Nursing: Registered, A.A.S.

Associate of Applied Science Degree

The associate of applied science degree with specialization in nursing prepares graduates to function as beginning registered nurse clinicians and members of the health care team in the care of acutely and chronically ill individuals. Registered nurses are qualified for employment in structured practice settings, including acute care hospitals, extended care facilities, nursing homes, clinics, and physicians’ offices. With experience, nurses may also participate in providing skilled care in more specialized areas, including psychiatric units, emergency departments, pediatric and obstetric units, critical care units, and home health settings. Job pay is exceptional, averaging $75,330 annually for practicing nurses, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020), and nursing is a flexible and mobile career choice.

Career Opportunities

Upon program completion, students will be prepared and eligible to apply for licensure in the State of Michigan. Students must meet the Michigan Board of Nursing eligibility requirements and successfully pass the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) in order to become a licensed registered nurse. Students may also be eligible for licensure in other states; students are encouraged to contact a state’s board of nursing for eligibility requirements.

Transfer Information

Upon program completion, students may be eligible to enroll in a RN to BSN completion program. MCCC’s RN program has articulation with several four-year university partners. For information regarding transfer opportunities for this or any program, please visit the Transfer section of the MCCC website. The MCCC Health Sciences Division also offers students concurrent enrollment options with partnering four-year universities, allowing accepted nursing students to work towards a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree while enrolled in the associate of applied science (AAS) in nursing program at MCCC. Students interested in more information about enrollment and program requirements may contact the Health Sciences Division Office (734.384.4102) or the Admissions Office (734.384.4104). A student who desires to transfer into the MCCC registered nursing program from another nursing program must meet all criteria as listed in the Nursing, Registered section of the college’s website.

Additional Program Information

The associate of applied science in nursing program at Monroe County Community College located in Monroe, Michigan is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the associate degree in nursing program is Continuing Accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm.

Nursing Admission Criteria

The registered nursing program is a selective admissions program. Nursing program applicants must meet established minimum criteria to be considered for the nursing program. Applications will be accepted two times per year, in June and October. Only applicants who meet established minimum criteria by the first Monday in June or the first Monday in October will be considered for the nursing program. The potential nursing applicant needs to be aware that meeting minimum standards does not ensure admission to the nursing program.

Applicants for the nursing program tend to be well qualified and will be accepted until each class is fully enrolled. Returning students in good standing with the program will be considered for reenrollment/readmission first. Additional candidates will be accepted according to the selection criteria below until a class is fully enrolled, up to 30 students per class.

Minimum admission criteria and nursing program selection criteria for each application deadline are available for review by visiting the Nursing, Registered section of the MCCC website. Students can also receive application information by contacting the Health Sciences Division Office at 734.384.4102 or by contacting the MCCC Admissions Office at 734.384.4104.

