Special Admission Requirements: Program Application Deadline: January 15 for Summer and July 15 for Spring
Career Programs Building, Room 110, 240-500-2380
This program of study is designated as a Health Manpower Shortage Program; therefore, some residents of Maryland enrolled in this program of study on the first day of the term may be eligible for in-county tuition rates for courses required for program completion.
Award: Associate of Science degree, A.S.
Total Credit Hours: A minimum of 70 credit hours.
Purpose: For Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) who wish to complete a registered nursing program with an associate of science degree. The nursing program is a Maryland State Board of Nursing approved program designed to provide students with the knowledge, skill, and understanding necessary to function effectively in all areas of professional nursing. Graduates of the nursing program are eligible to apply to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Curriculum: The curriculum is divided into several broad areas of study and consists of lecture, laboratory, and clinical experiences. Emphasis is on the use of the nursing process to meet the needs of individuals, family members, and the community. Courses in general education provide students with the scientific and social background to function as effective people, citizens, and health care providers.
Program Outcomes
- Eighty percent of the RN and PN students who begin the program will successfully complete the program within a maximum of three calendar years from the date of entry.
- Ninety percent of the program graduates will pass NCLEX on their first attempt.
- Ninety percent of the graduate survey respondents will be employed as an entry-level practitioner within 6 months of graduation.
- Seventy five percent of the graduate survey respondents will express satisfaction with curriculum, environment, learning resources, support services, and policies.
- One hundred percent of students graduating from the HCC Nursing Programs will meet all student learning outcomes.
Student Learning Outcomes: Graduates of the Associate of Science degree in nursing program will be able to:
- Utilize critical thinking in implementation of the nursing process to plan care for individuals and families that promotes health throughout the lifespan in a variety of settings.
- Adhere to quality of care and safety standards in both acute and community based environments.
- Facilitate the continuity of care for individuals in various acute and community based environments.
- Practice within the ethical and legal framework of the nursing profession.
- Provide compassionate care and serve as advocates for individuals and families, respecting their diverse cultures, values, and belief systems.
- Employ therapeutic verbal, nonverbal, and written communication skills.
- Collaborate with the individual, family, and interdisciplinary health professionals to promote, maintain, or restore health, and comfort the dying.
- Manage human, physical, and technological resources in a safe and cost-effective manner without sacrificing quality nursing care.
- Participate in lifelong learning activities that promote professional growth and personal development.
- Exercise leadership skills in the management of care.
Pre-Admission Requirement
Students must complete the nationally normed test for nursing students known as the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). The TEAS is a scholastic aptitude assessment in the areas of math, reading, English, and science. Students will not be considered for admission to the program until they achieve the required scores on the TEAS. Applicants should consult the HCC Web site at www.hagerstowncc.edu/academics/divisions/nursing/teas for specific information about the TEAS, including score requirements. This requirement should be completed prior to submission of the Supplemental Application (see below), but no later than the application deadline.
Admission Requirements
Admission to HCC does not guarantee admission to the Division of Nursing. The requirements below must be completed and submitted to the Office of Admissions and Registration by the application deadline.
- Submit a completed program application known as the Supplemental Application for Selective Admissions Programs form
- Submit TEAS scores
- Official transcripts from other colleges attended
- Completion of A&P placement test with a passing score or follow-up with indicated course work
- Completion of all required science courses within seven years prior to admission to the program
- A minimum of 23 credits completed or in progress to be completed at the time of application to the program. The courses include ENG 101 , MAT 101 , SOC 101 , PSY 101 , PSY 204 , BIO 103 , and BIO 104
- A minimum cumulative grade point average for all college coursework of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. In addition, a minimum grade point average of 2.5 for all program courses is required
- A grade of “C” or higher is required for all general education requirements
- Verification from an employer of at least six months of full-time employment within the past 5 years
- Foreign educated students must have their college and high school transcripts evaluated by World Education Services (WES ) or AACRAO International Education Services (IES)
Program Requirements: Students practice selected procedures on each other in the college laboratory. All nursing students must receive:
- A minimum overall grade of 75% in each nursing course.
- A minimum exam grade average of 75% in each nursing course.
- A minimum grade of 90% on a drug calculation exam each semester.
- A mark of satisfactory for both the simulation laboratory and clinical experiences. Students who receive a final mark of unsatisfactory in the clinical laboratory or clinical experience, or fail the drug calculation exam, despite a passing theory grade, will not be permitted to progress in the nursing program and will receive a final grade of “F” for the course.
- Upon completion of nursing coursework, students must achieve an Adjusted Individual Score of 70% or higher on the ATI Comprehensive Predictor Exam. Students who do not achieve this score will be allowed to retake the exam after appropriate remediation until they achieve the required score.
Students who do not meet program or course standards that result in termination from the nursing program by the Director, Nursing Division, are not eligible for readmission. This includes students who cannot meet safety standards, and students who violate the college’s Honor Code and Standards of Conduct, the nursing program’s Standards of Conduct, and the American Nurses’ Association Code of Ethics for Nurses.
Return to: