Nursing | Bristol Community College (2024)

Program Goal Statement

This program prepares students for practice as entry-level staff nurses in a variety of healthcare settings. Students learn to apply the nursing process to assist patients in maintaining or regaining homeostasis when threatened with common health problems. Graduates take the National Council Licensure Examination for licensing as a Registered Nurse.

Program Accreditation

Approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing, 250 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02108-4619, orhttp://www.mass.gov/dph/boards/rn

The Associate Nursing program at Bristol Community College located at 777 Elsbree Street, Fall River, Massachusetts 02720 and 800 Purchase Street, New Bedford, Massachusetts 02740, is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the associate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program athttp://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm

Program Outcomes

NCLEX- RNGraduates attain licensure to practice as registered nurses, with a passing rate for first-time takers that is equal to or greater than the state passing rate.

Students Completion of the Program (150% of the time fromentry to graduation)

Program Information

• One program with 2 curriculum delivery options:
  • Traditional - face to face classroom learning.
  • eHealth - a hybrid model with online classroom learning.
  • The Program utilizes a teaching model that engages students in active learning. Teaching learning strategies such as the flipped classroom model will be utilized. Research shows active learning promotes student success. Flipped learning is a pedagogical approach in which the conventional notion of classroom-based learning is inverted, so that students are introduced to the learning material before class, with classroom time then being used to deepen understanding through discussion with peers and problem-solving activities facilitated by teachers.
  • Both options include clinical assignments ata variety of healthcare settings in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Clinical hours may include day, evenings or weekends.
• Computer technology is integrated into Nursing courses. Computer access is required and available at both campuses.
• Students must achieve a minimum “C+” (77) in allnursing courses in order to remain in the program and graduate. Students must pass all co-requisites and electives to remain in the program and graduate.

After Bristol

• Graduates take the National Council Licensure Examination for Licensing as a Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN).
• Graduates have secured a variety of positions in healthcare settings.
• Bristol Community College participates in the statewide MassTransfer program and has developed many program-to-program transfer articulation agreements which guarantee admission and credit transfer to the College. Many graduates transfer to complete the baccalaureate degree. Graduates have transferred to UMass Dartmouth, Fitchburg State, UMass Boston, Framingham State,and Laboure College.
• For a complete listing of eligible MassTransfer programs and current Bristol Community College articulation agreements, visit the Transfer Affairs website at www.BristolCC.edu/transfer

Infused General Education Competencies

Ethical Dimensions, Multicultural Perspective, Oral Communication, Technical Literacy

Student Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

1. Applies concepts and principles from nursing, from the physical and behavioral/social sciences, and from general education (humanities, math and history) in analyzing data and making judgments in the practice of nursing.
2. Provides care to patients throughout the life span by applying the nursing process in assisting the patient to maintain or regain homeostasis when threatened by common health problems.
3. Utilizes verbal and nonverbal modalities to communicate with patients, families, significant others, and health team members.
4. Provides patient teaching by assessing the need for information, implementing short-range teaching plans, and evaluating the patient's response.
5. Manages care for a group of patients in a structured setting by prioritizing care and by utilizing the skills of other health team members.
6. Functions as a member within the discipline of nursing by practicing legally and ethically and by selecting resources and activities for continued development in the nurse role.

Nursing Student Handbook

http://www.bristolcc.edu/learnatbristol/programsandcourses/degreesandcertificates/degreeprograms/nursing/

General Admission/Nursing

The Nursing Program is a competitive program with selective admission requirements. A limited number of students are admitted to the Nursing program. The college catalog describes the minimum requirements for admission to the program as follows:

Completed applicationsreceived by February 1stwill be considered in the initial admissions review. Applications received after this date will be considered if spaces have not been filled.

