Overview
Program Description
From the Catalog
Note: Application to the nursing and mobility programs are a separate process from admission to the college. Refer to Nursing Program Admission Criteria.
For more information about the Nursing Program, please attend one of our upcoming Nursing Info Sessions.
APPROVAL
The Nursing Program is approved by Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
SCC’s Nursing Program is a pathway that will prepare the student to become a practical and/or registered nurse to serve as a valuable member of a healthcare team.
SCC’s experienced instructors are committed to providing a highquality educational experience. The curriculum follows a leveled four-semester sequence that allows the student to continue through one or both years of the program on a full or part-time basis.
Students will have the option to earn a Diploma in Practical Nursing after completion of the required 36 credits. They will have the option to continue with the nursing curriculum and be eligible to earn an A.S. Degree in Nursing. This format allows students the flexibility to meet schedule and career goals.
If students are studying to obtain a Practical Nursing Diploma, They will be taught to collect data related to client physical and mental functioning, administer prescribed medications, demonstrate effective therapeutic communication, provide thorough reporting and recording, prioritize and care for multiple clients with a variety of disorders, and assess the effectiveness of nursing actions and the importance of maintaining confidentiality.
If students are studying to obtain an A.S. Degree in Nursing to become a Registered Nurse, they will be taught to demonstrate professional and caring behaviors, assess the strengths and resources of clients and families, coordinate care for clients and families, teach necessary health information to consumers of health, and collaborate with members of the healthcare team.
If students are a Licensed Practical Nurse, the Mobility Option enables them to earn an A.S. in Nursing upon completion of the transition courses and 37 credits from semesters three and four of the Nursing Program.
Students in the nursing pathway take General Education courses and nursing theory courses. In addition, clinical courses are required off campus under the guidance and supervision of SCC nursing faculty in a variety of health care agencies in south central Minnesota.
Since it is vital to maintain high healthcare standards in all healthcare facilities, students must adhere to health policies and meet specific criteria to enter the program. Students must submit a completed health examination form, documentation of current immunization status, and be certified in CPR before attending clinical experiences in health care settings. The student is responsible for ensuring yearly renewal/updating of health care information on file.
Students are required to participate in a background study. Minnesota law requires a background study on any person who provides services that involve direct contact with clients at a health care facility licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health. An individual that is disqualified from having direct patient contact as a result of the background study, and whose disqualification is not set aside by the Commissioner of Health, will not be permitted for clinical placement in a Minnesota licensed health care facility. Inability to qualify for a clinical placement required by the academic program could result in ineligibility to qualify for a degree in that program.
Students that earn an Associate of Science Degree may transfer credits to a four-year institution to work towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. Students will be required to take additional general education courses from six categories.
Practical Nursing Program Core Competencies
As a result of completing this program, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate effective therapeutic communication to foster interactions with patients and other members of the healthcare team.
- Conduct observations of clients while providing physical and psychosocial nursing care.
- Demonstrate competence of nursing skills while caring for clients.
- Administer medications safely within the scope of nursing practice.
- Provide thorough reporting and recording to assist in continuity of care for clients.
- Measure the effect of one’s own nursing actions.
- Demonstrate the ability to prioritize and care for multiple clients with a variety of disorders under the direct supervision of the registered nurse.
Registered Nursing Program Core Competencies
As a result of completing this program, the student will be able to:
- Develop professional behaviors appropriate to the Associate Degree Registered Nurse.
- Utilize therapeutic communication skills with clients, support person/s, and members of the health care team.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply critical thinking by making clinical judgments to ensure safe client care.
- Demonstrate holistic comprehensive assessment skills.
- Demonstrate competence in application of the nursing process to clients with multiple needs.
- Teach the client and support person/s the information and skills needed to achieve client outcomes.
- Collaborate with the client/significant support person/s and members of the healthcare team to evaluate progress toward achievement of outcomes.
- Coordinate and manage care for clients and support person/s.
A.S. Degree and Diploma Course List (or see pages 164 - 170 in our 2007 - 2008 college catalog)