Nursing

The Practical Nursing Program will prepare the graduate for a position as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Licensed practical nurses function as an integral and important part of the health team, providing patient care under the supervision of registered nurses.

The licensed practical nurse performs tasks and responsibilities within the framework of case finding, health teaching, and health counseling and provides supportive and restorative care under the direction of a registered professional nurse or licensed physician.

Clinical experiences are provided in a variety of WNY health care settings including hospitals and community health care agencies. (Transportation to and from the College and/or clinical affiliates is the responsibility of the individual student).

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification (CPR) is required for all students before beginning Fundamentals of Practical Nursing (PN104).

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to take the National Counsel Licensure Examination for Practical Nurse Licensure.

Admission Requirements:

1. High School diploma (minimum 75% average) or GED diploma with a minimum score of 2500
2. One unit in high school or college Algebra
3. Biology or Chemistry
4. Minimum cumulative average of 2.5 with minimum grades of "C" in all coursework for current and transfer students.
5. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is required for clinical experiences
6. Students applying for programs in the health professions are required to participate in two stages of academic preparedness. Initial admittance to a health science program places a student into a "pre-professional" component. Admittance into the "professional" component is not guaranteed. Students must meet established academic standards and are also ranked for admission in nursing programs based on an overall QPA and grades in Anatomy and Physiology I.Students should speak with an admissions counselor or Program Director prior to registration to insure they understand all of the academic requirements for advancement in the program of their choice.

Minimum Certificate Requirements:

1. A total of at least 48 semester hours with a Quality Point Average of 2.0
2. Core Curriculum requirements:*

   College Seminar (GS100) or College Success (GS102) - minimum C+ grade required
   Natural Science (BIO130/130L, BIO131/131L)
   Social Sciences (PSY101, SOC101)

3. Program Requirements:*
   

   NU114, NU115, PN104, PN105, PN106, PN107

A minimum grade of "C" (2.0) is required in all courses

**When a nursing student completes an application for licensure and first registration as a licensed practical nurse or registered professional nurse, questions are asked by the State Education Department about conviction of a crime and pending charges. These questions appear on the application form. If the answers are in the affirmative, there is an automatic referral to the State Education Department, Office of Professional Discipline and the case is assigned to an investigator. Depending on the results of the investigation, the case may or may not require a hearing. The National Counsel Licensure Examination may be taken. However, the licensing process and issuance of a license will be held until the process described above is completed.

The Nursing Program at Trocaire College offers a curriculum leading to an Associate in Applied Science Degree. The Program focus is on theory and clinical experiences to prepare the graduate for a beginning level of professional practice within a diverse and changing health care system.

The curriculum emphasizes knowledge and skills needed to promote, maintain or restore health. It prepares the graduate to provide and manage care in structured settings for clients across the life span.

The Nursing program is offered either in the day or in the evening. The evening curriculum is identical in content to the day curriculum. However, the evening curriculum is distributed over a 6 semester (3 year) time period including two summer sessions. In addition to the regularly scheduled evening experiences, selected clinical laboratory experiences for both day and evening programs are scheduled during daytime/weekend hours. These clinical days provide a comprehensive experience of nursing care activities which occur during the day.

Clinical experiences are provided in a variety of WNY health care settings including hospitals and community health care agencies. (Transportation to and from the College and/or the clinical affiliates is the responsibility of the individual student).

During the second year, students are required to take two major nursing courses in each semester. To assist students in managing the academic load, classes for NU 124,  NU216, NU217and NU220 will begin before the regular semester begins and continues through mid-semester. Classes will begin in early August for the Fall semester and the first week of January for the Spring semester.

The program includes a strong base in liberal arts. This enables the student to discover and confront their own values, beliefs and ideas and to sharpen their skills of critical analysis and expression. Students are encouraged to develop their critical thinking and decision making skills as they participate in their own learning experiences.

Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation Certification (CPR) is required for all students before beginning NU112 and certification must remain current throughout the program.

