Associate Degree In Nursing Program

1. Advanced Placement

   From LPN to RN – Achieve Your Goal at Maria!
   Rewards for your experience.
   Choices for your life.

   Call 518.438.3111, Ext. 217 or contact admissions@mariacollege.edu.

   Choose from two paths on your way to becoming an RN -

   Advanced Placement Course

   • Advanced Placement for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and those approved by the Nursing chairperson is available. They may challenge seven credits in nursing after successfully completing a six-week review course and the Challenge Examination, which includes written, dosage, and skills exams.
   • Students who do so will be granted life experience credit and will be exempt from introductory nursing courses, Nur 110 and 120. They will advance directly to Nur 130, Nursing III. See the Admissions section for requirements for advanced placement admissions.
   • Advanced placement classes are held twice a year, fall and spring semesters, on six consecutive Tuesday evenings. Classes usually meet from 6pm–9pm. Students may not repeat the course. LPN must submit a resume demonstrating current clinical experience. Enrollment in the Challenge Review may be limited to 20 students per year.

   LPN-RN Transition Course (PN-RN)

   • A second option for advanced placement of LPNs is offered via the PN-RN Transition Course.  This course is designed to validate prior learning and update or enhance the student’s nursing knowledge.  The applicant must hold a current LPN license in the United States or its jurisdictions, and must complete both the PN-RN Transition Course (Nur 198) and PN Transition Skills Course (Nur 199), which grants the applicant 15 credits in nursing.  The Transition Course workload is comparable to the workload of a three-credit course, and the skills gained are also comparable.  These courses are offered in the Summer Session.
   • To enter the Nursing program at the senior level, the applicant must have successfully completed NUR 198 and Nur 199, and 23 of the required liberal arts credits.  A resume demonstrating current clinical experience is required to enter Nur 198.  Each applicant must be successful in both courses to advance in the Nursing program.  See the Admissions section for advanced placement admissions.  Enrollment in the PN-RN Transition Course may be limited to 20 students per year. Students may not repeat the course.

   Pathway to becoming an RN for Maria College PNC Graduates

   • Students who graduate from Track II of the Maria College PNC program will have completed the equivalent of the first year of the ADN Nursing coursework, and may enter the Nursing program at the second level by taking Nur 240 in the fall semester.  Completion of 25 required liberal arts credits is necessary to qualify for admission. Students who graduate from Track I may qualify with additional required coursework.
   • Applicants must submit a degree application by April 1 prior to the fall semester in which they plan to begin, meet all normal admissions requirements for the Associate Degree program, and pass the NCLEX (LPN) by December 1 of the year the applicant begins Nur 240.
   • If the PNC graduate does not start the ADN program immediately after graduation from the PNC program, the graduate must have passed the LPN-NCLEX and have worked as an LPN for six months prior to admission to the ADN program. A copy of the license and a letter of employment verification must be submitted at time of application.

   At the discretion of the Nursing chair, qualified nursing transfer applicants may be approved to enter the Advanced Placement Course.  Upon successful completion of the this course, the applicant may qualify for admission into Nur 130 (Nursing III).

   Day or evening placement for Nur 130 depends on space availability.

   Note: Each state and/or profession has procedures for certification and licensure, including, among others, consideration of felony convictions, pending criminal charges and professional misconduct.  As a result, completion of a program does not guarantee licensure or certification.

   Proven Success!

   • 117 LPNs have participated in the Advanced Placement Course over the last 5 years
   • 88 of those students have passed the Advanced Placement Course - a 75% passing rate
   • 65 of those 88 students have graduated from Maria’s Nursing Program as RN’s – a 75% passing rate

   NCLEX results for 2010:

   • 85 took the licensing exam
   • 91.76% passed
   • 87.42% is the national pass rate
2. Nursing Links: Test Prep, Info and Tutorials

   The following links are tools to help you prepare for the NCLEX test:

   • TestPrePreview.com – NCLEX Test Breakdown
   • TestPrePreview.com – NCLEX Free Online Course
   • Caring4You.Net – Gives links to Free NCLEX Practice Exams/Quizzes
   • docnmail.com – Free NCLEX Tests/Sample Questions
   • nursing.about.com – NCLEX Course Review Information
   • 4tests.com – Online Practice Test and Information Site

