collageQuinsigamond Community College (QCC) is located in Worcester, Massachusetts. QCC was established in 1963 and it serves more than 8,000 students. The school is completely accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). QCC has more than 60 different associate degree programs and over 50 certificate programs. The school also has a number of different transfer partnerships with universities, allowing students to transfer their credits to another school in the pursuit of a bachelor degree. This has proven to be an exceptionally popular school due to the versatility of the many academic programs and the quality of the education that is provided to students.
QCC has a robust nursing program for students to enjoy as well. The nurse education program that is offered by QCC has produced many successful nurses over the years. This program is designed to train nursing students to become professional registered nurses. It will go over a number of different aspects of being a nurse to provide students with the most complete education possible. Clinical experiences are part of the program, too, and will take place at clinical sites within the Worcester County area. This nursing program is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. It is also completely accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Nurse Education
Nursing Programs
LPN
ADN
LPN to ADN
CNA
Nursing Programs Graduates (2017-2018 academic year)
| Number of Graduates | ||
|---|---|---|
| Degree type | Men | Women |
| Associate’s degree | 12 | 96 |
| Certificate | 1 | 9 |
| Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 3 | 46 |
Average NCLEX pass rate
- NCLEX-PN: 90.2%
- NCLEX-RN: 85.1%
Program Code: NURDegree: Associate in Science
- This program may be completed at QCC at the Healthcare and Workforce Development Center in downtown Worcester.
- This program will require students to travel to clinical sites within the Worcester County area and surrounding counties.
Program Contact Email: Nurseeducation@qcc.mass.edu
Additional Information
- Goals(active tab)
- Classes
- Outcomes
- Cost & Requirements
- Career
- More
Program Goals:
The Nurse Education program prepares students for a career as a registered nurse (RN). Graduates of the program assume responsibilities related to direct patient care in a variety of settings, including, but not limited to, hospitals, clinics, extended care facilities, home and community health agencies. Upon successful completion of the Nurse Education associate degree program, students are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The program will also prepare students for further study at four-year colleges and universities.Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Use the nursing process and other theoretical concepts in the comprehensive planning and delivering of nursing care to patients* throughout the life cycle.
- Collaborate to effectively communicate with patients and inter-professional teams verbally, in writing, and electronically to achieve quality patient care outcomes.
- Assume the role of the nurse in ways that reflect integrity, responsibility, ethical practice, and an evolving identity as a professional nurse committed to evidence-based practice, caring, patient advocacy, and safe quality care for diverse patients in various settings.
- Make judgments in nursing practice, based on evidence, that integrate nursing science in the provision of safe, quality care and promote the health of patients.
- Employ relationship-centered interventions that are caring, compassionate, nurturing, protective, therapeutic, and respectful of human differences.
- Manage patient care through planning, organizing, directing, and delegating with an emphasis on system effectiveness to provide quality healthcare and a safe environment for patients and workers.
- Advocate for patients and oneself to retain or develop new pathways which encompass one’s uniqueness, dignity, diversity, and freedom toward a holistic well-being.
- Participate in a spirit of inquiry to help promote and maintain health and reduce risks for patients by challenging the status quo, questioning underlying assumptions, and offering new insights to improve quality of care.
