Prospective Nursing Students

Queensborough Community College's program in Nursing was established in 1967 and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Queensborough has enjoyed a long history of graduating competent, caring nurses. The program of study is offered in both the spring and fall semesters, with an evening session available in the fall. Because we believe that nurses must be committed to ongoing education, Queensborough offers three dual/joint programs with Hunter/Bellevue School of Nursing, CUNY School of Professional Studies, and York College. Students may apply for these sessions while enrolled in their first clinical course in Nursing, NU 101. These programs facilitate students moving seamlessly on for their bachelor's degree.

• Students must update their health status records each semester to meet hospital requirements. Updated health status clearance must be presented to the instructor on the first day of clinical or the student will not be permitted in the clinical area.

• Proof of current BCLS Certification for Health Care Professionals is required of all students by the first clinical day of each semester. It is the responsibility of the student to keep his/her certification current.

• All entering clinical students will be required to complete drug and alcohol screenings and background checks, in accordance with the clinical agency's policies.

  If the student receives a negative incident finding from a criminal background check result or drug or alcohol screening, the student must resolve that issue before the start of the clinical practice experience. This may require that the student withdraw or not be permitted to register for the course for the semester until the issue is satisfactorily resolved. There are NO alternative clinical placements.

  Please note that if a student is not permitted to take part in a clinical practice experience required by the program based on the results of a criminal background check or drug or alcohol screening, the student may be unable to complete the course requirements. It is important for a student to consider this before enrolling in the Nursing program.
• Please be advised that, pursuant to accreditation requirements, the nursing program requires the mandatory use of remote proctoring tools for exams for all students in all nursing courses, regardless of whether a course is given in person or remotely.

Students who are certified as a surgical technologist (CST) or surgical first assistant (CSFA) by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) or have specific work experience as surgical technicians may be eligible to receive credit for part of the first nursing course, NU-101.  To be eligible, they must

• Hold a CST or CSFA certificate from the NBSTSA
• Be admitted to the Nursing program at QCC (see below)
• Have at least 6 months of work experience as a Surgical Technician or Assistant

Nursing students who meet those requirements and are accepted into the nursing program (see criteria below) will receive credit for NU-110 (Technical / Clinical Work Credit, 3.5 credits). They will also be permitted to take NU-111 (Fundamental Pathway to Nursing, 3 credits) in place of NU-101 (Safe and Effective Nursing Care of Clients Level I, 6.5 credits). Student must successfully pass NU-111 to progress to NU-102. Those who believe they may qualify for the credit for prior learning should contact  nursing@qcc.cuny.edu for details.

• Students who have enrolled in any prior nursing program are ineligible to apply to the Nursing Program.

• Applicants must be a matriculated student at QCC.

• Complete the following sequence with a minimum grade point average of 3.0.

  Course		Credits
  EN 101	English Composition I	3
  PSYC-101	Psychology	3
  MATH-119/MATH-336	Math	3
  BI-301	Anatomy and Physiology I	4
  Pre-Clinical Credits	13

  • If you fail a course you are ineligible to apply to the Nursing Program

  • Courses in the above sequence may not be repeated.

  • Students are permitted to increase their application GPA by submitting a grade achieved in a higher level course. Students must achieve a C or better in all Biological Science courses (BI-301, 302 and 311) and Math-119/336. This substitution is allowed for one Course as follows:

    • Bio-302 for Bio-301
    • Eng-102 for Eng-101
    • PSYC-220 for PSYC-101

  • BI-301 and BI-302 (Anatomy and Physiology I and II) must be taken at the same institution.

  • Microbiology BI-311 must have been taken within the last five (5) years, or at the time of the clinical application to nursing.

  • Due to a limited number of seats, students who have completed the additional major requirements (BIO 302, BIO 311, ENG 102, and PSYCH 220) will be given preference.

• All required remedial course work as determined by placement tests taken when entering QCC (reading, writing, mathematics, and/or speech) must be successfully completed. Remedial sequences for individual placement will be determined by academic advisors in the Basic Skills, Mathematics, and/or Speech department.

• Speech Requirements: Speech evaluation is required for all Nursing applicants. If a student does not pass the Speech Evaluation for Nursing, they must take SP-211 and pass the course before they can enroll / apply to the Nursing Program. Students may arrange for a Speech Evaluation by contacting Elaine Friedman in the Department of Communication, Theatre, & Media Production at: efriedman@qcc.cuny.edu (Subject on email: SPEECH Evaluation). 

