Nursing (Associate’s) Curriculum

» Evaluation of clock/credit hours
» Additional Requirements
» Drug Testing

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Nursing course credit hours/clock hours are equated as follows:

Theory/classroom:  1:1 (one credit hour = one classroom hour)
College Lab/Clinical practice:  1:3 (one credit hour = three hours in the college lab or clinical practice setting).

Students must pass the theory, college lab, and clinical practice components of each nursing course in order to pass the course.  Students must take the pre and co-requisite courses according to the published curriculum plan.

Students enrolled in NURS1104, NURS1105, NURS2201 and NURS2202 are required to pass a math competency test before beginning clinical and will be withdrawn if they are unable to pass after three attempts.

A standardized test, e.g., ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute) Comprehensive Assessment and Review Program is utilized within the nursing program to assist in student learning and for promotion and progression.   For details, refer to the Nursing Student Handbook.

Nursing program policy requires a minimum grade of C in science courses (Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2, Microbiology).  The minimum grade of C⁺ (77) must be achieved in all nursing courses.  Students enrolled in NURS2202 and NURS2205 for the Fall 2011 semester will be held to the previous standard of C (75) as a minimum course grade.

Students who do not achieve the minimum grade within the respective course will be required to apply for reinstatement, which may involve meeting additional requirements, a successful score on a readmission exam, and will be granted on a space available basis. Students are allowed to repeat only ONE nursing course.  Remediation will be required before reinstatement into the Nursing Program is granted.  Withdrawal from a nursing course at anytime is considered a separation from the nursing program.  If the course grade at the time of withdrawal is below the passing standard, the grade recorded will be a WF and it counts as a repeat of a nursing course.

Nursing students are required to complete an NCLEX-RN review course prior to taking the licensing exam.

Additional Requirements

• Basic Life Support (BLS) for healthcare providers (American Heart Association)
• Criminal Record Investigation (CORI) and Sex Offenders Registry Board (SORI) are conducted after acceptance into the nursing program. Students are advised that when the investigation reveals a history of a felony or selective misdemeanors, the Board of Registration in Nursing may bar initial licensure.  Additionally, students may be unable to complete clinical experiences which will affect their ability to progress through the nursing program.

Drug Testing

As a result of some clinical affiliation requirements, clinical students may be required to have a comprehensive “10-Panel” urine drug screen with results provided to the Student Health Center and assigned clinical site prior to the beginning of their clinical work.  Permission for release of results must be authorized, if required, to the assigned clinical site.  If the student’s drug screen is positive, the student must submit written proof of a prescription for the appropriate medication prior to beginning clinical.  Failure to disclose any of this information will prevent students from attending clinical and the completion of the course, which will result in dismissal from the nursing program.

Clinical facilities may stipulate additional requirements for which medical documentation must be provided.

The Federal Center for Disease Control and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health define college health and immunization requirements.

Students are not eligible for participation in the nursing program without documentation of required health and immunization requirements (see below).  The Student Health Record must be completed and submitted to Student Health Services prior to entry to the college.  No record = No clearance for classes or clinical.

• Massachusetts State Law requires that all health science students have a completed health form on file in the Student Health Office prior to the start of classes.
• Any change in medical/health status must be reported to Student Health Services.  Medical documentation must be provided that clearly identifies student limitations/restrictions and their ability to participate in all program activities.  Examples of change in health status may include, but is not limited to:  any physical injury that requires splint/brace/cast/sling, major illness, psychiatric instability, communicable disease, and pregnancy/delivery.  Please notify Student Health Services for an individual consultation.
• Significant changes in health status may affect the student’s ability to perform clinical functions.  If determined that student or patient safety may be compromised, the student will be excluded from the clinical area until cleared by their healthcare provider.  Clinical agencies will be consulted, as needed, to determine if student can participate in clinical assignments.  The ability to participate in clinical assignments may result in withdrawal from the nursing program.
• A physical exam less than one year before entering the college.  Information submitted must include a medical clearance statement that allows participation in nursing program without restriction.
• Immunization against Measles, Mumps, Rubella #1 and #2 or titers.
• Varicella = chicken pox:  blood test required to verify immunity.
• A Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine is REQUIRED for all nursing students with Td boosters every 10 years.
• Hepatitis B series of 3 inoculations (first 2 must be one month apart and the last does 6 months from the 1st dose).  Proof of a (+) HepB IGG surface antibody is REQUIRED.
• Tuberculosis evaluation in the form of “Two-step” PPD skin testing (2 separate skin tests within 6 months) followed by ONE skin test each year.  If (+) skin test; copy of a negative chest x-ray report less than 5 years ago is REQUIRED.
• A seasonal flu vaccine is required EVERY year.  Students with past history of flu vaccine allergy must provide medical verification to Student Health Services.
• Meningitis vaccine recommended, must provide copy of signed waiver if declined.

Documents may be faxed to Student Health Services at 508.892.9917 or

Scanned and emailed to nurse@becker.edu

Students are required to maintain his/her own copy of the Student Health Record and other requirements for their portfolio.  Clinical sites require proof of student health and immunization status.  This information is provided to affiliation offices before clinical clearance is granted.

If at any time the nursing faculty determines that a student’s physical or mental ability may interfere with safe clinical performance, the student will not be allowed to remain in the clinical area.  The nursing program director will be notified and the future status of the student will be administratively determined.

Please refer to the specific admission requirements for all nursing programs in the Admission section of the academic catalog, under the Nursing Applicants section.

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