NURSING ADMISSIONS

ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE IN NURSING

Nursing applications for Fall 2025 is NOW AVAILABLE AND OPEN.

The application deadline is January 15, 2025.

Only complete applications will be processed. Complete applications include the following: Nursing Admission Application, all transcripts, and two references.

Applicants are encouraged to first enroll in the Liberal Arts and Sciences/Humanities and Social Science program, which provides the opportunity to complete program requirements and select required courses for the nursing degree. This plan allows for three years to complete the Nursing program.

The Nursing Program at Cayuga Community College prepares students for entry into the profession of nursing.

Upon graduation, students receive the Associate in Applied Science in nursing and are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The overall NCLEX-RN passing rate for Cayuga students is consistently exceptional and exceeds state and national averages. For program achievement information, see Learning Outcomes below.

The curriculum offers a balance of general education and nursing courses. Students are provided with the theoretical knowledge and clinical practice needed to provide nursing care for individuals throughout their lives. Learning experiences are provided in the classroom, nursing laboratory, and various clinical settings.

Nursing education is available at both the Auburn and Fulton campuses. Both programs admit students every fall.

PROGRAM ACCREDITATION

Cayuga’s Nursing program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and Registered by the Office of Professions, NYSDE

3390 Peachtree Road, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
404-975-5000
https://www.acenursing.org/

Office of the Professions
New York State Education Department
2nd Floor, West Wing, EB
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12234
HEGIS Code: 5208.10

Clinical Students Gathered Together

NURSING ADMISSIONS

ADMISSIONS PROCESS

Admission to the Nursing Program is a two-application process. Applicants must fill out the Admissions application and a Nursing Admission Application. Completion of these two applications is free of charge and does not guarantee admission to the program.

NOTE: If you have already attended Cayuga as a matriculated student, contact the Center for Student Engagement and Academic Advisement at 315-294-8523 or studenteng@cayuga-cc.edu before completing an additional Admissions Application.

Step 1: Apply to Cayuga as a new, degree-seeking student (free of charge)

Step 2: Submit Official High School/TASC/GED and AP/IB/College Transcripts

Step 3: Apply to Cayuga’s Nursing program (free of charge)

NURSING PROGRAM APPLICATION AND REQUIREMENTS

The Nursing program has its own specific application form and process. The online application will be available October 1, 2024, and has a deadline of January 15, 2025. In addition, the following program requirements must be completed and proof submitted by the postmarked application deadline to be considered.

Admission to the nursing program is a selective and competitive process.

SELECTION PROCESS

Admission to the nursing program is selective. Decisions are made by members of the nursing faculty working together with the admissions office. They are based on high school or college grade averages, grades in required science, chemistry, and math courses, a personal essay, and references.

The following prerequisites must be completed before applying to the Nursing program:

  • High school or general equivalency diploma (GED/TASC)
  • Official College transcripts (if applicable)
  • Algebra math proficiency:
    NOTE: Math placement more than 5 years old or out of state, placement will be determined by the Math Coordinator
  • Testing or placing into Cayuga’s MATH 102 (Intermediate Algebra) or higher or
  • Completion of Cayuga’s MATH 099 (Elementary Algebra) or higher with a minimum grade of C (or 70%) or
  • Completion of pre-calculus or higher in high school with a minimum grade of C (or 70%)
  • Satisfactory completion (C or 70%) of high school or college biology
    NOTE: we do not accept CHEM 151 from Onondaga Community College (OCC) without the 1 credit lab component
  • Satisfactory completion (C or 70%) of high school chemistry (Regents or General) or college Chemistry 101 (CHEM 103 or equivalent). See High School Non-Regents Chemistry Courses.
  • Minimum cumulative GPA or overall high school average of 75% or 2.5
  • Applicants must submit two professional references using the Department of Nursing’s Professional Reference Form
  • English language proficiency as demonstrated by compliance with a minimum required TOEFL or NYSESLAT score, required if English is not the first language. Applicants whose native language is not English, click here for more information.
  • May be required to consent to drug testing upon request by the College or affiliating clinical agency
  • Background check required for clinical
  • An interview may be required

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

  • Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend a Nursing Information Session.
  • Technical standards are abilities and behaviors that a nursing student must be able to perform to function safely. It is essential that nursing students possess and maintain the following functional requirements, with or without reasonable accommodations.
  • Admission to the Nursing Program is a two-application process.
  • Applicants must fill out the Admissions Application and a Nursing Admission Application. Completion of these two applications is free of charge and does not guarantee admission to the program. NOTE: If you have already attended Cayuga as a matriculated student, contact the Center for Student Engagement and Academic Advisement at 315-294-8523 or studenteng@cayuga-cc.edu before completing an additional Admissions Application.
  • Send all official transcripts to the Auburn Admissions Office.
  • Applicants will be notified of the acceptance decision in March for fall admission.
  • Applicants not accepted may be placed on a waitlist; high school students (only) may receive a deferral option.
  • Applicants not accepted must reapply to be considered for admission the following year.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

After being accepted into the Nursing program, the student must show evidence of the following by July 5:

  • Completed physical exam and updated annually. The health record must show no physical condition which would limit the safe performance of Essential Functions and Abilities. See “Nursing Students – Health Report Form” to download the required form.
  • Completed Mantoux test and immunization records
  • Compliance with New York State health requirements

CPR REQUIREMENT

The student must hold CPR certification for the Professional Healthcare Provider throughout the program. We only accept courses taken through the American Heart Association or American Red Cross, which include Basic Life Support (BLS) for adults, infants, and children. Certification is valid for two years. Online certification or re-certification is accepted only if a competency demonstration is performed in person.