Applicants must have completed the following criteria (all coursework with a grade of B- or greater) to be considered for admission to the Nursing program:

• A B- in all pre-requisite courses results in a 2.7 GPA which makes the applicant ineligible for admission to the program. It is suggested that grades higher than B- be earned to be a competitive candidate.
• High school diploma or a state-approved high school equivalency credential
• High school Algebra I, equivalent or higher
• High school Chemistry with lab, equivalent or higher
• BIO 233 (Anatomy & Physiology 1) orequivalent
• ENG 101 (English Composition 1), ENG 102 or degree in the discipline
• PSY 101 (General Psychology) or higher
• CSS 101 College Success Seminar
• Applicants must have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or higher in the aforementioned pre-admission courses. Priority will be given to qualified applicants with a GPA of 3.5 or higher
• Applicants must achieve a total composite score of 60% or higher on the ATI TEAS Exam. For more detailed TEAS information, please visit our website at http://www.bristolcc.edu/getstartedatbristol/testingcenter/teas/
• Students must complete all math and science courses required for admission within 5 years of priority application deadline to the program.
• Attend one mandatory health science information session (seating is limited) http://www.bristolcc.edu/getstartedatbristol/admissions/healthsciencesadmissionrequirements/healthscienceinformationsessions/
• Transcripts from attendance at other regionally accredited college/universities may be required with submission of your admissions application. Please refer to the Admissions page within this catalog for further detail(http://bristolcc.smartcatalogiq.com/2020-2021/Catalog/Getting-Started/Admissions). Failure to comply with these requirements may result in your application not being reviewed for the program to which you applied.

Students applying to Bristol with a state approved high school equivalency credential rather than with a high school diploma will need to take the required courses (listed above) at a regionally accredited college/university.

Meeting these minimum criteria places the applicant in the selection pool but does not guarantee admission to the Nursing program.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROGRAM

Requirements Upon Admission

As a prerequisite for a clinical placement in the Nursing program, all students must undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check and a Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) check. These checks are required due to potential unsupervised contact with children, the disabled, or the elderly during a clinical experience. Students found to have certain criminal convictions or pending criminal actions will be presumed ineligible for clinical placement. The College is authorized by the Commonwealth's Department of Criminal Justice to access CORI records. Sex Offender checks shall be performed pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 6, Sections 178C-178P.

For more information regarding the College's CORI/SORI check process, please contact the Human Resource Department at (774) 357-3142.

A ten-panel random drug screen is required upon entrance, yearly, and/or randomly. The fee is paid by the student.

Please be advised that despite Massachusetts law that permits the use of medical marijuana and the possession, use, distribution and cultivation of marijuana in limited amounts, any possession, use, distribution or cultivation of marijuana remains prohibited under College policy pursuant to federal law. Further, any student who tests positive for marijuana will be ineligible for clinical placement. Please refer to the College's Student Handbook for the College's complete Marijuana Policy. http://www.bristolcc.edu/studentservices/resources/studenthandbook/policiesandprocedures/marijuanapolicy/

Applicants must comply with the Bristol Community College health services requirements. This includes a physical examination, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, hepatitis B titre,and varicella (chicken pox) immunizations or titres results (blood test to prove immune status). If under the age of 21 you must also be tested for meningitis as of Fall 2018. A TB test and flu vaccine are required each year.Additional health requirements may be required by clinical agencies.

All students must be Basic Life Support (BLS) certified by the American Heart Association(Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers).All students upon entry to the program must show evidence of CPR certification which is valid through the completion of theprogram. Contingency into the Nursing Program is based upon fulfillment of all special requirements by due dates.

Additional Costs

Students are responsible for the cost of uniforms, professional liability insurance, standardized achievement testing, their graduate nursing pin, and the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. Students must carry health insurance throughout their enrollment in the program.

Licensing Information

To be eligible for licensure in Massachusetts, graduates must complete all program requirements for graduation, present satisfactory evidence of “good moral character” as defined by the Board of Registration in Nursing, and pay the required licensure fees. Eligibility for licensure is decided by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-in-nursing

Functional Abilities Essential for Nursing Practice

Students enrolled in the nursing program should be prepared to meet the standards established by the following physical and mental criteria:

Nursing is a practice discipline, with cognitive, sensory, affective, and psychom*otor performance requirements. The functional eligibility requirements for participation in the nursing program are essential for the delivery of optimal and safe patient care and are consistent with the Massachusetts 244 CMR 3.02 Nurse Practice Act found at http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/regs/244cmr003.pdf.

