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Program Description
The Nursing Associate Degree program prepares students to work as entry-level nurses in doctors’ offices, acute care and rehabilitation settings, long term care facilities, ambulatory and community centers, medical centers and hospitals, among others. The applied science portion of the program has two major components: the theory/didactic/lab component and the clinical externship component. The general education portion of the program includes coursework in Anatomy and Physiology, English, math, developmental psychology, microbiology, and nutrition. Emphasis in this portion of the program is placed on enhancing students’ academic and interpersonal skills.
The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program in Belleville, NJ and Jersey City, NJ are approved by the New Jersey Board of Nursing. The ADN program in the Belleville campus is programmatically accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Since the ADN programs are approved by the New Jersey Board of Nursing, graduates are eligible to apply for state licensure and sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). However, since state licensure requirements are not controlled by the College and are subject to change without notice, Eastern International College cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible for licensure in New Jersey, at all or at any specific time, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment.
The program has a total of 70 semester credits, with 24 credits in general education and 46 credits in program major course work. The curriculum outline is shown below.
program learning outcomes
The Associate Degree nursing program has seven (7) outcomes that are derived from the College-wide learning goals, department mission, vision, and philosophy, and professional standards of practice. The graduate of the associate degree program will be able to:
- Utilize the nursing process, critical thinking, and principles of advocacy as tools to make culturally-sensitive client-centered clinical decisions in all health care settings
- Collaborate with clients and other members of the health care team using effective communication in the planning, coordination and provision of competent care.
- Integrate the concepts of Orem’s Self Care Deficit Theory into nursing practice.
- Promote client and staff safety utilizing the process of quality improvement based on evidence- based practice.
- Use information and technology for communication, knowledge development, professional development and clinical-decision making.
- Demonstrate leadership behaviors and professionalism when providing care to clients across the lifespan in all care settings.
- Integrate legal, ethical, and professional standards into nursing practice.
Thus, program graduates are prepared to assume nursing roles in a variety of settings within the health care delivery system and to provide nursing care collaboratively with other health care professionals.
General Education Coursework
| Course Number | Course Title | Semester Credits |
| BIO 101 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| BIO 102 | Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| ENG 102 | English Composition II | 3 |
| MAT 103 | College Math | 3 |
| MIC 101 | Microbiology | 4 |
| PSY 102 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| Total | 24 |
program major courses
| Course Number | Course Title | Semester Credits |
| NUR 101 | Introduction to Nursing | 3 |
| NUR 102 | Fundamentals of Nursing | 6 |
| NUR 103 | Health Assessment | 2 |
| NUR 104 | Pharmacology I | 3 |
| NUR 105 | Pharmacology II | 2 |
| NUR 201 | Adult Health I | 6 |
| NUR 202 | Adult Health II | 6 |
| NUR 203 | Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing | 3 |
| NUR 204 | Obstetrical Nursing | 3 |
| NUR 205 | Pediatric Nursing | 3 |
| NUR 206 | Concept Synthesis Capstone | 3 |
| NUR 207 | Senior Clinical Practicum | 6 |
| Total | 46 |
Total Program Credits = 70 semester credits
Length of Program: 24 months
Course Descriptions
Abbreviations
PSY Psychology
CVT Cardiovascular Technology
ENG English
MAT Math
BIO Biological Science
SPC Speech
This course explores the structure and function of the human body. It includes the study of cells and tissue, with a focus on the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, and endocrine systems.
This course is a continuation of Anatomy and Physiology I. Topics include the reproductive system, cardiovascular system, blood, digestive system, urinary system, fluid and electrolyte imbalance, respiratory system and the lymphatic system. Prerequisite: BIO 101
This course introduces students to college-level writing and reading skills through critical reading, formal essays and research assignments. Proper sentence, paragraph and essay structure, as well as information and technology literacy, are emphasized throughout the course. Prerequisites: ENG 098 and ENG 099 or passing of placement exams
This course gives students practice in the essentials of writing, with an emphasis on persuasive writing and oral presentations. Extensive reading and writing are combined with oral presentations, class work and activities to encourage students to assess and respond from their own perspective to notable people, debates, and events in society. Students will learn to write powerfully and credibly, and deliver argumentative speeches for a variety of audiences. Prerequisite: ENG 101
This course covers concepts of algebra. Topics include a review of linear equations and inequalities, systems of linear equations, coordinate geometry, and graphing techniques; exponential and polynomial functions and applications; factoring and applications; rational expressions and applications; roots and radicals; and quadratic equations. Prerequisite: MAT 099 or passing of placement exams.