The Program is registered by the New York State Education Department and is fully accredited by the National League for Nursing. (National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway- 33rd Floor, New York, New York 10006, (800) 669-1656, Ext. 153). At the completion of the program, graduates are eligible to write the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurse licensure.**

Admission Requirements:

1. High School Diploma (minimum 85% average) or

   GED Diploma with a minimum score of 2750

2. Math I, Biology, and Chemistry

3. 2.75 cumulative average with minimum grades of "C" in all courses for current & transfer students

4. All candidates for the Nursing program must take the Accuplacer test and the TEAS test

5. Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab is a pre-professional requirement that must be successfully completed prior to the first semester's nursing course work

6. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation certificate is required for clinical experiences

7. Students applying for programs in the health professions are required to participate in two stages of academic preparedness. Initial admittance to a health science program places a student into a "pre-professional" component. Admittance into the "professional" component is not guaranteed. Students must meet established academic standards and are also ranked for admission in nursing programs based on their cumulative grade point average, grades in Anatomy and Physiology I, and the TEAS scores - Ranking Critera for the Professional Component.  Students should speak with an admissions counselor or the Program Director prior to registration to insure they understand all of the academic requirements for advancement in the program of their choice.

8. Students who have completed the pre-professional component of the Nursing program must be aware of the following deadlines:

• Applicants who anticipate beginning their studies in Spring or Summer - all materials must be submitted by the 1st Monday in October.
• Applicants who anticipate beginning their studies in Fall - all materials must be submitted by the 1st Monday in March.

Applications will continue to be reviewed on a space availability basis.

Minimum Degree Requirements:

1. A total of at least 67 semester hours with a Quality Point Average of 2.0
2. Core Curriculum Requirements:*

   College Seminar (GS100) or College Success (GS102) 
   Humanities (EN101, EN102)
   Natural Science (BIO130/130L, BIO131/131L, BIO223/223L)
   Philosophy (PH103, PH205)
   Social Science (PSY101, PSY102, SOC101)

3. Program Requirements:*

   NU110, NU112, NU114, NU115, NU116, NU122, NU 124, NU214, NU216, NU217, NU218, NU220, NU222

*A minimum grade of "C" (2.0) is required in all courses. A "C-" grade is not acceptable.

** When a nursing student completes an application for licensure and first registration as a licensed practical nurse or registered professional nurse, questions are asked by the State Education Department about conviction of a crime and pending charges. These questions appear on the application form. If the answers are in the affirmative, there is an automatic referral to the State Education Department, Office of Professional Discipline and the case is assigned to an investigator. Depending upon the results of the investigation, the case may or may not require a hearing. The National Council Licensure Examination may be taken. However, the licensing process and issuance of a license will be held until the process described above is completed.

The Nursing Program is offered in the evening for individuals who are interested in pursuing an Associate Degree Nursing Program on a part-time basis.

The evening section is identical in content to the day section program. The program consists of 67 credit hours distributed over a 6 semester (3 year) time period, including two summer sessions. In addition to the regularly scheduled evening experiences, selected clinical laboratory experiences are scheduled during daytime/weekend hours. These clinical days provide a comprehensive experience of nursing care activities which occur during the day.

During the second year, students are required to take two major nursing courses in each semester. To assist students in managing the academic load, classes for NU 124,  NU216, NU217and NU220 will begin before the regular semester begins and continues through mid-semester. Classes will begin in early August for the Fall semester and the first week of January for the Spring semester.

Clinical experiences are provided in a variety of participating agencies. Transportation to and from the College and/or the clinical affiliates is the responsibility of the individual student.

Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation Certification (CPR) is required for all students before beginning Nursing 112.

The Program is registered by the New York State Education Department and is fully accredited by the National League for Nursing. (National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway - 33rd Floor, New York, New York 10006, (800) 669-1656, Ext. 153). At the completion of the program, graduates are eligible to write the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurse licensure. **

Admission Requirements:

1. High School Diploma (minimum 85% average) or

   GED Diploma with a minimum score of 2750

2. Math I, Biology, and Chemistry

3. 2.75 cumulative average with minimum grades of "C" in all courses for current & transfer students

4. All candidates for the Nursing program must take the Accuplacer test and the TEAS test

5. Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab is a pre-professional requirement that must be successfully completed prior to the first semester's nursing course work

6. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation certificate is required for clinical experiences

7. Students applying for programs in the health professions are required to participate in two stages of academic preparedness. Initial admittance to a health science program places a student into a "pre-professional" component. Admittance into the "professional" component is not guaranteed. Students must meet established academic standards and are also ranked for admission in nursing programs based on their cumulative grade point average, grades in Anatomy and Physiology I, and the TEAS scores - Ranking Critera for the Professional Component.  Students should speak with an admissions counselor or the Program Director prior to registration to insure they understand all of the academic requirements for advancement in the program of their choice.

