Nurse Education (NSG)
Type: Career, Degree (AS)
Special admissions requirement
Division: Health
This Nurse Education Program prepares interested students for a career in nursing as a Registered Nurse. Graduates of the program receive an Associate in Science degree and are eligible to enter the registered nurse licensure process, which includes successful completion of the National Council Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX- RN).
General education courses in English, physical, biological and social sciences provide a foundation that supports nursing theory and promotes intellectual growth. Nursing courses build knowledge of the theoretical base of nursing. Nursing theory courses include a clinical education experience. During clinical education experiences, students develop nursing skills and clinical judgement to care for clients in diverse health care agencies.
The program is organized as a competency-based hybrid flex curriculum with modified self-pacing. Students achieve competencies utilizing learning alternatives such as 1) attending lectures, 2) participating in seminars and discussions, 3) participating in nursing skill laboratory demonstrations, simulations and practice, and 4) using multimedia and computer educational resources.
Graduates seeking licensure in Massachusetts must meet the licensure requirements outlined by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing, including being of "good moral character".
Individuals with a court record or a criminal conviction should contact the Board(s) of Registration in Nursing in any state in which they plan to work for guidelines in determining "good moral character," prior to program entry.
The curriculum is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education Nursing (ACEN). Information regarding accredited nurse education programs may be obtained from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing at 3390 Peachtree Rd NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30326; TEL: (404)975-5000. The recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the North Shore Community College Nurse Education Program is Continuing Accreditation
Program Admission Requirements
- Graduation from high school or high school equivalency (GED) certificate.
- Completion of algebra, biology (may be satisfied by a course in Anatomy and Physiology), and Chemistry at the high school or college level with grades of 'C' or better.
- Satisfactory achievement in the TEAS entrance examination for Schools of Nursing (current version of the exam) OR and earned Bachelor of Science degree from a regionally accredited College or University with Anatomy & Physiology I and II.
- Completion of the Nurse Education Admissions Questionnaire.
- Submission of transcripts from any college previously attended.
- An informational interview is required for candidates interested in transferring in nursing course credit to clarify transfer eligibility.
- Applications for transfer by students from other schools of nursing are considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Applicants are required to attend an informational meeting offered throughout the Fall and Spring semesters at scheduled times listed on the program web-page.
Complete information for Program Admissions is located on the academic program page at www.northshore.edu/academics/programs/nsg.
The program encourages LPN's to seek admission through the advanced placement option.
Prior to the start of classes in the program:
Accepted students must present a completed immunization record and documentation of physical health by licensed primary health care provider. Candidates must self- verify ability to meet the technical standards: physical, tactile, communication, auditory and mental/cognitive required in professional nursing practice settings.
Immunization Requirements:
1. COVID-19 vaccine and bivalent booster.
2. Two (2) doses of live MMR (Measles (Ruebeola), Mumps, German Measles (Rubella) or positive blood tests/titers.
3. One (1) dose of Adult Tdap after 2005. Must update Tdap/TD (tetanus) if Tdap is ≥ to 10 yrs. old.
4. Hepatitis B positive immune blood test/titer OR two (2) or (3) dose series AND positive immune blood test/titer report.
5. If Hepatitis B blood test/titer is negative (not immune), then must seek booster OR repeat 2nd series Hep B vaccine AND re-test blood test/titer one month following booster or series.
6. Two (2) doses of Chicken Pox (Varicella) or positive blood titer report (Hx: chicken pox disease unacceptable).
7. One (2) dose meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) on/after 16th birthday or waiver (ONLY studnets 21 years or younger).
8. 2022-2023 Seasonal Influenza documentation prior to 9/16/2022.
9. IGRA-serology (Quantiferon Gold or T-SPOT) blood test (preferred) OR 2-step TST (Tuberculin Skin Test) documentation.
10. Annual flu vaccine or signed waiver
The Health Immunization Form must be completed and signed by a Health Care Provider and submitted to the Health Compliance Nurse in the month of July for Fall admission and in December for January admission. Health Immunization requirements are subject to change based on Department of Public Health requirements.
Earn Basic Cardiac Life Support Certification from the American Heart Association at the Health Provider Level.
Students interested in participating in an academic program that involves working with children, the disabled, or the elderly, or which includes a clinical affiliation, internship, or field placement with a private or public healthcare provider, may be required to undergo criminal background checks, including a federal, national as well as a local check (i.e. Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Record Information (SORI)). Depending on the contents of these criminal background check(s), a student's participation in an academic program that involves working with children, the disabled, or the elderly or which includes a clinical affiliation, internship or field placement with a private or public healthcare provider may not be allowed, and therefore may impact a student's ability to complete program requirements. Furthermore, please note that eligibility to participate in the program and/or clinical affiliation, internship or field placement as a result of screening requirements, such as criminal background checks, is not a guarantee of eligibility to sit for professional credentialing examination(s) or employment upon graduation.
Drug screening and fingerprinting are also required to participate in clinical affiliation experiences, internships or field placements.
Individuals may contact the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing at 1 617-973-0800 or at www.mass.gov/org/board-of-registration-in-nursing for more information including nursing education statues, rules and regulations, licensing and compliant resolution.
Prior to taking the NCLEX-RN licensing exam, students are required to undergo another CORI check.
Department of Children and Families (DCF) Requirement for NCLEX - RN eligibility:
Candidates who have had substantiated reports with DCF will need to meet with the MABORN to determine eligibility to take the licensing exam.
There is no process at this time to have a review of DCF reports prior to application to take NCLEX.
A social security number is required to apply for a Registered Nurse License in Massachusetts.
If you have questions related to program admissions or applications, please contact info@northshore.edu or call 978-762-4188.