*Patients (clients) are defined as the individual, family, or group, including significant others and population.Curriculum:
| Course Title | Course # | Semester Offered | Credits | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 (Summer I or II)Register for and successfully complete all courses to graduate in five semesters.Complete BIO 111 with a grade of “C” or higher.Complete ENG 101. | ||||
| Anatomy & Physiology I | BIO 111 | F/S/SU | 4 | BIO 101 or HS AP Biology, Coreq: ENG 101 |
| Composition I | ENG 101 | F/S/SU | 3 | Placement into college level English |
| Total | 7 | |||
| Semester 2Complete BIO 112 with a grade of “C” or higher.Complete NUR 103 and NUR 104 with grades of “C+” or higher. | ||||
| Anatomy & Physiology II | BIO 112 | F/S/SU | 4 | BIO 111 |
| Current Concepts in Nursing & Health Care I | NUR 103 | F/S | 1 | Passing BIO 111 with a “C” or higher, ENG 101, Coreq: BIO 112, NUR 104, PSY 101 |
| Fundamentals of Nursing | NUR 104 | F/S | 7 | Passing BIO 111 with a “C” or higher, ENG 101, Coreq: BIO 112, NUR 103, PSY 101 |
| Introduction to Psychology | PSY 101 | F/S/SU | 3 | Placement into college level English |
| Total | 15 | |||
| Semester 3Meet with a QCC Career Services Representative and attend Workshops. See www.QCC.edu/career-services.If considering transfer, meet with a QCC Transfer Services Advisor. See www.QCC.edu/transfer.Complete BIO 232 with a grade of “C” or higher.Complete NUR 105 with a grade of “C+” or higher. | ||||
| Medical Microbiology | BIO 232 | F/S/SU | 4 | BIO 112 or CHM 105 or CHM 123 |
| Medical Surgical Nursing I/Maternal Newborn | NUR 105 | F/S | 8 | NUR 101 with a grade of “C+” or higher; or NUR 103 and NUR 104 with a grade of “C+” or higher, Coreq: BIO 232, PSY 121 |
| Survey of Life Span Development | PSY 121 | F/S/SU | 3 | PSY 101 |
| Total | 15 | |||
| Semester 4If considering transfer, meet with representatives of four-year schools to discuss/begin the transfer application process.Meet with a Career Services Representative for Job Search Assistance services.Complete NUR 201 with a grade of “C+” or higher. | ||||
| Composition II | ENG 102 | F/S/SU | 3 | ENG 101 |
| Medical Surgical Nursing II/Pediatric | NUR 201 | F/S | 10 | BIO 112, BIO 232, PSY 121, a grade of “C+” or higher is required in NUR 105, Coreq: ENG 102, any HST, SOC 101 or SOC 111 |
| Introductory Sociology (Principles) or | SOC 101 | F/S/SU | 3 | Placement into college level English |
| Social Problems & Social Change | SOC 111 | |||
| History Elective | — | F/S/SU | 3 | |
| Total | 19 | |||
| Semester 5Continue with/complete the transfer application process.Complete NUR 202 and NUR 203 with grades of “C+” or higher.Submit an Intent to Graduate Form, located on The Q. | ||||
| Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing III/Mental Health | NUR 202 | F/S | 10 | ENG 102, any HST, SOC 101 or SOC 111, a grade of “C+” or higher is required in NUR 201, Coreq: NUR 203, Humanities Elective |
| Current Concepts in Nursing & Health Care II | NUR 203 | F/S | 2 | A grade of “C+” or higher is required in NUR 201, Coreq: NUR 202 |
| Humanities Elective | — | F/S/SU | 3 | |
| Total | 15 | |||
| Total Credits Required: | 71 |
Elective Information
Program Outcomes:
Program outcomes are defined as performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the purposes of the Quinsigamond Community College Nurse Education program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented. Program outcomes are measurable, consumer-oriented indexes designed to evaluate the degree to which the program is achieving its mission and goals. Examples include, but are not limited to, program completion rates, licensure/certification examination pass rates, and job placement rates.
Program Statistics:
Aggregate Program Completion:
- Expected Level of Achievement developed by QCC AD Faculty (and reported to ACEN accrediting body) are that 70% of students will complete the program within 150% of stated program length beginning with enrollment in first NUR course.
- 2017-2018: 78%
- 2018-2019: 74%
- 2019-2020: 72%
Aggregate NCLEX Licensure Pass Rates:
- Expected Level of Achievement developed by QCC AD Faculty (and reported to ACEN accrediting body) are that 80% of first-time test takers will successfully complete the NCLEX-RN licensure exam as reported to NCSBN annually during the same 12 month period.
- 2017: National Results = 87% | QCC Results = 83%
- 2018: National Results = 88% | QCC Results = 90%
- 2019: National Results = 89% | QCC Results = 96%
Aggregate Graduate Satisfaction (as answered on Program Completion Survey):
- Question asked – “Am I prepared to enter the workforce as an RN?”
- 100% of the graduates responded “Yes” to the above statement
Program Admissions Requirements:
Students should note that some first semester courses carry minimum prerequisites. Refer to the program grid.
- High School Diploma or GED/HiSET.
- Attendance at a Health Information Session or complete FYE 102 with a grade of “C” or higher.
- Must show evidence of being compliant with the immunization requirements specified by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Additional immunization requirements will be required for clinical experiences.
- Mathematics: Placement into college level mathematics.
- Biology: Minimum grade of “B” in high school biology or “B” or higher in any college level biology course (BIO 101 recommended). Required grade must be earned within two attempts of taking and completing the course. Qualifying biology course must be taken within five years of application.
