Academic Catalog

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 http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm

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:

  1. Possess a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
  2. Complete either A, B, or C as follows:
    1. Achieve a minimal SAT combined Critical Reading (or Evidence Based Reading and Writing) and Math score of 1100, or an ACT score of 24
    2. 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
    3. 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.
  3. Take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) and achieve a composite percentage score as determined by the college. 
  4. 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:

  1. LPN students must be graduates of State Board of Nursing approved practical nursing programs. A current and valid license to practice nursing is required.
  2. Applicants must be employed as LPN’s for at least the last 6 months.
  3. 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

  1. 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.
  2. Students must maintain a current CPR certification from the American Heart Association as a Health Care Provider.
  3. Purchase of required uniforms, name pins and equipment in sufficient time to be properly attired when entering the clinical experience.
  4. Students must provide independent transportation to and from the college and clinical experience. Agencies throughout the state are utilized.
  5. Maintain a grade of “C” in all required courses.
  6. A cumulative grade of 75% is necessary to pass each NURS course as determined by individual course requirements AND satisfactory clinical performance.
  7. Ocean County College reserves the right to assess the nursing student for fitness for class/lab or clinical.
  8. Students must complete clinical facility orientations, confidentiality forms, and computer orientations every semester as required for clinical placement.
  9. 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.”

ENGL 151English I3
ENGL 152English II3
PSYC 172General Psychology3
CHEM 180Introductory Chemistry4
or CHEM 181 General Chemistry I
BIOL 130Human Anatomy and Physiology I4
BIOL 131Human Anatomy & Physiology II4
MATH 156 or Higher 13
Humanities Gen. Ed. Requirement3
1

 MATH 156 recommended.

Program Specific Courses

NURS 174Nutrition3
NURS 175Nursing I9
NURS 176Nursing II9
BIOL 232Microbiology 1 4
NURS 273Nursing III9
NURS 274Nursing IV10
NURS 275Contemporary Nursing2
1

May be taken prior to entering the nursing program.

Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterCredit Hours
ENGL 151 English I 3
BIOL 130 Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4
CHEM 180
Introductory Chemistry
or General Chemistry I
4
NURS 175 Nursing I 9
 Credit Hours20
Second Semester
ENGL 152 English II 3
BIOL 131 Human Anatomy & Physiology II 4
NURS 176 Nursing II 9
NURS 174 Nutrition 3
 Credit Hours19
Third Semester
MATH 156 or Higher (MATH 156 recommended) 3
BIOL 232 Microbiology 4
NURS 273 Nursing III 9
 Credit Hours16
Fourth Semester
Humanities Gen. Ed. Requirement 3
PSYC 172 General Psychology 3
NURS 274 Nursing IV 10
NURS 275 Contemporary Nursing 2
 Credit Hours18
 Total Credit Hours73