Overview
The Clatsop Community College Nursing Program is a member of the Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education (OCNE) and offers a competency-based curriculum jointly developed by nursing faculty from the ten OCNE member community colleges and Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). The core competencies address the need for nurses to be skilled in clinical judgment and critical thinking; evidence-based practice; relationship-centered care; interdisciplinary collaboration; assisting individuals and families in self-care practices for promotion of health and management of chronic and acute illness; end-of-life care; and teaching, delegation, leadership and supervision of caregivers. Acceptance into the Nursing Program allows for non-competitive admission to OHSU School of Nursing.
The OCNE curriculum is designed as a four-year course of study. The first year is devoted to prerequisite/preparatory courses required for application and/or admission to the limited entry Nursing Program (the completion of the prerequisite/preparatory courses may take longer than one academic year). Application and admission to the Nursing Program and successful completion of the second and third years leads to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Nursing degree offered by Clatsop CC. This degree provides the educational eligibility for NCLEX-RN licensure testing. Clatsop graduates who pass the NCLEX-RN exam have the option to continue the fourth year of the OCNE curriculum at OHSU, which leads to a Bachelor of Science degree, with a major in Nursing (BS,N). This can be done either in a face-to-face program at the Portland OHSU campus or the RN/BS Virtual program (the OHSU bachelor’s requirement of statistics may be completed at Clatsop but 15 credits of upper division non-nursing courses must be completed through other four year colleges or universities).
The Clatsop Nursing Program is approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN), 17938 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd., Portland, OR, www.oregon.gov/OSBN.
For more information on the Clatsop Nursing Program, including information on the admissions process, CLICK HERE
Job Description
Registered nurses (RNs) are caring and use their knowledge, skills, and problem-solving to help individuals, families, and groups with health needs. RNs plan care and work with people to help them become healthier or to regain health after illness or surgery. Nurses teach health practices to clients and other health care providers, and frequently supervise the work of nursing assistants and practical nurses. RNs also administer medications and perform treatments for patients. Nurses work in a variety of settings, including hospitals and long-term care, schools, industry, clinics, and patients' homes. With advanced education, nurses may work as managers, educators, public health nurses, as a clinical specialist, or independently as a nurse practitioner.
Employment Opportunities
The national need for registered nurses is critical at the present time, and is expected to increase.
Potential Earnings
The beginning wage in Clatsop County for a new registered nurse is approximately $40 - $50 per hour with benefits. Based on that, a full-time position (36 hours/wk) would be $74,880 - $90,000/year. [Data per local facilities]. Nationally the median pay for an RN is $37.31/hr or $77,600/year. [Data per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291141.htm].
Role Descriptions
The Nursing program is designed for the person intending to work as a registered nurse in the health care industry.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Learning experiences in this program are designed to assist the student in realizing the following outcomes:
- Demonstrate the ability to assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate nursing plans of care which address the holistic needs of diverse individuals, families and groups.
- Communicate effectively and collaboratively with clients, families and members of the health care team.
- Practice within the legal and ethical standards of nursing (as defined by the American Nurses Association and State Board of Nursing).
- Demonstrate informational literacy to acquire and utilize new scientific and technology in the planning and delivery of nursing care.
- Demonstrate caring behaviors by respecting the diversity of each person by treating them with dignity and integrity.
- Develop insight through reflection, self-analysis and self-care.
- Utilize technology to find, retrieve, plan and implement quality evidence-based nursing care.
- Demonstrate the ability to lead, coordinate, organize, manage and delegate nursing care to appropriate nursing personnel and provide supervision.
Admissions Application Requirements
Program admission is limited and the process occurs once per year. The deadline for submitting nursing application materials for Fall term admission each year is February 15th or the first business day after. Transcripts showing satisfactory completion of Math and Anatomy & Physiology I prerequisites (taken within the previous 7 years to the Fall start of the program), Writing 121, with a minimum total of 28 credits of the prerequisite/preparatory courses, must be in the First Stop office by the application deadline to be considered eligible.
Application to the Nursing Program requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all completed prerequisite/preparatory courses. All courses must be completed with a grade of C or better. Pass grades, advanced placement, or CLEP testing scores will not be accepted. For information, see the Nursing Program webpage.