Criterion: Analytical and Critical Thinking

The ability to understand, apply, analyze and evaluate information.

Examples:

• Comprehend written, verbal, and electronic information in English.
• Assess the patient’s psychological, physiological, and social status.
• Interpret cause-effect relationships in clinical situations.
• Plan and prioritize nursing care.
• Evaluate patient outcomes.
• Calculate math for safe medication administration.

Criterion: Communication

The ability to effectively interact with others using verbal, non-verbal, written, and electronic communication.

Examples:

• Speak, comprehend, read, write, and type in English in a clear and understandable manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relations with peers, faculty, patients, family and healthcare teams.
• Respect social, cultural, ethnic, and gender differences.
• Correctly convey and interpret body language.
• Observe, assess and recognize facial expression and emotion needed to detect and interpret data.
• Negotiate interpersonal conflict/s.
• Teach and convey information in an accurate and effective manner.
• Convey information to others verbally, in writing and/or electronically in an accurate, timely, professional andcomprehensive manner.

Criterion: Emotional Stability

The ability to monitor one’s own emotions and assume responsibility and accountability for one’s own actions.

Examples:

• Emotional stability/maturity to accept constructive feedback.
• Support patients during times of stress.
• Adapt to changing situations and emergency conditions while maintaining emotional control.
• Cope with strong emotions and physical outbursts of patients while remaining calm.
• Focus attention on patient needs despite distractions, interruptions and multiple demands.
• Accept constructive feedback and accept responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Ability to work effectively under stressful conditions.

Criterion: Physical Ability

The ability to demonstrate physical agility and swiftness of movement, and perform gross and fine motor skills.

The ability to sustain physical endurance necessary to provide safe and effective care.

Examples:

• Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Move in confined spaces.
• Maintain balance in multiple positions.
• Reach below waist and above shoulders.
• Mobility of the neck and back to permit sitting and standing and the agility to bend at the waist and squat, using proper body mechanics, to perform a variety of patient care activities.
• Climb and descend stairs.
• Provide safe and therapeutic positioning and transferring of patients.
• Transfer patients who may require physical assistance.
• Move quickly in emergency situations in patient care setting.
• Stand/walk for extended periods without rest.
• Push, pull, lift or support a minimum of 25 pounds without assistance.
• Use of manual dexterity to provide patient care, manipulate and operate equipment and prepare and administer medications.
• Grasp, pinch, squeeze, and manipulate fine equipment.

Criterion: Sensory Ability

The ability to accurately perform auditory, visual, tactile, and olfactory assessments necessary to monitor and determine health needs.

Examples:

• Hear and understand monitoring devices, alarms, and emergency signals.
• Hear and understand spoken words and faint voices.
• Hear and understand faint body sounds (e.g., heartbeats, blood pressure, and abdominal sounds).
• Accurately prepare and administer oral, injectable, and intravenous medications.
• Visual acuity sufficient to reading fine print on medication labels and equipment.
• Assess a patient within a distance of 10 feet by way of visual, olfactory, or aural acuity.
• Use depth perception adequately.
• Palpate during physical exam (e.g., pulses, temperature, masses, lesions, etc.).
• Detect body odors.
• Detect smoke, gases, or noxious smells.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Transition Options

LPN-to-RN Bridge

For LPNs who have graduated within 3 years from one of the schools who have articulation agreements with Bristol. These include: Diman Regional, Bristol-Plymouth, Upper Cape Cod Regional, Southeastern Regional Practical Nursing Program, or Tri-County RVTHS. (subject to change)

Apply by April 1st

Prospective students are eligible to apply after completing all pre-admission criteria.

Students must complete all math and science courses required for admission within 5 years of priority application deadline to the program.

Meeting these minimum criteria places the applicant in the selection pool but does not guarantee admission.

Qualified applicants are accepted to the Transition Course (Part II) on a space-available basis.