First Year
Summer
| BIO211 | Anatomy and Physiology 1 | 4 |
| CMP101 | Composition 1 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 7 |
Fall
| NSG101 | Nursing 1 | 8 |
| NSG104 | Introduction to Pharmacology | 1 |
| PSY102 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| BIO212 | Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 4 |
CMP102-150
| Composition 2 Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 19 |
Spring
| NSG102 | Nursing 2 | 8 |
| NSG105 | Pharmacology and the Role of the Registered Nurse | 2 |
| PSY204 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
Second Year
Fall
| BIO214 | Microbiology | 4 |
| NSG201 | Nursing 3 | 10 |
| SOC106 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Spring
NE-ELECTIVE
| Nurse Education Directed Elective | 3 |
| NSG202 | Nursing 4 | 9 |
| NSG203 | The Registered Nurse in Contemporary Society | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Requirement Notes
BIO211: The prerequisite for Anatomy and Physiology 1 can be met through ONE of the following with no time limit for when it was completed: BIO101 or BIO105 with "C" or higher; or TEAS version V only Science section score of 50% or higher; or LPN Certificate; or a Bachelor of Science in biological science or chemistry. It can also be met with ONE of the following completed within the past 5 calendar years: high school biology with a "C" or higher, biology CLEP test with a score of 50 or higher, or AP biology test with a score of 3 or higher.
CMP101, PSY102, CMP102-150 Composition Elective, PSY204, SOC106: A grade of ’C’ or better is required to meet the Nurse Education program requirement.
NE Nurse Education Directed Elective: Choose any humanities, math at the MAT140 level or above, social science, CPS, or interdisciplinary studies (IDS) course.
Program Note
Communication and Mathematics proficiency required to graduate.
See guided pathway sheets for advising information specific to your area of focus.
Total Credit Hours: 70
Program Student Learner Outcomes
- Demonstrate use of clinical judgment to provide evidence-based, patient centered care - with a focus on the social determinants of health utilizing, the core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Utilize a caring professional identity and standards to provide ethical and legal nursing care for patients in diverse health settings.
- Uphold professional accountability while utilizing leadership skills to delegate nursing care and evaluate patient outcomes.
- Use information and technology to enhance therapeutic communication to support interdisciplinary patient care.
- Use and evaluate quality improvement strategies at the individual and systems level that lead to optimal patient outcomes.
- Establish a caring professional identity and grow as a provider of care by engaging in ongoing professional development.
Occupational Skills required
- Lift patients and equipment up to 25 pounds safely
- Carry and move equipment and objects up to 25 pounds safely
- Kneel to perform CPR, work with patients, and assist patients who fall
- Stoop, bend and twist to assist in ADL, perform transfers and operate low level equipment
- Safely maintain balance while assisting patients in ambulation and transfer
- Crouch to locate and plug in equipment
- Reach to adjust equipment, to guard patient and to reach supplies
- Walk for extended periods of time and distances over an eight hour period
- Stand for extended periods of time over an eight hour period
- Ability to handle equipment such as syringes, blood pressure cuffs, IV infusions, buttons, switches and touch pads
- Dexterity to perform fine motor skills, manipulate and fine-tune knobs, dials, blood pressure cuffs, equipment, scales, and stretchers; don and remove protective clothing; safely handle sterile supplies to prevent contamination
- Push and pull wheelchairs, stretchers, patients and Hoyer lifts
- Palpate pulses, skin texture and bony landmarks
- Differentiate between temperature and pressure variations
- Accurately read numbers, letters, cursive writing in fine and other print in varying light levels
- Detect changes in skin color, patient's facial expressions, swelling, atrophy and forms of non-verbal communication (gestures)
- Observe patient and environment in order to assess conditions or needs
- See BP monometer, small print on vials, syringes, dials, gauges and computer screens
- Speak in English language in a clear, concise manner to communicate with patients, families, significant others and the health care team
- Respond to patient with communication disorders (aphasia or hearing loss), or those who use ELL
- Comprehend oral and written language, including health care terminology in order to communicate with patients, families, significant others, healthcare providers and community
- Write and word process in English, clearly and legibly for charts and computer input of data
- Hear heart sounds, breath sounds, patient distress sounds, machine timer bells and alarms; verbal directions and requests from health care team and patients
- Function safely, effectively and calmly under stressful situations
- Remain alert to surroundings and potential emergencies, and respond to patient situations, i.e. falls, pain, or change in physical status
- Integrate information and make decisions based on pertinent data, in a collaborative manner
- Interact effectively, appropriately and exhibit respect for cultural and ethnic differences of clients, peers and individuals in the classroom setting
- Interact effectively and appropriately with patients, families, supervisors and co-workers of the same or different cultures with respect, politeness, tact, collaboration, teamwork and discretion in both the clinical and classroom settings
- Communicate an understanding of basic principles of supervision, ethics and confidentiality
- Display effective interpersonal skills necessary to interact in situations requiring close, personal contact
- Display attitudes and actions consistent with the ethical standards of the profession
- Maintain personal hygiene consistent with the close, personal contact associated with patient care
- Maintain composure while managing multiple tasks simultaneously
- Prioritize multiple tasks
- Remain free from alcohol and/or chemical impairment in the clinical and classroom settings
Experiential Learning Required in Program
Most Common Linked Occupation Title – All Education Levels
Most Common Linked Occupation Title – Associate’s or Less
Top Transfer Institutions
- Southern New Hampshire University
- University of Massachusetts Amherst
- University of Massachusetts Boston
- Endicott College
- University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
- University of New Hampshire
- University of Rhode Island
- Emmanuel College
- Chamberlain University
- Framingham State College
- Rivier College
- SUNY - Canton
- Walden University
- William Carey University