Nursing

Associate of Science Degree in Nursing

The Associate Degree of Nursing Program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA, 30326; 404-975-5000.

Continuing Accreditation for Associate Degree in Nursing: Last evaluation visit: September 27-29, 2011: Most recent action: March 2012: Substantive change approved April 27, 2016; Next evaluation visit: Fall 2019. Students who complete and receive an Associate of Science degree in Nursing are eligible to take the licensure examination for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN).

The Nursing Program is offered at the Knight (Warwick), Flanagan (Lincoln), Liston (Providence) and Newport County Campuses. An evening/weekend option is offered at the Flanagan campus. Students may apply to any campus. Once accepted, students may not transfer between campuses.

Applicants may earn credits in advance of applying for degree status, but this must be done in consultation with the Office of Enrollment Services. Courses may be taken at the Community College of Rhode Island or at any other accredited college.

Technical Standards: The physical activity (strength) level for a registered nurse (075.364-010) is classified as “medium” by the Department of Labor in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles.

Note: Many courses require prerequisites, co-requisites and/or testing. See course descriptions for details.

GENERAL POLICIES

See important general policies in the beginning of this section on the Performance-Based Health Sciences (PBHS) application process, academic progress, advanced placement, background check, CPR certification, health insurance, health records, reinstatement, transportation, uniforms, and equipment.

Minimum requirements to apply to the Nursing Program

1. CCRI Application for Enrollment in General Studies with a pre-nursing concentration
2. Official copy of a high school or GED® transcript, or baccalaureate transcript from an accredited institution, including date of graduation or completion
3. ACCUPLACER test issued by CCRI’s Department of Advising and Counseling
   1. Reading Comprehension Requirement:
      • Score of 90 or above in Classic Accuplacer is required in Reading Comprehension OR score of 259 or above in Next Generation Accuplacer is required in Reading Comprehension OR ENGL 0890: Critical Reading with a grade of B- or better
   2. Mathematics Requirement:
      • Score of 80 or above in Classic Accuplacer is required for Math (Arithmetic) OR score of 255 in Next Generation Accuplacer is required for Math (Arithmetic) OR MATH 0100: Fundamentals of Mathematics with a grade of B- or better
      • Entry point into MATH 0100 is MATH 0095
4. HESI A² Test*
   1. Reading Comprehension and Math with a score of 80 percent or better
   2. Vocabulary/General Knowledge, and Grammar with a score of 75 percent or better
      *HESI A²: If the student does not achieve a minimum score on one or more of the tests, the student may retake the necessary test(s) once within the next 12 months. Students are limited to two attempts within a 12-month period from the date the original test was taken. A minimum of two weeks between exams is required. Please note: HESI test scores do not expire.
5. Complete the following prerequisite courses. (These courses are limited to two attempts.)
   1. BIOL 1010: Human Anatomy with a grade of B- or better
   2. ENGL 1010: Composition I with a grade of C or better
   3. PSYC 2010: General Psychology with a grade of C or better
   4. NOTE: All attempts prior to Jan 1, 2015, including transfers, are considered ONE attempt regardless of the number of times the class was taken. If a student fails to meet the satisfactory grade requirements within two attempts, the student must wait five years from the last attempt to retake the course.
6. A minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 2.7 is required to apply to the program and must be maintained until enrolled in the Nursing program.
   All above requirements must be met satisfactorily BEFORE submission of the PBHS application and do not guarantee acceptance. Students declining acceptance into the program for the semester offered must resubmit a PBHS application for the program and meet current requirements, in order to be considered for acceptance at a later date.
7. Complete and submit an online PBHS application at www.ccri.edu/oes/admissions/performancebasedapplications.html. Deadlines are listed on the form.
   1. If applicable, indicate on PBHS application if you have an active CNA certification. Additional admission points will be granted for current CNA certification.
8. Conditionally accepted students are required to complete the following:
   1. When directed by Enrollment Services, submit a background check through CastleBranch.com. Results of BCI may prevent admission due to clinical agencies’ requirements.
   2. Submit all health care requirements to CastleBranch.com by the deadline identified. If applicable, submit a copy of active CNA certification to CastleBranch.com by the deadline identified.
   3. Final acceptance is based upon completion of the above criteria by stated deadline.

