Frequently Asked Questions Associate Degree Nursing Program
Do I need to have all general education requirements completed before entering the Associate Degree Nursing Program?
No. The general education courses that are listed in the curriculum do not need to be completed before program admission. These courses are considered program courses not program admission requirements. However, many students do complete these courses before they apply.
The minimum requirements for admission to the Associate Degree Nursing Program include:
Completion of high school chemistry and biology with labs and grades of B or better
Two years of algebra with a C or better
An acceptable substitute for high school chemistry is NCC CHEM 135 with a grade of B or better; for high school biology it is NCC BIOS 115 with a B or better
An acceptable substitute for high school algebra I and II is MATH 022 and 026 or MATH 028 with grades of Cs or better.
Courses used to satisfy admission criteria cannot be used to satisfy degree requirements.
Students applying to the program must have a minimum GPA of 3.00. Primary consideration is given to those who have received a grade of B or better in the program sciences on the first attempt.
Can I take the general education courses in any order once I am admitted to the Associate Degree Nursing Program?
No. The general education courses listed for each semester must be either taken in that semester or before that semester. As an example, in the first semester of the program Intro to Psychology is listed. A student can either complete that course before he/she enters the program OR take the course in the first semester with NURS101. If the course is not completed and not in progress during the first semester the student is not able to progress to the second semester.
When is the Associate Degree Nursing Program offered?
Nursing students attend classes, college laboratory experiences at the College which are traditionally offered during the day. Clinical learning experiences are provided between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
The Associate Degree Nursing Program is also offered on an evening/weekend schedule. Classes and college laboratory experiences in this schedule are offered during the early evening hours, between 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Clinical learning experiences for the evening/weekend Associate Degree Nursing Program are scheduled on weekends between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
How many hours will I spend in class, lab and clinical each week?
Nursing students spend approximately 15 to 20 hours per week over the course of three to four days in class, lab or clinical.
How many study hours outside of class, lab and clinical are required to be successful in the Associate Degree Nursing Program?
The recommendation is that students spend one hour of study time for every hour spent in the academic setting.
How long does it take to complete the Associate Degree Nursing Program?
The Associate Degree Nursing Program requires a minimum of four academic semesters to complete, spread over two calendar years.
What is the deadline to apply to the Associate Degree Nursing Program?
In order to be considered for entry in the Associate Degree Nursing Program, applicants must submit an application and all transcripts by September 15th for program entry in the Spring Semester and by February 1st for program entry in the Fall Semester. Applications received after these dates will be reviewed on a space available basis.
Will I need a criminal background check and/or a child abuse check?
After acceptance, but before starting the program, students are required to submit results of Pennsylvania State Police and FBI criminal background checks, Pennsylvania Child and Elder Abuse History Clearances and a nine panel urine drug screen.
Do you require an entrance test to be admitted to the Associate Degree Nursing Program Program?
No. The TEAS V is administered as an assessment to highlight academically high risk students as determined from our TEAS V benchmark scores; it is not an entrance test for admission. It is administered after the student is admitted to the Associate Degree
Nursing Program. The TEAS V is used to identify areas of concern that may hinder a student’s progression the program. Early academic support interventions, which include individual academic plans, tutoring, seminars, test taking strategies etc. are offered to those students who score below our TEAS V benchmark scores in the areas of reading, math, science and English. The TEAS V is a program requirement, however, AFTER admission to the Associate Degree Nursing Program.
Where can I find all the resources that one might need to be successful in the Associate Degree Nursing Program?
Nursing Support Services is a service, specifically for nursing students, created from a grant received from The Dorothy Rider Pool Healthcare Trust. The purpose is to improve the recruitment and retention of nursing students in an attempt to help address the local shortage of nurses, thereby increasing access to care for individuals within our
community and in the process, elevating the overall quality of the community's health care. Nursing Support Services (NSS) is located in Penn Hall on the Bethlehem Campus and is available Monday through Friday during the day on a full-time basis and in the evenings and weekends on a part-time basis.
I heard the Nursing Program is very competitive; how many students do you admit each semester?
Approximately 35 to 40 students are accepted into the Associate Degree in Nursing Program in the Fall semester. An additional 35 students are accepted into the
Evening/Weekend Associate Degree in Nursing Program in the Spring semester on even years (2012, 2014 ect) only.
I also heard the Associate Degree Nursing Program is very expensive. What
additional expenses other than tuition will I incur throughout the program? (how many uniforms, purchase all books in advance, additional books helpful to
complete program)
Prior to entering the Associate Degree Nursing Program, students must purchase Nursing Uniforms. It is recommended that students purchase 1 to 2 uniform tops and 1 to 2 pair of white nursing pants. Additionally, students are required to purchase a white laboratory jacket and white nursing shoes. Uniforms are sold by the Nursing Student Organization during the Nursing Orientation session or at MP Uniform Supply & Company.
Textbooks are another required cost. The majority of the books required throughout the program are purchased prior to the start of the first nursing course. Additional course related materials are required to be purchased each semester as they pertain the specific nursing course being taken.
Additional books are recommended, but not required to be purchased. Examples of these books include nursing diagnosis handbooks, nursing careplan books, and pharmacology cards/books.
Are their any scholarship opportunities?
Scholarship opportunities are available for qualified students. Contact the Financial Aid Office at 610-861-5510 for further information.
Is it realistic to work full-time or part-time while attending the Associate Degree Nursing Program?
While many of our students work either part-time or full-time while taking courses in the Associate Degree Nursing Program at NCC, it is the student’s sole decision as to whether or not working while going to college is beneficial.
Am I guaranteed job placement after graduating from the Associate Degree Nursing Program?
Nursing students are not guaranteed job placement after graduating from NCC’s Nursing Program.
At what facilities are clinical learning experiences offered?
Clinical learning experiences are provided at a variety of health care agencies in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas. These facilities include but are not limited to: Lehigh Valley Health Network, St. Luke’s Hospital and Health Network, Pocono Medical Center, Easton Hospital, Sacred Heart Hospital, Ridgecrest Pediatric Services, Gracedale Nursing Home, Manor Care Nursing Homes (Bethlehem and Easton) and Country Meadows.
Are any/all credits earned while being in the Associate Degree Nursing Program transferable to other schools for a BSN?
The school chosen by the student will depend on how many credits are transferable. Interested students are encouraged to contact the admissions office at 610-861-5555 or your college advisor for more information.
