Nursing

The Degree

Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)

The Outlook

The employment outlook for registered nurses continues to increase. According to the U.S. Labor Department, the overall growth in health care, the continuing development of complex new technologies, and the long-term health care needs of an aging population will increase the need for well-educated nurses in a wide variety of positions. Finger Lakes Community College offers a highly competitive nursing program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission* since 1978.

* FLCC's program is registered with the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006. Tel: 1-800-669-1656, ext. 153.

The Program

The Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Nursing offers a registered nurse (R.N.) course of study, utilizing a state-of-the-art nursing lab, audio-visual lab, and computer-assisted instruction. In addition to developing the skills necessary for nursing practice, students in the program receive a broad-based liberal arts education. After four semesters, students are qualified to take a national licensing exam to become registered nurses. The overall passing rate for FLCC nursing students has remained above state and national averages.

Pre-Nursing Courses: A pre-nursing sequence is provided for those students who either apply too late in the year for admission to the nursing curriculum, have not met the prerequisites for admission, or prefer to pursue the nursing curriculum on a part-time or reduced course load basis. An accelerated option for LPNs is also available. For details, contact the Nursing Department.

Faculty: The nursing faculty at Finger Lakes are well-respected in their areas of expertise. They have presented at national workshops and authored published works.

Honors Courses: The College offers honors courses that provide enhanced educational experiences for students who have demonstrated outstanding academic ability. Enrollment in honors courses is open to qualified students in this degree program, as well as all other qualified FLCC students. Successful completion of honors courses or an Honors Certificate may increase student transfer options to four-year institutions.

The Experience

Clinical experiences at a variety of health care agencies enhance the program. Opportunities for forty-hour clinical practicums exist during the January and summer sessions. Nursing and pre-nursing students are invited to become members of FLCC's Nursing Club, which promotes fellowship and high standards of nursing.

The Graduates

One hundred percent of graduates in nursing who have sought employment have found it. Many transfer to baccalaureate programs in nursing utilizing the "2+2" agreements that Finger Lakes currently holds with Keuka College, Nazareth College of Rochester, St. John Fisher College, the University of Rochester, and SUNY Colleges at Brockport and Utica/Rome. Joint Admission Agreements are in place with Keuka College, and Roberts Wesleyan College.*

Salary: While salaries vary greatly by segment and region, the most recent Occupational Outlook Handbook reports median annual earnings for registered nurses as $52,330.

* This is a sampling of some of the four-year colleges and universities to which our students have transferred. Please consult your advisor or the Center for Advisement and Personal Development for a complete listing of transfer agreements between Finger Lakes Community College and four-year institutions.

The Scholarships

Scholarship opportunities exist through the FLCC Foundation and various other organizations. For more information, contact a member of the Nursing Department or the Financial Aid Office.

The Faculty

All full-time Nursing faculty have a master's degree in Nursing. They collectively bring many years of clinical practice experience within the profession. Many continue to work in the acute and public healthcare settings in addition to their faculty roles. A number of the faculty have advanced certification in specialty areas that goes beyond their basic nursing education. All faculty spend many hours each year in continuing education and professional development activities in order to keep their skills and knowledge on the cutting edge of health care information.

Nursing

Curriculum Requirements

Students are required to complete a minimum of 67 semester hours with a grade point average of not less than C (2.0). A minimum of C in Anatomy and Physiology I & II is required to continue in the nursing program. In addition, satisfactory grade performance in the Nursing Program includes a minimum of C+ (2.5) in NUR 100 Fundamentals of Nursing, and C (2.0) in each succeeding nursing content course. Unsatisfactory clinical performance in nursing negates academic grade performance.

All associate degree programs require English 101 Freshman English and English 102 Introduction to Literature. Students must pass skills assessment for entrance into these courses. Students who are well prepared may substitute ENG 104 English I Honors and ENG 105 English II Honors for ENG101 and ENG102. Students who are considering the English Honors sequence should consult the Director of Honors.

Students must successfully complete:

Humanities

  • ENG101 Freshman English and ENG 102 Introduction to Literature
    or
    ENG104 English I Honors and ENG105 English II Honors
  • 3 credit hours Humanities elective

Social Science

  • PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology
  • PSY 200 Developmental Psychology
  • SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology

Natural Science

  • BIO 171 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
  • BIO 172 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
  • BIO 230 Microbiology

Nursing

  • NUR 100 Fundamentals of Nursing
  • NUR 101 Nursing Care of the Adult and Child I
  • NUR 202 Nursing Care of the Adult and Child II
  • NUR 203 Maternal-Child Health Nursing
  • NUR 204 Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing
  • NUR 215 Nursing Seminar

Physical Education Elective

  • Minimum 1 credit hour activity class*

Electives

  • Minimum 2 credit hours

* PE activity classes include golf, bowling, racquetball, badminton, tennis, etc.