   General Nursing Information

   www.allnurses.com

Division

1. Day Division

   First Semester

   Code	Course Name	Credit Hours
   Total Credits		14
   AnP 105	Anatomy & Physiology I	3
   3 credit hours (Fall-Spring) An introduction to the structure and function of the human body designed to provide the foundation for the study of pathological conditions. Topics include cells, tissues, fluid balance, the integumentary, skeletal and muscular systems, and nerve cell physiology. The processes by which the body maintains a stable internal environment are stressed throughout. Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry
   AnP 107	Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory	1
   1 credit hour  Laboratory exercises selected to reinforce and complement the lecture material presented in AnP 105.
   Nur 110	Nursing I	1
   1 credit hour (Fall)  Focuses on understanding nursing as a profession through exploration of historical and contemporary perspectives. Current trends in health care are considered. Emphasis will be placed on roles and responsibilities of the nurse.  Prerequisite: Matriculated Nursing major, or consent of instructor
   Nur 120	Nursing II	6
   6 credit hours (Fall)  Assessment and awareness of lifestyle behaviors and their effect on adults will be stressed. Challenges to health will be explored using the nursing process. Skills that are essential to health promotion or health assessment will be integrated throughout the course. These skills will be applied in a laboratory practicum, hospital and/or nursing home. Emphasis will be placed on the role of the RN in the caring environment.  Prerequisites: AnP 105, 107 and Psy 100; day students, however, may take these concurrently with Nur 120.
   Psy 100	General Psychology	3
   3 credit hours An introduction to psychology as a science: a study of cognitive, biological and social processes in understanding the dynamics of human behavior.

   Second Semester

   Code	Course Name	Credit Hours
   Total Credits		18
   AnP 106	Anatomy and Physiology II	3
   3 credit hours A continuation of AnP 105. Topics include the nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive and urinary systems, metabolism and immunity. Prerequisite: AnP 105, 107 with a grade of C or better.
   AnP 108	Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory	1
   1 credit hour  Laboratory exercises selected to reinforce and complement the lecture material presented in AnP 106.  Prerequisite: AnP 105, 107 with a grade of C or better.
   Eng 111	Composition I	3
   3 credit hours A study of the principles of effective written communication with an emphasis on the practical writing needed for academic and professional work. The course concentrates on the development of writing in terms of focus, content, organization, style and mechanics. Students will engage in writing and rewriting using instructor and student feedback. Summaries, short papers, quizzes and APA-style research papers are required.
   Nur 130	Nursing III	8
   8 credit hours (Spring-Summer) The focus is on the family and common health problems. The course will expand and adapt assessment skills to include pregnancy, newborns and children. Common health problems will be explored utilizing the nursing process, and skills to meet the needs of clients across the life span will be developed. These skills will be applied in laboratory practicum, hospital and/or community settings. Emphasis will be placed on the role of the RN in the caring environment.  Prerequisites: Nur 120. Evening Option: All AnP courses; Psy 100, 200. Day Option: AnP 106, 108; Psy 200 may be taken concurrently.
   Psy 200	Developmental Psychology	3
   3 credit hours  The scientific study of the individual across the life span: a study and application of physical, cognitive and behavioral processes across contexts.  Prerequisite: Psy 100 with a grade of “C” or better

   Third Semester

   Code	Course Name	Credit Hours
   Total Credits		18
   Mic 203	Microbiology	4
   4 credit hours  A one-semester introductory course in microbiology. Students are exposed to the unity and the diversity found among the microbes, the relationship of microbes to each other and to other organisms (especially man), with an emphasis on the bacteria and viruses. Topics include an introduction to the scientific method; a history of the science of microbiology; microbial taxonomy; eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell structure and function; viral structure and function; culturing of microbes; physical and chemical methods for controlling microbes; bacterial and viral genetics; microbes in the disease process; epidemiology; and immunity. Laboratory exercises reinforce the lecture material and introduce students to the techniques used to manipulate microbes, with an emphasis on aseptic technique and laboratory safety. A two-hour lab is included.  Prerequisite: High school biology and chemistry or the equivalent
   Nur 240	Nursing IV	8
   8 credit hours (Fall)  The nursing process will be applied to clients in the mental health setting and to clients with more complex health care problems. The course will expand and adapt assessment skills to include more complex health care needs across the life span. These skills will be applied in laboratory practicum, hospital and/or community settings. Emphasis will be placed on the role of the RN in the caring environment. Prerequisites: Nur 130, AnP, Psy 200.  Prerequisites for Maria College PNC graduates and Transition students: All AnP, Psy 100, 200; Eng 111. Co-requisites: Mic 203
   ReS 201	Contemporary Moral Issues	3
   3 credit hours Cross listed as Phi 201  This course is a theoretical and applied ethics course. Students will examine the major ethical theories and apply them to ethical issues and concerns of the twenty-first century. Topics include bioethics, end of life decision-making, environmental ethics, and racism and genocide. In addition, students will use ethical decision-making frameworks in discussing and analyzing case studies.
   Eng	Elective	3

