Campus Location: Calmar, Peosta
Program Entry: Enrollment may occur during any term. Fall and Spring terms are the start of the program course sequence.
Award: Associate of Applied Science
Description: The Associate Degree Nursing program prepares you to assess, plan, implement and evaluate the healthcare needs of patients and clients. This comprehensive program includes specific nursing courses, as well as, core course requirements in areas of communication, science, math and social science. Classroom activities are closely correlated with selected learning experiences in hospitals and other healthcare settings. After successful program completion, you are eligible to write the National Licensure Exam (NCLEX) to become a registered nurse. The program is approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing.
This program participates in a state-wide articulation program which facilitates transfer of ADN graduates to four-year institutions within Iowa for the advanced study of nursing.
Nursing courses with a clinical component may not be taken by a person who has been denied nursing licensure by any Board of Nursing; whose nursing license is currently probationary, suspended, surrendered or revoked in any U.S. jurisdiction; or whose nursing license/registration is currently probationary, suspended, surrendered or revoked in another country due to disciplinary action.
The Northeast Iowa Community College Associate Degree in Nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) located at 2600 Virginia Ave. N.W., Washington, DC 20037.
Program Learning Outcomes:
- Integrate knowledge of mathematics, biological and psychosocial sciences.
- Assess and prioritize client needs integrating individual cultural values.
- Establish client outcomes and plan care that focuses on health promotion and disease prevention.
- Implement holistic nursing care according to an established plan including principles of therapeutic communication, safety, health teaching and current technology.
- Demonstrate critical and creative thinking while collaborating with other members of the multidisciplinary health care team.
- Delegate, supervise and evaluate client care and modify as needed.
- Demonstrate accountability for professional behavior and growth while practicing self-evaluation and seeking guidance as needed.
- Adhere to legal and ethical principles according to nursing standards of practice.
Program Admission: The ADN program is a ladder-concept program. In addition to the College enrollment process, applicants must complete the HESI A2 admission assessment and achieve a score of 80 on both reading and mathematics portions. Effective August 7, 2024, students will be required to complete the ATI TEAS entrance exam. This exam covers reading, math, science, and language usage. Students must complete the ATI TEAS exam with a minimum composite score of 58.7%. More information regarding preparation and exam registration can be found at https://www.nicc.edu/academics/programs-by-career/health-sciences/nursing-admissions-assessment/
Students who complete the HESI A2 prior to August 7, 2024 will have their scores accepted.
The following courses must be completed with a grade of “C-” or above within five years from the date of application:
BIO 168 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I
BIO 173 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II
PNN 200 - Dosage Calculations
PNN 270 - Introduction to Nutrition BIO 151 Nutrition or HSC 221 Introduction to Nutrition
Once completed, students are accepted into the Nursing program. Students who graduate from the NICC Practical Nursing program are eligible to complete a sophomore year to earn an AAS in Nursing. Students must meet admission requirements for entry into the Associate Degree Nursing program. Admission requirements are: Cumulative GPA of 2.2 in all Practical Nursing core courses (as noted by 1). Advanced-standing students who are current LPNs can articulate into the sophomore year only, after meeting program requirements.
Advanced standing students must successfully complete the LPN to ADN Admission Assessment with a minimum score of 850 as an entry requirement to the ADN program. Also required are space availability and Dean of Nursing approval.
A licensed practical nurse seeking admission needs to provide proof of current licensure and complete ADN 232 , BIO 168 , BIO 173 and a life-span growth and development course, prior to starting their sophomore year. Advanced-standing students begin coursework with ADN 232 . Nursing students are required to attend program orientation prior to entrance into the program. Notification of dates and times occurs after acceptance to the Nursing program.
Introduction to Nursing Concepts is in term one of the Nursing program and is the first clinical course.
Academic Requirements: Students enrolled in health occupation programs must complete all required coursework with a “C-” grade or above and earn a minimum 2.0 grade point average to graduate from the program.
PN students who plan to enter the NICC Associate Degree Nursing program must achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.2 in all Nursing core courses (as noted above by 1) to progress into the ADN program.
Program Requirements: Health Program Requirements The College has contracted the services of CastleBranch to review and monitor background checks, health records, training requirements and drug testing. Students submit requirements to the website prior to the designated deadline date. A student who fails to meet this deadline forfeits his/her seat and it will be offered to another student. The student is then be placed at the bottom of the wait list.
In addition to meeting requirements upon admission, students must maintain these requirements throughout the program. Failure to remain in compliance will result in denial for clinical participation. Clinical participation is required for program completion.
Background checks are evaluated per NICC’s Program Compliance policy and by the Iowa Department of Human Services, if applicable. Clinical participation is dependent on this evaluation.
Students enrolled in a healthcare program are required to complete a drug screen prior to entrance into a clinical rotation with a clinical affiliate. Random drug screens are conducted while enrolled in the program.
Note: A positive report on the criminal, dependent adult abuse, child abuse background screening or drug screen may prevent acceptance into clinical and completion of the program.
Students are required to provide documentation of health insurance coverage. Please be aware of the following physical demands during your clinical education courses. Daily activities require bending, stooping, squatting, reaching, pushing and pulling in all directions. You will be asked to lift and carry objects weighing up to a minimum of 35 pounds and also shared weight. Clinical tasks require use of hands for repetitive action such as simple and firm grasping and fine manipulation and walking, including stair stepping. You may also be in contact with communicable diseases and chemical/biohazardous materials and odors. For clinical assessments, visual and hearing acuity is essential. Travel to clinical sites in outlying areas is required at times throughout the program. Students are responsible for any travel costs. Students will need to show proof of high school graduation or equivalent prior to taking the NCLEX licensure exam. The Iowa Board of Nursing no longer reviews criminal history prior to application for licensure. Students are required to complete each program level within three years.
Exit requirements: Established benchmarks are stated in the annual District-Wide Policy and Procedure Manual for Administration of Nursing Programs.
Continuing students who plan to enter the NICC Associate Degree Nursing program must achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.2 in all Nursing core courses (as noted by 1) to progress into the ADN program.
Class Hours: Classes are scheduled two or three days per week on campus. Clinical experiences are scheduled the remaining days in hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare settings and can occur on either day or evening shifts.
Minimum Credits: 82 including nursing admission requirements
Note: The following year rules exist for nursing program coursework. If exceeded, course(s) need to be repeated. Nursing courses identified with an ADN or PNN prefix and Anatomy and Physiology courses cannot be greater than five years old. Introduction to Psychology and Nutrition courses cannot be greater than ten years old.
