Nursing

Nursing Expanded Statement of Institutional Purpose

The purpose of the Nursing Department is to advocate for locally educated and licensed nurses to work in the various health care provider agencies in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands as well as in the Pacific region by providing career guidance, education and the nursing knowledge and skills necessary to be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination and become Registered Nurses in support of the Northern Marianas College mission.

Why Should You become a Nurse?

Here are the top 10 reasons why you should consider pursuing a career in Nursing:

1. Nurses make a real difference, saving lives every day.
2. Nursing is a well-respected field.
3. With many different career paths to being a Nurse, you can choose your own specialty and do what you love!
4. Nurses gain a competitive salary.
5. Nurses never stop learning; every new challenge translates to a new learning experience—about people, cultures, diseases, and treatments in their everyday work.
6. Nursing work schedules are positively flexible.
7. There are many financial aid opportunities for nursing students!
8. Nurses can enter the workforce relatively quickly.
9. The nursing profession boasts a high level of job satisfaction.
10. Nurses CARE.

Career Pathways

The career pathway is included in the Associate of Science in Nursing degree Individualized Degree Plan (IDP). Listed below are among the many careers every nursing student can pursue:

• Informatics Nurse
• Child Health Nurse
• Home Health Nurse
• Military Nurse
• Medical-Surgical Nurse
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse
• School Nurse
• Administrative Nurse
• Women’s Health Nurse
• Community Health Nurse
• Flight Nurse

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

NU PLO 1: Demonstrative knowledge of professional nursing standards and regulatory framework.
NU PLO 2: Assess clients and families comprehensively to include physical, developmental, cultural, and spiritual needs.
NU PLO 3: Apply critical and creative thinking to facilitate problem solving and decision making.
NU PLO 4: Design a nursing care plan for clients and families across the lifespan in various settings.
NU PLO 5: Demonstrate appropriate nursing interventions that meet clients’ and families’ health expectations.
NU PLO 6: Supervise care for groups of clients to promote positive health outcomes.
NU PLO 7: Demonstrate effective communication through the use of oral, written, and technological skills to educate and collaborate with clients, community agencies, and members of the health care team.
NU PLO 8: Demonstrate professionalism, including legal and ethical behaviors.

Pre-Nursing Level

When a student accepted to the Northern Marianas College desires to pursue the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree, they are preliminarily placed under Pre-Nursing. A Pre-Nursing student is a student under the ASN degree who is working to fulfill all prerequisite course requirements prior to entering the Nursing Program. Students must request that the official high school and prior college transcripts (if applicable) be mailed directly to the Office of Admissions and Records, Northern Marianas College.

All Pre-Nursing students must successfully complete all Core Course and General Education Requirements with a “C” grade or higher as stated on the Associate of Science in Nursing IDP. Students that earn a “D” or “F” in any prerequisite course must repeat it to obtain a “C” or higher. Applicants must have earned a GPA of at least 2.5 or higher in order to enter and are required to maintain a 2.5 GPA throughout the Nursing Program.

Important: For prior college science course credits to be accepted by the Nursing Department, the course(s) must have been completed within the five years immediately prior to application.

Beginning this Fall 2020 Admission, all applicants who have applied into the Nursing Program will be required to take the program’s admission exam and receive a passing score prior to the acceptance into the program.

Once an applicant has been accepted into the Nursing Program, the applicant’s Major status will be changed from Pre-Nursing to Associate of Science in Nursing.

Nursing Level

New Nursing students who have been officially admitted into the program are placed into the First Year Cohort every Fall Admission and will be taking the introductory nursing courses: NU 105 and NU 124.

All students admitted into the program are required to wear a Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC) Student ID Badge during clinical rotation. Department Chair will make arrangement with CHCC Human Resources (HR) office for photo and ID badge processing. An ID fee of $10 will be charged by CHCC and you are required to pay for it at CHCC cashier before getting your photo and ID badge processed at the CHCC HR Office.

All nursing students must obtain a current CPR Certification through the American Heart Association is required and will be arranged by the nursing department with the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC) Respiratory Department. A fee of $10 is charged for every nursing student and you are required to pay for it before you take the class.