   Fourth Semester

   Code	Course Name	Credit Hours
   Total Credits		18
   Nur 250	Nursing V	8
   8 credit hours (Spring)  Focus will be placed on clients with multisystem problems. Critical thinking and advanced psychomotor skills will be practiced to meet the needs of clients across the life span. These skills will be applied in laboratory practicum, hospital and/or community settings. Emphasis will be placed on the role of the RN in the caring environment.  Prerequisites: All previous Nursing courses, AnP, Mic 203,Psy 200 and 27 Liberal Arts credits
   Nur 260	Nursing VI	3
   3 credit hours (Spring)  Designed to provide the student with an understanding of issues of nursing practice, roles and responsibilities. Legal and ethical responsibilities will be stressed. The role of the nurse as a manager of patient care will be discussed. In managing a group of patients, a clinical preceptorship will be required. This experience may be in an acute, long-term, and/or health care setting.  Prerequisites: All previous Nursing courses and 27 Liberal Arts credits
   Nur 270	Nursing VII	1
   1 credit hour (Spring)  Focus will be on preparation for the RN NCLEX exam. Test taking skills will be practiced. A testing of the core curriculum content will be completed to identify areas in which the student will need remediation.  Prerequisites: All previous nursing courses and 27 Liberal Arts credits
   ReS/Phi	Elective	3
   Soc 101	Introduction to Sociology	3
   3 credit hours A study of human society and culture. Social groups, institutions and processes are analyzed to determine their impact on individuals and groups in today’s society. Social change and its impact on social order will be evaluated.

2. Evening Division

   First Semester

   Code	Course Name	Credit Hours
   Total Credits		7
   AnP 105	Anatomy & Physiology I	3
   3 credit hours (Fall-Spring) An introduction to the structure and function of the human body designed to provide the foundation for the study of pathological conditions. Topics include cells, tissues, fluid balance, the integumentary, skeletal and muscular systems, and nerve cell physiology. The processes by which the body maintains a stable internal environment are stressed throughout. Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry
   AnP 107	Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory	1
   1 credit hour  Laboratory exercises selected to reinforce and complement the lecture material presented in AnP 105.
   Psy 100	General Psychology	3
   3 credit hours An introduction to psychology as a science: a study of cognitive, biological and social processes in understanding the dynamics of human behavior.

   Second Semester

   Code	Course Name	Credit Hours
   Total Credits		7
   AnP 106	Anatomy and Physiology II	3
   3 credit hours A continuation of AnP 105. Topics include the nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive and urinary systems, metabolism and immunity. Prerequisite: AnP 105, 107 with a grade of C or better.
   AnP 108	Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory	1
   1 credit hour  Laboratory exercises selected to reinforce and complement the lecture material presented in AnP 106.  Prerequisite: AnP 105, 107 with a grade of C or better.
   Eng 111	Composition I	3
   3 credit hours A study of the principles of effective written communication with an emphasis on the practical writing needed for academic and professional work. The course concentrates on the development of writing in terms of focus, content, organization, style and mechanics. Students will engage in writing and rewriting using instructor and student feedback. Summaries, short papers, quizzes and APA-style research papers are required.

   Third Semester

   Code	Course Name	Credit Hours
   Total Credits		7
   Nur 110	Nursing I	1
   1 credit hour (Fall)  Focuses on understanding nursing as a profession through exploration of historical and contemporary perspectives. Current trends in health care are considered. Emphasis will be placed on roles and responsibilities of the nurse.  Prerequisite: Matriculated Nursing major, or consent of instructor
   Nur 120	Nursing II	6
   6 credit hours (Fall)  Assessment and awareness of lifestyle behaviors and their effect on adults will be stressed. Challenges to health will be explored using the nursing process. Skills that are essential to health promotion or health assessment will be integrated throughout the course. These skills will be applied in a laboratory practicum, hospital and/or nursing home. Emphasis will be placed on the role of the RN in the caring environment.  Prerequisites: AnP 105, 107 and Psy 100; day students, however, may take these concurrently with Nur 120.

