Nursing

1. Communicate professionally and collaboratively with individuals, families and members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team to promote mutual respect and shared decision making. (Communication/Collaboration and Teamwork)
2.  Utilize information and technology to manage information, minimize error and support decision making. (Informatics & Technology)
3. Embrace the leadership role, promote change and foster achievement that will facilitate the realization of shared goals. (Leadership)
4. Incorporate principles and theories from humanities, sciences and social sciences; demonstrate accountability for the delivery of standard-based nursing care that is consistent with moral, legal, ethical and regulatory principles. (Professionalism & Knowledge)
5. Provide safe, compassionate, holistic patient-centered care in collaboration with diverse patients and their families, making practice decisions using the best current evidence to meet their individual preferences, values and needs. (Evidence Based Practice / Patient-Centered Care)
6. Demonstrate an awareness of the overall components of the health care system through the effective utilization of resources to optimize outcomes in various health care delivery settings. (Systems-Based Practice)
7. Utilize quality initiatives and quality indicators to deliver safe patient-centered care. (Quality Improvement/ Safety)

The goal of the Associate Degree Nursing Program is to prepare the student to provide direct care to clients in acute care, long-term care, and other structured settings. As a member of the discipline, the student collaborates with the healthcare team to provide and manage the care of clients. The student utilizes the nursing process as a basis for decision making in caring for well clients and clients with possible or actual health problems.

Learning experiences and clinical practice may vary in time and in locations including days, evenings, and/or weekends. The program may be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. Classroom and clinical components of the Nursing courses must be completed concurrently. All Nursing courses must be completed within four years of the date of entry into the first Nursing course.

Students admitted or readmittted to the program must meet current requirements necessary for graduation. Advanced Placement and Transfer are possible through transfer credit and testing. Students may enroll in Liberal Arts and Science courses prior to admission into the Nursing program. Enrollment in these courses does not guarantee acceptance into the Nursing program. Students admitted into the Nursing program must take Nursing courses in sequence and must achieve a minimum grade of C+ (76.67%) in all major theory and science courses (Nursing, Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II, and Microbiology) and a grade of “Pass” in clinical courses in order to continue in the program. Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II and Microbiology must be taken within a specific time-frame (see table below) or concurrently as scheduled with the Nursing core courses. Students who do not successfully achieve the minimum grade in the major theory, science and other co-requisite courses as outlined in the program course sequencing will be Program Suspended from Nursing. Transportation to and from the practicum site is the responsibility of the student.

Admissions Criteria

A review of all COMPLETED Admission files will begin in March. Nursing program applications must be completed by February 28 to be considered for acceptance into the Fall class.

Admissions Requirements

1. Complete an application for the program.
2. Provide proof of high school completion or equivalent.
3. Provide an official copy of prior college transcripts if seeking transfer credit.
4.  Provide proof of completion of high school algebra, biology, and chemistry or equivalent with a grade of “C” or greater or proof of registration in a course with projected date of completion by June 30th of the current year.
5. Complete the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)* with a minimum Total Score of 66%. GBCC’s ATI TEAS Testing Policy - Applicants are permitted to take the TEAS exam three times per 12-month period. Test dates must be at least 30 days apart. Test scores are valid for a period of two years. Scores may not be combined or averaged from multiple attempts.
6. Special Consideration points are given to an applicant who: 

• has completed college-level Human Anatomy Physiology I and/or II prior to the February 28th deadline with a grade of “C+” within the past 5 years from the time of acceptance.
• is a current or former Health Occupation student from a CTE high school program prior to the February 28th deadline.
• is a current participant in Granite State PARTNERS, MyTurn, or a similar agency as approved by Admissions.
• is an active LPN, LNA/MNA, CNA, MA, Paramedic, or EMT (Submit a copy of your license/certification with your name and expiration date.)
• is a current or former military medic/corpsman (Submit a copy of your DD Form 214 or Joint Services Transcript (JST) or Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript that shows your awarded military occupation.)
• has completed a Medical Doctorate program (e.g. DMD, DVM, DDS, etc) (Submit a copy of your transcript; if outside the US, submit a copy of your transcript or diploma translated into English by a certified translation service if not originally in English.)
• has completed a Nursing program (RN equivalent) outside the US (Submit a copy of your transcript or diploma translated into English by a certified translation service if not originally in English.)

*The ATI TEAS is designed to measure entry-level academic readiness for applicants and to predict success in the first semester Nursing course. It tests the areas of reading, English and language usage, math and science. The ATI TEAS will be waived for an LPN with an active license. To receive information regarding the ATI TEAS or to register for a specific exam date, contact ATI at https://atitesting.com.

Clinical Requirements

After acceptance and prior to the first week of classes, all nursing students must:

1. Submit a current (within 1 year prior to beginning first Nursing course) GBCC Health Report Form including all required health screenings and immunizations.
   1. MMR (2 doses or positive titer)
   2. Varicella (2 doses or positive titer)
   3. Hepatitis B (3 doses or positive titer)
   4. Tdap (required within 10 years)
   5. Two-step TB skin test (required within 1 year; blood test acceptable)
   6. COVID-19 vaccine* (full series with booster)
2. Submit documentation of Influenza vaccine or a signed waiver by October.
3. Possess and maintain personal health and accident insurance.
4. Possess and maintain professional liability insurance (purchased at Great Bay).
5. Possess and maintain verification of current CPR: American Heart Association Basic Life Support or American Red Cross Basic Life Support 
6. Complete a criminal background check through approved vendor. Students may be required to perform more than one criminal background check throughout the course of the program based on clinical facility requirements. Participation in clinical experiences may be restricted or denied based on results of criminal record check and therefore would affect the ability of the student to meet course learning outcomes and successfully complete the program.
7. Complete drug testing through approved vendor. Students may be required to perform more than one drug test throughout the course of the program based on clinical facility requirements. Participation in clinical experiences may be restricted or denied based on results of drug testing and therefore would affect the ability of the student to meet course objectives and successfully complete the program.
8. Complete other health requirements/technical standards as determined by individual clinical agency affiliation agreements.

