Finger Lakes Community College Nursing Program Review

Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC) is located in the west-central section of Upstate New York. Around 7,000 students attend this college that is part of the State University of New York (SUNY). There are four campuses, but the Canandaigua is the main campus. The nursing program is competitive, and not all applicants are admitted to the program.

Nursing Programs

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

The AAS program at Finger Lakes Community College prepares students to enter a career as Registered Nurses (RNs). After completing the program, graduates qualify to take the NCLEX national exam for licensure as Registered Nurses. The college prepares students through general education courses, nursing courses and labs include an audio-visual lab and state-of-art nursing lab. Students also receive computer-assisted instruction. To qualify for admission to the AAS program, applicants must be high school graduates or have an equivalency diploma. High school Biology is recommended and Algebra and Chemistry must have been completed in high school.

Those who have not completed these courses may take them at Finger Lakes Community College before admittance to the nursing program. Applicants must pass the Basic Skills test for English and must pass a physical examination and have the proper immunizations as well. Applicants must have the physical ability to work as RNs, including heavy lifting and being on their feet for most of their working hours. They must have the coordination needed to serve several patients at one time and adequate vision and hearing. They must also meet psycho/social skills requirements, such as respecting diverse cultures, using tactful communication, and being caring and empathetic.

Those who are accepted into the program may complete it in two years, or they may elect to take summer courses if they are available. A typical schedule for the first semester includes Freshman English, Introduction to Psychology, Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Fundamentals of Nursing, and a physical education activity. The second semester typically includes Introduction to Literature, Developmental Psychology, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, and Nursing Care of the Adult and Child. During the second year, students take Nursing Care of the Adult and Child II, Microbiology, and Introduction to Sociology. The fourth semester consists of Maternal-Child Health Nursing, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, Nursing Seminar, one Humanities elective, plus a general elective. Nursing students also complete hours of clinical experience to gain hands-on knowledge while working with real patients.

Accelerated Associate in Applied Science for LPNs

This program may be completed in two semesters plus one summer session. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) must be licensed. They are eligible to take the Finger Lakes Community College Challenge Exam or the Excelsior College Exam, and if they pass this test they may receive six credits for their knowledge gained while working as an LPN. The curriculum for this program typically includes Nursing Process, Nursing Care of the Adult and Child I, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, Development Psychology, and Introduction to Literature during the first semester. The summer session is made of two sessions.

During the first session, students complete Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, and in the second summer session, they take one Humanities elective, a General elective, and a Physical Education activity class. The fall semester then requires that Nursing Care of the Adult and Child II, Nursing Seminar, Microbiology, and Introduction to Sociology are completed. The final semester in the spring requires that Maternal-Child Nursing is completed. There is also clinical experience built into the program throughout the time that students are enrolled in Finger Lakes Community College. Students are eligible to graduate with their AAS and to take the NCLEX to gain licensure as Registered Nurses when all courses and clinical experience are completed.

Contact:
Finger Lakes Community College
3325 Marvin Sands Drive,
Canandaigua, New York 14424
(585) 394-FLCC