Nursing

Accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)
3343 Peachtree Rd NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, Georgia 30326
Telephone 404-975-5000
http://www.nlnac.org/home.htm

Click here for Plan of Study Form in PDF format 

Associate in Science
Director of Nursing & Allied Health: Ellen Freeman- 860-383-5273

The Connecticut Community Colleges Nursing Program:
Three Rivers Community College Campus

Three Rivers Community College is one of six campuses offering The Connecticut Community Colleges Nursing Program (CT-CCNP), an innovative associate degree nursing program offered at five Connecticut Community Colleges. The CT-CCNP is designed to prepare registered nurses to function in the professional role utilizing current standards of nursing practice. As a campus site of CT-CCNP, TRCC is committed to the educational preparation of safe, competent, associate degree entry level practitioners of nursing. This is accomplished through an educational experience which involves active and diverse learning processes. Program graduates are prepared to assume the multi-faceted role of the professional nurse which includes planning and provision of care, client advocacy, communication, teaching, and managing human, physical, financial and technological resources. Graduates possess the ability to recognize and respond to current trends and issues while upholding standards of care through lifelong learning.

Nursing is a dynamic profession that incorporates evidenced-based theory and skills required for safe practice. Nursing practice integrates the art and science of nursing with theoretical principles from the natural, social, behavioral biological and physical sciences. Six core values provide the framework for organizing the curriculum. The core values are:
                    · Critical Thinking
                    · Safe and Competent Practice
                    · Caring
                    · Professionalism
                    · Communication
                    · Holistic Care

The CT_CCNP is a two-year four semester program which, upon successful completion, awards an Associate in Science Degree. Sixty-eight credits are required for graduation. These include general education courses and nursing courses sequenced to build from fundamental skills to complex critical thinking skills. The program is challenging in nature, demanding mathematics, science, social science and English skills as building blocks to all that encompasses nursing practice.

The Role of the Associate Degree Graduate within the Scope of Nursing Practice
The CT-CCNP will provide the student with the knowledge and technical skills to practice in a safe, effective and competent manner within the legal and ethical framework for an entry-level Registered Nurse. The scope of practice for the Associate Degree graduate is to provide and manage care for a diverse group of individuals, families and communities in collaboration with members of the heath care team consistent with CT-CCNP core values. The course of study prepares graduates for employment in a variety of settings, extended-care facilities, acute-care hospitals, clinics, doctor's offices, etc.

Nursing Admission Requirements
See the catalog section on Selective Nursing Admission Criteria for explanation of nursing admissions criteria and process. Please visit us online at http://www.trcc.commnet.edu/Div_StudentServices/admissions/NursingStudent.shtml to obtain additional information. Please plan to attend a Nursing Information Session at the college, schedule is available on the website.

Articulation
Three Rivers Community College fully participates in the Connecticut Nursing Articulation Model for the educational advancement of all nurses. Licensed Practical Nurses may take the Connecticut League for Nursing/Charter Oak State College Bridge Course upon acceptance and enter as far along as the third semester of the program. Upon acceptance into the CT-CCNP at Three Rivers Community College, all LPN candidates are individually assessed by our Admissions Department and by specialized nursing advisors to determine appropriate placement in the program. All graduates are encouraged to advance their education in nursing toward the baccalaureate degree or further. Information about these opportunities is available at http://www.commnet.edu/nursing/Educational_Opportunities.asp.

NURSING CURRICULUM

Students must be enrolled in the Nursing program in order to enroll in Nursing courses.

 ° Course has a prerequisite. Students should check course description. 
# May be taken prior to admission to the nursing program.

Nursing, Associate in Science Degree
Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, graduates will be able to:

1. integrate the principles of the natural, physical, social, biological and behavioral sciences and nursing theory to provide holistic care to individuals, families and groups across the wellness-illness continuum.

2. integrate nursing process and critical thinking skills for decision making in nursing practice

3. provide safe and competent care to clients utilizing evidenced-based practice, quantitative reasoning and technological proficiency.

4. integrate effective communication skills through professional interactions with individuals, families, groups and the health care team.

5. create an environment where therapeutic interventions reflect a respect for human dignity.

6. collaborate as a member of a multidisciplinary health team.

7. integrate accountability and responsibility for practice within the legal and ethical standards of the nursing profession.

8. function in the professional role utilizing current standards of nursing practice.

WAIVER OF LICENSURE GAURENTEE
Upon successful completion of the Associate of Sciences degree with a major in Nursing, the graduate is eligible to take the National Council of State Boards of Nursing's Licensure Examination for Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). Graduation from the CT-CCNP does not guarantee licensure to practice nursing. Licensure requirements and procedures are the responsibility of the Connecticut Department of Public Health, State Board of Examiners for Nursing. Permission to take the NCLEX-RN examination is established by law and granted by the Connecticut State Board of Examiners for Nursing.

FELONY CONVICTION
At the time of application for RN licensure an applicant will be asked the following question by the Connecticut Department of Public Health: "Have you ever been found guilty or convicted as a result of an act which constitutes a felony under the laws of this state, federal law or the laws of another jurisdiction and which, if committed within this state, would have constituted a felony under the laws of this state? If you answer is "yes", give full details, dates, etc., on a separate notarized statement and furnish a Certified Court Copy (with court seal affixed) or the original complaint, the answer, the judgment, the settlement, and/or the disposition."