisions by general postal mail. Accepted students may defer one time for a one year period.
Admissions into the nursing program are based on space availability and follow a competitive process.
Determining Acceptance to the ADN Program
Each spring, a maximum of 56 students are conditionally admitted to the program. A Selective Admission Rubric is used, following non-discriminatory practice, for admission into the ADN program. The rubric does not contain any identifying student characteristics besides the student BCC ID number. Applicants with the highest scores are accepted in rank order.
The following components are the basis of ranking:
- Program GPA – Students are awarded points for GPA to the hundredth decimal point (e.g., GPA of 3.14 = 3.14 points, GPA of 3.27 = 3.27 points). The GPA is calculated only on courses required for the program.
- Science courses and general education course according to the Selective Admissions Rubric.
- Completion of a minimum of 10 credits of college-level ADN support courses (science and general education courses) prior to submitting the ADN matriculation form. Science (A&P I and II, Microbiology, and Chemistry) must be completed within seven years of admittance to the program.
- Number of required Program Courses are reflected in the overall score relative to the number of courses.
- Other degrees: A student who possesses a(n) Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree, Master’s Degree, and/or Doctorate will be awarded a maximum of one point, regardless of the number of degrees held.
Space Available List
If a top-ranked student, offered admission into the program, decides to defer or decline admission, an alternate list (Space Available List), of the second tier of qualified students, is developed. Individuals on the Space Available List will be identified only by their BCC ID. To remain eligible, individuals on the Space Available List must continue to meet all eligibility requirements up until August 1st of the starting semester, at which time individuals on the space available list may be notified of their admission to the program. If not admitted, those students on the Space Available List must reapply to the pro- gram each year. Individuals on the list must ensure that their contact information is accurate and up-to-date at all times. Individuals, from the Space Available List, offered admission, will have up to three business days to respond to the offer.
BCC will not admit students concurrently into any two of the following degree or certificate programs: Physical Therapist Assistant, Respiratory Care, Practical Nursing Certificate, or Associate degree.
End-of-Program Student Learning Outcomes (EPSLOs)
The expected outcomes for the BCC ADN nursing program are tied to the Nurse of the Future Nursing Core Competencies (NOFNCC). The course student learning outcomes are designed to determine student achievement of specific NOFNCC competencies at each course level by the end of the program.
By the end of the Associate Degree nursing program, graduates are able to:
- Provide holistic care that recognizes an individual’s preferences, values and needs and respects the patient or designee as a full partner in providing compassionate, coordinated, age and culturally appropriate, safe and effective care (Patient-Centered Care)
- Demonstrate accountability for the delivery of standard- based nursing care that is consistent with moral, altruistic, legal, ethical, regulatory, and humanistic principles (Professionalism);
- Influence the behavior of individuals or groups of individuals within their environment in a way that will facilitate the establishment and acquisition/achievement of shared goals (Leadership);
- Demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context of the health care system, and will demonstrate the ability to effectively call on work unit resources to provide care that is of optimal quality and value (Systems-Based Practice);
- Use advanced technology and to analyze as well as synthesize information and collaborate in order to make critical decisions that optimize patient outcomes (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, 2015) (Informatics and Technology);
- Interact effectively with patients, families, and colleagues, fostering mutual respect and shared decision making, to enhance patient satisfaction and health outcomes (Communication);
- Function effectively within nursing and interdisciplinary teams, fostering open communication, mutual respect, shared decision-making, team learning and development (QSEN, 2007) (Teamwork and Collaboration);
- Minimize risk of harm to patients and providers through both system effectiveness and individual performance (QSEN, 2007) (Safety);
- Use data to monitor the outcomes of care processes, and uses improvement methods to design and test changes to continuously improve the quality and safety of health care systems (Quality Improvement); and
- Identify, evaluate, and use the best current evidence coupled with clinical expertise and consideration of patients’ preferences, experience and values to make practice decisions (QSEN, 2007) (Evidence-Based Practice).
Program Outcomes
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 2018 – 84%
- Program Completion Rate at 150% of Usual Time:
- Traditional Students: 2015 Cohort – 67%
- Bridge Students (LPN to ADN): 2017 Cohort – 67%
- Job Placement Rate: 2017 grads – 93%
Graduation Requirements
To earn a degree in this program, a student must complete all program and general education credits, plus the following Additional Requirements.