General Information

1. The class will be selected from the pool of applicants by use of the numerical process.
2. Immunizations and health examinations are required at the student’s expense to ensure that the student can meet the technical standards of the program and the requirements of partner clinical agencies.
3. Applicants should be aware that any previous or current conviction of a crime and/or treatment for substance abuse may result in ineligibility to be licensed as a registered nurse. The determination of eligibility to take NCLEX-RN is made by the Michigan State Board of Nursing/Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Any questions or concerns about licensing should be directed to the State Board of Nursing at www.michigan.gov/healthlicense.
4. Students admitted to health science programs must consent to background/security checks including a criminal background check and drug screening. The student is responsible for any cost associated with the background/security/drug screening checks. Certain criminal convictions may render a student ineligible to train at clinical sites which are necessary in order to successfully complete the program. Additionally, certain criminal convictions may render an individual ineligible to take the licensing/certification exam or to be licensed/certified in the State of Michigan or other states. The college will review the results and determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether to deny admission to any individual based on the results of the background check, criminal background check, and drug screening. Despite the passage of the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act in November 2018, the possession of marijuana remains prohibited under United States Federal Law and MCCC policy (6.21). The College and Health Sciences Division prohibits employees, students, and members of the public from possessing or using marijuana (legal or medicinal) on College property or during any College activity. Health occupation students must consent to random drug screening with negative results for marijuana or any illicit substance. Failure to provide a negative drug screen will prevent participation in the program and/or result in program dismissal.
5. Nursing students are required to have professional liability and personal health insurance. The professional liability insurance is provided by the college. Personal health insurance must be obtained by the student and maintained throughout the program in order to comply with clinical agency requirements. Proof of insurance will be required prior to participating in the first clinical activity.
6. Students must maintain for the duration of the program an active American Heart Association cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate for professional rescuer of infant, child, and adult. More information will be provided to students at the beginning of the program.
7. Registered nursing at the associate degree level involves the provision of direct care for individuals and families and is characterized by the application of verified knowledge in the skillful performance of nursing functions. Therefore, in order to be considered for admission or to continue in the program, all applicants must be able to meet the health sciences technical standards available in the Nursing, Registered section of the MCCC website. A prospective student or participant in the program with a disability for which accommodations may be appropriate can request reasonable accommodations to meet technical standards. The College will provide appropriate accommodations, but is not required to fundamentally alter the requirements or nature of the program or lower its academic standards. Requests for accommodations should be directed to a disability services counselor in the Student Success Center. To make an appointment, please call 734-384-4167.
8. Once accepted, students must complete non-nursing courses outlined in the program’s plan of study prior to entry into the first nursing course. Failure to complete this coursework will result in loss of seat in the program and necessitate re-application to the program. Students must complete the nursing portion of the program within three years (six semesters) of the start of the first nursing course. Failure to meet the time framework necessitates program dismissal and require re-application to the nursing program after three years. Additional detail regarding program completion requirements is available in the Student Information Handbook.
9. The student must receive a “C” or better grade in all nursing courses and a “C” or better grade in all non-nursing courses required in the program plan of study. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the inability to progress to the next semester of the program. Nursing and required non-nursing courses must be completed in the order outlined in the program’s plan of study. Anatomy and physiology courses must have been completed within the last ten years at the time of application to the program.
10. All nursing students utilize internet services and resources to supplement instruction. Students must have reliable internet access. Students enrolled in the nursing program will be required to access and complete online learning activities and take assessments (ie: exams, quizzes, etc.) electronically using an online assessment program called ExamSoft Examplify. Students enrolled in these courses will be required to provide their own computer (with webcam and microphone) that will support the assessment software. The software can be used on most modern Microsoft Windows-based computers and Mac OS X devices. Information related to minimum system requirements can be located by visiting: https://examsoft.com/resources/examplify-minimum-system-requirements.
11. Nursing education offered at MCCC is provided in collaboration with multiple clinical partners located in southeast Michigan and northwest Ohio. As a part of these partnerships, MCCC students and faculty are required to meet and follow the policies and procedures of these clinical partners. Given the number of students in the program, the program must be able to place students at any of the clinical agencies for clinical and observational experiences during the course of the program. Students need to be in good standing with all clinical agencies, both as a student and as a member of the community. Therefore, any condition (i.e. criminal history, positive drug screening, unprofessional/unethical behavior, negative employment history) that prevents a student from being placed in any clinical agency during a semester may jeopardize the student’s ability to meet the course objectives and may lead to course failure and program dismissal.
12. Students are expected to maintain a flexible schedule for the nursing program. Clinical assignments vary and are subject to change. This may include any day of the week and any shift, including weekends. On days that are not scheduled for class or clinical, students may be expected to view audiovisual material, study in the skills laboratory, or participate in other on-campus activities. Usually, these activities are self-scheduled. There may be added classes on other days, but students will receive notice of these in advance.
13. In addition to the general college rules, nursing students are required to adhere to policies and procedures outlined in the Nursing Program Student Information Handbook. Students are encouraged to review the handbook prior to applying to the program. A copy of the Student Information Handbook can be accessed through the program’s webpage (https://www.monroeccc.edu/programs/nursing-registered) or by contacting the Health Sciences Division office (734-384-4102).
14. In conjunction with requirements set forth by the Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs agency, information related to the student complaint process, career opportunities by state, and licensing requirements by state can be accessed by visiting the following websites: a) Student Complaint Process: found in the Consumer Information Section of the MCCC website; b) Career opportunities by state: http://bls.gov/; and c) Licensure requirements by state: https://www.ncsbn.org/14730.htm.

Technical Standards

The purpose of the technical standards is to inform students choosing to enter into a health occupation program of the basic minimal technical standard requirements that must be met in order to complete all coursework, objectives and student outcomes. The listed standards encompass what is minimally required to perform necessary tasks. This list is not exhaustive and can be modified as the college deems necessary at any time. Students enrolled in a health occupation program at MCCC must provide care that is safe and effective. These technical standards apply to any student enrolling in any one of the health occupations programs. The student must be able to demonstrate sufficient cognitive, professional, motor (physical), sensory and other abilities, with or without accommodation, to meet program technical standards. Technical standard requirements are listed below. Examples of tasks associated with each requirement and standard are available for review by visiting the Health Sciences Division section of the MCCC website. Prospective students are encouraged to review the Technical Standards for Health Occupational Programs document in its entirety prior to enrolling in or applying to any health occupation course or program.

• Critical Thinking and Cognitive Competencies:
  Sufficient critical thinking and cognitive abilities in classroom and clinical settings.
• Professionalism:
  Interpersonal skills sufficient for professional interaction with a diverse population of individuals, families and groups.
• Communication:
  Communication sufficient for professional interactions.
• Mobility:
  Physical abilities sufficient for movement from room to room and in small spaces.
• Motor Skills:
  Gross and fine motor abilities which are sufficiently effective and safe for providing allied health care.
• Sensory:
  Auditory and visual ability sufficient for observing, monitoring and assessing health needs.
• Observation:
  Ability to sufficiently make observations in a health care environment consistent with program competencies.
• Tactile sense:
  Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment.