Nursing

Nursing Associate Degree
Vocational Education Transfer Option with the Ohio State University College of Education

See also:

• Practical Nursing Certificate
• Nursing Certificates

 

Nursing Associate Degree

Columbus State’s Associate Degree program in Nursing prepares graduates to provide health care services to clients of all ages located in a variety of settings in the community and home.
 
The program is sequential and integrates theory from biological and social sciences with reasoning and communication skills to develop a graduate who can think critically, solve problems, and communicate effectively. Opportunities are available to complete the nursing program in seven or nine quarters depending on the student’s needs. Students who go out-of-sequence in the Nursing program may join the program sequence with a subsequent class, providing space is available and petitioning requirements are met. Students entering subsequent nursing classes will meet the catalog requirements for graduation in place for that class.
 
Nursing classes are structured to promote student participation and learning through lecture, seminar, laboratory practice, and clinical experiences. Two program tracks are available: the traditional track and the online track. In the traditional track, lecture and seminar activities take place on campus in the classroom. In the online track, lecture and seminar content are done using an online format, but as with the traditional track, laboratory practice and clinical experiences will be hands on. These learning opportunities are designed to encourage the student to apply concepts and utilize critical thinking skills in the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health of clients. Students learn to work collaboratively with other health team members within the health care delivery system.
 
Students take 54 credit hours of nursing courses and 51 credit hours in the arts and sciences. An elective of at least 2 credit hours is required. Students participate in 4-16 hours of clinical experience each week in a variety of health care settings under the direction of a registered nurse. Two nursing outcome exams are given during the nursing program. Students must achieve a minimum percentile score on these exams in order to continue to the next nursing course or to graduate.

Students who successfully complete the associate degree program are qualified to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The Nursing program at Columbus State is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway New York, N.Y. 10006, telephone  (212) 363-5555, and the North Central Association of Colleges, and is approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing.

Upon completion of the associate degree in Nursing, the graduate will be able to:

• Implement safe, competent, nurturing care in the role of the Associate Degree Nurse.
•  Plan care for persons of all ages using the nursing process. Communicate effectively, including the use of teaching and counseling techniques, in the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health.
•  Manage nursing care for a diverse population of clients in a variety of practice settings.
•  Synthesize knowledge from nursing and related disciplines using critical thinking skills.
•  Analyze legal, ethical, and economic concepts that influence nursing practice.
•  Plan for maintaining competence and personal growth.

Program Admissions Information

Listed below are general requirements for admission to Nursing. For specific directions, see Nursing Admission requirements available in Nursing, Records and Registration, Advising Services, the Admissions Office, and the nursing home page within the Columbus State Community College Web site. Academic advising is available in Advising Services to help guide new students through the admission process. A separate application is required for nursing and is available on the Internet at www.cscc.edu/nursing.

It is highly recommended that those with an interest in nursing make an appointment to meet with an academic advisor in Advising Services by calling (614) 287-2668. There are two tracks available for the Nursing program. The online track is available for those who have a bachelor’s degree in another field of study; the traditional track is available for those with or without a previous degree.  Admission to the online track is competitive based on GPA, A2 results and requires an essay submission.

Admission into Nursing requires completion of these criteria:

1. Required Documentation

An application specific to nursing must be submitted to the Nursing program through the nursing homepage, www.cscc.edu/nursing, after all the admission criteria have been completed.  Information about application periods will be posted at that site also.

Achievement of a minimum GPA of 2.6 on a 4-point scale based on completion of courses at the school or college most recently attended (high school, vocational program, or higher education institution).  Official transcripts must be on file in the Records and Registration Office to verify GPA by the deadline dates. Students who do not have a minimum 2.6 GPA for their most recent coursework must complete at least 12 credit hours of college-level coursework at Columbus State with a minimum GPA of 2.6 for admission to the Nursing program.   The minimum 2.60 GPA must be maintained through the start of classes in Nursing.

2. COMPASS™ Placement Tests

Math Skills - Placement above MATH 103 (Beginning Algebra II) or completion of MATH 103.  Students with transfer credit by Columbus State for MATH 103 are not required to take the Math Skills Test.  Credit awarded for MATH 135 will not substitute for the MATH 103 requirement.

Writing Skills - Placement into ENGLISH 101 (Beginning Composition) or ENGLISH 111 (English Composition), or completion of ENGLISH 100 (Language Development).  Students awarded transfer credit by Columbus State for ENGL 101 or ENGL 111 are not required to take the Writing Skills Test.

 
3.  College courses completed with a grade of “C” or better:

• NURC 101 (Nurse Aide Training Program) or prior learning assessment credit (“N” credit) or copy of current Ohio practical nurse license (LPN).  Requires completion of health records before registering for the course.
•  NURC 102 (Patient Care Skills) or copy of current Ohio practical nurse license (LPN).        
•  CHEM 113 (General and Biological Chemistry)
• PSY 100 (Intro to Psychology) or PSY 240 (Human Growth & Development Through the Life Span)

4.  Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) Admission Assessment (A2) Exam

Completion of the A2 Exam with a score of 75 is required for admission.  This score reflects a necessary reading, science, and math knowledge foundation to be successful in the Nursing Program.  Applicants are encouraged to utilize the Evolve Reach Admission Assessment Exam Review by HESI prior to taking the A2 exam.  This exam review is available for purchase at the Bookstore

Additional Admission Information

1.  The Columbus State admissions application form is on-line at https://secure.cscc.edu/application/default.asp.  If it has been more than three years since you attended classes at Columbus State, call (614) 287-2453 or 1-800-621-6407 ext 2453 to reactivate your student file.
2.  Placement tests are administered in the Student Success Testing Center, Aquinas Hall, Room 002.  See the following web site for specific hours and sample questions.  www.cscc.edu/sstc/compass.htm
3.  To register to take the A2 Admission Exam, contact the ACT Skills Max and Testing Center at (614) 287-5750.  The initial cost of the exam is $45 payable at the Cashier Office, Rhodes Hall.  The cost to repeat the exam is $65.  On the day of the test, bring a picture ID and paid receipt to the ACT Testing Center, Center for Workforce Development, Room 223.  Retesting eligibility begins 6 months from the date of the previous A2 exam.  The A2 exam may be taken a maximum of 2 times.  A2 exam scores from other schools will not be accepted.  The Nursing Program will maintain scores for a period of 4 years.
4.  Contact the Records and Registration Office, Room 201, Madison Hall, (614) 287-2658, for information about the processing of college transfer credit from other institutions of  higher education.
5.  Applicants currently licensed as Practical Nurses should refer to “Admission Procedure to Associate Degree Nursing program for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)” available from the Nursing Program or online at www.cscc.edu/nursing.
6. Applicants for admission from another program preparing students to take NCLEX-RN should refer to Nursing Procedure for Transfer Students.  The information is available from the Nursing Program.
7.  Please be advised of the following:
   1.  From the Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4723.09 License Application: (b) For an applicant who entered a prelicensure nursing education program on or after June 1, 2003, the criminal records check of the applicant that is completed by the bureau of criminal identification and investigation and includes a check of federal bureau of investigation records and that bureau submits to the board indicated that the applicant has not been convicted of, has not pleaded guilty to, and has not had a judicial finding of guilt for violating section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.11, 2905.01, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.05, 2909.02, 2911.01, or 2911.11 of the Revised Code or a substantially similar law of another state, the United States, or another country, (c) For all applicants, the board determines that the applicant has not committed any act that is grounds for disciplinary action under section 3123.47 or 4723.28 of the Revised Code or determines that an applicant who has committed any act that is grounds for disciplinary action under either section has made restitution or has been rehabilitated, or both.
   2.  It is the applicant’s responsibility to notify the Nursing Program Chairperson of felony convictions, as admission may be revoked due to clinical placement denial.
   3.  From the Ohio Revised Code 4723-5-12: (13) A student shall not self-administer or otherwise take into the body any dangerous drug, as defined in section 4729.01 of the Revised Code, in any way not in accordance with a legal, valid prescription issued for the student.  (14)  A student shall not habitually indulge in the use of controlled substances, other habit-forming drugs, or alcohol or other chemical substances to an extent that impairs ability to practice.  (15)  A student shall not have impairment of the ability to practice according to acceptable and prevailing standards of safe nursing care because of habitual or excessive use of drugs, alcohol, or other chemical substances that impair the ability to practice.  (16)  A student shall not have impairment of the ability to practice according to acceptable and prevailing standards of safe nursing care because of a physical or mental disability.
8.  A new federal law, PRWORA, known as the "Personal Responsibility Act" limits licensure to U.S. citizens and other qualified applicants. The State Board of Nursing is required to keep assurance of citizenship on record with applications for licensure.
9.  Admission to Nursing is offered for a specific quarter only. Students who decline the offer of admission or who fail to respond must re-apply if they wish to be considered for a future class and must meet the admission criteria in effect for that class.
10.  A minimum grade of "C" or better is required in all Nursing, Science, Psychology and Math courses in the curriculum. Students accepted to Nursing who do not achieve a minimum grade of "C" or better in any of the following support courses must retake the course(s) prior to the start of their NURS classes or during the quarter in which the course(s) is(are) required in the curriculum plan, in order to remain a student in good standing in the program. BIO 261 (Human Anatomy); BIO 262 (Human Physiology); PSY 240 (Human Growth and Development Through the Life Span); BIO 215 (General Microbiology); BIO 263 (Human Pathophysiology); MATH 135 (Elementary Statistics).
11.  Columbus State Community College makes every effort to inform prospective students of the admission requirements for the Nursing program. Students are responsible for maintaining awareness of the application periods, of the admission requirements and any changes made to those requirements over time. Any questions about admission criteria should be directed to Columbus State Advising Services at (614) 287­-2668.
12. If waiting to start nursing, students should first complete admission requirements and then work on general education and basic related courses listed on the plan of study. Please continue to work with academic advisor to complete your pre-admission checklist and to plan a schedule of other courses.
13. Clinical agencies have set requirements for patient safety. Students accepted to the program will be informed of the specific requirements for health, fingerprinting, drug screening and CPR which must be met prior to starting and while continuing the NURS sequence of courses.

Application Process

The applications for the Nursing Program will be available twice a year.  Please refer to the Nursing homepage on the College website for the application dates and deadlines.  All applications can be found online at www.cscc.edu/nursing.

 

Nursing Associate Degree

COURSE		CR
Quarter 1
NURS 110*	Introduction to Nursing	3
NURS 100*	Health Assessment in Nursing	3
ENGL 101	Beginning Composition	3
BIO 261*	Human Anatomy	5
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS		14
Quarter 2
NURS 111*	Health Promotion of Women and Families	6
NURS 123*	Nursing Skills I	2
NURS 132*	Nursing Concepts of Pharmacology I	2
BIO 262*	Human Physiology	5
PSY 240*	Human Growth and Development through the Life Span	4
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS		19
Quarter 3
NURS 112*	Introduction to Nursing Concepts of Health Maintenance and Restoration	6
NURS 124*	Nursing Skills II	2
NURS 133*	Nursing Concepts of Pharmacology II	2
BIO 263*	Human Pathophysiology	5
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS		15
Quarter 4
NURS 210*	Nursing Concepts of Health Maintenance and Restoration I	6
ENGL 102	Essay and Research	3
BIO 215*	General Microbiology	5
NURS XXX*	Nursing Elective 187, 188,189, 190, 191, 192, 193 194, 197, 198, or 199	2-3
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS		16–17
Quarter 5
NURS 211*	Nursing Concepts of Health Maintenance and Restoration II	6
COMM 200	Business Communications (or)
COMM 202	Writing for Health and Human Services	3
SSCI XXX	Social Sciences 100, 101, 102, 105 (or) GEOG 240	5
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS		14
Quarter 6
NURS 212*	Nursing Concepts of Health Maintenance and Restoration III	6
MATH 135*	Elementary Statistics	5
COMM 105	Speech (or)
COMM 110	Conference and Group Discussion	3
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS		14
Quarter 7
NURS 213	Concepts of Nursing Management	8
HUM xxx	Humanities 111,112, 113, 151, 152, or 224	5
Nursing Outcome Exam	Passing
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS		13
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS		105

* A grade of “C” or better is required in order to continue in the nursing sequence.

Vocational Education Transfer Option with the Ohio State University College of Education

The Nursing Program at Columbus State has completed an articulation agreement with the Technical Education and Training Program of the Ohio State University College of Education. This agreement allows nursing students to complete their associate degree at Columbus State, transfer their credits to Ohio State, and complete a baccalaureate degree in Technical Education and Training. Students completing the Ohio State program may be eligible for certification by the Ohio Department of Education to teach in related high school career and technical education programs throughout the State of Ohio. Interested students should contact their Columbus State department chairperson for curriculum requirements and additional details. Please note that course requirements for this transfer option may differ from the standard Plan of Study published in the catalog.