This course centers on the scientific study of psychological changes across the lifespan (birth, infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood). Students will examine the development of motor skills and other psycho-physiological processes; cognitive development involving areas such as problem solving, moral understanding, and conceptual understanding; language acquisition; social, personality, and emotional development; and self-concept and identity formation. Development will be considered from the biological, cognitive, and psychosocial perspectives.
This course focuses on the study of microbiological concepts and techniques central to the health professions. Topics include anatomy and physiology of microbes, microbial classification, principles of microscopy, sterilization, disinfection, immunology, chemotherapy, epidemiology, disease transmission, pathogenicity and virulence in relation to microbes.
This course provides a historical overview of how nursing developed and how it has transformed into contemporary roles in an ever changing health care delivery system. Students are introduced to basic concepts of the nursing profession, the role of provider of care and the basic physiologic and higher level needs of man. This course is designed to provide a foundation for all subsequent nursing courses. There is specific emphasis on the non-clinical aspects of nursing. Prerequisite: 12 credits of general education coursework towards degree progression
This course will focus on the concepts, skills, and attitudes fundamental to professional nursing practice within a framework of clinical decision-making. The course provides opportunities to develop the competencies necessary to assist individuals in meeting their health care needs, with emphasis on safe, legal, and ethical issues pertaining to the nursing process. The course will emphasize critical thinking, the establishment of a culturally-sensitive therapeutic nurse-patient relationship, the development of the student’s beginning comprehension of the patient’s physiologic and psychological responses to health and illness, and an understanding of the patient’s Self-Care Deficits at various points on the health-illness continuum. At the conclusion of this course, students will demonstrate competency in performing basic nursing skills for individuals with common health alterations. Prerequisite: NUR 101, Co-requisites: NUR 103
This course focuses on the development of interviewing skills and physical examination skills to provide the learner with a systematic method for collecting data using the nursing process. Students will learn the psychomotor skills necessary to complete physical, psychosocial, and spiritual assessments. The learner will apply these skills to collect a comprehensive database, demonstrate a complete physical examination, and create a plan of care. This course will begin with a discussion of optimal self-care behaviors through Self-Care Agency, then focus on deviations from those behaviors with assessment results for the healthy individual used as a reference point. The importance of assessment of cultural aspects of health will be emphasized. Students will have lab experiences in the Nursing Learning Laboratory where health assessment skills can be practiced. Students will utilize critical thinking skills in identifying health alterations, formulating nursing diagnoses, and documenting findings appropriate to the practice of nursing. Prerequisite: NUR 101, Co-requisites: NUR 102
This course is designed to provide students with a basic foundation in clinical pharmacology on which to build. Key concepts in clinical decision making and medication safety are discussed. The course emphasizes pharmacological concepts, drug-body interactions, and nursing care measures to ensure safe and efficacious medication administration and patient education. Prerequisite: NUR 101
This course builds on the previous course, Pharmacology I, and provides more advanced concepts in clinical pharmacology to further develop a foundation for clinical decision-making and medication safety. Emphasis is placed on advanced medication therapy, medication administration in patients with multiple morbidities, specialty medications, and medication administration across the lifespan and with special patient populations. Prerequisite: NUR 104
Using the foundation of Self-Care Deficit Theory and the nursing process, the course focus is on the chronic problems of adult patients associated with common, non-emergent disorders. The acute aspects of these diseases are also discussed. Selected general medical-surgical settings will be used for clinical practice in the management of patients in which students will learn nursing interventions appropriate to their care. Students will have an opportunity to demonstrate effective interpersonal communication skills with patients, families, and members of the healthcare team. Pharmacology principles and rationale are expected during supervised medication administration. Individualization of patient care is developed through the formation and implementation of patient-centered care plans. The student is expected to function progressively as a contributing member of the nursing team while caring for assigned clients with needs of varying complexity in the acute care setting. Nutrition, pharmacology, communication, and cultural concepts are integrated with the nursing process and Self-Care Deficit Theory to form the foundation of comprehensive care planning. Prerequisite: NUR 102, NUR 103, NUR104, Completion of all General Education courses except MIC 101 and ENG 102.
