Program Requirements
 
 
 
 
 
Most clinical experiences in JCC’s nursing program are in acute care hospital settings and are physically and emotionally rigorous. The following list represents typical daily activities, and the skills and abilities students will be developing while enrolled in the program. Among other learning objectives, satisfactory demonstration of these skills and abilities is required for successful completion of the clinical portion of the program. Prior to enrollment students will be asked to sign a statement acknowledging they have read these criteria. Students who are unsure if they can meet these criteria because of disability, or know they will need help in meeting them, must contact JCC’s disability support services office to discuss the use of accommodations and/or auxiliary aids.
 
To meet nursing program outcomes, students must be able to:
1. Perform motor skills safely, such as
  • Lifting, bathing, positioning, and transporting patients;
  • Moving efficiently enough to meet the needs of several patients in a timely fashion;
  • Lifting, positioning, or moving an unconscious patient to perform lifesaving procedures.
2. Perform activities requiring manual dexterity, such as
  • Giving injections;
  • Operating equipment and devices such as thermometers, blood pressure cuffs, and IV pumps;
  • Efficiently operating equipment and devices in emergency situations;
  • Inserting and/or maintaining any patient catheters or other tubes.
3. Perform activities requiring accurate and efficient interpretation and communication of information in English, both written and spoken. For example:
  • Responding to a physician’s order;
  • Reading and recording information;
  • Directing assistive staff.
4. Respond to signals, alarms, and other displays indicating urgent patient need, and take immediate action.
5. Perform effectively under stress.
6. Demonstrate ability to analyze data, calculate, and measure.
 
After acceptance into the program, but before enrollment, students will need to submit health and physical records, including proof of required immunizations, to the college’s health center.
 
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification
Prior to entrance into NUR 1510, students are required to present certification of completion of Basic Life Support (BLS), which includes infant, child, and adult CPR.
 
Students are strongly recommended to seek certification the summer before starting nursing courses since certification will then cover the two-year period the student is in the nursing program. Courses are available through the nursing program or in the community.
 
Criminal Background Check and Clearance
Requests by health care agencies for criminal background checks on nursing students are becoming more common. Nursing students may be required, at their own expense, to complete a child abuse background check and/or a state or federal background check before beginning a clinical placement. Inability to obtain a satisfactory clearance can jeopardize a student’s ability to attend clinical at specific agencies, meet clinical outcomes, as well as register for the licensure exam.