Frederick Community College Nursing Program Review

Frederick Community College (FCC) began in 1957. It first began operating out of Frederick High School in the evenings, and then moved to a location on North Market Street. In 1970, it moved to its current location on Opossumtown Pike.

FCC has over 70 degree and continuing education programs available. There are over 17,000 students enrolled each year. The average student age is 26, over half the students are attending part time, and over half of all students plan to transfer to a four year university after graduation. FCC students in the nursing program have a 100% pass rate on the state licensing exams.

Nursing Programs

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

This program is for students who want to begin their career as a professional nurse. Students must complete 70 credit hours for this program, and will earn an Associate of Science degree. Graduates are able to take the Registered Nurse (RN) licensing exam. Classes are available during the day, evenings, and on weekends.

Applicants to this program are ranked by a point system. Students will be selected for the program based on their ranking. To be considered, students must complete all prerequisites and submit all transcripts as well as their application by the deadline.

Points for admission ranking are assigned based on having taken the prerequisites with a grade of C or higher, their GPA in the non-clinical credit courses they have taken, and whether or not they are a resident of Frederick County. Applicants may accrue up to 21 points. If there is a tie, students will be ranked by their GPA.

The prerequisites for this program are Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Microbiology for Allied Health, English Composition, a Math elective, General Psychology, Introduction to Sociology, a Speech elective, a Humanities elective, an Arts elective, and Human Growth and Development.

Practical Nursing (LPN)

The LPN program trains students to be entry-level nurses. This certificate program requires students to complete 43 credit hours. Once finished with the program, students are eligible to sit for the licensing exam for LPNs.

Applicants to this program are ranked by a point system. To be considered, students must complete all prerequisites and submit all high school and college transcripts as well as their application by the deadline.

Points for admission ranking are assigned based on having taken the prerequisites with a grade of C or higher, their GPA in the non-clinical credit courses they have taken, and whether or not they are a resident of Frederick County. Applicants may accrue up to 16 points. If there is a tie, students will be ranked by their GPA.

The prerequisites for the LPN program are Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Microbiology for Allied Health, English Composition, and Human Growth and Development.

Ladder Program

Students who complete the LPN program may continue their studies and enter the ADN program in the second year.

To qualify, they must enter the ADN program within two years of graduating the LPN program. They must also complete the prerequisites for the ADN program.

If a student graduated the LPN program more than two years ago, they may take the LPN to RN Articulation program.

LPN to RN Articulation

This program allows LPNs to earn their Associate of Science degree and become a licensed RN.

Students that successfully complete the LPN transition classes will enter the second year of the ADN program and earn 16 credits for prior education.

Applicants to this program will be ranked by the same point system used to rank ADN students, and must meet the same admission requirements.

Pre-Nursing Associate of Science (AS) Degree

This program is for students that intend to transfer to another school and pursue their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. FCC has articulation agreements with other schools for students to be able to transfer. Students are encouraged to verify that this curriculum meets the BSN requirements of their desired transfer school.

Nursing Assistant

Students are eligible to become certified as a Nursing Assistant after they successfully complete Introduction to Clinical Nursing during their course of study in the LPN or ADN program.

Those that are not enrolled in the LPN or ADN programs may apply to the Allied Health Academy at FCC and enroll in the Certified Nursing Assistant program. Completing this program allows students to apply for status as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) with the state Board of Nursing. Students are also qualified to take the licensing exam for Geriatric Nursing Assistants (GNAs).

To apply, students must be at least 18, have current CPR certification for health care providers, be proficient in English, have a negative TB test and have a current medical exam. They must also complete the classes Intro to Basic Interpersonal Skills and Intro to Allied Health Skills.

Contact:
Frederick Community College
7932 Opossumtown Pike,
Frederick, MD 21702