Nursing (AAS)
The nursing program prepares individuals to become registered professional nurses. Courses are sequential and progress from simple to more complex situations with specialized content in obstetrics, psychiatric, and pediatric nursing integrated throughout. Learning is enhanced through the use of skill practice for a "hands-on" approach to gain expertise. A state of the art clinical lab with high fidelity simulator complements experience in regional facilities.
Clinical experience, an essential part of each nursing course, further enables students to gain technical competence to apply theoretical knowledge with practice. During the first year, there is one seven-hour clinical lab a week; during the second year, there are two seven-hour labs weekly.Transportation to selected clinical sites will be provided/available.
A computer with Internet access and Microsoft Word is required for the nursing program. In addition, an I-Pod Touch without a phone or camera (or with phone and camera disabled) is required.
The nursing program is designed to be completed in two academic years, but may be revised to meet individual needs. Licensed practical nurses or transfer students from other nursing programs may be eligible for advanced placement.
Students must earn a "C" in Nursing I & II and Anatomy & Physiology I & II and a "C+" in Nursing III & IV to progress in the nursing program. Competency in medication clinical computation is required and is tested as part of the Nursing II and III courses.
Further, specific policies related to progression in and readmission to the nursing program are publicized to enrolled nursing students in the Nursing Policies and Procedures Handbook. The Nursing Policies and Procedures Handbook is distributed to nursing students each year as part of the syllabus in the four major nursing courses.
The determination of a student's physical ability to complete the nursing program is based on an individualized assessment that relies on current medical evidence or on the best available objective evidence. If a student's physical ability compromises or threatens the health or safety of others, he/she is not "qualified" and therefore may be denied enrollment or continuation in the program.
In addition to meeting the college health requirements, nursing students are required to provide documentation of an annual PPD and a self-report health assessment. Hepatitis B vaccine and other requirements may be specified by affiliating agencies. A policy regarding chemical impairment is publicized to enrolled nursing students.
Any student wishing more information should contact the nursing program director.
- Apply the nursing process within a holistic framework to assist diverse clients of all ages with major health concerns.
- Assess client care needs and formulate a plan based on assessments.
- Administer nursing care.
- Record and/or report pertinent information regarding observations, care given, client reactions.
- Evaluate care given and revise plan accordingly.
- Use current evidence, critical thinking and judgment in the application of the nursing process.
- Implement psychomotor nursing care measures in a safe, effective, and efficient manner.
- Establish and maintain effective communication with clients and members of the interdisciplinary health care team.
- Provide health education in a variety of settings using teaching-learning principles.
- Promote a quality, caring environment that ensures clients' safety, comfort, dignity, and self-esteem consistent with his/her developmental stage.
- Manage care for a group of clients in a timeand cost-effective manner.
- Demonstrate effective interpersonal relationships and work collaboratively.
- Evaluate personal strengths and limitations; seek appropriate assistance.
- Demonstrate accountability based on legal and ethical implications for personal behavior, professional practice, and aspects of care delegated to others.
- Demonstrate responsibility for self-development and continued learning.
- Info Management (computer & research skills appropriate to degree level and type)
- Written & Oral Communication (appropriate to degree level and type)
- Critical Thinking (problem solving, reasoning skills appropriate to degree level and type)
Required: Algebra, Biology, Chemistry at high school level; if not taken in high school, then college course with “C” or better is required. Biology: BIOL 2303 Human Biology or BIOL 1104 General Biology I. Chemistry: CHEM 1013 Introductory Chemistry I. Algebra: MATH 1004 Mathematical Concepts. or Math 1014 Algebra Concepts
Recommended: Combined SAT score of 900 (critical reading and math)
Required: It is essential that students are able to fully participate in clinical, caring for clients as assigned. Established entrance requirements for nursing students include being able to: - ambulate (walk) without assistive devices - lift at least 30 pounds - function in a safe manner, not placing clients in jeopardy - maintain confidentiality in regard to professional practice - perform effectively under stress, adjusting to changing situations - communicate effectively, orally and in writing
The program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (3343 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, GA 30326; phone 404-975-5000) and registered by NY State Education Department.
Graduates are eligible to apply for licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse (RN-NCLEX) in any state.
Completion of the nursing program does not assure registration as a registered professional nurse. Graduates of this nursing program meet the education requirements for admittance to the RN licensure exam; however, there is a requirement that the applicant be of "good moral character" and a fee must be paid for the test and license. On the application for New York State licensure, the applicant is required to truthfully answer the following questions:
- Have you ever been found guilty after trial, or pleaded guilty, no contest, or nolo contendere to a crime (felony or misdemeanor) in any court?
- Are criminal charges pending against you in any court?