- Required TEAS V or TEAS composite score of 65% or higher (cannot be a combination of multiple tests) must be achieved within five years of applying to the program.
- Applicant must obtain composite score of 65% or higher in no more than three attempts within a three-year period.
- A TEAS composite score between 61% and 64% meets the admission criteria with appropriate biology and college GPA (see table below).
| TEAS Score | Overall College Biology GPA (4 credit minimum) | Overall QCC College GPA (15 credit minimum) |
|---|---|---|
| 64 | 3.0 or higher | 3.0 or higher |
| 63 | 3.1 or higher | 3.1 or higher |
| 62 | 3.2 or higher | 3.2 or higher |
| 61 | 3.3 or higher | 3.3 or higher |
Program Retention / Progression Requirements:
To be eligible to continue in the program, students must:
- Achieve a grade of “C+” or higher in all nursing (NUR) courses.
- Achieve a grade of “C” or higher in BIO 111, BIO 112, and BIO 232; students who have received a grade below a “C” in BIO 111, BIO 112, or BIO 232 are required to repeat the course and obtain a grade of “C” or higher by the end of the semester in which they are required or required as a prerequisite.
- Demonstrate satisfactory performance in the nursing laboratory and in the clinical settings.
Program Readmission Requirements:
There is a one-time readmission policy for the Nurse Education programs.
- Readmission is not guaranteed and is always based upon space availability; review the readmission policy outlined in the QCC Nursing Student Handbook and the “Readmission for Health Programs” policy in the College Procedures section of the QCC Student Handbook.
- Students who have been dismissed or administratively withdrawn from a program within the School of Healthcare at Quinsigamond Community College for reasons of “clinically unsafe practice/behavior” or who violate the College’s Student Code of Conduct or Policy on Affirmative Action are not eligible for admission/readmission to any Healthcare program.
Program Graduation Requirements:
Students must satisfy all course and program requirements, including regulations related to attendance and conduct, in order to be eligible for graduation. In addition, all financial obligations to the College must be met.Admissions Process:
Admissions inquiries should be directed to admissions@qcc.mass.edu. Prospective students may apply to the program of their choice by following the enrollment steps at www.QCC.edu/enrollment-steps.Technical Performance Standards:
See the Technical Performance Standards page. (Note: Not all programs have technical performance standards).Credit for Prior Learning:
Students with certifications or over five years of major-related work experience may be eligible to earn credit for prior learning. To apply, students must complete a profile at https://myexperiencecounts.mass.edu/.CORI, SORI, Finger Printing & Drug Testing:
Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI), Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI), and National Background checks are required in the program, either annually or every semester. Finger printing and drug testing may be required. Finger printing and drug testing results must meet clinical requirements. An issue with CORI/SORI, National Background, finger printing and/or drug testing could prevent a student from participating in a clinical/field rotation, which could result in dismissal from the program.
- Applicants should understand that the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (MABORN) reserves the right to refuse an applicant the privilege of sitting for the NCLEX examination based on a Good Moral Character Licensure requirement.
- More information is available from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (MABORN).
Additional Cost:
See the Program Fees page.
- Students should anticipate additional expenses for professional uniforms, standardized testing, CPR-BLS certification, health immunizations and physical exams. Also, there may be additional costs associated with the purchase of textbooks, professional liability insurance, clinical site parking, licensing examinations applications, mandatory clinical make-up and any required skills for remediation.
- Computer (not chromebook) with mouse, web cam, microphone, and internet access and additional lab supplies.
Additional Information:
- This program prepares students for further study at four-year colleges and universities, as well as providing a broad background for employment in healthcare facilities.
- Courses in both Nurse Education and Liberal Arts are required in the program curriculum. Nursing courses include clinical experiences in area hospitals, rehabilitation, long-term care and community agencies, as well as classroom study and laboratory practice on campus.
- All students accepted in the NUR program must obtain/maintain a current American Heart Association or American Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Documentation of required immunity, satisfactory health status, and clinical standard compliance is required prior to beginning of clinical experiences.
- Students who do not have completed health files (including titres and immunizations) submitted to and cleared by Castle Branch by program orientation date will be removed from their nursing courses and will have to file for readmission to the next available semester.
- NUR 203 is currently being offered in a hybrid format.
- All clinical experiences are under the supervision of QCC Nurse Education faculty, and entrance into most clinical agencies will require the wearing of a standardized school uniform.
- Students may be required to wear masks, goggles, faceshields, gloves, and/or gowns during lab/clinical.