• Applicants interested in the Evening Session must complete all the biological sciences (BI-301, 302, 311) before entering NU-101 and are encouraged to complete additional core requirements.

• Meet the following Essential Competencies: Communication Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Critical Thinking, Motor Skills, Sensory Skills, Mobility, Good Moral Character as outlined at the bottom of the page.

• Students must take the NLN NEX exam remotely with live proctoring for entrance into the nursing program. You will be tested through Proctor360 with a live proctor. The cost is $68.50.

SPRING 2025 Nursing Applications will be accepted October 7 through October 18, 2024.

Apply

First Step is to review the NLN Student Guide:
In preparation for your upcoming NLN Pre-Admission Exam (NEX) it is very important that you take a few moments and review the NLN Student Guide with Proctor360 instructions listed below. Inside you will find all of the information and links necessary to:

1. Create your NLN account
2. Access Prep Materials and Exams
3. Directions on how to pay for your materials
4. Steps to access your score report
5. Important information from the NLN regarding your exam

When calling the NLN for assistance you will be asked to refer to this document.

NLN Student Guide with Proctor360 instructions link:

Go to: Student Guide to Remote Proctoring with Proctor360

Second Step is to create a new account:
In order to test with the NLN you must have an NLN account at www.nlntest.org 
(NOTE: If you have tested with us since September of 2020 simply log onto your account. If you have not tested with us since September 2020, please go to www.nlntest.org. and create a new account. Once you have created a new account, use the same account to login for all future NLN testing. If you cannot remember your password, click on the "Request new password" tab and enter your username and they will send you an email to the account you have on file with the NLN. PLEASE DO NOT CREATE MORE THAN ONE ACCOUNT. If you are unsure if you have an account or not, contact custhelp@nln.org.

Create an account for our institution by going to:  https://ondemand.questionmark.com/home/405669/user/register

If you require ADA Accommodations please contact your organization prior to scheduling your test.

If you have any questions - please contact NLN Technical Support as follows:

Hours: Monday – Friday from 8am to 5pm Phone: 1-800-732-8656 ext. 2 or Email: custhelp@nln.org

 

Documentation

Nursing Programs Admissions Policy

     Effective immediately, all CUNY nursing programs will consider applicants for admission who are eligible for licensing in New York under the regulations of the New York State Education Department. The regulation provides eligibility for citizens and non-citizens who are "not unlawfully present", including those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and those permanently residing in the United States under color of law (PRUCOL). Applicants may demonstrate eligibility through documents that verify that they meet the required criteria. The most common documents include:
      1. Proof of U.S. citizenship through a birth certificate, U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, or a certificate of citizenship.
      2. Proof of legal permanent resident status with what is known as a "Green Card".
      3. Proof of various eligible categories, listed below, generally through an employment authorization document (EAD) or other satisfactory documentation.

Eligible immigration categories:

1. International student with F-1 status.
2. Asylee
3. Refugee
4. Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
5. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
6. Individuals paroled into the United States whose parole has not expired
7. Persons residing in the U.S. pursuant to an Order of Supervision
8. Persons granted a stay of deportation/removal
9. Persons granted an indefinite voluntary departure
10. Persons on whose behalf an immediate relative petition has been approved
11. Persons who have filed an application for adjustment of status to permanent resident
12. Persons granted Deferred Action Status
13. Persons who entered and have continuous residency in the U.S. before 01/01/1972
14. Persons granted suspension of deportation or cancellation of removal
15. Cuban/Haitian entrants
16. Persons with a pending application for asylum, withholding of removal or deportation, protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT), cancellation of removal, or TPS
17. Persons in T or U non-immigrant status
18. Self-petitioner under the Violence Against Women Act
19. Other persons living in the U.S. who are not unlawfully present

All undocumented students who are interested in nursing are strongly urged to contact the CUNY Citizenship and Immigration Project which will provide free counseling and assistance to all CUNY students who need help with their immigration status. Students may also call the QCC Office of International Students and Center for Immigration (phone 718 631-6611).

  

• Consult the nursing website regularly during the semester to check application filing dates. The application form should be completed the semester prior to starting NU-101.

