Atlantic Cape Community College Nursing Program Review
Atlantic Community College (ACC) opened doors to its first students in 1966 on rented property of the Atlantic City High school of Atlantic County. This was after a New Jersey County college act was passed to establish affordable county colleges. Two years later, the college set-up its own campus and moved to its current location in May Landings. From its time of founding, Cape May County wanted the college to be part of the county and in 1999; the college became a joint college between the two counties. This warranted the change of name to Atlantic Cape Community College (ACCC).
Nursing at Atlantic Cape Community College
The nursing department at Atlantic Cape Community College has one main nursing program that leads to an Associate degree award. The program is accredited by the New Jersey Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. Licensed Practical Nurses are also considered for advanced placement in the associate program. In addition, it offers three nursing assistant programs under its continuing education category.
Nursing- Associate in Applied Science
This program is meant to prepare fresh entry-level candidates and licensed practical nurses to become professional nurses. Candidates must have completed at least 20 general education credits and a TEAS V test to be allowed to apply. Admission into the program is competitive and preference is given to candidates from the Cape May and Atlantic counties. Other candidates outside these regions are only considered on space availability basis. Students are admitted every fall and spring semesters for the nursing courses.
Once admitted, students take an additional 46 nursing and supporting credits to make up-to 66 credits required for graduation. Courses are taken on a full time basis at the May Landings campus for a period of 2 years. Courses must be completed in a sequential manner but in the case a student cannot complete a course, there is 1 chance for re-admission. However, re-admission for a skipped course is not guaranteed and so is the case of a failed course.
After completion of the required curriculum coursework, students must take an “exit Exam” as required by the state of New Jersey. Only those who pass this exam are allowed to apply for the NLCEX-RN exam to become registered nurses. In addition, students are awarded an Associate of Applied Science in nursing degree. For LPNs seeking advanced placement, a LPN Transition course must be completed before starting on the associates’ nursing courses. This allows students to receive credits and gain advanced placement status in the associate program.
Continuing Education-Health Care
In the health care category of their continuing education, Atlantic Cape Community college has 3 nursing programs all offered at the Worthington Atlantic City Campus:
- Certified Home Health Aide
This is a 78 hours program that trains entry-level students to become nursing assistant in home health care agencies. Completion of this state’s board of nursing approved program enables students to apply to become Certified Home Health Aide (CHHA)
- Certified Nurse Aide
This program is meant to prepare students to launch their nursing careers from the basic foundation level. It is a 90-hours program of 50 theory and 40 clinical hours. The program is approved by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. Completion enables students to write the state examination in order to become Certified Nurse Aides (CNA)
- CHHA for CNAs
The Certified Home Health Aide for CNAs is a 10-hour program that enables them to become CHHAs. The program accepts students on a rolling basis after every 2 Saturdays.
Contact:
Atlantic Cape Community College
5100 Black Horse Pike, May Landings,
NJ 08330
