Nursing, Associate in Applied Science
Ocean County College’s nursing program is a planned, two-year curriculum of classroom study and clinical experience that prepares graduates for employment in various health care settings such as hospitals, sub-acute and long term care facilities and various other health care settings. Successful completion of the program leads to the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree and eligibility to take the licensure examination for Registered Nurses in New Jersey. Employment availability is based on market conditions.
Accreditation
The associate nursing program at Ocean County College at the Toms River, New Jersey location is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
telephone number: 404-975-5000
www.acenursing.org
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at https://www.acenursing.org/acen-programs/ocean-county-college.
The program is also accredited by:
New Jersey Board of Nursing
124 Halsey St, 6th Floor
Newark, NJ 07102
telephone number: 973-504-6430
Complaints regarding the Nursing Program can be sent to the NJ Board of Nursing.
Admission to the Nursing Program
The college offers a traditional nursing program, an On-site Online nursing program, and a Career Mobility nursing program. For acceptance into any of the three, a candidate must:
- Possess a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
- Complete either A, B, or C as follows:
- Achieve a minimal SAT combined Critical Reading (or Evidence Based Reading and Writing) and Math score of 1100, or an ACT score of 24
- Possess a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and complete A&P I & II with a minimum of a “C” within the last ten years
- Complete all the general education course requirements with a minimum grade of “C” and a cumulative college G.P.A. of 2.7 or better (All previous college coursework is included in this GPA calculation). Note these courses – listed below - are all nursing degree requirements, so they need to be taken even if not as part of the admissions process.
- Take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) and achieve a composite percentage score as determined by the college.
- Successfully complete a criminal background check.
Traditional Nursing Program
The traditional Nursing Program features a combination of classroom study and clinical experiences that can be completed in two years. Via the Letter of Intent, students may apply for admission to the Fall or Spring class which offer both day and evening courses. Clinical assignments are based upon providing maximal clinical experiences for the students to attain clinical competencies, therefore students are required to be available 7am to 7pm on their assigned day(s). Students must be willing to travel to a number of clinical facilities throughout the state. For more information, please visit www.ocean.edu and search for “Traditional Nursing”.
On-Site Online (OSOL) Nursing Program
This unique Nursing Program allows individuals to complete the program by studying at home and attending clinical/colloquium with the faculty member for 12 hours on their assigned day(s). The course content (didactic) is provided through web-assisted instruction. Applicants must have employment experience as a health care provider, and fulfill all traditional nursing admissions requirements. For more information, or to obtain the supplemental application, please visit www.ocean.edu and search for “On-site Online Nursing”.
Career Mobility Nursing Program
Career mobility is a pathway for the qualified licensed practical nurse (LPN) to test out of the first clinical nursing course, shortening the length of the RN program by one semester. Individuals must fulfill all traditional nursing admissions requirements, and meet the following criteria:
- LPN students must be graduates of State Board of Nursing approved practical nursing programs. A current and valid license to practice nursing is required.
- Applicants must be employed as LPN’s for at least the last 6 months.
- Applicants must pass the Challenge Exam at 75% or higher as administered at OCC. This exam requires a fee, and may be taken only once.
For more information, or to be assessed for eligibility, please visit www.ocean.edu and search for “Career Mobility”.
Requirements for All Nursing Students
- Completion of a health record to include:
New or re-entry students will not be admitted to the program if the health record is not completed and on file in the Nursing Program office by the date stated in the acceptance letter. Current students are required to maintain their health records (including a clear drug screening panel) as outlined in the student handbook or they will not be admitted into class, clinical or lab and will jeopardize their current seat. These health requirements may change as a direct result of health care delivery system mandates. The cost of these health requirements is borne by the student. It is the student’s responsibility to see that these records are complete and are in the Nursing Program office four weeks before the start of the semester. - Students must maintain a current CPR certification from the American Heart Association as a Health Care Provider.
- Purchase of required uniforms, name pins and equipment in sufficient time to be properly attired when entering the clinical experience.
- Students must provide independent transportation to and from the college and clinical experience. Agencies throughout the state are utilized.
- Maintain a grade of “C” in all required courses.
- A cumulative grade of 75% is necessary to pass each NURS course as determined by individual course requirements AND satisfactory clinical performance.
- Ocean County College reserves the right to assess the nursing student for fitness for class/lab or clinical.
- Students must complete clinical facility orientations, confidentiality forms, and computer orientations every semester as required for clinical placement.
- The New Jersey Board of Nursing requires a clean criminal background check to obtain licensure to practice. Therefore, candidates for admission to the OCC Nursing Program must have a clear/compliant criminal background check.
OCC reserves the right to endorse a candidate for licensure. The privilege is awarded at the completion of the nursing program. When the candidate is recommended and the application has been approved, the student will be notified of eligibility to sit for the licensing examination by the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
Transfer and Career Information
The Associate in Applied Science in Nursing is intended to prepare students for immediate entry into the workplace. Graduates take the NCLEX licensure examination and, upon passing that exam, are licensed as Registered Nurses (RN). Many four-year institutions offer BSN completion degrees to students who have earned the AAS in Nursing. Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution in NJ can explore the “Transfer Programs” feature on NJ Transfer www.njtransfer.org.
General Education Requirements
Students must complete the following courses with a minimum grade of “C.”
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 151 | English I | 3 |
| ENGL 152 | English II | 3 |
| PSYC 172 | General Psychology | 3 |
| CHEM 180 | Introductory Chemistry | 4 |
| or CHEM 181 | General Chemistry I | |
| BIOL 130 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BIOL 131 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| MATH 156 or Higher 1 | 3 | |
| Humanities Gen. Ed. Requirement | 3 | |
- 1
MATH 156 recommended.
Program Specific Courses
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 174 | Nutrition | 3 |
| NURS 175 | Nursing I | 9 |
| NURS 176 | Nursing II | 9 |
| BIOL 232 | Microbiology 1 | 4 |
| NURS 273 | Nursing III | 9 |
| NURS 274 | Nursing IV | 10 |
| NURS 275 | Contemporary Nursing | 2 |
- 1
May be taken prior to entering the nursing program.
| First Semester | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 151 | English I | 3 |
| BIOL 130 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| CHEM 180 or CHEM 181 | Introductory Chemistry or General Chemistry I | 4 |
| NURS 175 | Nursing I | 9 |
| Credit Hours | 20 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ENGL 152 | English II | 3 |
| BIOL 131 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| NURS 176 | Nursing II | 9 |
| NURS 174 | Nutrition | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 19 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| MATH 156 or Higher (MATH 156 recommended) | 3 | |
| BIOL 232 | Microbiology | 4 |
| NURS 273 | Nursing III | 9 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| Humanities Gen. Ed. Requirement | 3 | |
| PSYC 172 | General Psychology | 3 |
| NURS 274 | Nursing IV | 10 |
| NURS 275 | Contemporary Nursing | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 73 | |