Nursing: Career Associate

The Nursing AA degree (ADN) prepares students to sit for the NCLEX® licensing exam.  Successful completion of this exam is required by the PA State Board of Nursing to become a Registered Nurse (RN). RNs work to promote health, prevent disease, and help patients cope with illness.  In addition, they are advocates and health educators for patients, families, and communities.  This program provides students with vital nursing care experience as they provide direct patient care; observe, assess, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress; assist physicians with treatments and examinations; administer medications, and assist in convalescence and rehabilitation.  Students are taught to develop and manage nursing care plans, instruct patients and their families in proper care, and help individuals and groups take steps to improve or maintain their health.  Possible exposure to bloodborne pathogens and potentially hazardous materials may occur. All students accepted into the clinical component of the program must undergo a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, State Police Criminal Record Check, and an FBI fingerprint clearance.  Pennsylvania law states that the State Board of Nursing may refuse to license a person who has been convicted of a criminal action(s). This program also requires all students accepted into the clinical component to submit a health examination form completed by a physician/nurse practitioner/physician’s assistant with immunization history including verification through blood work, and submit to a drug and alcohol screen.  Competence in dosage calculation must be demonstrated on admission to and for progression in the Nursing program. (A dosage calculation course is offered for students who do not meet this requirement.) The student should consider all of these factors before enrolling in this program. If the student has any questions regarding this, he or she should contact the Program Director at the campus of his/her choice. The complete Nursing program is available at the Gettysburg and Harrisburg campuses (day program only); Lancaster campus (day and evening program) and the York Campus (evening program only). Some of the required courses are available at the Lebanon Campus and through Virtual Learning. This program is approved by the Pennsylvania State board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission.

General Education   
ENGL 101 English Composition I  3
ENGL 102 English Composition II  3
COMM 101 Effective Speaking  3
Core A Elective  3
Free Elective  3
Physical Education & Wellness  1

Major Requirements   
NURS 140 Intro to Nursing Practice Concepts I  1 
NURS 141 Intro to Nursing Practice Concepts II  1 
NURS 142 Health Assessment Concepts for Nursing Practice  3 
NURS 143 Concepts of Informatics in Nursing Practice  1 
NURS 144 Fundamental Concepts for Nursing Practice  3 
NURS 150 Holistic Health Concepts for Nursing Practice I  5 
NURS 151 Holistic Health Concepts for Nursing Practice II  4.5
NURS 240 Adult Health Concepts for Nursing Practice I  2 
NURS 241 Adult Health Concepts for Nursing Practice II  2.5
NURS 242 Family Health Concepts for Nursing Practice I  2.5
NURS 243 Family Health Concepts for Nursing Practice II  2.5
NURS 244 Advanced Behavioral Health Concepts for Nursing Practice  2.5
NURS 250 Complex Health Concepts for Nursing Practice  2.5
NURS 251 Leadership & Management Concepts for Nursing Practice  4 

Other Required Courses   
BIOL 121 Anatomy & Physiology I  4 
BIOL 122 Anatomy & Physiology II  4 
BIOL 221 Microbiology  4 
PSYC 101 General Psychology  3 
PSYC 209 Life Cycle Development  3 
SOCI 201 Intro to Sociology (D)  3 

This curriculum is designed to prepare students to:
[Professionalism]

Possess a sense of professional identity and a commitment to the profession of nursing.

Qualify for NCLEX-RN Licensure Examination

Demonstrate self awareness, respect and value for differing perspectives, and expertise of all healthcare team members

Adhere to the standards of professional practice

Demonstrate accountability for individual actions

Consistently demonstrate ethical behavior

Manage safe, competent, patient-centered care

Commit to life-long learning, possessing a spirit of inquiry which encourages continued personal and professional growth

[Communication]

Communicate effectively, in a therapeutic way with the patient, promoting human dignity, integrity, and human flourishing across thelife-span.

Communicate collaboratively and respectfully with other members of the healthcare team

Communicate

information (verbally, nonverbally, and in writing)

Utilize Informatics to provide patient-centered care

Utilize information interventions to promote health and assist the patient in the navigation of the healthcare system

[Critical Thinking]

Demonstrate problem-solving using the nursing process and evidence-based practice.

Provide patient-centered care utilizing the nursing process

Utilize evidenced-based practice as a basis for formulating nursing judgments

Demonstrate critical thinking to deliver clinically competent care in accordance with the national patient safety initiatives

[Caring]

Engage in caring behaviors to provide a safe, compassionate, nurturing environment that promotes human flourishing

Provide holistic care, across the health continuum that reflects the patients' values, cultures, and lifestyles

Apply for a Full-Ride Scholarship

Are you a future student and ready to apply to HACC? 
By applying to HACC, you have the opportunity to apply for a full-ride scholarship! HACC will fund two years of your education – enough to complete your associate degree.

Thanks to the support of the HACC Foundation, the College is able to offer FREE money to support future students, like you, in reaching your educational goals. Six full-ride scholarships are available – one from each of the five campuses and one through HACC’s Virtual Learning Program. 

Please note that current students are not eligible for the full-ride scholarships. However, there are more than 250 scholarships available for current students.

What should you know about the full-ride scholarship?

The scholarship covers tuition, books and fees for a full academic year. 

The scholarship will automatically renew each term for up to six consecutive terms if you maintain your eligibility.

Once you apply to the College and receive a HACC ID and email address, you may apply for the full-ride scholarship. You do not have to register for classes before applying for the scholarship.

Are you eligible?

To be eligible, you must:

Apply to HACC

Take 12-15 credits each term for no more than six consecutive terms (two years)

Live in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, Schuylkill or York county

Have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.0

Provide a 480 SAT reading score, 21 ACT or comparable scores on the College’s placement test

Maintain a GPA of 3.0 while enrolled at HACC

Participate in at least two HACC student organizations