Mercer County Community College Nursing Program Review

Mercer County Community College (MCCC) is an open-door public college founded in 1966. The college can be traced back when Trenton Junior college was accredited to offer 2-year associate degrees following high education needs from residents in the county.  A board of chosen freeholders decided on having a community college which later merged with Trenton Junior College. The new college relocated to West Windsor; its current main campus. Since then, MCCC opened a satellite campus at North Broad: the James Kearney campus and has formed numerous agreements for its programs with other colleges and partner institutions.

Nursing Programs at Mercer County Community College

MCCC offers a nursing program that leads to the associate degree in nursing. The nursing program also offers Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) an opportunity for advanced placement in the associate nursing program. Recently, the college started an online option for the associate degree. As part of its cooperative programs, MCCC offers the associate degree courses with diploma nursing schools: Capitol Health Systems and St. Francis Medical Center New Jersey to enable students earn an associate degree. Short courses for certification as Nursing Assistants, Home Health Aide and Medication Aide are also offered. The associate tracks are fully accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

Direct Health Care Provider Course

This is a non-credit course that gives preparation and training for students who wish to take the state examinations to become Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs). The course is scheduled for 15 weeks to cover the 90-hour curriculum. Students who complete this course and become CNAs may wish to complete an additional 10 hrs to further certification as Home Health Aides (CHHA). In another option, the CNA may complete an extra 30 hours to become Certified Medication Aide (CMA). However, the CMA option is not approved but is currently seeking approval from the state’s Department of Senior Health Services.

Nursing Program

The Registered Nurse (RN) program at MCCC is designed to prepare students to become professional registered nurses. Currently, the professional phase of the nursing program accepts only applications from Mercer County residents. There are two admission cycles: the spring admission for evening students and fall admission for the day option.

The curriculum consists of up-to 34 general education credits and 32 credits of nursing courses.  Completion of this curriculum leads to educational eligibility to apply and take the NCLEX-RN exam to become a registered nurse. Students are also awarded an Associate of Science in nursing degree.

Online Nursing Program

The online option offers a similar curriculum as the associate track. All courses with theory component are covered online while those with a clinical portion must be completed on-site. The on-site sessions are scheduled on a one day/12hrs per week.

Cooperative Program with St Francis Medical Center

The cooperative program is between the diploma nursing school of St Francis and MCCC. Students in this program must meet the usual admission requirement of MCCC nursing program to be accepted. Generally, MCCC offers the science, mathematics and general education courses while the school of nursing at St Francis Medical Center offers the nursing courses.  The program is designed to be completed in 2 years including summer sessions. Students get 2 awards after successful completion of the curriculum: a diploma from St Francis and an Associate of Science in nursing degree from MCCC. Gradates can also write the NLCEX-RN for initial licensure as registered nurses. An exact plan also exists between Mercer and Capitol Health Systems’ diploma in nursing program.

LPN to RN Advanced Placement Option

The advanced placement option offers licensed practical nurses an opportunity to enter professional nursing. Candidates must have current New Jersey LPN licenses and must have graduated from a nationally accredited LPN program. Candidates that meet this requirement receive 6 credits in advanced standing from their LPN license.

BSN Partner Programs

Mercer County Community College has numerous articulation agreements that enable students complete a –year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Such agreements are between MCCC and:

  • Drexel University BSN program
  • Felician College
  • LaSalle University Accelerated BSN Program
  • Rutgers University
  • Seton Hall University
  • Thomas Jefferson School of Nursing
  • Thomas Edison State College
  • University of Wisconsin at Green Bay Online
  • University of Phoenix Online
  • University of Delaware
  • Wilmington College Dual Admissions Program

The Felician College option enables students to complete all BSN degree right at Mercer rather than a physical transfer like is the case with the other schools. This program enables students to complete an additional 54 credits on a 50-50 basis for nursing and science courses from Felician College. This fast-track RN to BSN program is also open to interested students of the Capitol Health and St Francis under the cooperative program. Students must first get their RN licenses before enrolling for the 17-month BSN completion track.

Contact:
Mercer County Community College
1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor,
NJ 08550