Nursing Curriculum

The Associate in Science with a major in Nursing degree prepares men and women for careers as registered nurses. The program combines general education courses and nursing courses. In the nursing courses, classroom and clinical instruction are provided concurrently.

The nursing program is approved by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) (61 Broadway, NY, NY 10006; telephone 1-800-669-1656, ext. 153). Graduates are eligible to apply for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®. They are prepared to administer nursing care to individuals of all ages and in a variety of health care settings.

Two program options exist at the Associate Degree level: (1) Day Option; and (2) LPN-RN Advancement Option. All students may be required to do an alternate clinical rotation depending on clinical/faculty availability, i.e., students may be asked to do an evening rotation.

All nursing courses must be completed within four (4) years of the date of entry into the first nursing course. Students will be readmitted to the nursing program only once during the four years. Readmission will depend on, among other factors, clinical/faculty availability. Transfer credit will depend on course content, applicability to the nursing program, grade earned and length of time since completion.

Admission to the nursing program is very competitive. Selection is determined by a cumulative point system that is based on high school level prerequisite courses and grades, applicable college courses and grades and the NLN score. References are considered critical to the admission process and are evaluated.

NHTI has transfer agreements with Franklin Pierce University, University of New Hampshire, New England School of Practical Nursing and the University of New England.

CL - Numbers in the CL column below designate the number of lecture/classroom hours per week for the course
LAB - Numbers in the LAB column below designate the number of clinical resource center, laboratory or clinical hours per week for the course
CR - Numbers in the CR column below designate the number of credit hours for the course

Day Associate Degree Option

Specific Admission Requirements

Health, Character and Technical Standards

Please see program comments below.

CL - Classroom
LAB - Clinical Resource Center, laboratory or clinical hours
CR - Credits

LPN - RN Advancement Option

The LPN-RN Advancement Option is designed for the Licensed Practical Nurse who wishes to advance to a Registered Nurse with an Associate Degree in Science. This program provides the opportunity, through additional education, to apply for Registered Nurse Licensure upon successful completion. All nursing courses must be completed within four years of the date of entry in the first nursing course. Students will be readmitted to the nursing program only once during the four years. Applicants must meet the admission requirements and receive a satisfactory score on the NLN Acceleration Challenge Exam I-Book I exam which is offered periodically throughout the year (see admission requirements below). Information regarding the admission test may be obtained from the Admissions Office at 603-271-7134.

Admission to the nursing program is very competitive. Selection is determined by a cumulative point system that is based on high school level prerequisite courses and grades, applicable college courses and grades and the Challenge Exam score. References are considered critical to the admission process and are evaluated.

*Transfer credit will be evaluated on an individual basis and may result in six(6) nursing credits being awarded. In addition, the LPN must complete the following curriculum:

Specific Admission Requirements

# Indicates major field courses
* Any course with a prefix of MT except MT 103-120; students will be advised regarding appropriate course selection.

Health, Character and Technical Standards

Program Comments: RN and LPN-RN Advancement Option

Applicants must be in good physical and mental health in order to qualify for RN or PN licensure. In addition, State Boards of Nursing may have specific requirements regarding prior convictions of offenses and licensure. Please contact the Board of Nursing in the state in which practice is planned regarding licensure requirements. Satisfactory completion of program does not guarantee RN or PN licensure.

Standards have been established to provide guidance to students as to skills and abilities required to function successfully in the program and ultimately in the profession of nursing. Applicants who think they may not be able to meet one or more of the technical standards should contact department head or faculty to discuss individual cases.

1. Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend a group information session; please call the Admissions Office at 603-271-7134 for details.
2. Prior to the start of the clinical nursing courses, students are required to have on file in the Health Services Office (603-271-7153) documentation of: current medical insurance; a complete physical examination; current immunizations; current CPR certification for one and two person adult, infant and child. Professional liability malpractice insurance is arranged by the College and will automatically be charged to the student’s account.
3. All students enrolled in a clinical nursing course will be charged a $350/semester Nursing Clinical Surcharge. The following courses carry this charge: NU 115, NU 116, NU 117 and NU 215.
4. College level science and technical courses (i.e., Anatomy & Physiology, etc.) taken more than five years prior to desired entry into nursing program must be either repeated or challenged; final decisions will rest with the Department Head of Nursing.
5. All nursing courses integrate theory and clinical experience. Failure to receive a satisfactory grade in either theory OR the clinical experience portion of the course will result in a failing grade. All nursing major field courses must be passed before proceeding to the next level. A grade of “C” or higher is required in BI 195, BI 196 and BI 202 and math elective to enter or progress in the nursing courses.
6. All students may be required to do an alternate clinical rotation depending on clinical/faculty availability, i.e., students may be asked to do an evening rotation.

Practical Nursing Program

The Practical Nursing program is designed to prepare men and women for careers as practical nurses. Classroom and clinical instruction are provided concurrently in all nursing courses.

The nursing program is approved by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) (61 Broadway, NY, NY 10006; telephone 1-800-669-1656, ext. 153.). Upon graduation students are prepared to work as entry level members of a multidisciplinary team providing care in a variety of health care settings. Graduates receive a Diploma in Practical Nursing and are eligible to apply for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN® Examination). Graduates may also apply for the LPN-RN Advancement Option after completing the appropriate admissions process and satisfying the specific admission requirements.

All Practical Nursing courses must be completed within two (2) years of the date of entry into the program. Transfer credit for courses equivalent in academic content and credit hours will depend upon the grade obtained, course content, and the length of time since the course was completed. Contact the Admissions Office for information about transfer credit at (603) 271-7134. This program begins in January each year.

Admission to the practical nursing program is very competitive. Selection is determined by a cumulative point system that is based on high school level prerequisite courses and grades, applicable college courses and grades and NHTI placement testing. References are considered critical to the admission process and are evaluated.

Specific Admission Requirements

* Higher level science courses may be recommended as substitutions for students considering admission to the NHTI RN program in the future.
# Indicates major field courses.

Health, Character and Technical Standards

Program Comments: Practical Nursing

All Practical Nursing courses integrate theory and clinical experience. Failure to receive a satisfactory grade in either theory OR the clinical experience portion of the course will result in a failing grade. All practical nursing major field courses must be passed before proceeding to the next level. A grade of “C” or higher is required in the required science courses, BI 108 & BI 109 or BI 195, BI 196 & BI 202, and the math course, MT 129, to enter or progress into the practical nursing courses.

1. Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend a group information session; please call the Admissions Office at 603-271-7134 for details;
2. Prior to the start of the clinical nursing courses, students are required to have on file in the Health Services Office (603-271-7153) documentation of: current medical insurance; a complete physical examination; current immunizations; current CPR certification for one and two person adult, infant and child. Professional liability malpractice insurance is arranged by the College and will automatically be charged to the student’s account.
3. Depending on clinical site availability, students may be required to do an alternative clinical rotation (day or evening).
4. All students enrolled in a nursing course will be charged a $350/semester Nursing Clinical Surcharge. The following courses carry this charge: PN 101, PN 102 and PN 103.

Revised June 2, 2008