Registered Nursing Program

Program Description:

RN Program, Day
RN Program, Evening-Weekend
RN Program, Online

Health Workforce Shortage Program
Selective Admission

Program Directors:

Nursing Program Administrator/Assistant Dean
CCBC Essex, Shawn P. McNamara
443-840-1360 or smcnamara2@ccbcmd.edu

Program Director - Catonsville
Elizabeth Webster
443-840-4447 or ewebster@ccbcmd.edu

Program Director - Essex
Dr. Mary Kay DeMarco
443-840-1433 or mdemarco@ccbcmd.edu

This program is designed to prepare students to enter the nursing profession as registered nurses. The curriculum provides theoretical and clinical laboratory study in nursing that will enable students to learn to work as members of a health care team. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination of Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The program is accredited by the Maryland Board of Nursing and by the Accreditation Commission on Education in Nursing.  (ACEN).

The day program is offered on the Catonsville and Essex Campuses. The evening-weekend nursing program is offered on the Essex Campus. The online Nursing Program is offered on the Catonsville Campus. The online nursing program contains didactic content online. Campus labs and seminars are provided in a face-to-face format on the Catonsville campus. All programs contain a clinical component.

Admissions Process for Nursing Program

Admission to this program is a separate process from admission to the college. Admission to the School of Health Professions programs is competitive, selective, and based on established criteria. Information about admissions processes for the programs in the School of Health Professions and the Selective Admissions Application are available online at http://www.ccbcmd.edu/nursing/Admissions.html. This information is also available in the Admissions office on each campus.

The associate degree nursing program is a selective admission program and is offered at the Catonsville and Essex campuses. Students seeking admission to the nursing program must submit a selective admissions application and indicate the campus of interest. Students will be ranked for program admission based on specific selection criteria. (See Admissions Criteria for specific information.) A minimum of 18 preclinical credits (courses designated under admission criteria) are required for eligibility to apply for admission to the Nursing program. Students are encouraged to complete as many of the general education (pre-clinical) requirements in science, humanities, and liberal arts as possible before enrolling in clinical nursing courses. This is especially true when students have limitations on the time they can devote to study.

Students in the School of Health Professions are expected to conduct themselves according to an honor code, exhibit professional behavior, and communicate effectively in English, both written and oral. Students will be required to provide documentation of health insurance and titres/immunizations, CPR certifications, physical examination, and PPD/chest x-ray. All students will be required to complete criminal background checks and drug screening through a vendor determined by CCBC.

Application Deadlines

Admission into the Nursing Program is competitive and takes place in the fall and spring each year. Selective admission applications must be completed by March 15 for the fall semester or September 15 for the spring semester. In addition, applicants must register to take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) prior to the application deadline. A new selective admission application must be completed for each new admission request. Application for the evening/weekend program and the Online nursing program occurs only once a year. Selective admission applications must be completed by March 15 for Fall admission.

Financial Aid students are encouraged to make a financial plan prior to entry since full-time employment is definitely not recommended during the clinical nursing sequence. Information relative to scholarships and loans is available from the Financial Aid office. Scholarship opportunities can be found on the Maryland Board of Nursing website at www.mbon.org

Admission Criteria

1. Criteria for consideration for admission into the Nursing Program (Day and/or Evening/Weekend):
   1. Achievement of a GPA of 2.50 or higher, calculated from courses that are required for completion of the Nursing program.
   2. In order to meet CCBC graduation requirements, all students who are accepted must have a minimum overall CCBC GPA of 2.00.
   3. Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 18 pre-clinical credits, including:
      1. BIOL 220 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I  with a grade of C or higher. BIOL 110  is a prerequisite for BIOL 220  and BIOL 230 . The option to challenge or receive a waiver for BIOL 110  can be requested through the Biology Department. Students planning to enter the nursing program should address this alternative with an academic advisor, case manager or counselor.
      2. BIOL 221 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II  with a grade of C or better.
      3. BIOL 230 - Microbiology  with a grade of “C” or better.
      4. ENGL 101 - College Composition I  with a C or better.
      5. PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology .
   4. Eligibility for college math requirement (must meet the prerequisite for the college general education math requirement).
   5. Completion of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).
      