Program Requirements

• A cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 is required for graduation and the awarding of an Associate of Science degree.
• Students must maintain a passing status (75 or above) in the theoretical and clinical components of each Nursing course. In the event that a student fails either the theory or the clinical component of a required Nursing course, the course must be repeated in its entirety. Nursing courses are graded using a department-specific grading policy (75=C). “C” is considered a passing grade for all nursing courses.
• At this time, BIOL 1020 (Human Physiology) is required in Semester 1 of the Nursing Program. Students must achieve a grade of B- or better in the course. If required benchmark for this course is not achieved, student may not progress in the program. Students are limited to two attempts. Note Human Physiology: BIOL 1020 grade is valid for five years.**

Reinstatement

• Reinstatement to the Nursing Program is based on space availability. Priority is given to students in good academic standing at the time of withdrawal. Students returning to the Nursing Program must be approved by the Scholastic Standing Committee and may be required to repeat previous and/or complete additional course work.
• A student is eligible to repeat only one non-clinical Nursing course, with the exception of dropping/failing both Nursing non-clinical courses simultaneously during a single semester (NURS 1015 and NURS 1061 during Semester 1). If only one non-clinical Nursing course is dropped/failed during Semester 1, that single class will be considered their one and only repeat attempt.
• A student is eligible to repeat only one clinical Nursing course, with the exception of dropping/ failing both clinical Nursing courses simultaneously during a single semester (NURS 1020 and NURS 1023 during Semester 2; NURS 2040 and NURS 2050 during Semester 3, or NURS 2060 and NURS 2500 during Semester 4). If only one clinical Nursing course is dropped/failed during Semesters 2, 3, or 4, that single class will be considered their one and only repeat attempt.
• A student requesting to repeat a Nursing course must meet the current admissions criteria.

RECOMMENDED COURSE SEQUENCE

Suggested course progression reflects full-time status with a minimum of 12 credits.

LPN's interested in becoming a Registered Nurse can continue their education through the LPN to RN option within the Associate Degree Nursing Program. Click here for more information.

Total Prerequisites Credits 11

Courses below must be completed before beginning Semester 2.

Total Semester 1 Credits 13

Courses below must be completed before beginning Semester 3.

Total Semester 2 Credits 13

Courses below must be completed before beginning Semester 4.

Total Semester 3 Credits 12

Total Semester 4 Credits 13

Total Prerequisite and In-Program Credits 65

 

**Biology Requirements - Changes to Anatomy and Physiology Courses

• BIOL 1010 - Human Anatomy will be offered for the final time in Summer 2019. This course is limited to two (2) attempts.
• BIOL 1020 - Human Physiology will be offered for the final time in Fall 2019. This course is limited to two (2) attempts.
• Anatomy and Physiology 1 (A&P1) will be first offered in Fall 2019. This course is limited to two (2) attempts.
• Anatomy and Physiology 2 (A&P2) will be first offered in Spring 2020. This course is limited to two (2) attempts.

What does this mean?

For students interested in the August 2019 application period (for Spring 2020 entrance):

You MUST have completed the BIOL 1010 entrance requirement prior to or during Summer 2019 AND you MUST complete BIOL 1020 prior to or during Fall 2019, as it will no longer be offered after that time. If you do not successfully complete BIOL 1020 in Fall 2019, you MUST take an equivalent* course at another college or university during or prior to the first semester of the Nursing program, when BIOL 1020/A&P2 is required.

If you do not successfully complete BIOL 1020 in Fall 2019 and do not pass an equivalent* course at another college or university in Spring 2020, you will not be allowed to progress to Semester 2 of the Nursing Program.

For students interested in the February 2020 application period (for Fall 2020 entrance):

Before submitting your application, you will need to have completed either of the two options below:

• BIOL 1010 and BIOL 1020 at CCRI or equivalent courses at another college or university*. Remember that BIOL 1010 is last offered in Summer 2019 and BIOL 1020 is last offered in Fall 2019.

OR

• A&P1, which will first be offered in Fall 2019. Note: A&P2 is not a pre-requisite course, but is a program requirement. You may choose to complete A&P2 prior to entrance into the Nursing Program.