This course is the second of a two-course sequence in which the focus is on acute problems with associated emergent disorders and their effect on the adult patient. Chronic, long-term impact associated with these disorders is also addressed. The use of effective interpersonal communication skills with patients, their families, and members of the health care team is expected. Pharmacology principles and rationale continue to be applied during supervised medication administration. Students will develop and implement patient-centered care plans. The student is expected to function progressively as a contributing member of the nursing team while caring for assigned clients with needs of moderate complexity in the acute setting. Clinical assignments will be made that will provide an opportunity for students to enhance critical thinking and priority setting skills. Nutrition, pharmacology, communication, and cultural concepts are integrated with the nursing process and Self-Care Deficit Theory to form the foundation of comprehensive care planning. Prerequisite: NUR 201, NUR 105 and all General Education courses.
This course is designed to familiarize students with fundamental concepts in nursing care of patients with selected psychiatric-mental health disorders. There is emphasis on nursing process and foundations of evidence-based clinical decision in providing developmentally appropriate, culturally sensitive care in a variety of health care delivery settings. Concepts from Self Care Deficient Theory will be examined for relevance to the care of psychiatric patients. Prerequisite: All nursing courses except NUR 206/207, Co-requisite: NUR 206, NUR 207.
This course is designed to familiarize students with the normal physiologic processes for nursing care and actions in the care of the childbearing woman, the newborn, and the family. There is specific emphasis on scientific bases for maternal child nursing, nursing process in nursing care, communication in providing safe and effective care with inter-professional collaboration, integration of evidence-based practice, education of the child-bearing family, critical thinking, and the impact of cultural diversity related to childbearing families. Prerequisite or Co-requisite: NUR 202; Co-requisite: NUR 205
This course emphasizes the major concepts of acute and chronic care for the pediatric patient in diverse and ever changing health care delivery setting. There is emphasis on communication with patients, families, peers, and other members of the inter-professional health care delivery team in a variety of health care delivery settings in care of pediatric patients with selected acute and chronic health care conditions focusing on developmental milestones. Prerequisite or Co-requisite: NUR 204
The theoretical component of this course will reinforce and complement prior knowledge developed throughout the nursing curriculum. Students will utilize the nursing process and critical thinking skills to review previously acquired nursing concepts. Students will participate in an NCLEX review that will assist them in preparing them for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. The course focuses on a review of content using a variety of methods with an emphasis on the case study approach. Emphasis is placed on test-taking skills, computer-assisted simulations and practice tests, development of a prescriptive plan for remediation, and review of selective content specific to professional nursing practice. The HESI Exit Exam will be administered to allow students to assess their areas of strength and weakness as they prepare for the NCLEX-RN exam. Results will permit students to develop a remediation plan specific to their needs. Prerequisite: All NUR courses, Co-requisite: NUR 203, NUR 207.
This course is designed to provide senior nursing students with an opportunity to apply nursing concepts across the curriculum in a culminating practicum during which they function with a nurse preceptor in a designated clinical setting. The overarching goal is to provide students an opportunity to critically think and apply nursing concepts as they transition from the student nurse role to nursing practice. The course provides a foundation for the novice nurse entering practice and there is specific emphasis on the leadership role as it pertains to safe delegation of nursing care and managing multiple patients within a health care system utilizing health care informatics and technology to shape and inform decision making. There is opportunity to examine and assess nursing competency and skills needed to function and communicate as a practicing nurse in a safe, effective, and cost-efficient manner with guidance and oversight by a nurse. Prerequisite: All NUR courses except NUR 107, NUR 203 Co-requisite: NUR 203 and NUR 206.
ADMISSIONS
Applicants to all programs must follow program-specific criteria listed below. Each applicant will be interviewed and given a tour of the College by his/her assigned admissions representative. Information gathered during this meeting will be presented to the Campus Director for review. If said review results in a positive recommendation, the applicant is encouraged to proceed with the appropriate application process.
- Minimum high school Diploma or recognized equivalency certificate (GED)
- Take the HESI Exam with a minimum score of 75
- Complete Admissions Process
Take a tour of our Jersey City and Belleville campuses, or contact us to learn more about our available allied health academic programs.
