School of Nursing

Nursing

The health care sector is one of the largest employers in the nation and the demand for Registered Nurses (RNs) is expected to increase dramatically. Because of increased health-consciousness and medical advances, people are now living longer, even with many diseases and conditions that used to result in early death. Current data supports the effect of licensed caregivers on the quality of care and the improvement of patient outcomes. Consequently, the demand for RN’s at all levels is certain to increase, not only in hospitals and clinics but also in nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, community settings, and in client homes. To satisfy this need Monroe College offers a three semester full-time RN Associate Degree Program that builds upon the college credit LPN Certificate program that is also offered at Monroe College.

Program Objectives

The major curriculum concepts are as follows: basic human needs, the nursing process, scope of practice and role of the associate-degree nurse. Curriculum threads are wellness, illness, growth and development, pharmacology, cultural diversity, critical thinking skills, legal and ethical aspects and community awareness. The curriculum serves as the base for the development of program objectives. Furthermore, it facilitates growth in depth of knowledge, skills and experience as student’s progress through the program.

Upon completion of the RN program the graduate will be able to:

• Practice within the ethical, legal, and regulatory frameworks of nursing and standards of professional nursing practice.
• Develop a care plan by utilizing assessment and critical thinking skills.
• Use therapeutic communication techniques with individuals, families, and defined populations.
• Synthesize knowledge from the biological, physical, social and behavioral sciences in providing health care, and teaching, to diverse clients, families, and communities.
• Compare and contrast strategies and resources to utilize for health and wellness promotion, and illness prevention in clients, families, and defined populations.
• Demonstrate professional role competency through accountability, social consciousness, advocacy, and commitment to lifelong learning.
• Integrate critical thinking, ethical decision-making, independent judgment and appropriate technologies in the utilization of the nursing process as basis for providing care.
• Demonstrate holistic caring behaviors, and cultural sensitivity toward the client, families, peers, and other members of the health care team.
• Utilize leadership, management, delegation and collaboration skills in providing high quality nursing care.
• Facilitate the continuity of care within and across the lifespan by utilizing critical thinking skills to interpret and analyze comprehensive assessment data.

Admissions Requirements

Admission to the program is highly competitive. Applicants who wish to enroll in the RN program must:

Progression Requirements

Students must complete each semester with a grade-point average (GPA) of 2.5 or better. A grade of B or better in Advance Pharmacology is required. No grade lower than a 75 (C+) is acceptable in any course. Letter grades are generated in the theoretical component of the clinical course. The clinical component, which must be passed concurrently, is pass/fail with only a grade of P or F being assigned. Students are allowed to repeat one nursing and one non-nursing course. The degree must be earned within three years and the students are encouraged to take the NCLEX-RN as soon as possible upon completion of the program.

Registered Nurse AAS Degree #67

Semester One

Semester II

Semester III