- A Social Security Number is mandatory for NCLEX Application (Licensure).
Career Outlook:
Please consult the Massachusetts Career Information System at https://masscis.intocareers.org/ or the Occupational Outlook Handbook at www.bls.gov/ooh/ for specific occupational information. The CIP code for this program is 51.3801.Transfer Articulations & Opportunities:
Prospective students may learn more about transfer articulation agreements at www.QCC.edu/agreements. More information regarding transfer opportunities is available at www.QCC.edu/transfer.
Nurse Education
Quinsigamond Community College Nurse Education Department Purpose/Philosophy
Purpose
The purpose of Quinsigamond Community College, Nurse Education unit, is congruent with the Mission Statement of the College. The Nurse Education Unit provides a high quality education that is accessible and affordable to a diverse student population. The program in nursing serves the learner, the community and the nursing profession. At the completion of each program, the graduate is prepared to write the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, (NCLEX-RN) and the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) and to assume an entry level nursing position.
Philosophy
We believe that:
Nursing is a caring, theory-based discipline focused on assisting the patient and significant support person(s) to achieve an optimal level of self-care, while protecting and promoting patient dignity. The science of nursing is a distinct, constantly evolving body of knowledge that encompasses rational and scientific principles upon which nursing interventions are based. Plan of care is flexible, patient centered, cost effective, attentive to patient diversity, and occurs within the context of the patient’s family and environment. Nurses utilize the nursing process, open, civil and therapeutic communication, critical thinking, and evidence-based information while working collaboratively with members of the health-care team. Nurses function within the standards of practice, demonstrating safe, competent, and legal-ethical practice.
The individual (Healthcare Consumer) is a valued, complex and unique being that has a dynamic capacity for self-care. The individual is understood as an integrated and whole being who functions biologically, psychologically, socially, spiritually and developmentally. The individual has the potential to make choices that will meet his/her own needs for self-care and lead to ongoing growth as human beings.
Environment – Individuals are best understood in the context of their environment. The environment consists of evolving, dynamic, culturally diverse conditions, which are influenced by family, specific living conditions, political, social, demographic, and economic factors.
Health is a state of physical, social, and spiritual well-being and not merely the absence of illness. Health status exists on a continuum and varies because of interactions between the patient and the environment.
Teaching/Learning is an active, dynamic, continuous and creative process of attaining and sharing knowledge, involving the patient, significant support person(s) and the health care team. As educators, nurses assist the patient/families by supporting self-care activities, while facilitating informed decision and achievement of positive outcomes.
Nursing education/scholarship occurs within a system of higher education and is a planned approach to the acquisition of knowledge. Nursing education progresses from the simple to the complex, facilitates the development of cognitive, psychomotor and affective knowledge and provides for multiple points of entry into the profession. The outcome of nursing education, at all levels, is to prepare a graduate who accepts professional responsibility and accountability. Nursing education supports participation in professional organizations. Cultural diversity within the classroom is valued and promotes appreciation and respect for differences within the college and beyond. The role of the faculty is to guide, support, facilitate learning, and model professional practice, while instilling commitment to lifelong learning. Faculty also strive to instill a sense of professional empowerment including commitment to social justice and community service. The role of the student is to translate classroom learning into nursing practice through the spirit of inquiry, evidence-based and reflective nursing practice.
Practical Nursing provides basic therapeutic, restorative, and preventative nursing care for individual patients in structured health care settings who have common, well-defined health problems. Practical nurses cooperate and collaborate with health team members, patients, and families and contribute to patient assessments (data collection) and care planning.
The Associate Degree Nurse advances the nursing process to implement nursing actions in varied complex settings, and assist patients in meeting or maintaining self-care needs. The associate degree nurse cooperates and collaborates with other members of the health care team to give direct care to patients, families, and community groups. The associate degree nurse is also responsible for the delegation of nursing action.
Program Outcomes
Program outcomes are defined as performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the purposes of the nursing education unit are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented. Program outcomes are measurable, consumer-oriented indexes designed to evaluate the degree to which the program is achieving its mission and goals. Example include, but are not limited to, NCLEX examination pass rate, program completion rate, and job placement rates.
Graduates from either the QCC Associate Degree or Practical Nursing Program are qualified to work in the state of Massachusetts upon the successful attainment of the appropriate licensure. Not all states accept a Massachusetts license. If you intend to practice outside of Massachusetts and obtain a license in another state, you are encouraged to review the NCSBN website for eligibility. As an applicant to the QCC Nursing Programs, you are encouraged to discuss your eligibility for licensure and work in another state other than Massachusetts with the Program Chair of the Associate Degree or Program Chair of the Practical Nursing program.