8. Students who have completed the pre-professional component of the Nursing program must be aware of the following deadlines:

• Applicants who anticipate beginning their studies in Spring or Summer - all materials must be submitted by the 1st Monday in October.
• Applicants who anticipate beginning their studies in Fall - all materials must be submitted by the 1st Monday in March.

Applications will continue to be reviewed on a space availability basis.

Minimum Degree Requirements:

1. A total of at least 67 semester hours with a Quality Point Average of 2.0
2. Core Curriculum Requirements:* 
   Humanities (EN101, EN102) 
   Natural Science (BIO130/130L, BIO131/131L, BIO223/223L) 
   Philosophy (PH103, PH205) 
   

   Social Science (PSY101, PSY102, SOC101)                                                                              
   College Seminar (GS 100) or College Success (GS102)

3. Program Requirements:* NU110, NU112, NU114, NU115, NU116, NU122, NU124, NU214, NU216, NU217, NU218, NU220, NU222

*A minimum grade of "C" is required in these courses. A “C-” grade is not acceptable.

** When a nursing student completes an application for licensure and first registration as a licensed practical nurse or registered professional nurse, questions are asked by the State Education Department about conviction of a crime and pending charges. These questions appear on the application form. If the answers are in the affirmative, there is an automatic referral to the State Education Department, Office of Professional Discipline and the case is assigned to an investigator. Depending upon the results of the investigation, the case may or may not require a hearing. The National Council Licensure Examination may be taken. However, the licensing process and issuance of a license will be held until the process described above is completed.

The B.S. with a major in Nursing program is designed for adult learners wanting to pursue the professional level credentials in Nursing. This hybrid, online degree completion program provides unencumbered current registered nurses, who have a diploma or associate degree in nursing, the opportunity to realize their educational and career aspirations.

All courses are offered online, with an option of one to three traditional classes,. The courses must be completed within each semester, but students can access courses at the time and place most convenient to them. Clinical requirements include 135 hours of preceptorships for the entire program - you may be able to complete clinical assignments at the facility where you work. (However, such experiences may only take place on units which are physically and/or functionally distinct from your current worksite.)

As a registered nurse you can advance your nursing career by earning a baccalaureate degree in as few as 16 consecutive months. The goal of the Nursing B.S. program is to provide registered nurses with learning opportunities to acquire knowledge and skills to practice nursing at the professional level. Trocaire's program focuses on comprehensive nursing care in various clinical practice settings and builds on information already acquired in lower division nursing courses and prior professional experiences.

• Applicants must hold a current unencumbered R.N. license valid within the U.S. or a U.S. territory.
• Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited diploma nursing program or hold an Associate's Degree in nursing from an accredited institution.  Applicants who  have graduated from a program that is not accredited, but which is approved and registered with the New York State Education Department are also eligible for admission.  All students must present an official transcript copy of their academic credentials in order to be considered.

• Applicants must have earned a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 in their prior nursing program, and must have earned a minimum grade of "C" in all nursing courses.
• The Nursing B.S. program requires a total of 123 academic credits for completion.  Sixty-three of these credits must be in nursing and the remainder in the liberal arts.  Candidates may transfer up to a total of 30 nursing credits.   Exceptions may be granted to students transferring from a baccalaureate degree program in nursing.  Liberal arts credits have no limit for transfer and are based on individual transcripts.  Graduates of diploma nursing programs will be granted thirty transfer credits in nursing and must complete the Liberal Arts requirement.
• All students must meet the health requirements of the college and collaborative health agencies.    Satisfactory health clearance and a copy of current CPR registration must be on file with the nursing department prior to taking any classes.
• Students who have not acquired the requisite number of liberal arts credits (30) prior to being admitted into this upper division program will have the opportunity to enroll into lower division liberal arts courses already being offered at Trocaire.