The associate of science degree in nursing is designed for students who seek careers as registered nurses. The program is designed to prepare graduates for the National Council Licensing Exam in Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN). The program articulates with many baccalaureate nursing programs for graduates desiring further nursing education. There are admission requirements that must be completed before a student can be accepted to the associate degree nursing program. Satisfactory completion of admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.
The Associate Degree Nursing Program at Roxbury Community College maintains a competitive admissions process.
Applicants must also meet the following additional criteria for acceptance into the nursing program:
The RCC Nursing Program follows the immunization requirements set forth by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Immunizations are mandatory for Nursing students and documentation must be entered by the student into the CastleBranch system, a secure online platform that stores student records, streamlining the paperwork process. Students are responsible to ensure their own status regarding compliance in CastleBranch. The following immunizations are mandatory:
Students who fail to supply proof of their immunizations and other documents indicating their medical clearance will be withdrawn from the program. This is a requirement that is necessary to start the Nursing Program and to progress through the program each semester.
All Nursing Program students must submit to Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sexual Offender Registry Information (SORI) background checks in accordance with Massachusetts state regulations.
All Nursing Program students must show proof of current CPR certification.
Physical exams are required prior to the start of the program. The student’s health care provider must certify that they are mentally and physically able to perform the role of the student nurse according to the Nursing Program technical requirements.
Students enrolled in the Nursing Program at Roxbury Community College are required to be in good physical and mental/emotional health. Physical health is defined as being able to perform fine and gross motor skills, being able to perform normal weight bearing activities, and free of a communicable disease. Emotional health is defined as reacting appropriately to stressful situations, understanding one’s own ability to cope with stressful situations, and behaving appropriately within the current environment. The Nursing Program has reasonable expectations of students to perform common nursing functions.
Students must be able to meet the requirements to apply for admission and for continuation in the Nursing Program. A physical examination by a healthcare provider and requested immunizations are required for program participation. Applicants should present the program’s Technical Standards to their healthcare provider for review at the time of the physical examination. The physician must sign certifying that the student meets the listed requirements.
In the case of a qualified individual with a documented disability, appropriate and reasonable accommodations will be made unless to do so would fundamentally alter the essential training elements, cause undue hardship, or produce a direct threat to the safety of the patient or student.