Students must also obtain a Health Evaluation Form from Admissions & Records Office and schedule yourself to get a physical examination done and update your immunization record by a medical provider at any of the private clinics on island. The Health Evaluation Form you completed when you were first admitted into NMC will not be counted. There is a fee for physical examination at the private clinics and you are required to pay for it. Prior to being seen by a medical provider, please acquire a copy of your immunization record at CHCC Immunization Clinic downstairs in Public Health and bring it with you to your appointment. Once your physical examination is done, please turn in the completed form to the Nursing Department. The Department Chair will later make an arrangement with Laura Ogo, RN, CHCC Employee Health Nurse, to have you screen for Health Clearance. You must follow all immunization guidelines and health directives from the CHC Employee Health Nurse before you can begin your clinical rotation at CHCC.

Students are expected to provide their own uniforms (dress code for lecture; dress code for clinical) and medical equipment (wrist-band watch with second hand, stethoscope, bandage scissor, pen light, BP cuff, and hemostat for the clinical area), which are discussed upon official admission into the Nursing Program. Students must provide their own transportation to and from the clinical area, either in the hospital, outpatient clinics, public health, private/government agencies and the schools.

After completing four semesters in the Nursing Program, the nursing student will graduate with the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree.

Overview

The Nursing Department at the Northern Marianas College is preparing to select its new cohort of students for the Fall 2023 Semester. The Application for Admission into the Nursing Program is available for any potential candidates that meet all requirements. Admission into the program is once a year for every Fall Semester. The application form can be downloaded below and is  available for one month from April to May of each Spring Semester.

The application deadline for the Fall 2023 Admission is on May 22, 2023.

Selection Criteria

The selection of applicants will be based on the following criteria:

• A cumulative Grade Point Average of “2.50” or higher; however, GPA of 3.00 will be given first consideration as approved by the nursing faculty at their March 6, 2023 faculty/staff meeting. The Proposal to increase the nursing program GPA from 2.50 to 3.00 as one of the admission criteria has been submitted to the Academic Council for review and approval;
• Completion of all Core Course requirements (with the exception of SO 297) and General Education Prerequisite Requirements with a “C” grade or higher as listed on the Nursing IDP; all science courses must also be completed no later than five years prior to application into the Nursing Program
• Ability to understand, speak, and write English
• Have a passing score of 70% in all 5 content areason the program’s admission test
• The department having sufficient faculty to teach the nursing courses

Nursing Program Admission Test

Beginning this Fall 2023 Admission period, all applicants who are applying for admission into the Nursing Program must pass the program’s Admission Test with 70% or higher in all five (5) test content areas. These content areas are Reading, Writing, Math, Science, and Critical Thinking.

Students who are completing their remaining prerequisites this Spring 2023 Semester will take the Admission Test on June 22-23, 2023. Students who are completing their remaining prerequisites this Summer 2023 Semester will take the Admission Test on August 09, 2023.

There will be no retake of the Nursing Program Admission Test once the student applicant did not pass the admission test for this Fall 2023 Semester admission into the program. 

However, the student applicant may reapply for admission into the program for the following year, when the nursing program sends out a press release on accepting new applicants for admission for Fall 2024 Semester. At that time, the student applicant will submit a new application for admission for Fall 2024 Semester and then will be allowed to retake the Nursing Program Admission Test.

Selection Timeframe

Selection into the program will be completed before Fall Semester begins in August 2023. After the application period closes on May 22, 2023, the Department will screen all applicants based on the Selection Criteria above. A “Status of Application” letter will be sent out using the address(es) provided on the application and will determine if the applicant is eligible to take the program’s admission test.

Final selection of applicants will be based on the program’s standard passing score of 70% in all five (5) content areas of the admission test. Applicants who passed the admission test will receive a final acceptance letter into the Nursing Program and will meet with the Department Chair for advising into their First Year of Nursing.

Class Size

At this time, the class size will be limited to 25 students. If there is not enough space for all applicants, there may be a waiting list of applicants in the event that a selected student declines to join the program. The next selection of cohort of students begins April 24, 2023 for the Fall 2023 Admission.

Please make an appointment with your advisor as soon as possible to discuss your prerequisites and transcript of record in order for you to know your current standing.

Application

To download the application form, please click here.

Nursing courses are offered to students who are officially excepted into the nursing program.