QCC Health Requirements
- Physical Exam – Performed and signed by PCP/NP/ PA within 12 months of the start of the program
- Tetanus -(Tdap) documentation of receiving Tetanus injection within the last 10 years
- Flu vaccination – Documentation of receiving flu vaccination for the current Influenza season.
- Tuberculosis Screening – documentation of two negative Tuberculin Skin Tests (2 step) and annual testing thereafter. If result is positive, students must provide documentation of a Chest x-ray showing no active disease within 12 months of program start date. A serum TB test may be used instead of a 2- step Tuberculin Skin Test
- Varicella – Varicella titer demonstrating immunity to Varicella
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella – immunity titers for each disease demonstrating immunity to each disease
- Hepatitis B Antibody titer – Positive Hepatitis B Surface Antibody titer which demonstrated immunity to the Hepatitis B Virus. If titer result is negative, students must provide documentation of having a complete Hepatitis B vaccination series, receive Hepatitis B boosters, and recheck Hepatitis B antibody titers as ordered by their PCP
- Copy of current health insurance card on file
- Healthcare Provider Level CPR Certification
Please contact our Healthcare Compliance Officer at healthcompliance@qcc.mass.edu
QCC Receives 200,000 Dollar Nursing/Pharmacy Grant – Worcester News Tonight
The Quinsigamond Community College Nurse Education program is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (MABORN), and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN). MABORN can be contacted at: Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing | 239 Causeway Street, Suite 500, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02114 | 617.973.0900 | www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-in-nursing. ACEN can be contacted at: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. | 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326 | 404.975.5000 | www.acenursing.org. The Nurse Education program was last granted continuing accreditation, and the next re-accreditation visit is scheduled for Fall 2021.
Quinsigamond Community College Nursing Program Review
Since 1963, Quinsigamond community college (QCC) has offered higher education to the community around and beyond Central Massachusetts. The college tries to reach the community from it its three campuses in Worcester, Upton and Southbridge. It is known to be one of the community colleges with the most affordable college fees in Massachusetts. The programs offered range from two-year associate degrees to shorter certificate programs and non-credit continuing education programs.
Nursing Education- Quinsigamond Community College
In the capacity bestowed to it by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Quinsigamond college offers accredited and approved nursing programs. There are three associate of nursing degree routes and one certificate of practical nursing.
Nurse Education- Entry Level ADN
This is a two-year nursing program at Quinsigamond which equips future nurse with nursing skills. Students take a combination of liberal arts, general education and nursing courses. After completion of the program, students are able to sit for the NCLEX-RN. The college has also formed articulation agreements with a number of universities and colleges to allow students have transfer of credits into a four-year BSN. The program is also available in evening and day options.
Career Mobility in Nursing
By embracing career mobility, Quinsigamond community college has two programs in advanced standing placement that leads to the award of the associate of nursing degree.
Advanced Placement LPN to ADN
If a LPN satisfies the admission to the ADN program, then they can be allowed to get the shortened route of becoming a registered nurse. The graduate must be from an accredited LPN program and must have current and unrestricted license for the State of Massachusetts. The bridging courses given enable the student to benefit from credit exemption from the total required 72 credits.
Classes are offered in evening classes only and just like the entry level ADN, students are able to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. The same accrediting body of the ADN accredits this evening program.
Advanced Placement Paramedic to RN
This is one of the few paramedics to RN programs in Massachusetts. It is offered as an evening option with students covering a total of 73 credit units. Completion of co-requisites is required for entrance eligibility and they are basically known as a paramedic to RN bridge courses. In addition, students must provide prove of a current certification of Paramedics in Massachusetts. Just like the other two nurse education programs, graduates will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.
Articulation agreements are available between Quinsigamond Community College and specific colleges and universities in Massachusetts for the three ADN routes.
Practical Nursing Program
The program prepares students for entry level nursing careers as licensed practical nurses. Course covered fall in the biological, social and nursing sciences totaling to 46 credit hours. There is also extensive practical experience. On a full time basis, the program takes 40 weeks to complete after which, students are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam. Students are then allowed to work in healthcare facilities as practical nurses providing direct care to patients.
Contact:
Quinsigamond Community College
670 West Boylston St, Worcester,
MA 01606
collage