Degree: Associate in Applied Science
HEGIS Code: 5208.1
Curriculum Code: 622.NUR
Campus Location: City (January Admittance), North (September Admittance Only)
Health Sciences Division
Pre-Admission Recommendations: Please see admission requirements listed below
Recommended High School Courses and/or Experiences: Health Care Experience, Biology, Algebra
Career Opportunities/Further Education: Hospitals, Public Health Agencies, Nursing Homes, Physicians’ Offices, Home Health Care, Schools Military, Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator
Program Description
Recent advances in science, medicine and technology have resulted in new responsibilities and new requirements for today’s registered nurses. Nurses are essential members of the health care team, qualified to give client-centered, competent nursing care. Nurses today, dealing with people living in a complex, dynamic society, are concerned with the whole person - mind, body and soul.
The Nursing curriculum combines nursing and general education courses with selected laboratory experiences, during which students provide nursing care to clients in hospitals and other health care facilities. Program courses cover medical/surgical, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics and psychiatric nursing, utilizing current technologies. The nursing specific classes are complemented with studies in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, psychology, sociology, English composition and literature. Although the Nursing curriculum is designed to be completed in two academic years, students may take a longer time to fulfill their degree requirements, depending on individual circumstances.
Graduates find employment as registered nurses in hospitals, public health agencies, nursing homes, extended care facilities, home health care agencies, government health agencies, schools, military, law offices and other health care facilities.
Accreditation
The associate degree nursing program at Erie Community College located in Buffalo, New York is accredited by:
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000
- State Education Department, Division of Professional Education (SED), 89 Washington Avenue, 2nd Floor, West Wing, Albany, NY 12234, (518)-486-2967, OPPROGS@nysed.gov
Licensure Compliance Statement
SUNY Erie Community College Nursing’s curriculum and its program of study meets the educational requirements by the Board of Regents in New York State to award an Associate in Applied Science Degree (AAS) with a major in nursing. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX‐RN exam for Registered Nurse licensure in New York. Other states may have different educational requirements for program completion and licensure requirements. SUNY Erie Nursing has not made a determination of whether the curriculum meets the educational requirements for professional nursing licensure in states other than in New York. If seeking licensure in a state other than New York, please review the requirement of that State’s Board of Nursing. To search a particular State’s Board of Nursing, please visit: https://www.ncsbn.org/contact‐bon.htm
Program Competencies (End-of-Program Student Learning Outcomes)
At the completion of this program, the nursing student will be able to:
- develop a plan of care to safely meet the bio/psycho/social/cultural and spiritual needs of patients across the lifespan in a variety of health care settings;
- utilize critical thinking and clinical judgment which result in finding solutions, individualizing care, and assuring the delivery of accurate, safe nursing care which moves the patient toward positive outcomes across the lifespan;
- engage in the pursuit of knowledge by examining pertinent data that leads to evidence based decisions, excellence in practice, and improvement in the quality of patient care;
- exemplify caring attitudes and behaviors, therapeutic communication, and function competently, ethically, safely, and professionally;
- perform an organized head to toe assessment on patients across the lifespan and interpret the findings; and
- safely administer medications and provide teaching to patients across the lifespan.
Program Outcomes
Licensing Exam Pass Rate for First Time Takers (2020 most recent year)
National: 83.23%
New York: 84.9%
SUNY Erie - City: 100%
SUNY Erie - North: 100%
Completion Rate (graduation within 3 years of enrollment in Nursing Program)
SUNY Erie - City: 75%
SUNY Erie - North: 61%
Combined Total: 65%
Employment Rate (2019 graduates latest available data)
Combined Total: 92%
Enrolled in a BSN Program: 85%
Admission Requirements
Matriculation into the SUNY Erie Nursing program is competitive. Applicants with the strongest academic credentials will have the greatest chance for admission. Applicants are strictly evaluated on academic performance and ranked according to cumulative GPA within the last 5 years (all/any colleges attended) and passing the Nursing Admission Assessment (A2) exam.
