Health Character and Technical Standards for the Associate in Science in Nursing Program

Technical standards have been established to inform the student of minimum standards to satisfactorily function in the program and ultimately in the profession. The College must ensure that patient(s) of clinical affiliates are not placed in jeopardy by students during learning experiences.

Therefore, students in service learning and clinical experiences must demonstrate sufficient emotional stability to withstand the stress, uncertainties, and rapidly changing circumstances that characterize the responsibilities of patient(s).

Furthermore, the student is expected to have the emotional stability required to exercise sound judgment, accept direction and guidance from a supervisor or faculty member, and establish rapport and maintain sensitive interpersonal relationships with patients, their families, agency staff, faculty, and peers. Applicants must be in good physical and mental health to meet program objectives.

1. Sufficient hearing to assess patient needs, physiological signs, understand instructions, identify emergency signals, assess body functions, and engage in telephone conversation.
2. Sufficient visual acuity to observe patients, manipulate equipment, interpret data, ensure a safe environment, identify color changes, read fine print/writing, and do fine calibrations.
3. Sufficient speech and language ability to express, comprehend, and exchange information and ideas in Englishverbally, nonverbally, and in writing, and to interact clearly and logically with patients, family members, physicians, nurses, faculty, peers, and other ancillary medical personnel.
4. Sufficient tactile ability to assess pressure, temperature, position, vibration, and movement.
5. Ability to work with frequent interruptions, to respond appropriately in emergencies or unexpected situations, and to cope with extreme variations in workload and stress levels.
6. Sufficient emotional intelligence to exhibit empathy and compassion, to maintain productive relationships in classroom and clinical settings, and to integrate direction, instruction, and criticism into behavioral changes.
7. Sufficient strength, endurance, and motor coordination to perform the following physical activities: participation in lengthy classroom activities; fine and gross motor skills to carry out procedures; ability to safely and frequently handle, lift, and/ or carry equipment and patients up to thirty pounds; stamina to complete an eight-to-twelve-hour work shift; and ability to perform CPR.
8. Sufficient information technology access and skills to complete assignments according to program standards.
9. Applicants with latex allergies are advised to seek professional medical consultation.

Candidates must complete the college admission requirements and provide documentation of the following criteria for admission consideration:

• Attendance at a Nursing Information Session.
• Complete and submit an application for the program.
• Complete Anatomy & Physiology I and Introduction to Psychology with a C+ or higher. (Science credits must also be no more than 10 years old with a minimum grade of C+).
• ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)* with a Total Score of 66% or higher.
  • The TEAS test evaluates the academic ability of prospective RN students.
  • Applicants are permitted to take this test three times in a calendar year, no sooner than four weeks between attempts.
  • Test scores are valid for two years.
  • Must be taken within two years before starting the first nursing course.
  • See www.atitesting.com for more information about preparing for the test and registering for the TEAS.
• Ability to meet the ASN program’s Health, Character, and Technical Standards (please see below).

Applications will be reviewed, and admission decisions will be made by the Vice-President of Student and Community Affairs and the Director of the Department of Nursing. 

Selection will be determined by a cumulative point system based on the below criteria:

• ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)* with a Total Score of 66% or higher.
• Successful progression in NCC’s Pre-Nursing Pathway.
• Number of nursing-related general education courses.
• Have a history of academic success.
• Is an active LPN, LNA, MNA, CNA, MA, Paramedic, or EMT. (Submit a copy of your license/certificate with your name and expiration date.)

Qualified students not accepted in the initial selection process may be assigned to a prioritized waitlist according to the above criteria. They may be subsequently admitted if an opening becomes available.  Applicants still desiring admission must reapply for the next academic year.

*The ATI TEAS measures applicants’ entry-level academic readiness and predicts success in the first-trimester Nursing course. To receive information regarding the ATI TEAS or to register for a specific exam date, contact ATI at Https://atitesting.com

Terri, Nursing, Class of 2017

In a few short years, Terri-Lynn Krol BSN, RN, went from being an LPN to a student in a Masters in the Science of Nursing program working toward her Family Nurse Practitioners license.

