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Nursing Department
Requirements for Nursing Students
 The minimum passing grade for all nursing courses is "C."
Achievement below "C" level will result in an "F"
grade. Clinical performance is graded on a
satisfactory (S) or unsatisfactory (U) grade. A (U)
grade in clinical performance will result in an "F"
grade for the course.
Criminal History Background Check
A Federal and State Criminal Background Check will be
performed on all students entering the professional
(clinical) phase of the program. If a student is
denied clinical placement due the results of the
background check, he or she will not be able to
continue in the program. In addition, prior to
licensure the NJ State Board of Nursing will also
conduct a Federal and State Criminal Background
Check on all applicants. If a student has a concern
regarding this, they should be cleared by the NJ
State Board of Nursing and the matter should be
discussed with the Nursing Department Chairperson
prior applying for admission to the nursing
program.
Health Requirements
All students taking a clinical Nursing course must
fulfill the college health requirements. The Medical
History and Health Evaluation Form, giving specific
requirements, is available from the college health
service. In addition, students must undergo drug testing as
part of their health clearance. If a student
is denied clinical placement due to the results of a
drug screening, he or she will not be able to
continue in the program.
Liability Insurance
Students taking clinical nursing courses are
required to have liability insurance.
CPR Certification
All students enrolled in clinical courses must
provide evidence of American Heart Association CPR
Certification (BLS-C Health Care Provider).
Uniforms
All students must wear the school uniform in the
clinical setting. These are purchased by the
student.
Technical Standards
In accordance with
law and County College of Morris policy, no
qualified individual with a disability shall, solely
on the basis of that disability, be excluded from
participation in County College of Morris programs
or activities. Upon admission, a candidate who
discloses a disability may be asked to provide
documentation of that disability. The Department of
Nursing at the County College of Morris will provide
reasonable accommodations to a qualified individual
with a disability. The Department of Nursing is not
required to make modifications that would
substantially alter the nature or requirements of
the program or present an undue burden to the
school. Students with primarily physical,
psychological or medical disabilities should contact
the Office of Counseling Services (973-328-5140) or
the Health Services Office (973-328-5160) concerning
their needs. Students with learning disabilities
should contact the Center for Academic Support and
Enrichment (973-328-5284) for information on
receiving appropriate academic accommodations and
support.
The goal of the
Department of Nursing at the County College of
Morris is to prepare students to think critically,
and practice nursing competently and compassionately
in rapidly changing practice environments. All
efforts are designed to build nursing knowledge,
ensure patient safety, foster professional
integrity, and ultimately improve the health
outcomes of patients, families, and communities
across the continuum of care. To achieve these
goals, certain functional abilities (technical
standards) are essential for the delivery of safe,
effective nursing care during clinical training
activities and in broad entry-level practice upon
graduation. Therefore, it has been determined that
these are requisite for admission, progression, and
graduation from the nursing program. Students are
expected to request reasonable accommodations prior
to beginning the professional (clinical) portion of
the program. Successful completion of skills
testing and all clinical experiences is required to
graduate from the Nursing Program at County College
of Morris.
An individual must
meet, with or without reasonable accommodation, the
following technical standards:
General
Abilities: The student is expected to
possess functional use of the senses of vision,
touch, hearing, and smell so that data received by
the senses may be integrated, analyzed, and
synthesized in a consistent and accurate manner,
during physical assessment and patient interactions.
Observational Ability: The student must
have sufficient capacity to make accurate visual
observations and interpret them in the context of
medication administration and patient care
activities. In addition, the student must be able to
document these observations and maintain accurate
records.
Communication Ability: The student must
communicate effectively both verbally and
non-verbally to elicit information and to translate
that information to others. Each student must have
the ability to read, write, comprehend and speak the
English language to facilitate communication with
patients, their family members, and other
professionals in health care settings. The student
must communicate effectively verbally and in writing
with instructors and other students in the classroom
setting as well.
Motor
Ability: The student must be able to
perform gross and fine motor movements with
sufficient coordination needed to perform physical
assessments. A student must develop the psychomotor
skills reasonably needed to perform or assist with
procedures, treatments and administration of
medication. The student must have sufficient levels
of neuromuscular control and eye-to-hand
coordination to draw up solutions in a syringe. The
student must possess the physical and mental stamina
to meet the demands associated with extended periods
of standing, moving, and physical exertion required
for the provision of satisfactory and safe patient
care activities in the clinical setting.
Cognitive
Ability: The student must be able to
measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate and
synthesize information obtained in the classroom and
clinical setting. The student must be able to
quickly read and comprehend extensive written and
verbal material. He or she must also be able to
utilize the nursing process to apply information and
engage in critical thinking in the classroom and
clinical setting.
Behavioral
and Social Attributes: Compassion,
integrity, motivation, effective interpersonal
skills, and concern for others are personal
attributes required of those in the nursing
program. The student must be able to exercise
stable and sound judgment and to demonstrate a
consistently professional behavior and appearance.
The student must have the ability to establish
rapport and maintain sensitive, interpersonal
relationships with individuals, families, and groups
from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and
intellectual backgrounds. The student must have the
emotional stability to function effectively under
stress and to adapt to an environment that may
change rapidly. Personal comfort and acceptance of
the role of a student nurse functioning under
supervision of a clinical instructor or preceptor in
the clinical setting is also essential for a nursing
student.
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