Nursing

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), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, 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
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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 and Safety Requirements for the MaricopaNursing Program:
1. Students must submit a Health and Safety Documentation Checklist verifying completion of all requirements and maintain current status throughout the program.
2. Students must submit the Health Declaration Form signed by a licensed health care provider.
3. Students must test negative on a timed urine drug screen.
4. 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.

This program is designed to meet education requirements for licensure or certification in the State of Arizona. Granting licensure and certification is the sole responsibility of the state board or approval agency. This program is only offered and available to students located in the State of Arizona. The Maricopa County Community College District and colleges define student location within Administrative Regulation 2.2.3(7).

Details

Field of Interest

Health Sciences

Degree Type

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

Academic Plan

Nursing (DEG)

Academic Plan Code

3812

Total credits required

62-75

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Effective Term

Fall 2023

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.

Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

Students must complete the following general education and introductory courses with a 2.0 GPA to be added to the queue of those waiting for an available cohort space to begin the core curriculum. BIO156 or BIO181, BIO201, CHM130 and CHM130LL, CHM130AA, ENG101 or ENG107, MAT140 or MAT141 or MAT142.

Course Fee Information:
Please see class schedule for information regarding course fees.

MaricopaNursing 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.

What You'll Learn

Provide advocacy and individualized care for diverse populations.
Demonstrate accountability for legal and ethical behaviors that reflect standards of professional nursing practice.
Coordinate nursing care for multiple patients in collaboration with health team members for the acquisition/achievement of shared outcomes.
Discuss healthcare micro and macro systems and their impact on patient care.
Integrate technology to provide safe quality care and improve patient outcomes, managing information confidentially and effectively.
Demonstrate effective communication skills while fostering mutual respect and shared decision making with patients, families and colleagues.
Function effectively within interdisciplinary teams fostering open communication, shared decision-making and team development.
Provide safe, quality care while minimizing risk of harm to patients and providers.
Demonstrate accountability for quality improvement of personal performance, patient care and health care systems.
Utilize evidence-based practice to meet individualized needs across the health care continuum.

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Registered Nurses

$81,600 Show expanded career information for Registered Nurses

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources.

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your to manage your plan.
The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.

Full-time

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
or	or	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or higher or eligibility for . One year of high school or one-semester of college level chemistry is strongly recommended. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or higher or eligibility for . One year of high school or one semester of college-level biology and chemistry is strongly recommended.	Or one year of high school biology		0–4
or or	or or	Prerequisites: An appropriate District placement, or a grade of C or better in (, , and ), or (, , and ), or , or , or or or . or Prerequisites: An appropriate District placement, or a grade of C or better in (, , and ), or (, , and ), or , or , or , or , or , or . or Prerequisites: An appropriate District placement, or a grade of C or better in (, , and ), or (, , and ), or , or , or , or , or , or .	Or satisfactory completion of higher level math course	MA or MA or MA	3–5

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
		Prerequisites: C or better in (, or , or , or , or 1 yr of high school biology) and (, or , or higher, or eligibility for ). or higher or one year of high school chemistry suggested but not required.		SG	4
( and ) or ()	( and ) or ()	Prerequisites: C or better in [ or or or or ( & ) or higher or satisfactory placement] and [ or higher or eligibility for ], or permission of the Instructor/Department/Division Chair. and Prerequisites or Corequisites: A grade of "C" or better in . or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(, or , or , or , or higher level mathematics course, or satisfactory math placement) and (, or , or higher, or eligibility for as indicated by appropriate reading placement)], or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair.	Or satisfactory completion of higher level college-level chemistry course and corresponding lab Or one year of high school chemistry	None or SQ	0–4
or	or	Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in or or ) or (B or better in ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in or or ) or (B or better in ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ).		FYC or FYC	3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or .		SG	4
		Prerequisites: Admission into the Nursing Program.			9

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ( or ) and ( or or or or or an appropriate district placement or permission of Instructor).	Or equivalent by assessment		0–3
Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ( and ) or permission of Nursing Department Chair.			9
		SB	3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
		Prerequisites: C or better in (, or , or , or , or 1 yr of high school biology) and (, or , or higher, or eligibility for ). or higher or one year of high school chemistry suggested but not required.		SG	4
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [( or appropriate district placement) and and ] or permission of Nursing Department Chair.			9

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
or	or	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in . or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in .	FYC or FYC	3
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ( and ) or permission of Nursing Department Chair.		9
			HU	3

The Oral Communication General Education Requirement is waived.

Course Area Key

FYC = First Year Composition
HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
MA = Mathematics

SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
SG = Natural Sciences General
SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s for additional details regarding the requirements of this award .

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

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Nursing