- Has any licensing or disciplinary authority refused to issue you a license or ever revoked, annulled, cancelled, accepted surrender of, suspended, placed on probation, refused to renew a professional license or certifcate held by you now or previously, or ever fined, censured, reprimanded or otherwise disciplined you?
- Are charges pending against you in any jurisdiction for any sort of professional misconduct?
- If the answer to any of the questions is yes, the applicant must offer full explanation and establish his/her good moral character with the State Education Department, prior to earning a license.
- Prepares graduates for licensure as registered nurses
- Provides background knowledge and skills needed to care for clients in health care settings
- Includes opportunities for CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant)
- High-tech, high-touch care to clients of all ages in a variety of health care settings
- Laboratory experience on campus with equipment similar to that used in clinical settings
Facilities used for clinical experiences include St. James Mercy Health, Hornell; Noyes Memorial Hospital, Dansville; Jones Memorial Hospital, Wellsville; Olean General Hospital, Olean; Charles C. Cole Hospital, Coudersport, PA; Cuba Memorial Hospital, Cuba; Wyoming County Community Hospital, Warsaw; Highland Hospital, Rochester; Livingston County Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, Mt. Morris, as well as other area facilities. Some facilities require criminal background checks prior to clinical attendance.
Licensed Practical Nurses may transfer to Alfred State and obtain advanced placement in nursing. An LPN will receive credit for Nursing I and may challenge Nursing II. The challenge exam is offered throughout the year for a nominal fee of $25. Alfred State also participates in the NYS LPN to RN articulation model whereby any LPN who has passed the approved NYS LPN to RN Transition Course, and satisfied all nursing program pre-requisites will be granted 16 ASC credits for Nursing I and Nursing II. Transcripts for applicants from other nursing programs will be reviewed to determine whether adanced placement is possible.
- 40 credits of nursing (nursing I, II, III, IV)
- 12 credits of natural science (anatomy & physiology I and II, microbiology)
- 9 credits of social science (general psychology, general sociology)
- 6 credits of English/humanities (freshman composition, literature)
- 1 credit of physical education
- Hospitals
- Ambulatory Settings
- Clinics
- Schools
- Long-term Care Facilities
- Home Health Care
- Industry
- Health Insurance Providers
Alfred State nursing graduates may enter directly into either the nursing BS or technology management BBA degree programs.
Approximately eight percent of Alfred State’s graduates transfer directly into a baccalaureate nursing program.
Alfred State students may transfer to most New York State baccalaureate programs with junior status, consistent with NYS transfer agreement.
All sections of nursing, clinical and on-campus, are taught by Alfred State College faculty. Instruction time is divided among lecture, clinical, skills lab, and small group. The six hours of nursing lecture each week are presented to the entire nursing class of approximately 60-100 students. In the freshman year, students participate in a small group discussion for one hour. The students' clinical instructor is the leader of these discussions. The ratio of students to faculty in skills lab is 10-12:1, in small group 20:1, and in clinical 10:1. The clinical instructor also serves as the student's adviser, an arrangement that has proven successful since clinical instructor and student spend many hours together each week.
| First Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| COMP | 1503 | Freshman Composition | 3 |
| BIOL | 1404 | Anatomy & Phys I ** | 4 |
| NURS | 1109 | Nursing I* | 9 |
| 16 | |||
| Second Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PSYC | 1013 | General Psychology | 3 |
| BIOL | 2504 | Anatomy & Phys II *** | 4 |
| NURS | 2209 | Nursing II* | 9 |
| 16 | |||
| Third Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PSYC | 1023 | Human Development | 3 |
| BIOL | 4254 | General Microbiology | 4 |
| NURS | 3311 | Nursing III | 11 |
| 18 | |||
| Fourth Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| SOCI | 1163 | Gen Sociology | 3 |
| LITR | xxx3 | Literature | 3 |
| NURS | 4411 | Nursing IV | 11 |
| 17 | |||
*Minimum of a “C” grade is required for nursing I and II; minimum of a “C”+ grade is required for nursing III and IV.
**BIOL 1404 with a “C” is a prerequisite for NURS 2209
***BIOL 2504 with a “C” is a prerequisite for NURS 3311
****BIOL 4254 is a prerequisite for NURS 4411
Also required: One unit of physical education.
| Survey Details | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receiving Degrees | 54 | 35 | 46 |
| Responding to Survey | 44 (81%) | 24 (69%) | 38 (83%) |
| Employed | 34 (78%) | 21 (88%) | 32 (84%) |
| Employed in Field | 33 (97%) | 20 (95%) | 32 (100%) |
| Transferred | 9 (20%) | 3 (12%) | 6 (16%) |
| Unemployed & Seeking Employment | -- | -- | -- |
| Unemployed & Not Seeking Employment | 1 (2%) | -- | -- |
$30,000 - $39,999 (1)
$40,000 - $49,999 (3)
$50,000 - $59,999 (4)
Prefer not to disclose (24)