• If you have previously made an application and have not been accepted or were unable to accept your seat, you can reapply for the next semester.

 

Nursing Student Fees	Amount
Pre-Nursing Fees:
NLN NEX Exam	$68.50
Practice exam $35/each OR Bundle package for $75 for all three (verbal,math,science)
Castlebranch Package (Background Check and Urine Toxicology)	$171.75
After Acceptance into the Nursing Program:
Book Fees:
NU-101 CoursePoint + Enhanced for Taylor Fundamentals of Nursing 10e	$236.00
NU-102 CoursePoint + for Brunner & Suddarth Medical Surgical Nursing 14e	$225.00
NU-201 CoursePoint for Ricci/Kyle Maternity & Pediatric Nursing 3e	$120.00
NU-202 CoursePoint for Videbeck Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing 7e	$95.00
ExamSoft Testing Program (Payment every semester)	$30.00
Meridy's Uniforms (Top + Pants + name pin)	$80-$90.
Stethescope, Blood Pressure Machine, Scissors, Penlight
NCLEX Prep and Fees:
NCLEX License and Fee	$143.00
NCLEX Testing Pearson VUE	$200.00
NCLEX Review Course (Optional)	$350.00

Admission to the nursing clinical program is competitive. Results on the RN NEX will be reviewed in combination with the student's GPA and overall academic record.

Potential NU-101 students will be identified based on this criteria and the completion of all other admission requirements.

The final acceptance of qualified applicants will be decided after assessment of each candidate's ability to communicate. Communication readiness for safe clinical nursing will be determined by Nursing Program faculty in collaboration with the Speech Communication and Theatre Arts Faculty.

Transfer Students

Transfer students from other institutions must be in good standing. Students who are on academic probation, have been dismissed from a nursing program at a previous school or attended a previous nursing program are not eligible for admission to the Clinical Program. No transfer credit will be given for nursing courses taken at another institution. All nursing courses must be completed at QCC. All Transfer students are responsible for completing a transfer credit evaluation by the Admissions Department. Transfer students seeking entrance can be advised by the Health Related Sciences Academy during regularly scheduled advisement sessions. Consult the Health Academy for further information at (718) 281-5139.

Advanced Standing for LPN's

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN's) currently matriculated at Queensborough Community College and who have been accepted to the Clinical Program may attain advanced standing into NU-102 by successfully completing the following examinations:

• The NACE 1 PN to RN: Foundation of Nursing, mobility examination. This exam may only be taken once (refer to nln.org).
• Pass and meet a practicum which is given at the college by a member of the QCC Nursing faculty.

Students who have a current L.P.N. license and believe they qualify to take these examinations should contact the Nursing Department (718 631-6080).

Current laws generally permit a state licensing board or agency to deny a license to practice nursing if the applicant has been convicted of a felony or other specified crime. Like many state licensing boards, the Office of the Professions of the New York State Education Department requires that a criminal background be reported and investigated prior to granting a license to practice nursing.

The Queensborough Nursing Program requires a criminal background check for admittance. All clinical students will be required to have a criminal background check completed prior to the start of the initial clinical practice experience. The cost for this clinical requirement is the student responsibility.

A student may also have to complete more than one criminal background check during the course of the Nursing program at Queensborough Community College, depending on the number of sites where you are placed and the requirements of each site.

If the student receives a negative incident finding from a criminal background check result, the student must resolve that issue before the start of the clinical practice experience. This may require that the student withdraw or not be permitted to register for the course for the semester until the issue is satisfactorily resolved. There are NO alternative clinical placements.

Please note that if a student is not permitted to take part in a clinical practice experience required by the program based on the results of a criminal background check, the student may be unable to complete the course requirements. It is important for a student to consider this before enrolling in the Nursing program. Queensborough Community College has no obligation to refund your tuition or fees or to otherwise accommodate you in the event you are ineligible to complete your course requirements based on the results of a criminal background check, or if you are denied a license to practice nursing.

Any student who feels that they may need an accommodation based upon the impact of a disability, should contact the Office of Accessibility Services in the Science Building, Room S-132, Phone 718 631-6257, to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. You can visit the Office of Accessibility Services website by clicking on this link: http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/OAS/.

