Erie Community College Nursing Program Review

Erie Community College (ECC) is part of the City University of New York (SUNY). It is a large two-year college in Western New York with around 13,000 students enrolled. There are three branches of Erie Community College that are located in Buffalo, Williamsville, and Orchard Park. The school offers over 90 associate degree and certificate programs, including a Registered Nursing program that is available in the northern section of Buffalo. Both a day and evening program are offered in nursing.

Nursing Program

Associate in Applied Science

Erie Community College offers a nursing program that leads to an Associated in Applied Science (AAS). The program can be completed in two years if students are not required to take remedial or developmental courses, but many students need longer than two years to complete. After graduating from the program, students will be ready to enter the workforce as beginning RNs. They will work in hospitals, public health agencies, nursing homes, doctor’s offices, schools, the military, and in other healthcare facilities.

Applicants must be high school graduates or have their GED. It is highly recommended that applicants have taken biology and algebra in high school. It is also desirable that applicants have completed volunteer or work experience in the healthcare industry. Prerequisites for admission to the nursing program are that an applicant attained an 86 percent overall grade point average in high school. If the applicant has taken any college level courses in the past five years, they must have earned a 3.0 grade point average. Applicants must also pass the A2 Entrance Exam to qualify to enter the nursing program. They must also pass the Erie Community College Math Placement Test or a developmental math course may be required. Another requirement is to pass the English Placement Test that is given at the college. The nursing program at Erie Community College is selective, and even if an applicant meets all of the requirements, he or she may not be accepted into the program. Admission is based on the space available and the academic qualifications of the student. It is also required that applicants submit all of the necessary documents well in advance.

During the first semester of the nursing program at Erie Community College, students take Anatomy and Physiology plus Lab for Biology. They must also take College Composition, Math Dosage Calculations for Patient Care and attain a minimum grade of 80 percent in this course. Other classes that are taken during the first semester are Health Promotion, Lab for Nurses, and Physical Assessment. The second semester consists of Anatomy & Physiology II, Lab for Biology, General Psychology, Health Maintenance, Lab for Nurses, and an elective in social sciences. During the second year of studies, the nursing program requires that Development Psychology, Health Restoration, Lab for Nurses, and Microbiology and Microbiology Lab must be completed. The final semester consists of Composition and Readings in Science and Literature or Composition and Interpretation of Literature, Health Restoration, Lab for Nurses and Pharmacology for Nurses. Upon completion, nurses are qualified to take the NCLEX national exam that leads to licensure.

Contact:
Erie Community College-SUNY
121 Ellicott Street,
Buffalo, New York 14203-2601
(716) 851-1000