Butler County Community College Nursing Program Review

Butler County Community College (BC3) is based in Butler, Pennsylvania. The two-year college offers associate’s degree and certificate programs. The college has additional campuses in Cranberry Township (BC3 Cranberry), Hermitage (BC3 Linden Pointe), Dubois (Upper Allegheny) and New Castle (BC3 Lawrence Crossing) in addition to other off-campus sites. The college was founded in 1965 and enrolls approximately 4,000 students. Butler County Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Nursing Programs

The ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) program at Butler County Community College is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.

Butler County Community College Undergraduate Nursing Programs

Nursing RN AAS (Registered Nurse, Associate in Applied Science)

The nursing program at Butler County Community College prepares nurses to become committed, capable members of the healthcare team that are dedicated to lifelong learning. Admission to the nursing program is selective and applicants are accepted until October the year before the program commences, however applicants are accepted and encouraged to apply as early as July. Admission requirements to the RN program include a high school diploma or GED, minimum 2.8 GPA and completion of a biology, chemistry and algebra course with a minimum grade of “C.” Students who do not meet the required GPA of the nursing program may take 12 units of coursework at the college level and earn a minimum GPA of 2.8. Entering nursing students must earn satisfactory scores on standardized tests in English, Reading and Math. The nursing program can be completed in 2 years (four semesters). Upon completion of the nursing program, students receive an AAS, a type of ADN for students pursuing the nursing vocation rather than a four-year degree. Students are encouraged to progress through the program by taking courses in the summer, and between nursing years one and two to reduce the course load. Students take the National Council for Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become a Registered Nurse (RN).

Advanced Placement Standing for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)

LPNs and transfer students from other nursing programs may apply for admission to the nursing program. LPNs and transfer students should note the difference in admission date for the advanced standing application. Both LPNs and transfer students earn advanced standing in the nursing program through satisfactory scores on nursing examinations. Required nursing courses include a nursing introductory course in which LPNs and transfer students should earn a 75% or higher score. Students who are granted advanced standing are eligible to enter the nursing program in the second semester, thus completing the RN program in seven semesters. Upon completion of the AAS Nursing program students receive an AAS in Nursing and are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN.

Optional Three Year Curriculum Plan

It is recommended that students entering the nursing program directly from high school without college experience enroll in the three year curriculum plan. In order to be eligible for the three curriculum plan, students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in all college courses and an overall GPA of 2.5 in the first two semesters of the nursing program. Upon completing the 6 semester program, students earn an AAS in Nursing and may take the NCLEX-RN.

Contact:
Butler County Community College
College Drive Oak Hills,
Butler, PA 16003-1203