Nursing Degree (NU and NUE) (selective)

Registered nurses (RNs) work to promote health, prevent disease, and help patients cope with illness. They are advocates and health educators for patients, families, and communities. MWCC Nursing graduates have historically achieved a high passing rate on the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and have been successful in obtaining employment. The program is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission: NLNAC; 61 Broadway – 33rd Floor; New York, NY 10006; (800) 669-1656, ext. 153; www.nlnac.org.

Application deadline: The application deadline is February 1. This selective enrollment program requires additional application components. The selection process is competitive and space is limited.

Requirements for consideration: Applicants must meet certain academic standards. See pages 14-15 of the college catalog for specific details, or refer to the program application available on our website or through the admissions office.

Campus/format: This program is selective and can be completed during the day or evening at the Gardner Campus.

Helpful hints: Because of an extensive classroom/clinical commitment, students are encouraged to complete some of the general education requirements prior to beginning nursing courses.

Transfer options: Joint Admissions agreements exist with Framingham State and Worcester State College. An online transfer agreement exists with Drexel University. Articulation agreements exist with Charter Oak State College, Fitchburg and Framingham State, UMASS Lowell, the University of Phoenix, and New England College (Nursing and Healthcare Administration online program). This program qualifies for the Franklin University Community College Alliance program. Other popular transfer choices include Anna Maria, Emmanuel, and UMASS Amherst (online program only). Students should obtain information on the program they wish to transfer into to determine if MWCC courses will be accepted as transfer credit. Visit MWCC’s transfer services website: http://transfer.mwcc.edu.

Special requirements: Applicants must meet all requirements for consideration before entering the program. Admitted students must meet technical standards and additional requirements including immunizations, CPR certification, liability insurance, health insurance, and a Criminal/Sexual Offender Records Information (CORI/SORI) check. Drug testing may be mandatory at some clinical sites. Additional tuition applies for the evening Nursing program.

Please Note: All BIO, MAT (prerequisite), and NUR courses require a grade of C+ to be eligible for promotion to the next level. Also, BIO203, 204, and 205 credits cannot be more than five years old. Applicants currently working in a health care field can petition to lengthen the time to ten years.

*These courses must be taken concurrently or prior to the nursing courses specified for that particular semester
†Note: Recommended completion prior to program application
**Note: PER130 is recommended for transfer
††Preferred electives include HUM212, CIS127 or MAS102
§Note: Students must earn a C+ or better

Elective courses by abbreviation

Career options: RNs in hospitals, sub acute units, extended care facilities, medical offices, rehabilitation centers, and home care.

Earning potential: $56,578 to $67,599 per year.

Information about Selective Admissions programs

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Technical Standards*

*general information about technical standards and accommodation.

Students entering these programs must be able to demonstrate the ability to:

1. Comprehend textbook material at the 11th grade level.
2. Communicate and assimilate information either in spoken, printed, signed, or computer voice format.
3. Gather, analyze, and draw conclusions from data.
4. Stand for a minimum of two hours.
5. Walk for a minimum of six hours, not necessarily consecutively.
6. Stoop, bend, and twist for a minimum of 30 minutes at a time and be able to repeat this activity at frequent intervals.
7. Lift a 40-pound person or assist with a larger person and transfer the person from one location to another.
8. Determine by touch: hotness/coldness, wetness/dryness, and hardness/softness.
9. Use the small muscle dexterity necessary to do such tasks as gloving, gowning, and operating controls on machinery.
10. Respond to spoken words, monitor signals, call bells, and vital sign assessment equipment.
11. Identify behaviors that would endanger a person’s life or safety and intervene quickly in a crisis situation with an appropriate solution.
12. Remain calm, rational, decisive, and in control at all times, especially during emergency situations.
13. Exhibit social skills appropriate to professional interactions.
14. Maintain cleanliness and personal grooming consistent with close personal contact.
15. Function without causing harm to self or others if under the influence of prescription or over-the-counter medications.

Program Competencies

Upon graduation from this program students shall have demonstrated the ability to:

1. Provide nursing care through independent and collaborative application of the nursing process.
2. Use caring interventions when providing nursing care to a diverse population across the lifespan.
3. Manage the delivery of nursing care to groups of clients.
4. Communicate accurately and effectively by oral, written, and/or electronic means.
5. Use therapeutic skill in all aspects of nursing practice.
6. Implement a teaching plan based on the learning needs of the client and/or significant others.
7. Advocate for the rights of clients.
8. Assume responsibility for lifelong learning.
9. Function within the ethical and legal framework of Associate Degree Nursing.

Information about Selective Admissions programs