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Nursing A.A.S. Degree
Semester Hours:  60
Effective Term: Fall 2017
 Prerequisites: BIO201, BIO202, LNA or LPN from AZ Board of Nursing and acceptance into Nursing Program.

Corequisites: None


Program Description: Central Arizona College's Registered Nursing Program prepares students for the medical workforce or to complete further education to specialize in clinical practice, teaching or administration. The CAC Nursing Program is approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing, 4747 N. 7th Street, Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 85014 (602-771-7803), www.azbn.gov., and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Georgia 30326 (404-975-5000), www.acenursing.org.

Current Nursing students may sit for the Practical Nurse Licensing Examination (NCLEX-PN) after completing the general education requirements listed in the Master Academic Plan (MAP) for Block I and II, NUR121, NUR122 and NUR 150 immediately following Semester 2. Students can also sit for the NCLEX-PN following successful completion of the third semester in the program.

Completion of the four-semester Program qualifies the student for the Nursing Associate of Applied Science Degree and for taking the Registered Nurse Licensing Examination (NCLEX-RN).

Admission Requirements
In addition to CAC admission requirements, applicants must meet the current requirements established by the Nursing Division faculty. These requirements include, but are not limited to:

1. Competence in math, English, and reading
2. Completion of BIO201 and BIO202 (For students who need a prerequisite for BIO201/BIO205; the recommendation for nursing is BIO 181.)
3. LNA (CNA grandfathered for the first 2 application dates in 2017) or LPN License from the Arizona State Board of Nursing must be included in the application to the CAC Nursing program.
(Request LNA License early to allow shipping and processing time);
4. Attendance at a Nursing Information session within the past year;
5. Eligibility to register for MAT141 or higher MAT course;
6. Eligibility to register for ENG101;
7. Successful completion of the HESI Entrance Test at CAC (within 3 attempts 30 days apart);
8. Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher;
9. Completed CAC Nursing program application.

Students must be able to meet the Essential Functions of the Nursing Program as listed in the Nursing Application and Information Packet.
Admission to the Nursing Program is selective and based on a point system (specific established criteria). Acceptance to CAC does not guarantee acceptance into the Nursing Program. Further information may be obtained at URL: http://www.centralaz.edu/Home/Academics/Divisions_and_Programs/Nursing_Division.htm

Concurrent Enrollment Programs (CEP) are available for those who wish to consider obtaining their Baccalaureate Degree by taking classes along with A.A.S. courses. Please schedule an information session for more information by visiting the URL: http://www.centralaz.edu/Home/Academics/Divisions_and_Programs/Nursing_Division.htm

Recommended Proficiencies: Competence in math, English and reading;
Eligibility to register for BIO 201 and BIO 205;
Completion of BIO 201/202.

Course Requirements
Nursing A.A.S. Degree
Proper course sequencing is essential. Please see your CAC advisor.

Prerequisites (8)
BIO201 Human Anatomy - Physiology I (4)
BIO202 Human Anatomy - Physiology II (4)

Arizona Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) or LPN and acceptance into Nursing Program.
Competence in math, English and reading.

General Education Requirements (20 credits)

Written Communications (6)
ENG101 English Composition III (3)
ENG102 English Composition IV (3)

Art and Humanities (3)
Select courses numbered 100 or above from the following: ART, HMC, LIT, MHL, PHI, and THE. Students may also choose any course from the Art or Humanities AGEC lists. The required courses must represent two different departments for the Art and Humanities category. For example, students may not take a HIS course to fulfill their Art and Humanities requirement, if they are using another HIS coures to complete their Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement.

Social and Behavioral Sciences (3)
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology (3)

Physical and Biological Sciences (4)
BIO205 Microbiology (4)

Mathematics (4)
MAT141 College Mathematics, Standard or higher (excluding MAT201 and MAT202)

Core Requirements (39 credits)
NUR121 Introduction to Nursing Transitions (8)
NUR122 Nursing Health Illness Transitions (8)
NUR126 Principles and Application of Drug Dosage Calculations (2)
NUR145 Pathopharmacology (4)
NUR200 Advanced Medical Terminology for Clinical Nurses (1)
NUR221 Nursing Developmental Transitions (8)
NUR222 Nursing Organizational Transitions (8)

Other Requirements (1)
PAC course (1)

Reading Competency:
RDG100 College Reading
or
Equivalent reading assessment test score

Students must earn:
-a grade of C or better in all courses for this AAS degree.
-a minimum of 20 credits from CAC.
-a minimum of 60 credits for this AAS degree.

Program Measurable Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, the graduate will be able to:
1) (Evaluation Level) Support healthy physiological, psychosocial, cultural and spiritual functioning for patients, families, communities and themselves. (CSLO 1)
2) (Application Level) Employ sound critical thinking/clinical judgment skills in practice, using evidenced-based nursing competencies to promote safe, quality nursing care. (CSLO 2 & 4)
3. (Synthesis Level) Continue in developing a professional identity by integrating the nursing role using integrity, ethical and legal practices, and advocating for patients, families and communities.
4. (Analysis Level) Practice and maintain a spirit of inquiry by examining evidence that underlies nursing practice and offer insights to improve quality of care to patients, families and communities. (CSLO 3)
5. (Synthesis Level) Plan with other personnel within the organizational structure to manage patient care through supervision, delegation and coordination.
6. (Evaluation Level) Use and evaluate effective communication to achieve mutually defined goals in collaboration with patients and other members of the health care team.
7. (Application Level) Apply knowledge of medical terminology to all areas of nursing in communicating and caring for patients, families, and communities.

Standards for Program
Students meet all criteria set forth by the Arizona State Board of Nursing (https://www.azbn.gov/), the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (http://www.acenursing.org) and the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses competencies (http://www.qsen.org/). The standards are at http://www.acenursing.org