Registered Nurse Pathway, Associate in Applied Science
Nursing
Associate in Applied Science: AAS 3812
62-75 Credits
Program Contacts
Director of Nursing
Jill Anderson| 480-988-8865 | jill.anderson@cgc.edu
Nursing Advisor
Maria Dela Torre | 480-988-8880 | chuy.delatorre@cgc.edu
Nursing Office
Teresa Hull | 480-988-8881 | teresa.hull@cgc.edu
Program Description
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing Program is available at eight of the Maricopa Community Colleges. Clinical experiences are provided in a variety of healthcare settings. Nursing Program graduates are eligible to apply for the national exam for the registered nurse license. Licensing requirements are the exclusive responsibility of the State Board of Nursing.
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Nursing Program is approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326; (404-975-5000); email: info@acennursing.org
Program Offerings
This program is offered at the following sites:
- Chandler-Gilbert Community College
- Estrella Mountain Community College
- Gateway Community College
- Glendale Community College
- Mesa Community College
- Paradise Valley Community College
- Phoenix College
- Scottsdale Community College
Waiver of Licensure/Certification Guarantee
Admission or graduation from the Nursing Program does not guarantee obtaining a license to practice nursing. Licensure requirements and the subsequent procedures are the exclusive right and responsibility of the Arizona State Board of Nursing. Students must satisfy the requirements of the Nurse Practice Act: Statutes, Rules and Regulations, independently of any college or school requirements for graduation.
Pursuant to A.R.S. 32-1606(B)(17), an applicant for professional or practical nurse license by examination is not eligible for licensure if the applicant has any felony convictions and has not received an absolute discharge from the sentences for all felony convictions. The absolute discharge must be received five or more years before submitting this application. If you cannot prove that the absolute discharge date is five or more years, the Board cannot process your application.
Level One Fingerprint Clearance is required for admission into the program. Applicants must present a Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card to be copied by the advisor or designee. For a Department of Public Safety Fingerprint Clearance Card application, contact MCCCD Healthcare/Nursing Advisor. If there is any question about eligibility for licensure or certification, contact the nursing education consultant at the Arizona State Board of Nursing (602.771.7800).
Health Declaration
It is essential that nursing students be able to perform a number of physical activities in the clinical portion of the program. At a minimum, students will be required to lift patients, stand for several hours at a time and perform bending activities. Students who have a chronic illness or condition must be maintained on current treatment and be able to implement direct patient care. The clinical nursing experience also places students under considerable mental and emotional stress as they undertake responsibilities and duties impacting patients` lives. Students must be able to demonstrate rational and appropriate behavior under stressful conditions. Individuals should give careful consideration to the mental and physical demands of the program prior to making application. All must provide documentation of compliance with all health and safety requirements required to protect patient safety. Only students in compliance are permitted to enroll in nursing courses. Students will meet these requirements by providing the required documentation for the Health/Safety Requirements Documentation Checklist and the signed Health Declaration Form.
Health & Safety Requirements for the Maricopa Nursing Program
- Students must submit a Health and Safety Documentation Checklist verifying completion of all requirements and maintain current status throughout the program.
- Students must submit the Health Declaration Form signed by a licensed health care provider.
- Students must test negative on a timed urine drug screen.
- Admission to an Allied Health program requires that students be in compliance with the Maricopa County Community College District Supplemental Background Check policy. Program applications will not be accepted without a copy of an Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card. Upon conditional program admission, the student must comply with all requirements of the current MCCCD background check policy.
University Transfer Students
Students who are planning to earn the Bachelor of Science in Nursing may obtain their prerequisite courses at the Maricopa Community Colleges. For information on courses that meet requirements for admission into a baccalaureate program, please contact a program advisor.
Registered Nurse Pathway
Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing Program
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Nursing graduate is eligible to apply for licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN). The RN is educated as a generalist who delivers health care to clients and family groups and has competencies related to the art and science of nursing. The RN may be employed in a variety of acute, long term, and community-based healthcare settings. The AAS degree in Nursing provides the graduate with an educational foundation for articulation into the university setting.