Requirements:
- high school graduate or HSE (High School Equivalency);
- academic high school average of 86 percent minimum or above within the last five years for applicants without any college credit;
- minimum GPA of 3.0 at all undergraduate colleges attended within the last five (5) years;
- all required sciences with a minimum grade of C within the last five years; BI 150, BI 151. BI 152 and BI 153 are suggested prior to program entry;
- it is recommended the completion of Anatomy and Physiology be done during a full academic semester;
- all applicants are required to take and pass the Nursing Admission Assessment Test (known as the A2 exam). An applicant who is unsuccessful will have one more opportunity to retake the entrance exam during a subsequent semester. Two failures of the entrance exam will deem the student as ineligible for the program;
- applicants must pass the SUNY Erie Math Placement Test at a higher level than MT 006. (If not successful, applicant must complete and pass MT 006 or have received a waiver from the Math Department.) Any math developmental course must be successfully completed with a minimum passing grade of C. Developmental courses may be repeated only once, including grades of “W” (Withdrawal);
- applicants must pass the SUNY Erie English Placement Test at the EN100 level or above or have received a waiver from the English Department. Any English developmental course must be successfully completed with a minimum passing grade of C. Developmental courses may be repeated only once, including grades of W (Withdrawal);
- a minimum grade of C is required in all developmental courses, pre-requisites, co-requisites and required nursing courses. All pre-requisites and co-requisites in the Nursing program may be repeated only once if a grade below C or W (withdrawal) is received;
- it is strongly recommended that interested students attend a Nursing Information Session. Sign up can be found on the college events calendar home page. These sessions will cover admission criteria into the program and the academic requirements needed for consideration;
- Nursing at North Campus admits students for days (evening program has been deactivated at this time);
- application deadline date for North Campus is February 15 (Fall Admission);
- application deadline date for City Campus is September 15 (Spring Admission);
- the Nursing application is to be completed on-line at https://www.ecc.edu;
- LPNs must have a current, non-encumbered New York State LPN license. Same nursing admission requirements apply;
- meeting program admission requirements does NOT guarantee acceptance into the nursing program;
- admission is also based on the academic qualifications of the student and space availability;
- completion of ALL admission criteria are required prior to deadline date in order to be considered for the designated term;
- if you apply after the deadline date OR if you did not receive a seat due to space availability you must submit a Nursing application for the following term to be reconsidered;
- SUNY Erie does NOT have a waiting list;
- students who are not eligible to return to a previous nursing program are not eligible to enter the nursing program at SUNY Erie;
- students who were unsuccessful at another school of nursing in one (1) nursing core course (NUR, NU) will be deemed ineligible to apply to SUNY Erie;
- students must meet the clinical partners requirements in order to attend and complete nursing clinical requirements. If requirements are not met, this will result in removal and will impact course completion.
This exam is given remotely. A personal computer will be required.
To be invited to take the Remote (required) Nursing Admission Assessment (A2) Exam:
- a Nursing application needs to be completed for their designated term of admission to the nursing program, prior to the appropriate deadline date
- completion of Anatomy and Physiology I (BI 150 and 151); it is suggested that you have completed or be in process for Anatomy and Physiology II (lecture and lab)
- minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (all institutions attended within the last five years)
After the above has been completed, you will be emailed step-by-step instructions on how to purchase and take your remote A2 exam.
The following is the recommended study material:
- HESI Evolve Reach 3 by McGraw Hill
- any additional resources (apps, websites ect.) may be used; preparation material must be specific to the HESI Admission Assessment (A2) Exam
A2 Content Exams: All applicants are required to take the Health Education Services Inc. (HESI), Admission Assessment Exam (A2), which measures competencies in:
- Math
- Reading Comprehension
- Anatomy & Physiology
An applicant who does not attain a successful passing score of 75% for each section tested will have one opportunity to retake the Nursing entrance exam during a subsequent semester.
If you have already taken and passed our Nursing entrance exam within the last five (5) years, you will not be required to retake it.
If you are unsuccessful in attaining passing scores that are acceptable for admission to Nursing, you may retake the exam only one (1) additional time.
Learning Style/Personality Profile
Learning Styles: 14-item assessment of preferred learning style.
Personality Style: 15-item assessment of personality related to preferred learning style.
Students receive a printout with study tips based on their learning style and personality profile.
Admission/Progression Criteria
All developmental, pre-requisites, co-requisites and nursing courses may be repeated only once if a grade below C or W (Withdrawal) is received. Pre-requisites, co-requisites and electives may be taken at any SUNY Erie campus day or evening.
Progression/Graduation Criteria
Nursing courses are sequenced in a specific manner to enable students to attain program competencies. All required courses must be passed each semester in order to advance to the following semester. Nursing courses must be taken in the prescribed sequence. Non-nursing co-requisite courses may be taken in advance but may not be taken later than the prescribed program sequence.
For transfer students, 30 credit hours must be completed “in residence” at SUNY Erie.
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required for graduation.
Any two failures (grade below C) or Withdrawal (W) in any of the following courses: NU116, NU117, NU126, NU128, NU127, NU236, NU237, NU238, NU246, or NU247 will result in dismissal from the Nursing Program.
Students must complete all nursing courses within a three (3) year limit.
Unsafe Practice
Unsatisfactory clinical practice is defined as a failure to perform up to the minimum standards established for the specific clinical experience. Unsafe or unethical clinical practice is defined as behavior observed by or reported to faculty that is actually or potentially detrimental to the client, the client’s family and/or to the health care agency. Every student in the program is expected to act in a safe and ethical manner consistent with the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses. Failure to do so will result in immediate dismissal from the Nursing program.
Safety and Technical Skills
Candidates seeking enrollment into the Nursing Program must meet the safety and technical skills in the following areas: observation-communication, motor, intellectual-conceptual, and behavioral-social attributes.