Part I:Complete all pre-admission and pre and co-requisite courses to be eligible. See courses below:

Pre-admission courses with a B- or better:

• A B- in all pre-requisite courses results in a 2.7 GPA which makes the applicant ineligible for admission to the program. It is suggested that grades higher than B- be earned to be a competitive candidate.
• High school Algebra I, equivalent or higher
• High school Chemistry with lab, equivalent or higher
• BIO 233 (Anatomy & Physiology 1) orequivalent
• ENG 101 (English Composition 1), ENG 102 or degree in the discipline
• PSY 101 (General Psychology) or higher
• CSS 101 College Success Seminar

Pre and Co-requisite Courses

• BIO 234 (Human Anatomy and Physiology II) or equivalent
• PSY 252 (Child Development) or equivalent

Part II:

After successful completion of the LPN-to-RN Bridge Transition Course (approximately 3 weeks), the applicant will be awarded 16 credits for NUR 101 and NUR 102 and is eligible for entrance into the third semester of the nursing program and the nursing courses: Nursing Care of the Adult I (NUR 201) and Introduction to Professional Nursing(NUR 100).

Prior Learning Assessment/LPN Challenge

For Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs):

• Who have graduated more than 3 years ago from an accredited LPN school
• Students must complete all math and science courses required for admission within 5 years of priority application deadline to the program
• Applicants must have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or higher in the aforementioned pre-admission courses.

Apply by October 1st

Prospective students are eligible to apply after completing all pre-admission criteria (Part I).

Meeting these minimum criteria places the applicant in the selection pool but does not guarantee admission.

Qualified applicants are accepted to the Transition Course (Part II) on a space-available basis.

Part I:Complete all pre-admission criteria to be eligible. See below.

Pre admission courses with a B- or better:

• A B- in all pre-requisite courses results in a 2.7 GPA which makes the applicant ineligible for admission to the program. It is suggested that grades higher than B- be earned to be a competitive candidate.
• High school Algebra I, equivalent or higher
• High school Chemistry with lab, equivalent or higher
• BIO 233 (Anatomy & Physiology 1) orequivalent
• ENG 101 (English Composition 1), ENG 102 or degree in the discipline
• PSY 101 (General Psychology) or higher
• CSS 101 College Success Seminar
  
• Take the Excelsior “Fundamentals of Nursing” challenge exam and pass with a score of “C” or better. For more information: http://www.excelsior.edu/exams/fundamentals-of-nursing
• Students must complete all math and science courses required for admission within 5 years of priority application deadline to the program.
• Applicants must have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or higher in the aforementioned pre-admission courses.

Part II:Perform and successfully complete the two day LPN competency course. Once a passing score is attained, the applicant will be awarded 8 credits for NUR 101 and is eligible for entrance into the second semester of the nursing program, and the nursing courses: Parent and Child Health (NUR 102) and Introduction to Professional Nursing (NUR 100) on a space available basis.

Applicants who meet the LPN Bridge Program criteria may be considered for the LPN Challenge of Fundamentals program if there are no seats available in the Bridge Program. These students do not need to take the Excelsior exam.

Applying for Readmission

Only one readmission is allowed to the Nursing program within 3 years.

• Students who fail, withdraw or do not complete NUR 101 may reapply to the program through the general admission process by February 1st, and are considered based upon nursing admission criteria and on a space-available basis.
• Students who fail NUR 100 but pass the clinical course may retake NUR 100 in the subsequent semester with Department Chair and faculty permission.
• Students who fail, withdraw or do not complete NUR 102, NUR 201, NUR 202 or NUR 203 or co-requisite courses may be readmitted to the Nursing program on a space-available basis and rank ordered based upon the readmission category found in the BristolNursing Student Handbook. Applicants seeking readmission to NUR 102, NUR 202 or NUR 203 should apply through the Admissions office by October 1 of the semester prior to desired admission. Applicants seeking readmission to NUR 201 should apply through the Admissions Office by April 1 of the semester prior to desired admission.

Transfer Information

Opportunities are available for those applicants with previous nursing credits who meet established criteria. Students are responsible for special testing fees and pre and co-requisite courses.

For nursing transfer credit send a syllabus, catalog description, and an official college transcript for each course to be evaluated to the Nursing Program Director