Pre-Requisite/Required Preparatory Courses
Complete with a grade of C or better.
| BI102 | General Biology - Emphasis on Biological Diversity | 4 |
| Or | |
| GS112 | Chemistry & Cell Biology | 5 |
| Or | |
| BI222 | Human Genetics | 3 |
| Or | |
| BI212 | Principles of Biology II | 5 |
| | |
| BI231 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BI232 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| BI233 | Human Anatomy and Physiology III | 4 |
| BI234 | Introduction to Microbiology | 4 |
| | |
| MTH095 | Algebra - Intermediate | 4 |
| Or | |
| A higher Math course, excluding MTH098 | |
| | |
| NFM225 | Human Nutrition | 4 |
| PSY215 | Introduction to Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| WR121Z | Composition I | 4 |
| WR122Z | Composition II | 4 |
| Arts & Letters Elective | 3 |
| Social Science Electives | 3 |
| Additional Courses | 0-4 |
Completion within the Past 7 Years Requirement for Selected Courses
At the time of application, BI231 and the Math requirement must have been completed within the previous 7 years of the September start of the Nursing Program. In addition, BI232, BI233, and BI234 (while not required to be completed by time of application to the Nursing Program), will need to have been completed within the 7 years previous to the September start.
Admissions Process
OCNE Consortium partner schools use shared standards in a point system and a set of core criteria for evaluation and selection of candidates, but selection process, acceptance decisions, and admissions occurs at individual schools. At Clatsop, Nursing Program acceptance is determined by a two phase, weighted point system from a pool of qualified applicants. The top-ranking individuals will be offered admission to the Nursing Program. Once an offer is made, the student will need to pay a non-refundable deposit by a stated deadline to secure their spot. Additionally, in order for applicants to be offered full admission to fall term, all required prerequisite and preparatory courses (minimum 45 credits) must be completed by the end of spring term of the year of admission. Applicants who are still in process of completing the prerequisite courses during the summer will be placed on an alternate list. These individuals may be offered admission if they complete their prerequisites during the summer AND an opening becomes available for the fall start.
Mandatory Clinical Requirements
Admitted students must meet/pass the following requirements within designated time frames (any associated costs are at the student’s own expense): immunization validation, TB screening, a urine drug screen, a criminal history background and sex offender check, current American Heart Association (AHA) CPR BLS Provider card which does not expire during the two years of the Nursing Program. Information regarding these requirements will be distributed in a mandatory orientation held in the summer prior to the fall term start. Students unable to meet these requirements and/or submit documentation of completion via CastleBranch within the designated time frames will have their acceptance into the Nursing Program rescinded. Clatsop reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant to the Nursing Program whose background poses a threat, as determined by Clatsop, to the college, nursing profession, and/or health care community.
Clinical Rotations
Nursing students attend classes at the Lexington Campus and clinical practicum in Clatsop or neighboring counties. These rotations may be on weekends, evenings or day shifts. Students are expected to have reliable transportation in order to attend required clinical rotations. Face-to-face clinical rotations are dependent on permission from clinical sites to bring students. Clatsop Community College is not responsible if clinical facilities put a limitation on clinical attendance. If this happens, alternative clinical experiences will be explored.
Online Instruction
The Nursing Program uses online/hybrid instruction for selected courses, communication, assignments, testing and additional content delivery. Students may use their own personal computers, but support will only be provided by College personnel for issues directly related to the use of college email and Canvas (the course management system used by the college). Use of college computers is made available in the Clatsop Community College Library. Hours of operation for the library are published on the College website. A limited number of computers are available for check out from the library.
Program Progression
Students are required to demonstrate continuous and progressive application of nursing scholarship, safe nursing care, appropriate judgment, critical thinking skills, personal health, and professional accountability, and meet program standards as stated in the Nursing Program Student Handbook. The college reserves the right to retain and progress only those students who satisfy these requirements; any student who does not may be dismissed from the Nursing Program. Students must complete both years of the curriculum in sequence and satisfy graduation requirements to earn the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree in Nursing. In order to continue in the Nursing program and progress to the next term, the students must earn a “C” grade or higher in all required nursing courses each term.
