Harford Community College Nursing Program Review

Harford Community College (HCC) began educating students in 1957. The College enrolls over 9500 students each year in credit programs and over 1000 in non-credit programs. The main campus is in Bel Air, and it has the Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) and the Higher Education and Conference Center, both in Aberdeen. Harford is recognized as being one of the most environmentally friendly campuses in the country.

Nursing Programs

Associate Degree in Nursing

This program prepares students to become professional nurses. Students are admitted to this program in the fall and spring semesters. Graduates of this program will earn an Associate of Science degree, and will be able to sit for the licensing exam to become a Registered Nurse (RN).

Applicants to this program will need to meet the math requirement with one of the following: a qualifying score on the math assessment test, a score of 550 or better on the math section of the SAT, take the transitional math course at HCC, or take a college level math course. They must also take the prerequisite classes with a grade of C or higher and a GPA of at least 2.5, and take the TEAS test.

The prerequisites for this program are English Composition, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, General Psychology, Human Development Across the Lifespan, Introduction to Sociology, Microbiology, and a Math elective. In addition, students are recommended to take two Arts and Humanities electives and a Physical Education Fitness elective, as the grades of these classes are used in the pre-nursing GPA.

Accelerated and Weekend/Evening Program (RN)

This accelerated program is available for students who have completed the pre-nursing classes and are able to take classes as a full-time summer student. This program begins in the summer semester and takes 15 months to complete. Applicants must meet the same admission requirements as for the Associate Degree program.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Students that wish to become an LPN may do so by taking the first two semesters of the Associate of Science program, and then enrolling in a ten-week summer session. Once they complete this class, they are eligible for a Practical Nursing Certificate, and will be allowed to take the licensing exam for Practical Nursing.

The admission requirements to the LPN program are the same as for the Associate Degree program.

LPN to RN

Students that already have an LPN license that want to earn their Associate Degree and become an RN may apply to this program.

To apply, students need to apply to HCC and submit their transcripts. They will need to submit proof of a current LPN license, and meet all the requirements for the Associate Degree program. Students will be allowed to take the LPN to RN Transition course online. Once they successfully complete the Transition course, they will be eligible to enter the Associate Degree program in the third semester.

LPNs that do not successfully complete the Transition course may still apply for first semester admission to the Associate Degree program.

Articulation Agreement

HCC has an articulation agreement with Stevenson University, for students who wish to pursue their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree after receiving their Associate Degree. Students may also enroll in a school participating in the Maryland RN to BSN Articulation Model, which allows RNs to be awarded 30 credits toward their BSN program.

Nursing Assistant

This program teaches students to provide direct patient care under RN supervision. Graduates of the program will be qualified to work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), and may take the certification exam to become a Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA).

To apply, students need to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. They will need to take the basic math and reading tests, and score at least 8th grade on the math and 9th grade on the reading.

Students must take the Nursing Assistant Theory and Clinical courses concurrently.

Patient Care Technician (PCT)

This program is the next step beyond Nursing Assistant and trains students to provide care that requires a higher level of technical ability.

To apply to this program, students must be at least 18 and have a high school diploma or GED. They must also have taken HIPAA Confidentiality and Ethics, Medical Terminology, Nursing Assistant Theory and Clinical, Venipuncture & Specimen Collection Theory and Clinical, and EKG Technician. Students may test out of any of these courses.

Students in this program will take the PCT Advanced Skills Theory and Clinical classes.

Basic EMT to CNA

This program allows those certified as an EMT-B to transition into the Nurse Assistant role. Students must be at least 18, have a high school diploma or GED, take the EMT-B to CNA challenge exam, have current EMT-B certification, and be CPR certified.

This program requires three courses to complete: EMT-B to CNA: Bridging the Gap, EMT-B to Nursing Assistant Theory, and EMT-B to Nursing Assistant Clinical.

Contact:
Harford Community College
401 Thomas Run Road,
Bel Air, MD 21015