Candidates who wish to undertake the Excelsior College Degree for an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing in New York State may enroll at Finger Lakes Community College for required general education courses. Information about this external degree can be obtained by contacting Excelsior College at www.excelsior.edu or by phone at (888)647-2388.

Students wishing to pursue a baccalaureate degree in nursing (B.S.N.) are advised to make this desire known early to help facilitate transfer to any of several upper division nursing programs in the area. Direct 2+2 transfer agreements are in place for Keuka College, Nazareth College, State University College at Brockport, State University College at Utica/Rome, St. John Fisher College, Syracuse University, and University of Rochester. Joint Admissions Agreements are in place with Keuka College, Roberts Wesleyan College, and Syracuse University.

Accelerated Option for LPN's

A special accelerated option of limited enrollment is offered to qualified licensed practical nurses. The nursing component of this program may be completed in two semesters and one summer session. Advanced placement is granted after knowledge and skills assessment of NUR 100 content. Students must enroll for a minimum of 32 credit hours, 17 of which must be in Nursing, to attain an A.A.S. Nursing degree at Finger Lakes Community College. Interested persons should contact the Nursing Department directly for further information.

Requirements for Admittance to R.N. Licensure Exam:

Graduates of this Nursing Program meet the education requirement for admittance to the RN licensure exam; however, there is a requirement that the applicant be of “good moral character,” and a fee must be paid for the test. On the application for the test the applicant is required to truthfully answer the following questions:

  • Have you ever been convicted of a crime (felony or misdemeanor) in any state or country?
  • Are charges pending against you for a crime (felony or misdemeanor) in any state or country?
  • Have you ever been found guilty of professional misconduct, unprofessional conduct, or negligence in any state or country?
  • Are charges pending against you for professional misconduct, unprofessional conduct, or negligence in any state or country?

If the answer to any of the questions is yes, the applicant must offer full explanation and establish his/her good moral character with the New York State Education Department.

Nursing

Sample Schedule

The schedule below shows how the requirements for the A.A.S. Nursing degree may be met in four semesters. This schedule is an example of one of many possible different schedules.

It is included here only as an illustration of the type of schedule that might be followed by a full-time student. Many students attending Finger Lakes Community College who have work and/or family obligations choose a different sequence of courses and take more than four semesters to fulfill the requirements for the A.A.S. Nursing degree. Similarly, students who find they need to take some additional course work to prepare them to do well in the types of courses included in the A.A.S. Nursing degree program may plan a schedule that takes more than four semesters to complete the degree. Students registering for a January or Summer Nursing Practicum or Summer Nursing Course must do so by established deadlines. All students should consult their Nursing advisor when they plan their schedule.

First Semester (17 Credit hours)

  • ENG 101 Freshman English (3)
  • PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology (3)
  • BIO 171 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4)
  • NUR 100 Fundamentals of Nursing (6)
  • PE activity class* (1)

Second Semester (18 Credit hours)

  • ENG 102 Introduction to Literature (3)
  • PSY 200 Developmental Psychology (3)
  • BIO 172 Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4)
  • NUR 101 Nursing Care of the Adult and Child I (8)

Third Semester (16 Credit hours)

  • NUR 202 Nursing Care of the Adult and Child II (9)
  • BIO 230 Microbiology (4)
  • SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology (3)

Fourth Semester*** (16/17 Credit hours)

  • NUR 203 Maternal-Child Health Nursing (5)
  • NUR 204 Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing (4)
  • NUR 215 Nursing Seminar (2)
  • Humanities Elective (3)
  • General Elective**** (2/3)

* PE activity classes include golf, bowling, racquetball, badminton, tennis, etc.

***Qualify to sit for the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nursing at the end of the fourth semester.

****The Nursing Dept. will accept NYS certification in a health field (i.e. CNA, EMT) as two general elective credits.

Recommended Sequence for Pre-nursing

The Pre-Nursing sequence is provided for those students who (1) apply too late in the year for admission to the nursing curriculum, (2) have not met the prerequisites for admission, or (3) prefer to pursue the nursing curriculum on a part-time or reduced course load basis.

