Columbia-Greene Community College Nursing Program Review

Columbia-Greene Community College (CGCC) is a small college that is located in a rural area. There are around 2,000 students enrolled in this college that is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) schools. Degree programs for Associate Degrees are available at this school, including an Associate in Science that qualifies graduates to take the NCLEX-RN exam that leads to licensure as a Registered Nurse.

Nursing Programs

Associate in Science (A.S)

Students in the Nursing AS Program must have 67 to 68 credits earned to graduate. Admission requirements include attendance at a Nursing Information Session and demonstrating that the applicant is ready to complete the required courses. All nursing applicants must take the college placement test and demonstrate the ability to begin basic English, math, and biology courses. A reading test is required, and applicants must score 80 or higher. Those who do not meet the criteria for admittance to the nursing program may be admitted to Columbia-Greene Community college to take prerequisite courses. These students may first take Human Biology, General Biology, General Chemistry, and Introductory Chemistry before being admitted to the AS program. A minimum grade of 2.5 must be maintained during the time that the prerequisite courses are taken.

Other requirements for entry into the program are that the student must be in good health and must be able to handle the physical rigor of patient care, including bathing, lifting, and positioning patients. Students must also be trained in CPR and must attend the Nursing Orientation program in August. Other requirements are that the student must have liability insurance that can be purchased through the college. Students must be proficient in speaking, listening to, and writing English, and they must not have any pending charges or convictions for a misdemeanor or felony of any sort. Another requirement is that students must be able to work under stress since this will be part of their job as a RN.

The AS curriculum at Columbia-Greene Community College for the nursing program includes 33 to 34 semester hours in liberal arts courses. These are Anatomy and Physiology I and II, General Microbiology, Composition, Composition and Literature, Humanities Elective or Social Science Elective, Statistics or College Algebra, General Psychology, Life Span Development, and Introduction to Sociology. There are also 34 semester hours of nursing courses required. These are entitled Nursing I, II, III, and IV. During the first semester of the freshman year, students take Anatomy and Physiology, Composition, Statistics or College Algebra, and Nursing I. The second semester, or Spring Semester it is required that students take Anatomy and Physiology II, General Microbiology, General Psychology, and Nursing II. The second year, first semester consists of Life Span Development, Introduction to Sociology, and Nursing III. During the final semester, students take Composition and Literature, a Humanities Elective or Social Science Elective, and Nursing IV.

AS students are also required to complete laboratory work on campus after classes during practice times as they work towards mastering skills needed in their future jobs as RNs. They must learn to insert IVs, how to respond to patient’s emotional as well as physical needs, and numerous other issues that they will probably meet as RNs. Students must also complete hours of clinical nursing practicums in hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care facilities in the area surrounding the college campus.

Around the time of graduation, students should apply for their licensure as an RN. They must first pass the NCLEX-RN before licensure is granted. Students may also want to continue their education by transferring to one of the SUNY network colleges or to another school to earn their BSN. Most graduates of the AS program will enter the workforce and begin working in hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices, and other healthcare facilities.

Contact:
Columbia-Greene Community College – SUNY
4400 New York Route 23,
Hudson, NY 12534-4180
(518) 828-4181