“The foundation for education that NCC gave me, along with the study habits and commitment to my education, has assisted me in achieving all of these amazing accomplishments,” said Terri.

As an LPN, Terri moved to New Hampshire from New York and began to look for a way to continue her nursing education. While at work, she met a team of students from NCC.

“I thought the students had incredible knowledge and they all seemed very pleased with their choice in education from NCC.”

Jared Caron, RN, AMB-BC. NCC Nursing Class of 2013

Nurse Educator, Chair – Quality Clinical Team, Foundation Medical Partners

Jared had his sights set on a career in nursing since high school, and is now a nurse educator training clinical staff across the southern area of New Hampshire. However, it was a long road with a lot of hard work.

After researching affordable, high-performing nursing programs, he applied to all the community college programs in New Hampshire. Jared enrolled in general education courses at Nashua Community College to prepare, and was accepted by NCC first.

At this point, he already had experience behind him. “I had taken classes to be a nurse’s assistant and had been working in that role for about a year and a half by the time I was accepted to the nursing program,” he said.

Life in the NCC Nursing Program

Known for its rigor, Jared said the hardest part of the program was keeping up with the workload. “The nursing courses are nothing like other college courses,” Jared said. “Once you start the nursing courses and clinical rotations, the pace is fast, and the workload is intense. The secret was really engaging with the faculty and fellow students, learning as a community, and most importantly unhooking from the grades. Pass the class with the required average, and keep going, the learning will take care of itself as long as you stay engaged.”

Jared described the capstone project, which presented a major challenge in developing leadership and collaboration skills. The project required 30 students to organize and deliver a community health-education service, and Jared was one of 3 elected to organize it. The group worked tirelessly, but had to navigate a major last-minute complication.

“The night before the event, I got a call at 2am from one of the other students, who told me our main speaker had just cancelled, which was about 2 hours of our 3 hour program,” Jared said. Jared then sprang into action and threw together a last-minute presentation, recruiting a faculty member to join the program as a speaker.

“I was really proud of everyone involved because it was a test of our resilience and abilities individually and as a group,” Jared said. “

I did not fully appreciate how relevant that assignment would become in my career, but I have applied those skills in every role I’ve been in since then. Nursing is not just taking care of patients. It’s also leadership both at the bedside and in board rooms.”

After NCC

Jared found a job as a float nurse for Foundation Medical Partners and loved it. Foundation Medical Partners is an outpatient service affiliated with Southern New Hampshire Medical Center. The organization covers a broad service area in Southern New Hampshire from Pelham to Milford and up to Merrimack, as well as Pepperell, Massachusetts. Jared then grew into a leadership role with Foundation Medical Partners and serves as a nurse educator, training and educating clinical staff.

“We deal with new hires, continuing education, and skills training in a lot of different formats,” Jared said, noting he also supports quality assurance for the team. He also became board certified in ambulatory care nursing.

In February 2021, Jared shared an update; “I am in a new role in Quality & Safety. The role is really about promoting excellent clinical outcomes and preventing safety issues in patient care. We analyze unexpected events, develop new and improved processes, and measure results to advocate for improved care. It’s a good example of the diversity of roles that a nursing education can help prepare you for.”

Advice for Prospective Students

“While you take your prerequisite courses, work hard to learn how you learn, and understand yourself,” Jared said. “Don’t expect the textbooks and lectures to teach you what you need to know. You will have to manipulate, synthesize, and make connections with the information, so find ways to do that and take ownership of your learning.”

Lastly, Jared encouraged students to trust the faculty. “By the end they will feel like family, so reach out early and often.”

Graduates of the program are encouraged to earn a Bachelor’s and/or Master of Science in Nursing. Articulation agreements are maintained with:

•  Franklin Pierce University
• Colby College
• UNH College of Professional Studies (Granite State College)
• Rivier University
• Southern New Hampshire University

Students may also identify other programs that meet their specific needs. Students planning to continue their education toward a Bachelor or Master of Science in Nursing should plan their program of study with an academic advisor from the Department of Nursing. Further information can be obtained from the respective programs or the Director of the Department of Nursing.