Enrollment in the nursing curriculum would be on a space-available basis and conditional upon successful completion of the Pre-Nursing sequence of courses (minimum C in every course), and written notification to Admissions during December advising them of the desire to be considered in the following Fall Semester. A two-year, four-semester sequence of professional nursing courses, plus any other requirements in the A.A.S. Nursing degree program that were not taken during the pre-nursing year would follow. If a student has not completed high school chemistry or the equivalent, this requirement must be met successfully prior to enrolling in the Nursing Program.

Fall Semester (13/14 Credit hours)

  • ENG 101 Freshman English (3)
  • PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology (3)
  • Biology Elective (BIO 110 Fundamentals of Human Anatomy and Physiology OR BIO 171 Human Anatomy and Physiology I) (4)
  • General Elective (2/3)
  • Physical Education activity class (1)

Spring Semester (16 Credit hours)

  • ENG 102 Introduction to Literature (3)
  • PSY 200 Developmental Psychology (3)
  • SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology (3)
  • Chemistry Elective (4)
  • Humanities Elective (3)

A special accelerated option of limited enrollment is offered to qualified licensed practical nurses. The nursing component of this program may be completed in two semesters and one summer session. Advanced placement is granted after knowledge and skills assessment of NUR 100 content. Students must enroll for a minimum of 32 credit hours, 16 of which must be in Nursing, to attain an A.A.S. Nursing degree at Finger Lakes Community College. Interested persons should contact the Department of Nursing directly for further information.

Candidates who wish to undertake the Excelsior College Degree for an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing in New York State may enroll at Finger Lakes Community College for required general education courses. Information about this external degree can be obtained from the Center for Advisement.

Students wishing to pursue a baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) are advised to make this desire known early to help facilitate transfer to any of several upper division nursing programs in the area. Direct 2+2 transfer agreements are in place for Keuka College, Nazareth College, State University College at Brockport, State University College at Utica/Rome, St. John Fisher College, Syracuse University, University of Rochester, and Roberts Wesleyan College. Joint Admissions Agreements are in place with Keuka College and Nazareth College.

Accelerated Option For LPNs

Through appropriate testing, LPNs may be granted advanced standing in the Finger Lakes Community College Nursing program. This minimizes repetitive course work for qualified students. Before admission to this sequence, the following prerequisites must be met:

1. High School Graduate or equivalency diploma, Math (Algebra required), high school Chemistry or college equivalent (SCI 102 at FLCC).

2. General Education

FLCC courses or approved transfer credit:

  • Human Anatomy & Physiology I (4 cr.)
  • Freshman English I (3 cr.)
  • Introduction to Psychology (3 cr.)

3. Nursing Component

  1. Current licensure as an LPN (copy of license must be submitted).
  2. Fundamentals of Nursing 6 credits granted by successful completion of FLCC Challenge Exam (C+), Excelsior College Examination (a passing score of C or better as determined by Excelsior College is acceptable) or FLCC waiver.
  3. Two letters of professional reference.
  4. Transcript of LPN program.
  5. Skill assessment - DSD, Gloving.
  6. Math assessment.

To qualify for the A.A.S. degree under the Accelerated Option for LPNs, the nursing student must have enrolled and satisfactorily completed a minimum of 32 credit hours, 16 of which must be in Nursing, and have met the minimum one-year residency requirement at Finger Lakes Community College. If all degree requirements are met, students qualify for December or March graduation. All Nursing Department and Admission Office policies apply to this option. Program enrollment is limited.

Recommended sequence:

Jan Plan (1 Credit hour)

  • NUR 105 Nursing Process (1)

Spring Semester (18 Credit hours)

  • NUR 101 Nursing Care of the Adult and Child I (8)
  • BIO 172 Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4)
  • PSY 200 Developmental Psychology (3)
  • ENG 102 Introduction to Literature (3)

Summer Session I (4 Credit hours)

  • NUR 204 Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing (4)

Summer Session II (7 Credit hours)

  • Humanities Elective (3)
  • General Elective (3)
  • Physical Education activity class (1)

Fall Semester (18 Credit hours)

  • NUR 202 Nursing Care of the Adult and Child II (9)
  • NUR 215 Nursing Seminar (2)
  • BIO 230 Microbiology (4)
  • SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology (3)

Spring Semester (5 Credit hours)

  • NUR 203 Maternal -Child Nursing* (5)

For more information or to schedule an interview contact the Nursing Department at (585)394-3500 ext. 7345.

Nursing courses or exams must be taken within five years of matriculation

*All approved nursing challenge exams must be completed by September 1 of the sophomore year in the Nursing program; otherwise, courses will have to be taken in the Spring semester after successful completion of NUR 202.