Springfield Technical Community College Nursing Program Review

Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) is devoted to offering and delivering what community colleges are meant for; affordable yet high quality higher education. Since 1967, it has lived to that call as one of the 15 community colleges of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  The community collage located at Armory National Historic Site of Springfield prides itself in being the only technical community college in Massachusetts. It offers comprehensive program from technology to nursing to telecoms.

School of Nursing

The community centered approach to nursing at STCC is that of an interdisciplinary manner whereby, students learn by simulation techniques, and a combination of both nursing and liberal arts courses. The school is approved and accredited to offer programs under its wing by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and the NCNAC. Three nursing programs are offered by the school and are:

Seamless Curriculum ADN to RN to BS in Nursing Program

This is a complex program at STCC that combines three distinct tracks which leads to the award of an associate degree and later to a BSN degree through the UMASS online study. The tracks can be explained as followed:

Track 1

Here, students take the normal entry level/ traditional route into earning the Associate degree. It usually takes two years to complete the program which is available on a full time basis only

Track 2

This is designed for high school graduates who have the intent of taking the RN to BSN track at a later point. Usually students start with some introductory nursing courses during their senior year in high school. Later on, they enroll to Springfield Tech Community College where they take a full curriculum to earn an Associate degree hence becoming RNs after sitting for NCLEX-RN exams. If the NCLEX-RN exam is passed, the student writes a letter of commitment to complete the UMASS-Amherst BSN online program. The latter is completed in one year hence earning the student a BSN degree. It takes the form of a 1+2+1 four-year program of study.

Track 3

This is a part time only associate in nursing degree and due to the part time nature, it takes up-to five years of study.

For STCC students who have taken the track 1 and 2, articulation agreements between STCC and other universities and colleges exist hence, allowing them to transfer their credits to a four-year degree program. The baccalaureate articulations are between STCC and:

  • Russell Sage College- New York
  • University of Massachusetts-All campuses
  • American International College
  • Elms College
  • Framingham State College

Certified Nurse Aide and CPR Certificate Program

The certificate level training program gives intensive training to entry level nursing students. The program is approved by the Massachusetts Division of Health Care Quality leads to certification  to become a CNA in Massachusetts State in addition to certification in CPR.

Phlebotomy Certificate

This is a relatively short program that is approved by the National Health-career Association. Upon completion, students are issued with a Phlebotomy Technician Certificate and become fully authorized to carry out blood drawing for diagnosis in health care settings.

Contact:
Springfield Technical Community College
One Armory Square, Springfield,
MA 01102