Nursing - AAS (2104)
Division: Nursing and Health Sciences Division
Nursing programs are accredited by the New Jersey Board of Nursing, https://njccn.org/nj-board-of-nursing/ and the R.N. degree program is also accredited by the Accreditation Commission in Nursing (ACEN), https://www.acenursing.org.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements (23 Credits) | ||
| Written & Oral Communication (6) | ||
| ENG 101 | College Composition I | 3 |
| ENG 102 | College Composition II | 3 |
| Quantitative/Scientific Knowledge, Skills & Reasoning (8) | ||
| BIO 121 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| BIO 122 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| Society & Human Behavior (6) | ||
| PSY 101 | General Psychology I | 3 |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Humanistic Perspective (3) | ||
| Select any English Literature Course | 3 | |
or Select one of the following courses: | ||
or Select any History (HST) Course | ||
| Major Requirements (43 Credits) | ||
| CHM 101 | College Chemistry I | 4 |
| or CHM 103 | General Chemistry I | |
| BIO 211 | Microbiology | 4 |
| BIO 251 | Pharmacology for Health Prof | 3 |
| NRS 104 | Fundamentals of Nursing | 6 |
| NRS 114 | Common Health Alterations | 8 |
| NRS 206 | Complex Health Alterations | 8 |
| NRS 216 | Management of Care | 8 |
| NRS 217 | Prof.IssuesLeadershipSynthesis | 2 |
| Total Credits | 66 | |
- The minimum passing grade for all courses designated BIO, CHM, PSY or NRS is “C.” If you earn a grade below “C”, you need to repeat that course.
- Course substitutions are not acceptable in general education requirements.
- Students enrolled in the Nursing program will be required to submit to criminal background checks, drug screen, health clearance, and CPR certification in connection with their clinical placement at certain health care organizations. All expenses for criminal background checks, health clearance, and CPR certification are the responsibility of the student.
- Consult the NJ Board of Nursing for specific information on licensure requirements at www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/medical/nursing.htm.
- Prerequisite Courses
BIO 121 Anatomy & Physiology I
CHM 101 College Chemistry I or CHM 103 General Chemistry I
ENG 101 College Composition I
PSY 101 General Psychology I
Notes:
- For an explanation of why General Education courses are included in this Program, please refer to the Section on General Education for an explanation of its Purpose and Requirements.
- This plan assumes the student is eligible to enroll in College Level Courses (designated as 100 +, e.g., ENG 101 College Composition I, HST 101 World Civilization I, MTH 100 Intro. to College Mathematics). Placement results will determine College Level Readiness in English and Mathematics.
Nursing
Curriculum Code: 2104

Will Earn Upon Program Completion: Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree
Nursing programs are accredited by the New Jersey Board of Nursing, https://njccn.org/nj-board-of-nursing/ and the R.N. degree program is also accredited by the Accreditation Commission in Nursing (ACEN), https://www.acenursing.org.
Why major in Nursing?
There is a growing demand for nurses nationwide. Nursing is a service-oriented profession involving caring for and working with people. A state-of-the-art, nursing simulation laboratory is available to facilitate learning, as is a multi-media computer laboratory. The Nursing program prepares students for entry-level positions in hospitals and other health care facilities. Upon completion, students are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam to qualify for licensure as a registered nurse.
If I major in Nursing, can I transfer to an upper-division college or university?
Yes. Many colleges have “upper division” nursing programs that allow associate degree graduates to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.); we have articulation agreements with New Jersey City University, Kean University, and Montclair State University.
Are there any requirements I must satisfy before I start taking courses in my major?
It is recommended that you apply to the College as a General Science major (curriculum code: 0603) and indicate interest in Nursing. The following are minimum standards for program admission:
- Be at college level in English and Mathematics, which may require the completion of developmental courses (e.g., ENG 099 and/or MTH 092) based on placement testing.
- Have a high school diploma or GED.
- Have an overall college GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Successfully complete all of the program prerequisites with a grade of “C” or better: ENG 101: College Composition I; BIO 121: Anatomy & Physiology I (within 5 years of admission); CHM 101 or CHM 103: College Chemistry I or General Chemistry I; and, PSY 101: Introduction to Psychology
- Completion of ONE time ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS-RN) upon approval to test granted by Nursing Department. A score of 60 and above qualifies you to be ranked for admission; tests taken outside of ECC will NOT be evaluated.
For other admissions requirements, contact the Nursing Department or see the RN Program Fact Sheet. Qualified applicants are admitted on a space-available basis. In addition to the Nursing program requirements, transfer students must complete a minimum of 9 credits at ECC to be eligible for admission to the Nursing program.

How long will it take for me to complete this degree?
The Nursing degree program is a full-time program that can be completed in a two-year period (after prerequisites are completed) if you register for an average of 13 credits each semester.
The Essex County College Nursing program is approved and accredited by the:
New Jersey Board of Nursing
124 Halsey Street, 6th Floor
Newark, NJ, 07102, (973) 504-6430
https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/nur/Pages/default.aspx
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), Inc.
3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA, 30326
(404) 975-5000
Where should I direct specific questions about this program?
Call the Division at (973) 877-1868/1865.
PLEASE NOTE:
All applicants to Nursing and Health Sciences programs must meet special admission requirements. While waiting for admission, students are urged to begin taking core curriculum requirements, contact the divisional chair or faculty advisors for details. Admission to programs in the division is competitive; also contact counselors, faculty advisors, and/or Enrollment Service for additional details.
An individual who has charges pending or has ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor and/or found guilty of professional misconduct or negligence may or may not be eligible to be licensed as an allied health professional. These matters should be cleared with the respective licensing boards before applying for admission to allied health programs.
Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Provide safe culturally sensitive care to patients across the lifespan;
- Practice using legal, ethical, and regulatory standards of the nursing profession;
- Collaborate with the patient and the multidisciplinary health care team to meet the needs of patients in a variety of settings;
- Manage care to promote quality positive outcomes for patients and their families;
- Demonstrate clinical judgment in assisting patient and families to promote optimal health by utilizing current evidence and available resources; and
- Utilize information technology to collect data, prevent errors, communicate effectively and maintain safe quality care.