The Mission of the Nursing Program is derived from the mission of Goodwin College. It has as its focus the educational preparation of students to become Nurses. It provides an atmosphere whereby its diverse student population can grow intellectually by promoting critical thinking, personal development, and community involvement, as well as competencies in clinical skills. The Nursing program provides a technical educational foundation upon which students of nursing may continue to build their professional careers.

 Program Description 

The Goodwin College Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program consists of class work and clinical practice in a variety of healthcare facilities, which will provide nursing graduates with the skills to function effectively in today’s healthcare industry. It includes the opportunity for personal growth through the inclusion of liberal arts and science courses. The general education courses are supportive to the nursing courses. 

This program is an organized program of studies that combines general education courses from the biological, social and behavioral sciences and the humanities, with courses in the theory and practice of nursing. The program develops the student in the process of

nursing, promotes critical thinking, fosters the development of moral and ethical professional behaviors, and promotes continued self-development and personal and professional growth.

 The program is designed as a progression of courses of increasing complexity that build upon one another. Therefore, the courses should be taken in the prescribed sequence. A minimum grade of “C” is required in all courses. If a student fails a nursing course (s)he

may repeat it one time. However, only one course may be taken twice. The only exception to this policy is if the student fails the final course (NUR 220) at which time they may repeat NUR 220 even if they failed another course` in the program. Students whose clinical attendance and/or performance are deemed unsatisfactory by the faculty may be subject to withdrawal from any nursing course. Seventy-one (71) semester credit hours are required for graduation from the nursing program.

 Admission Requirements

 These admission requirements are in effect for students applying to the nursing program for the January 2007 cohort and later.

 Only students admitted to the program may enroll in nursing courses. It is important to note that not all qualified candidates can be offered admission to the nursing program due to the limited number of places available. Prospective nursing applicants are strongly

advised to attend a Health Science Information Session conducted by the college. Please call the Admissions Department for dates and times of upcoming sessions. Students may enter the College at any time to complete the prerequisites required for admission.

Admission is based upon completion of nursing prerequisites and other requirements. All requirements must be completed before enrolling in Nursing 100. Final selection is based on a Selection Point System as presented at the end of this section. Students may apply to the nursing program three (3) times.

1. Complete the application for admission into Goodwin College. Applicants to the nursing program must first meet the requirements for admission and be accepted into Goodwin College.

2. Complete the Nursing Program Application. An official High school transcript or proof of GED and official college transcripts must accompany this application.

3. Take the National League of Nursing RN Pre-admission test. This examination is administered at Goodwin College three times a year. The cost of the test is the responsibility of the applicant. Students must register on-line and follow the deadlines

and instructions posted on the application. All questions regarding registration must be directed to the NLN. Students may retake the Pre-Admission test twice. A minimum of three (3) months must separate the two testing dates. (Refer to Goodwin

College web site [www.goodwin.edu] for test dates and deadlines.)

 Students must score at the 50th percentile or higher on the AD Composite portion of the National League for Nursing RN Pre-Admission test to be considered for admission.

 4. Earn a minimum GPA of 2.7 in the most recent course work (college). College GPA is based on a minimum of 12 completed credits.

5. Complete the required College Placement Evaluations. Applicants must qualify for ENG 101 in order to enter the nursing program. Any remedial courses required as indicated by the placement evaluation results must be completed before entering the nursing program.

6. Complete the following prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of “C”

a.     Intermediate Algebra – High school intermediate algebra and score above MATH 102           (Goodwin College) on College

b.         Placement Test or MATH 102 (Goodwin College) or higher.

c.          Chemistry – CHEM 101 (Goodwin College) or equivalent completed within the last five years.

d.         Biology – BIO 211, Anatomy & Physiology I, and BIO 212 Anatomy & Physiology II (Goodwin College) or equivalent completed within the last five years. General Biology (BIO 120 (Goodwin College) with a laboratory component, completed

e.          within the last 10 years, is the prerequisite for BIO 211. (Note: Applicants meeting all other requirements can be admitted conditionally without completing BIO 212. However, this course must be successfully completed prior to starting the nursing program).

7. Interview with the Director of Nursing or member of the Nursing faculty.

 Algebra, biology and chemistry courses taken at other accredited colleges must be equivalent to Goodwin College courses to meet these admission requirements. Courses must have been completed with a grade of “C” or better.

Applicants will be notified of acceptance approximately two (2) months prior to the start of the semester.

 Nursing applicants who have satisfied all of the admission criteria will be selected according to the point system as specified below:

 Accepted Students

Once accepted, students are required to submit a $500 non-refundable tuition deposit to hold their place in the class.

 Admitted students must submit a medical examination report by a physician which describes the student’s physical and emotional health, two weeks prior to starting the program. All required immunizations must be completed before the start of the first Nursing course excluding the Hepatitis B vaccine series which may be in progress. If a student elects to not have the Hepatitis B vaccine series , a signed declination form must be in their file.

 Students are required to become certified in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (Health Provider or Professional Rescuer) by the

American Heart Association or the Red Cross before entering the Nursing program and must maintain certification throughout the nursing program. The cost related to obtaining and maintaining CPR certification is the responsibility of the student. Proof of certification must be submitted annually.

Progression Exam

 The final exam for NUR 200 is a comprehensive progression exam. The final exam for this course includes key concepts from the first three nursing courses. Students must achieve a score of “73%” or better in order to advance to NUR 210. Anyone failing the exam must repeat NUR 200. Any student who fails the exam after repeating NUR 200, will have failed out of the program.

 The Connecticut Articulation Model

 The Connecticut Articulation Model, developed by the Connecticut League for Nursing (CNL), provides the mechanism for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and registered nurses (RNs) to continue their education. 

LPNs who currently hold a CT license and are accepted into the Goodwin College nursing program may take a 3-credit “Bridge” course developed by the CLN and administered through Charter Oak College via distance learning. This is followed by a 1-credit course at Goodwin College to validate clinical and other skills. The LPN who successfully completes both these courses is awarded 12 credits and will begin the nursing courses with Nursing 200. These courses are only available in the spring semester.

For more information on the Connecticut Articulation Program and how it is implemented at Goodwin College, please contact the Nursing Department.

 Requirements for Graduation

 A student needs to complete all required courses with a “C” or better. A student is not considered a graduate until (s)he scores at least “103” on the National League for Nursing Exit Exam. The exam may be attempted twice. If the student is not successful (s)he must

work with faculty and achieve an 80 percent on three (3) practice National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) exams. These students may then re-attempt the exam twice. If they still do not achieve the desired score, they will have failed out of the program.