 

• A passing final grade in each of the two components of the clinical nursing courses (NU-101, NU-102, NU-201, and NU-202) is necessary to progress to the next nursing course. These two components are:
  Clinical/Laboratory: a passing grade is needed in each of the following: clinical performance, math skills, written assignments and critical elements.
  Theory/Lecture- A student must successfully pass the course examinations with a final average grade of 74% or above to pass the course. (See course manuals for details of examinations).
• Student must achieve a G.P.A. of 2.0 or above to progress to the next nursing course and be eligible for graduation.
• Two (2) Writing Intensive courses are required for the Associated Degree. Both NU-201 and NU-204 are writing intensive courses and meet the criteria for graduation.
• A grade of C or better in all Biology courses is required for progression and graduation.
• A grade of C or higher in BI-302 is a prerequisite for NU-102.
• A grade of C or higher in BI-311 is a prerequisite for NU-201.
• Students may repeat BI-302 and BI-311 in order to obtain a C or better but may not progress until a C is achieved.
• Failure of a "Critical Element Test" in any clinical course, after three attempts, constitutes a clinical failure for the course, and the student will not be allowed to return to the clinical area.

• Students may repeat only one nursing course (NU-101, NU102, NU-201 or NU-202) in the Clinical Program, one time only, on a space available basis. This includes students who withdrew from a course after the first day for any reason and students who completed the course with a grade below C. However, a repeat of NU-101 will require an approval from the Nursing Department Appeals Committee.
• Any student who withdraws from a nursing course must notify the lecture instructor and complete an Intention to Repeat Form if he/she is eligible to register again for the course. (Intention to Repeat Forms are located in the Medical Arts Building, M-302).
• Students who begin the clinical program at Queensborough (enter NU101), must complete it within 3 years.

**Required for Applicants to the Nursing Program and Nursing Student Participation in the Clinical Setting.

The practice of nursing requires performance of certain physical and mental competencies. All candidates for, as well as student in the nursing program, must be able to successfully demonstrated the ability to meet these essential competencies.

Essential Competencies for Safe Clinical Practice table

Essential Competencies	Requirements	Examples/Outcomes
Communication Skills	Demonstrates the ability to use verbal and written English to communicate accurately and effectively with all individuals, sufficient to provide safe and effective patient care.	Serve as communication liaison between patients and other medical personnel. Clarify orders from health care providers, delegate tasks to support staff, and initiate interventions and health teaching. Clearly convey patient needs, nursing care and patient outcomes. Document in a manner that is coherent and legible.
Critical Thinking	Utilize appropriate judgment. Demonstrates ability to calculate measure and analyze.Incorporate previous knowledge from a wide range of subject areas into current practice.	Able to correlate theory to clinical practice. Able to prioritize. Identify cause and effect relationships in clinical settings.
Good Moral Character	• No felony or misdemeanor charges or convictions in any state or county. • No disciplinary actions against the candidate/student. • No substance abuse	Some clinical facilities require background checks and fingerprinting. Some clinical facilities require drug and alcohol screening. Students unable to successfully comply with these requirements may be unable to continue in the program.
Interpersonal Skills	Recognize and respect all people and their individual differences.Perform effectively under stress sufficient to maintain accountability and responsibility. Display flexibility and demonstrate compassion for all.	Establish professional rapport with all individuals and develop effective relationships. React professionally to emotional situations. Adjust positively to changing environments. Negotiate conflicts.
Mobility	Possess physical mobility necessary and sufficient to stand, walk, sit, bend, squat reach and lift in order to provide safe and effective care.	Able to move in and around patient care and treatment areas. Able to administer nursing care and perform emergency and non-emergency procedures. Able to lift, position and transfer patients.
Motor Skills	Possess gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective patient care.	Can perform techniques essential for patient care, including but not limited to: insertion of tubes; preparation and administration of injections; operation, calibration and manipulation of equipment.
Sensory Skills	Possess auditory, visual and tactile abilities sufficient to assess and monitor health status, provide safe and effective patient care and ensure a safe environment.	Demonstrate capability for observation (seeing), palpitation (feeling), percussion (tapping), and auscultation (listening). Able to respond to alarms and signals. Can communicate effectively via voice or telephone.
Prepared by: Curriculum Committee Sp ‘07

National Patient Safety Goals:

**The student is responsible for knowledge of "The Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals" related to semester course content.

Patient Privacy:

**Students are responsible for adhering to the HIPPA privacy laws related to patient care information in all clinical circumstances.