   Fourth Semester

   Code	Course Name	Credit Hours
   Total Credits		8
   Nur 130	Nursing III	8
   8 credit hours (Spring-Summer) The focus is on the family and common health problems. The course will expand and adapt assessment skills to include pregnancy, newborns and children. Common health problems will be explored utilizing the nursing process, and skills to meet the needs of clients across the life span will be developed. These skills will be applied in laboratory practicum, hospital and/or community settings. Emphasis will be placed on the role of the RN in the caring environment.  Prerequisites: Nur 120. Evening Option: All AnP courses; Psy 100, 200. Day Option: AnP 106, 108; Psy 200 may be taken concurrently.

   Summer I

   Code	Course Name	Credit Hours
   Total Credits		9
   ReS 201	Contemporary Moral Issues	3
   3 credit hours Cross listed as Phi 201  This course is a theoretical and applied ethics course. Students will examine the major ethical theories and apply them to ethical issues and concerns of the twenty-first century. Topics include bioethics, end of life decision-making, environmental ethics, and racism and genocide. In addition, students will use ethical decision-making frameworks in discussing and analyzing case studies.
   Psy 200	Developmental Psychology	3
   3 credit hours  The scientific study of the individual across the life span: a study and application of physical, cognitive and behavioral processes across contexts.  Prerequisite: Psy 100 with a grade of “C” or better
   Eng	Elective	3

   Summer II

   Code	Course Name	Credit Hours
   Total Credits		6
   Soc 101	Introduction to Sociology	3
   3 credit hours A study of human society and culture. Social groups, institutions and processes are analyzed to determine their impact on individuals and groups in today’s society. Social change and its impact on social order will be evaluated.
   ReS/Phi	Elective	3

   Fifth Semester

   Code	Course Name	Credit Hours
   Total Credits		12
   Mic 203	Microbiology	4
   4 credit hours  A one-semester introductory course in microbiology. Students are exposed to the unity and the diversity found among the microbes, the relationship of microbes to each other and to other organisms (especially man), with an emphasis on the bacteria and viruses. Topics include an introduction to the scientific method; a history of the science of microbiology; microbial taxonomy; eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell structure and function; viral structure and function; culturing of microbes; physical and chemical methods for controlling microbes; bacterial and viral genetics; microbes in the disease process; epidemiology; and immunity. Laboratory exercises reinforce the lecture material and introduce students to the techniques used to manipulate microbes, with an emphasis on aseptic technique and laboratory safety. A two-hour lab is included.  Prerequisite: High school biology and chemistry or the equivalent
   Nur 240	Nursing IV	8
   8 credit hours (Fall)  The nursing process will be applied to clients in the mental health setting and to clients with more complex health care problems. The course will expand and adapt assessment skills to include more complex health care needs across the life span. These skills will be applied in laboratory practicum, hospital and/or community settings. Emphasis will be placed on the role of the RN in the caring environment. Prerequisites: Nur 130, AnP, Psy 200.  Prerequisites for Maria College PNC graduates and Transition students: All AnP, Psy 100, 200; Eng 111. Co-requisites: Mic 203

   Sixth Semester

   Code	Course Name	Credit Hours
   Total Credits		12
   Nur 250	Nursing V	8
   8 credit hours (Spring)  Focus will be placed on clients with multisystem problems. Critical thinking and advanced psychomotor skills will be practiced to meet the needs of clients across the life span. These skills will be applied in laboratory practicum, hospital and/or community settings. Emphasis will be placed on the role of the RN in the caring environment.  Prerequisites: All previous Nursing courses, AnP, Mic 203,Psy 200 and 27 Liberal Arts credits
   Nur 260	Nursing VI	3
   3 credit hours (Spring)  Designed to provide the student with an understanding of issues of nursing practice, roles and responsibilities. Legal and ethical responsibilities will be stressed. The role of the nurse as a manager of patient care will be discussed. In managing a group of patients, a clinical preceptorship will be required. This experience may be in an acute, long-term, and/or health care setting.  Prerequisites: All previous Nursing courses and 27 Liberal Arts credits
   Nur 270	Nursing VII	1
   1 credit hour (Spring)  Focus will be on preparation for the RN NCLEX exam. Test taking skills will be practiced. A testing of the core curriculum content will be completed to identify areas in which the student will need remediation.  Prerequisites: All previous nursing courses and 27 Liberal Arts credits