This program prepares students for first-level positions as Registered Nurses by providing curriculum composed of theoretical and clinical study. The theoretical component is comprised of General Education and nursing courses. The clinical component, within the nursing courses, affords the student the opportunity to practice giving direct nursing care to clients in acute, long-term and community health care agencies under the guidance of qualified nursing faculty. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates receive an Associate in Applied Science degree and have the educational requirements necessary to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for RN licensure.
The Nursing program is accredited by:
The New Jersey Board of Nursing
124 Halsey Street, 6th Floor
Newark, New Jersey 07102
Telephone: (973) 504-6430 and in NJ (800) 242-5846
Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3393 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
Telephone: (404) 975-5000
An applicant for a license to practice professional nursing in the State of New Jersey must also submit evidence to the New Jersey Board of Nursing, that he or she: (1) “has attained his/her eighteenth birthday; (2) is of good moral character, is not a habitual user of drugs and has never been convicted or has not pleaded nolo contendere, non vult contendere or non vult to an indictment, information or complaint alleging a violation of any Federal or State law relating to chemical abuse substances; (3) holds a diploma from an accredited four-year school or the equivalent thereof as determined by the New Jersey State Department of Education.”
In an effort to encourage nurses to continue their education and provide for advancing job opportunities, the nursing program has an advanced placement process for Licensed Practical Nurses and articulation agreements with several institutions, which offer a baccalaureate degree in nursing for graduates of the program.
Admission to the nursing program is competitive and requires an application for admission and a Nursing Program Evaluation Form. For additional information and a copy of the application, contact Admissions at (609) 343-5000/(609) 463-3958/(609) 343-4830 or accadmit@atlantic.edu.
The “Admissions” section of this catalog also provides information. Atlantic and Cape May County residents are given priority consideration. Residents of other counties will be considered only if all seats cannot be filled with qualified Atlantic and Cape May County students. NOTE: Acceptance into the program is on a competitive basis. Successful completion of all prerequisites does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Students must pass each program course with a ”C” or better to remain in the program, and must complete the program in three years from the date of acceptance. Students who are unable to progress to the next consecutive nursing course at the planned time, for any reason, must withdraw from the program. They may request re-admission one time through the Division Chairperson, in writing. Letters requesting re-entry for the fall semester must be received by May 1 of the same year, and for the spring by December 1 of the previous year. Re-entry is contingent on available space in the course required by the re-entering student.
Students who fail one nursing course and repeat it, and then fail a second nursing course, or the same course a second time, will not be permitted to repeat again and will be required to withdraw from the Nursing program until five (5) years have elapsed. If ten years or more have elapsed, students may reapply to the Nursing program. Students must complete a “comprehensive exam” to receive their letter of program completion (required by the State of New Jersey) to take their NCLEX. A mandatory free three day live review for the NCLEX exam is provided to all students in preparation for this requirement.
The Nursing program is challenging. Students are encouraged to consider limiting time commitments outside of school, as much as possible, during the two-year period of their nursing studies. Locations and hours of clinical assignments vary; significant additional travel time may be required. Promptness and attendance are crucial to the successful completion of the Nursing program. Travel to the clinical setting is the student’s responsibility.
Licensed Practical Nurses may be admitted to the Nursing program via an advanced placement process. LPN’s should contact the Admissions Department for additional information at (609) 343-4922.
Admission to the nursing program is selective. It requires completion of 4 prerequisite courses BIOL220, ENGL101, PSYC101 and SOCL101 with a grade of "C" or better. All prerequisite courses must be completed with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or better and an overall GPA of 2.5 or better. All prerequisite and science course(s) must be completed with a grade of "C" or better, to be eligible to apply to the Nursing program.
The Nursing Program Evaluation form along with all Credentials must be presented by June 1 for admission to the program the following fall.
For more information, see the Admission to Atlantic Cape section of the catalog or contact the Admissions Office at (609) 343-5000 or accadmit@atlantic.edu.