NU 105 Basic Nursing Concepts and Skills

This course focuses both on identifying the basic needs of the person who is experiencing illness and assisting clients who require a minimum of adaptation to meet those needs. This course introduces students to nursing history and nursing roles, utilizing the nursing process and basic nursing skills with an assessment of cultural and bio-psychosocial needs, and therapeutic communication techniques. Once these skills are demonstrated satisfactorily in the lab, the student will be able to apply these skills in the clinical setting. Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Nursing Program or approval of the Nursing Department Chair. Concurrent enrollment: NU 124. (Offered Fall)

NU 107 Medical-Surgical Nursing I

This course introduces the theory and clinical concepts of caring for the client throughout the lifespan. This course utilizes the nursing process to assist medical-surgical clients requiring maximal adaptation to meet basic physiological and psychosocial needs. This course provides a brief review of basic client care skills and explores more complex skills. Once these skills are demonstrated satisfactory in laboratory, the student will be able to apply these skills in the clinical setting. Prerequisites: A “C” grade or higher in NU 105 and NU 124, or approval of the Nursing Department Chair. Concurrent Enrollment: NU 203. (Offered Spring)

NU 124 Pharmacology for Nurses and Clinical Math

This course outlines the concepts used in administering medications and in monitoring clients for the effects of medication administration. This course includes the study of drug classifications, types, actions, contraindications, precautions, side effects, dosages, and nursing implications. It also covers dosage calculations and measurement systems, reading medication labels, using syringes, intravenous (IV) fluid calculations, and calculations in specialty units. Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Nursing Program or approval of the Nursing Department Chair. Concurrent enrollment: NU 105. (Offered Fall)

NU 203 Maternal and Child Health Nursing

This course prepares the students to provide basic nursing care to maternity and pediatric clients and their families in both hospital and clinic settings. This course covers concepts of growth and development of newborns, infants, children, adolescents, and the childbearing woman. Family development and care are included, as are health education and promotion. Prerequisites: A “C” grade or higher in NU 105 and NU 124. Concurrent enrollment: NU 107. (Offered Spring)

NU 207 Medical-Surgical Nursing II

This course introduces the theory and clinical concepts of caring for the client throughout the lifespan. This course utilizes the nursing process to assist medical-surgical clients requiring maximal adaptation to meet basic physiological and psychosocial needs. This course provides a brief review of basic client care skills and explores more complex skills. Once these skills are demonstrated satisfactory in laboratory, the student will be able to apply these skills in the clinical setting. Prerequisites: A “C” grade or higher in NU 107 and NU 203. (Offered Fall)

NU209 Nursing Issues and Trends

This course explores legal and ethical issues, decision-making processes, trends in nursing practice, careers in nursing, and preparation for the job market. It also explores the leadership of the nurse in the health care team. Prerequisite: A “C” grade or higher in NU 207. Concurrent enrollment: NU 212. (Offered Spring)

NU 212 Medical-Surgical Nursing III

This course is the final nursing course for the Associate of Science in Nursing degree. While the course theory content focuses on advanced nursing skills and concepts required in caring for the medical-surgical client, the clinical component requires the demonstration of cumulative nursing skills from all the nursing courses. The course utilizes the nursing process, with emphasis on management and teaching of the complex medical-surgical client. In addition, leadership skills are developed to assist the student in transition from a student role to that of a graduate nurse. This course covers laboratory practice of advanced nursing/critical care skills. After satisfactory demonstration of those skills, the student will be able to apply them in the clinical setting. Prerequisites: A “C” grade or higher in NU 207. Concurrent enrollment: NU 209. (Offered Spring)

• Individualized Degree Plan - Nursing

• http://www.nmibon.info/nclex/

Overview

The Certificate of Nursing Assistant prepares entry-level nursing assistants to provide basic nursing care to elderly, ill, and disabled persons in long-term care, hospital, clinic, and home health settings. It is designed for any student or interested individuals who want to begin a career as a Nursing Assistant, individuals interested in taking a nursing course, but are still at developmental English and math levels, and for persons already employed as nursing assistants but who have not completed the formal coursework. The course is ten (10) weeks in length and prepares students to also take the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) Competency Examination. After successfully completing the course, graduates will be eligible to take the NNAAP Competency Examination with the Northern Marianas Islands (NMI) Board of Nursing (BON), be licensed as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), be placed on the NMI BON Registry for Nursing Assistants, and practice as a CNA in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or U.S. Mainland.

Prerequisites: Early Admission into NMC, High School Graduate or High School Equivalent. An applicant must have an English Placement Level of EN 095 and a Math Placement Level of MA 091.

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Download the Nursing Assistant Certificate Individualized Certificate Plan

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View Nursing Assistant Program Admission Guidelines and Cost Breakdown

 

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  Rosa T. Aldan, MSN, BSN, RN

  Department Chairperson, Nursing

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  Johnny Aldan, BSN, RN

  Instructor, Nursing

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• Breanna Lee, RN

  Instructor, Nursing

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• Andrew Mendiola

  Administrative Assistant III

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• Ji Hye Lee

  Associate Professor

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