Program Notes
Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all courses required within the program. Overall program minimum GPA = 2.00.
++ indicates any suffixed course may be selected.
Course Fee Information
Please see class schedule for information regarding course fees.
Maricopa Nursing is aligned with Nurse of the Future Competencies: Person-Centered Care, Professionalism, Leadership, Systems-Based Practice, Informatics and Technology, Communication, Teamwork and Collaboration, Safety, Quality Improvement, and Evidence-Based Practice. These competencies focus on key stakeholders of healthcare clients, colleagues and communities. Demonstration of the competencies will signify preparation for successful transition into nursing practice and further professional development.
Admission Criteria
High school diploma or GED is required for the Associate in Applied Science degree in Nursing. Applicants must signify that they meet this requirement by providing high school diploma/transcripts or GED completion OR by signing the nursing application page containing the ‘Declaration of High School Graduation or GED Completion.’ In some instances, high school diploma/transcripts or proof of GED completion may be required.
Formal application and admission to the program is required. There are limited spaces available in the Nursing program. Only students who have completed all of the general education and introductory courses noted above may have their name added to the queue of those waiting for an available space in a cohort. A passing score on a nursing program admission test is required to complete an application.
Successful completion of a nurse assistant course (course must include an in-person clinical component) or certification or licensure as a Nurse Assistant is required to complete an application. The Nurse Assistant course does not have to be completed at a Maricopa college and certification or licensure is not required to apply. There is currently no time limit on when the Nurse Assistant course was taken.
Applicants for Advanced Placement must receive a passing score on a practical nursing content exam for placement into Block 3. The final placement decision rests with the Nursing Program Chair at the college to which the student is accepted. Advanced placement applications are maintained for two years from the date of application. After two years, the applicant is required to review, update, and resubmit the application.
The Nursing Program Chair reserves the right to deny acceptance of an admission application if the applicant was previously dismissed for issues relating to academic integrity, unsafe patient care, and/or two (2) or more failures from any nursing program.
All applicants holding or receiving a certificate or license as a Nursing Assistant and/or license as a Practical Nurse must remain in good standing with the Regulatory Board. Once enrolled, students receiving any disciplinary actions against their certificate or license must notify the Nursing Program Chair within five (5) school days. The Nursing Program Chair reserves the right to restrict the student`s participation in clinical experiences and involvement in patient care until the certificate and/or license is valid and unrestricted.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Select one of the following: | 0-4 | |
| Introductory Biology for Allied Health | ||
| General Biology (Majors) I | ||
One year of high school biology | ||
| BIO201 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 0-4 | |
| Fundamental Chemistry and Fundamental Chemistry Laboratory | ||
| Fundamental Chemistry with Lab | ||
One year of high school chemistry | ||
| NUR152 | Nursing Theory and Science I | 9 |
| NUR172 | Nursing Theory and Science II | 9 |
| NUR252 | Nursing Theory and Science III | 9 |
| NUR283 | Nursing Theory and Science IV | 9 |
| General Education | ||
| Core | ||
| First-Year Composition 1 | ||
| ENG101 | First-Year Composition | 3 |
| or ENG107 | First-Year Composition for ESL | |
| ENG102 | First-Year Composition | 3 |
| or ENG108 | First-Year Composition for ESL | |
| Oral Communication | ||
| Waived | 0 | |
| Critical Reading | ||
| Select one of the following: | 0-3 | |
| College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | ||
OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment | ||
| Mathematics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-5 | |
| College Mathematics | ||
| College Mathematics | ||
| College Mathematics | ||
Satisfactory completion of higher level math course | ||
| Distribution | ||
| Humanities, Arts and Design | ||
| Any approved general education course(s) from the Humanities, Arts and Design area | 2 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | ||
| PSY101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Natural Sciences | ||
| BIO202 & BIO205 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Microbiology | 8 |
| Total Credits | 62-75 | |