**A note on COVID-19 vaccination: Although the Nursing program is NOT requiring proof of vaccination for acceptance, many of Great Bay’s partner healthcare agencies have policies that require students to have received the complete series of COVID-19 vaccinations with booster. Some agencies will allow medical and religious exemptions, but others will not. If a student is unable to meet clinical requirements due to making a choice not to vaccinate, they may not be able to meet clinical and course learning outcomes.

Technology Requirements

Required computer and internet access: A laptop with internet access (PC or Mac only as the full Windows or Mac operating system is needed; no iPad) is required for theory and the simulation learning laboratory. Please be aware that tablets and Chromebooks are not compatible with all required resources. Students are expected to keep their computer software and operating systems up-to-date. If you need assistance, please email GBCCITSupport@ccsnh.edu

Nursing Program Suspension Information

Students matriculated in the Nursing program who are withdrawn or who do not successfully achieve the minimum grade in the major theory, science and other co-requisite courses as outlined in the program course sequencing will be Program Suspended from Nursing.

Nursing Readmission Policy

Students matriculated in the Nursing program who withdraw or are Program Suspended may be eligible for readmission consideration. A student may be readmitted to the Nursing program one time only. Students who have failed a Nursing course because of unsafe practice involving actions or non-actions are not eligible for readmission to the Nursing program. Readmissions are contingent upon space availability. The student applying for readmission will be required to meet the curriculum requirements in effect at the time of readmission. In order to be reconsidered for admission, the student must:

Submit a typed, dated letter to the Chair of the Department of Nursing. This letter must be received by February 1 for Fall semester readmission consideration and October 1 for Spring semester readmission consideration. In the letter, identify the Nursing course for which readmission is requested, outline the reason(s) for not being able to continue in the program, and plan for success should readmission be granted. Students who have requested readmission consideration will be ranked according to their Nursing program course average. As space availability is determined, students will be readmitted based on their ranking order and notified in writing by the Admissions Department. Students who are granted readmission will need to complete and submit a new Application for Admission to the College. Additionally, students will have to successfully complete course content, competency testing, and other requirements determined by faculty once they have been notified of their readmission status. Failure to complete requirements within specified timeframes will result in the student not being readmitted.

Advanced Placement or Transfer

Admission via advanced placement or transfer is extremely limited and on a space-available basis. In addition to the admissions requirements listed above (excluding item #5 the ATI TEAS), students seeking Advanced Placement or Transfer must have completed all prerequisite coursework by examination, challenge or transfer credit.

Advanced Placement: A student must be a currently licensed practical nurse (LPN). In addition, in order to be considered for advanced placement into NURS211G, Nursing III, a student must successfully complete the NLN Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (NACE) I: Foundations of Nursing with a required overall percent correct score of 74% or better within the past two years in order to be granted credit. Please contact the Director/Chair of the Department of Nursing for specific information about this exam.

Students accepted for Advanced Placement into the senior year are required to take NURS200G Advanced Placement Seminar prior to the start of the senior year. Upon successful completion of the Advanced Placement Seminar, students are granted transfer credit for NURS111G and NURS112G via Credit by Examination (CRE). The fee associated with CRE is waived for Advanced Placement Nursing students. Nursing Advanced Placement applications must be completed by May 1st to be considered for acceptance in the fall Nursing III class. In addition to meeting all requirements, admission is on a space-available basis.

Transfer: In order to be considered for transfer from another Nursing program into NURS112G, Nursing II, students must have successfully completed (defined as achieving a minimum course grade of “C+”) a Nursing Fundamentals course while matriculated in another nursing program, and the ATI Proctored Assessment: RN Fundamentals. An ATI Proficiency Level of Level II or greater is required on this exam within the past two years in order to be granted credit via Credit by Examination (CRE). The fee associated with CRE is waived for students who transfer into Nursing. Nursing Transfer applications must be completed by December 1st to be considered for acceptance in the Nursing II class. In addition to meeting all requirements, admission is on a space-available basis. Preference will be given to applicants whose applications are complete and received by the Admissions Office by the deadline. Applications received after the deadline will only be considered if space remains in the program after qualified candidates have been reviewed. Applications received after the deadline (i.e. students currently enrolled in a Nursing Fundamentals class whose Fall grades will not post before December 1st) will only be considered if space remains in the program after qualified candidates have been reviewed.

Nursing Transfer Credit Policy: In addition to specific Nursing course transfer policies noted above and other Great Bay Community College transfer credit policies, a minimum grade of C+ (76.67%) must have been achieved in Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II and Microbiology within a five-year period from the time of acceptance into the Nursing program in order to have these courses meet the Nursing curriculum requirements.