      NOTE: In order to progress through and graduate from the nursing program, students must successfully complete all science, math, ENGL 101 , and nursing courses with a grade of “C” or better.
2. Criteria for consideration for admission into the Online Nursing Program:
   1. Students must have completed all the general education, prerequisite courses and program required courses prior to starting the nursing courses.
   2. The student must have basic computer skills.
   3. GPA 2.5 or higher, calculated from prerequisite, general education, and program required courses.
   4. Overall CCBC GPA 2.0 or higher.
   5. Completion of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).
   6. Students are required to complete criminal background checks and drug screening through PreCheck.
   7. Student must have access to a computer and the Internet. (A high speed connection is recommended.)
3. ** Additional requirements
   1. Completion of the Student Health Profile (CCBC Nursing Physical Examination form).
   2. Documentation of current CPR from the American Heart Association Health Care Provider or other approved equivalent.
   3. Proof of Health insurance coverage, which must be maintained throughout the clinical program.
   4. Completion of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements and modules required by clinical agencies. (The college will make provision for all clinical students to meet this requirement.)

Legal Implications

Upon successful completion of the Associate of Science degree in Nursing, the graduate applies to take the National Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Permission to take the NCLEX-RN examination is established by law and granted by the Maryland Board of Nursing. The Board may deny a graduate this permission for a variety of reasons. This includes: 8-6A-10 (a)4 - If convicted of or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or to a crime involving moral turpitude, whether or not any appeal or other proceeding is pending to have the conviction or plea set aside. [Nurse Practice Act, Annotated Code of Maryland]

During the clinical components of the program, clinical sites may decline to accept a student based on the criminal background check or drug screen. If a student is declined by two clinical facilities, they are unable to meet clinical objectives and cannot progress in the nursing program.

Articulation Agreements for BSN

As a result of articulation agreements, graduates who choose to continue their education in a baccalaureate program in nursing (B.S.N.) may do so with no repetition of course work. Credits for both nursing and general education courses may be transferred to B.S.N. programs offered at state colleges and universities and some private institutions.

Students who are interested in earning a baccalaureate degree in nursing should consult an academic advisor or counselor in the Advising Center or a counselor from the four-year institution of their choice to determine the best course sequence.

Nursing Program Competencies

Upon graduation from the Community College of Baltimore County Nursing Program, the Associate Degree nurse generalist will be able to:

1. Collaborate within a team of health care providers to advocate for patients, families and communities in order to provide safe, high quality nursing care;
2. Integrate effective communication techniques and caring behaviors with patients, families, and communities to improve health outcomes;
3. Provide nursing care to patients, families, and communities that support their diversity and spirituality;
4. Use informatics and evidence-based practice to examine and to advance nursing practice and improve the quality of care for patients, families, and communities;
5. Design health promotion activities that contribute to the wellness of patients, families and communities;
6. Demonstrate accountability and responsibility in the management of nursing care of patients, families and communities;
7. Evaluate the application of the nursing process as a systematic method of providing patient-centered nursing care throughout the life span; 
8. Analyze the essential pharmacologic principles used in providing care for patients;
9. Adhere to the standards of excellence essential to professionalism incorporating ethics, integrity, caring, leadership, advocacy, and life-long learning;
10. Use quality improvement processes to promote and advance safety for patients, families, and communities within health care systems;
11. Perform nursing skills independently using available technology to meet standards of efficacy and safety;
12. Integrate patient-centered teaching into the nursing care of patients, families, and communities;
13. Demonstrate sound nursing judgment in clinical practice based on evidence which promotes optimal health for patients, families and communities.
    

General Education

Program Requirements - 36 Credits

• NURN 153 - Fundamentals of Nursing Concepts 6 Credit(s).
• NURN 155 - Nursing Health Assessment and Promotion 2 Credit(s).
• NURN 129 - Professional Nursing Role 1 Credit(s).
• NURN 160 - Nursing Concepts I 6 Credit(s).
• NURN 217 - Mental Health Nursing Concepts 3 Credit(s).
• NURN 218 - Maternal-Newborn Nursing Concepts 3 Credit(s).
• NURN 222 - Pediatric Nursing Concepts 3 Credit(s).
• NURN 229 - Nursing Professional Practice Concepts 2 Credit(s).
• NURN 234 - Nursing Concepts II 5 Credit(s).
• NURN 236 - Nursing Concepts III 6 Credit(s).

Total Credits Required for Degree: 70**

* BIOL 110  is a prerequisite for BIOL 220  and BIOL 230 . The option to challenge or receive a waiver for BIOL 110  can be requested through the Biology Department. Students planning to enter the nursing program should address this alternative with an academic advisor, case manager or counselor.

**If you are a credit student who is new to the college (meaning you have not successfully completed transferable college credits at another institution(s)), you are required to take ACDV 101  during your first semester at CCBC. This must be completed prior to completing the Selective Admissions process and entering the Registered Nursing program. Students are required to provide an official transcript(s) to document successful completion of college coursework at another institution(s) in order for this requirement to be waived.

Semester Sequence

• Registered Nursing Program Semester Sequence