Program Courses
| BIO-201 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BIO-202 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| NUR-101 | Physical and Mental Health I | 9 |
| NUR-102 | Physical and Mental Health II | 8 |
| NUR-201 | Physical and Mental Health III | 9 |
| NUR-202 | Physical and Mental Health IV | 9 |
| NUR-206 | Nursing in Transition | 1 |
| PSY-107 | Introductory Psychology | 3 |
| PSY-204 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 50 |
General Education Courses
| BIO-207 | Microbiology | 4 |
| COM- | Communication | 3 |
| ENG- | English Composition/Writing | 6 |
| MAT- | Mathematics | 3 |
| SOC-105 | Introductory Sociology | 3 |
| - | General Education Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 19 |
Communication: See footnote 2
English Composition/Writing: See footnote 3
Mathematics: See footnote 4
General Education Elective: See footnote 5
Health/Fitness: See footnote 6
Additional Requirements
| Core Competencies Portfolio |
4 items |
| FORUM |
4 units |
| Health/Fitness |
30 hours |
| Minimum Cumulative Average |
2.000 |
Minimum Percentile Grade
| Each NUR Course |
75% |
| All Other Courses |
73% |
Service-Learning, concurrent with each NUR Course
Minimum Percentile Grade
Health/Fitness: See footnote 6
Suggested Pathway to Graduation
The following is a suggestion for completing this program in two years. The actual time needed to complete the program will vary according to each student’s individual needs.
First Semester
| BIO-201 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| NUR-101 | Physical and Mental Health I | 9 |
| PSY-107 | Introductory Psychology | 3 |
| ENG- | English Composition/Writing | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 19 |
Second Semester
| BIO-202 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| BIO-207 | Microbiology | 4 |
| NUR-102 | Physical and Mental Health II | 8 |
| PSY-204 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 19 |
Summer Session
Third Semester
| NUR-201 | Physical and Mental Health III | 9 |
| COM- | Communication | 3 |
| SOC-105 | Introductory Sociology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15-16 |
Fourth Semester
| NUR-202 | Physical and Mental Health IV | 9 |
| NUR-206 | Nursing in Transition | 1 |
| ENG- | English Composition/Writing | 3 |
| - | General Education Elective | 3 |
NUR-101 Physical & Mental Health I: See Footnote 1
Communication: See footnote 2
English Composition/Writing: See footnote 3
General Education Elective: See footnote 5
NUR-106 Bridge Course—LPN to RN (for LPNs only): See footnote 7
Notes
Berkshire Community College seeks to provide equal access to its pro- grams, services and activities for people with disabilities. Therefore, to the extent practicable, the College will endeavor to make a reason- able academic adjustment for an applicant with a disability who is otherwise qualified.
All nursing faculty hold, as a minimum, professional Registered Nurse licensure in Massachusetts.
CORI Any prior criminal offense could hinder placement in clinical agencies. See Criminal & Sex Offender Record Information Checks . In the event that an applicant has ever been convicted by a court of law, or is convicted during his or her tenure in the Nursing program, she/he should be aware that she/he may be denied the right by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing to sit for the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX-RN) which leads to RN licensure upon graduation.
More ADN nursing policies can be found in the Appendix Nursing Program (page 174).
Footnotes
- All incoming students are required to have completed CPR certificate for health care providers through the American Heart Association: Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers (2-year certification) or the American Red Cross: CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and Health Care Providers (2-year certification) prior to their first clinical experience and maintain certification through their Nursing program enrollment.
- COM chosen from COM-104, COM-105, COM-106, or COM-107.
- English Composition/Writing chosen from ENG-101, ENG-102, ENG-103, or ENG-104.
- Mathematics: Students must demonstrate competency at a level of MAT-102 (or MAT-102C) or MAT-136 or higher level prior to matriculation in the Nursing program.
- General Education Elective chosen from History or Humanities and Fine Arts. If a student wishes to take a course that is not listed, she/ he must first consult with the nursing program advisor.
- Fulfilled by successful completion of NUR-101.
- NUR-106, Bridge Course — LPN to RN, is a prerequisite for NUR-201 for all LPN mobility students and may be required for students re-entering into NUR-201.