Observation-Communication
The student must possess the ability to communicate effectively and read, write and use the English language. In addition, the student must have the functional use of the senses of vision, touch, hearing, and smell which are essential in assessing patients, gathering data, and maintaining their safety. Examples of observation-communication include but are not limited to:
- listening to heart and breath sounds
- responding to alarms (e.g., monitors, fire alarms, call bell)
- visualizing early signs of distress/complications, for example, changes in skin color; assessing surgical wounds
- detecting the presence of a foul odor or drainage
- feeling pulses
- effectively obtain a patent’s history
- accurately interpreting data from medical records
- documenting pertinent observations
- interacting effectively with members of the health care team
- communicating clearly in a telephone conversation
- drawing the correct quantity of medication into a syringe
Sensory/Motor
The student is required to perform gross and fine motor movements, maintain consciousness and equilibrium, and possess the physical strength and stamina which are necessary to provide safe nursing care. Examples of sensory/motor skills include but are not limited to:
- transferring patients
- performing skills requiring dexterity (insertion of tubes, medication injections, instilling injections, inserting suppositories, tracheotomy care)
- responding rapidly to emergency situations (cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, falls)
- protecting and removing patients from an area in the event of a fire or disaster
- performing cardiac pulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- accurately placing and maintaining position of stethoscope for detecting sound functions
- accurately reading the volumes in bodily fluid collection devices
Intellectual-Conceptual
The student must possess the ability to problem solve, establish a plan of care, set priorities, calculate, measure, analyze and synthesize objective as well as subjective data. These critical skills are demanded of nurses in today’s complex health care settings. Examples of intellectual-conceptual skills include but are not limited to:
- calculating medication dosages and IV flow rates
- measuring intake and output
- developing teaching plans for individual patients
- processing information accurately, thoroughly and quickly to prioritize tasks
- performing math computations for medication dosage calculations
- demonstrating skills of inferential reasoning, predicting possible outcomes, applications of knowledge, and evaluation of predicted outcomes at appropriate times for point of program
- critical thinking and nursing judgment in the process of delivering care and comfort to clients
Behavioral-Social Attributes
The student must possess emotional stability and flexibility, which will enable development of the ability to function effectively in stressful situations. This includes the ability to adapt to changing environments, exercise sound judgment, complete assessment and intervention activities, and develop sensitive interpersonal relationship with patients, families and others responsible for health care. Examples of these behavioral and social attributes include but are not limited to:
- ability to express empathy
- ability to think and act rationally during a crisis
- ability to focus and maintain attention on tasks
- demonstrating appropriate behavior towards staff, peers and patients according to societal norms
- maintaining confidentiality
- accepting constructive criticism
Professional Behavior
Professional behaviors involve a specialized skill set essential to the performance of a unique and professional role. Examples of relevant activities include, but are not limited to:
- conveying caring, respect, sensitivity, tact, compassion, empathy, tolerance and a healthy attitude towards others
- demonstrating professional communication, appearance and behavior that shows respect for clients and self
- demonstrating a mentally healthy attitude that is age appropriate in relationship to the client
- handling multiple tasks concurrently
- performing safe, effective nursing care for clients in a caring context
- maintaining the confidentiality of medical information
- understanding and following the policies and procedures of the College and clinical agencies
- understanding the consequences of violating the Student Code of Conduct and the ANA Code of Conduct
- accepting responsibility, accountability and ownership of one’s actions
- functioning effectively in situations of uncertainty and stress inherent in providing nursing care
- adapting to changing environments and situations
- remaining free of chemical dependency
- reporting promptly to all clinical experiences
- additional fee requirements may include: PC, uniforms, equipment, an individual malpractice insurance fee, nursing evaluation fee and others
- a physical examination is required annually to ensure that the student is capable of completing the clinical requirements; an incomplete or unacceptable physical exam may result in dismissal from the program
- students entering Nursing are strongly recommended to receive immunization against Hepatitis B
- Nursing Program students must be compliant with the college immunization requirements; the college reserves the right to deny progression in the Nursing Program when students have incomplete or unacceptable physical exam reports
- students are responsible for providing transportation to off-campus clinical/community agencies utilized for clinical nursing laboratory courses
- students are responsible to meet all requirements and/or costs associated with clinical agencies
- failure to meet requirements from clinical facilities may preclude completion of the nursing program
- Nursing course activities/clinical may be scheduled during the day, evening, weekend, and/or summer
- students may be excluded from the Nursing Program when in the judgment of the College/department they are unable to provide safe nursing care or have demonstrated unprofessional behavior
- graduates of the Nursing Program are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) Licensing Examination. As needed, consultation with the New York State Education Department is suggested for details regarding the legal limitations to licensure in New York State. http://www.op.nysed.gov/
- eligibility for licensure as a registered nurse in New York State by persons who have been convicted of a crime (felony or misdemeanor) or have charges pending in any state or country will be determined through an investigation by the New York State Education Office of Professional Discipline http://www.op.nysed.gov/
Nursing courses are sequenced in a specific manner to enable students to attain program competencies. All required courses must be passed each semester in order to advance to the following semester. Nursing courses must be taken in the prescribed sequence.
Total Degree Credits: 64.0
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