Second Chance
Students applying for a second chance must contact the Director of Nursing & Allied Health for Instructions and/or application. A second chance student is one who is unsuccessful or withdraws from the Clatsop Nursing Program after having begun nursing classes. Students seeking re-entry in this category will be required to audit courses, take exams, complete lab hours and demonstrate readiness to re-enter the Nursing Program. Acceptance is determined by a weighted point scale and contingent on availability of resources and space. Students participating will be required to take NUR111, Nursing Concepts and Clinical Practice for 3 credits as part of the second chance process. A second chance student is only allowed this one additional attempt in the Nursing Program.
Program Requirements
Course List
45 Pre-requisite credits, 60 Nursing credits, 25 elective credits = 130 Total Credits for an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
Electives must be from Arts and Letters, Social Science and/or Science courses.
NOTE: Check with Nursing Program Director to see if WR227Z is needed.
| NRS110 | Foundations of Health Assessment & Promotion | 9 |
| NRS111 | Foundations of Nursing: Chronic Illness 1 | 6 |
| NRS112 | Foundations of Nursing in Acute Care 1 | 6 |
| NRS221 | Foundations of Nursing: Chronic Illness II anf End of Life | 9 |
| NRS222 | Nursing in Acute Care 2 & End-of-Life | 9 |
| NRS224 | Nursing: Intergrative Practicum | 9 |
| NRS230 | Clinical Pharmacology 1 | 3 |
| NRS231 | Clinical Pharmacology 2 | 3 |
| NRS232 | Pathophysiological Processes 1 | 3 |
| NRS233 | Pathophysiological Processes 2 | 3 |
| Transferable Electives | 25 |
| WR227Z | Technical Writing | 4 |
| If Needed | |
Planner
Required Prerequisites
45 credits are required.
Please see the Admissions Application Requirements tab for more information.
| Biology/Genetics Electives | 3 - 5 |
| BI231 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BI232 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| BI233 | Human Anatomy and Physiology III | 4 |
| BI234 | Introduction to Microbiology | 4 |
| NFM225 | Human Nutrition | 4 |
| MTH095 | Algebra - Intermediate | 4 |
| Or | |
| A higher Math course, excluding MTH098 | |
| WR121 | English Composition | 4 |
| WR122 | Advanced Composition | 4 |
| PSY215 | Introduction to Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| General Education Electives, as needed | 0 - 10 |
Year One
Fall
| NRS110 | Foundations of Health Assessment & Promotion | 9 |
| NRS230 | Clinical Pharmacology 1 | 3 |
| Transferable Elective | 3 |
Note: 15 credits required during this term to complete AAS in two calendar years.
Winter
| NRS112 | Foundations of Nursing in Acute Care 1 | 6 |
| NRS232 | Pathophysiological Processes 1 | 3 |
| Transferable Elective | 3 |
| Transferable Elective | 3 |
Note: 15 credits required during this term to complete AAS in two calendar years.
Spring
| NRS111 | Foundations of Nursing: Chronic Illness 1 | 6 |
| NRS231 | Clinical Pharmacology 2 | 3 |
| NRS233 | Pathophysiological Processes 2 | 3 |
| | |
| WR227Z | Technical Writing | 4 |
| If Needed | |
Note: 12-16 credits required during this term to complete AAS in two calendar years. Check with Nursing Program Director to see if WR227Z is needed.
Year Two
All program requirements in Year One must be completed with a "C" grade or higher to enter Year Two of the program. All required courses must be completed with a "C" grade or higher to receive the degree.
Fall
| NRS221 | Foundations of Nursing: Chronic Illness II anf End of Life | 9 |
| Transferable Elective | 3 |
| Transferable Elective | 3 |
Note: 15 credits required during this term to complete AAS in two calendar years.
Winter
| NRS222 | Nursing in Acute Care 2 & End-of-Life | 9 |
| Transferable Elective | 3 |
| Transferable Elective | 3 |
Note: 15 credits required during this term to complete AAS in two calendar years.
Spring
| NRS224 | Nursing: Intergrative Practicum | 9 |
| Transferable Elective | 3 |
Note: 12 credits required during this term to complete AAS in two calendar years.