Nursing Program Overview

The program, offered at five college sites, including one at California University of Pennsylvania, prepares students to apply for the NCLEX -RN examination and to assume an entry-level position as a registered nurse. Program learning experiences prepare graduates for professional nursing practices as defined and delineated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. The program consists of courses in liberal arts and selected sciences, as well as nursing.

Accreditation

• The program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.

• The Associate nursing program at Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), located in Pittsburgh, PA is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 975-5000. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm.
  
  Statement on Accreditation

• Regionally accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
  
  

Mission Statement

The CCAC Associate Degree Nursing Program prepares graduates for entry level practice in the current and emerging global healthcare delivery workforce. The program creates a dynamic, diverse, and supportive student-centered environment for learning. The concept-based curriculum, along with the active engagement of the student in the learning process, provides quality preparation for academic, professional and personal success.

Core Values of the CCAC Nursing Program

The CCAC Nursing Program values caring as a fundamental part of the nursing profession, characterizes our concern and consideration for the whole person, our commitment to the common good, and our outreach to those who are vulnerable. All organizational activities are managed in a participative and person-centered way, demonstrating an ability to understand the needs of others and a commitment to act always in the best interests of all stakeholders. (NLN, 2010)

The CCAC Nursing program values diversity, embraces acceptance and respect. Each individual is unique with differences, which can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies. A culture of diversity is about understanding ourselves and each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the richness of each individual. While diversity can be about individual differences, it also encompasses institutional and system-wide behavior patterns. (NLN, 2010)

The CCAC Nursing program values personal, professional, and academic integrity and is evident when organizational principles of open communication, ethical decision-making, and humility are encouraged, expected, and demonstrated consistently. Not only is doing the right thing simply how we do business, but our actions reveal our commitment to truth telling and to how we always see ourselves from the perspective of others in a larger community. (NLN, 2010)

The CCAC Nursing program values excellence that reflects a commitment to continuous growth, improvement, and understanding. It is a culture where transformation is embraced, and the status quo and mediocrity are not tolerated. (NLN, 2010)

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will:

1. Evaluate clinical judgment to facilitate transformation of knowledge, skills and values in a variety of healthcare delivery systems.
2. Integrate caring and knowledge of cultural diversity when providing care to patients at various points across the lifespan.
3. Critique the effectiveness of communication with the interdisciplinary health team utilizing principles of management and delegation.
4. Prioritize teaching and learning needs of patients and families in culturally diverse settings across the life span.
5. Implement the role of the professional nurse when caring for patients and families in diverse healthcare delivery systems.

Please refer to the math equivalency charts for course substitutions.