Academic Policies and Procedures - Central Maine Community ...

programs
of study
Nursing (NUR)
programs of
study
Program Description
The Nursing program at CMCC is designed as a multiple entry/exit curriculum
preparing individuals at both the Practical Nurse level and the
Registered Nurse level.
Year one of the curriculum serves a dual purpose; by itself it meets the
educational criteria for practical nursing but also serves as the first year of
the two year Associate in Science (RN) degree pro gram.
Upon application, the individual chooses to pursue the goal of either the
Diploma (PN) or the Associate Degree (RN). Students in the diploma
option exit at the completion of the first year and are eligible to sit for
the National Council Licensing examination, for licensure as a Practical
Nurse. Graduates in the associate degree program are eligible to sit for
the National Council Licensing Exam ination, for licensure as a Registered
Professional Nurse.
All applicants should note that: “The Maine State Board of Nursing may
refuse to grant a license on the basis of criminal history record information
relating to convictions denominated in Title 5, chapter 341, subsection
5301 of the Maine Revised Statutes Annotated.”
To participate in the nursing program, students must complete clinical
experiences at healthcare affiliates. These affiliates typically require
background checks to determine if students have disqualifying criminal
convictions, pending criminal charges and/or certain other experiences.
Students who cannot satisfy such a review cannot be placed at the site
and cannot therefore complete the program. Accordingly, such students
will not be admitted to the program in the first instance.
Applicants with previous nursing knowledge and skills have the opportunity
for advanced placement. Applicants can be admitted as full or parttime
students. The Nursing program is approved by the Maine State Board
of Nursing, 158 State House Station, 61 Capital Street, Augusta, Maine
04333-0158, telephone (207) 287- 1133. In addition, the Associate Degree
option was granted con tinuing accreditation in 1996 by the National
League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 3343 Peachtree Road NE,
Suite 500, Atlanta, GA 30326, telephone (404) 975-5000. The Program
was reac credited in July 2004.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of either level are prepared to work in structured health care
settings such as hospitals and extended care facilities and pursue careers
in medical/surgical, obstetrical, pediatric, geriatric, or psychiatric nursing.
Graduates earning an associate degree may transfer into the Bachelor of
Science in Nursing program at the University of Southern Maine or at the
University of Maine at Fort Kent.
Program Educational Outcomes
1. The graduate is accountable for his/her own actions, serves as a
positive role model, assumes ethical responsibility as member of the
profession of nursing and practices within the Nurse Practice Act.
2. The graduate will use effective therapeutic and interpersonal communication
skills in his/her practice of nursing.
3. The graduate will holistically evaluate client/patient needs through
the collection, analysis and synthesis of relevant data for the provision
of patient care.
4. The graduate will generate safe and effective clinical judgments
using critical thinking skills when providing care to individuals, families
and groups of patients with complex health needs in a variety
of settings.
5. The graduate will integrate all previous learning experiences to
provide holistic caring interventions to patients of all ages with multiple
complex needs.
6. The graduate will incorporate teaching/learning methods, implementing
and evaluating the effectiveness of relevant strate gies in the
delivery of nursing care to a group of patients with com plex needs.
7. The graduate will collaborate with other health care team mem bers
and the patient and significant others in planning and provid ing safe
and effective care across health care in a variety of settings.
8. The graduate assumes responsibility as a manager of care for a
group of patients by establishing priorities for nursing care, use of
resources, and through delegating aspects of nursing care to other
health care workers and seeking assistance from experi enced health
care team members when necessary.
9. The graduate will continue his/her education either formally
through organized upper division classes and in-service education,
or independently utilizing nursing research and other professional
resources.
Selective Admission Requirements
1. Demonstrate above average proficiency in reading and mathematics
as evidenced by the Nurse Entrance Test.
2. Submit Visual Acuity exam results two months prior to the start
of the first nursing course. Necessary: Visual acuity with corrective
lenses to identify cyanosis, absence of respiratory movement in patients;
and to read very fine, small print on medication contain ers,
physician’s orders, monitors and equipment calibrations.
3. Because health care workers are at high risk for certain illness es,
the applicant must submit proof to the Chairperson of the Nurs ing
Program of the following immunizations or immunities two months
prior to the start of the first nursing course.
MMR: Measles, Mumps, Rubella
An official record of an immune titer must be provided for each
disease.
HBV: Hepatitis B: 3 Doses
An official record of an immune titer must be provided following
completion of the series.
TD: Adult Tetanus
An official record of immunization within the past 10 years must
be provided.
PPD: Purified Protein Derivative (TB)
Annual testing is required. If applicant has not been tested
within the past year, initial testing must con sist of 2 tests not
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