NOTE: “Heart Saver” and “Community CPR” do NOT meet the CPR requirement. An eCard or paper copy of CPR certification must be submitted to the Nursing Education office by August 1.

NURSING INFORMATION SESSIONS

NURSING INFORMATION SESSIONS

Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend a nursing information session.

During an information session, you will have the opportunity to meet with faculty, students, and Admissions representatives.

Cayuga nursing students working in the nursing lab

UPCOMING INFORMATION SESSIONS

Upcoming Information Sessions for Nursing Admission
UPCOMING INFORMATION SESSIONS
  Day Date Time Location
SaturdayNovember 9, 202410:00 am – 11:00 amFulton Open House

REGISTER

WednesdayDecember 4, 20244:00 pm – 5:00 pmVirtual
SaturdayMarch 29, 202510:00 am – 11:00 amAuburn Open House
SaturdayApril 5, 202510:00 am – 11:00 amFulton Open House
WednesdayMay 7, 20255:00 pm – 6:00 pmVirtual

PROGRAM PROGRESSION

  • A minimum passing grade of 77 (C+) must be achieved in each Nursing course. A grade less than C+ is considered an unsuccessful attempt.
  • A “Satisfactory” clinical grade must be achieved in each clinical Nursing course.
  • A minimum passing grade of C+ is required in BIOL 203, 204, and 216 courses.
  • A student is limited to one W or unsuccessful attempt in any clinical Nursing course (NURS 101, 102, 214, 215, 216, 217). A second W or unsuccessful attempt in any clinical Nursing course will result in dismissal from the program.
  • All required Nursing courses (except NURS 101) must be taken at Cayuga Community College.
  • The following grading system is used by the Nursing faculty:
    The grading system used by the Nursing faculty
    Letter Grade Numerical Grade
    A 93–100
    A- 90-92
    B+ 87–89
    B 83-86
    B- 80–82
    C+ 77–79
    C 73-76
    C- 70-72
    D+ 67-69
    D 63-66
    D- 60-62
    F less than 60
  • A student receiving a W or a grade less than C+ in NURS 101 must reapply for admission to the Nursing program in accordance with specified application deadlines.
  • A student receiving a W or a grade less than C+ in NURS 102, 214, 215, 216, or 217 must apply for re-entry to the program through the director of Nursing (email Mary Driscoll, Director of Nursing at driscollm@cayuga-cc.edu). The student must schedule a meeting with the director of Nursing three months prior to the course start date. Academic counseling will be initiated to develop a success plan. Re-entry is granted on a space-available basis and upon compliance with the re-entry procedure.
  • A student seeking re-entry to the Nursing program must meet program policies in effect at the date of re-entry.
  • Nursing courses must be completed within three years of starting NURS 101

LEARNING EXPERIENCES

Clinical schedules include days, evenings, and occasional weekends. Students must provide their own transportation to clinical facilities. Clinical agencies include but are not limited to Finger Lakes Center for Living, St. Anthony on the Commons, Seneca Hill Manor, Auburn Community Hospital, Upstate University Hospital Downtown, Upstate University Hospital Community Campus, Lifetime Care, Veterans Medical Center, Oswego Hospital, Oswego County Health Department, and the Cayuga County Health Department.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

NURSING DEGREE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

The following curriculum represents the Nursing course sequence and minimum requirements for the A.A.S. degree in Nursing (total of 64 credit hours).

Curriculum requirements for the Nursing course sequence with a total of 64 credit hours.
COURSES CREDIT HOURS
FIRST SEMESTER
ENGL 101 Freshman English I 3
NURS 101 Fundamentals of Patient Care 8
BIOL 203 Anatomy and Physiology I 4
SUB-TOTAL 15
SECOND SEMESTER
NURS 102 Nursing in Physical/Mental Health I 8
NURS 210 Health Assessment 1
SOC 101 Introductory Sociology 3
BIOL 204 Anatomy and Physiology II 4
SUB-TOTAL 16
THIRD SEMESTER
NURS 214 Family/Community Nursing I 4
NURS 215 Nursing in Physical/Mental Health II 4
BIOL 216 General Microbiology 4
PSY 101 Introductory Psychology 3
SUB-TOTAL 15
FOURTH SEMESTER
ENGL 220
OR
ENGL 222
OR
ENGL 221
Interpersonal Communication
OR
Effective Speech: Public Address
OR
Effective Speech: Group Discussion
3
NURS 216 Family/Community Nursing II 4
NURS 217 Nursing in Physical/Mental Health III 4
NURS 203 Trends in Nursing 1
NURS 207 Pharmacology 3
PSY 212 Developmental Psychology 3
SUB-TOTAL 18
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS 64
Clinical Students

LEGAL LIMITATIONS FOR RN LICENSURE

The licensure exam requires that the applicant be of “good moral character.” Applicants should be aware that the New York State Education Office of Professional Discipline will investigate applicants who have been convicted of a crime (felony or misdemeanor) or have charges pending in any state or country to determine their eligibility for licensure as a registered nurse in New York State. Refer to www.op.nysed.gov/ for specific criteria.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENT

The candidate for the Associate in Applied Science degree in Nursing must meet the following requirements:

  • Completion of 64 credits
  • A cumulative average of no less than 2.0 and a minimum grade of “C+” in each Nursing and Biology course.

TECHNICAL STANDARDS

These are abilities and behaviors that a nursing student must be able to perform to function safely. It is essential that students of nursing meet the functional requirements with or without reasonable accommodations. Download Technical Standards For Nursing Students.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

END OF PROGRAM STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon graduation from the Cayuga Community College Nursing Education program, the graduate will be able to:

  • Practice within the professional, ethical, and legal standards, incorporating personal responsibility and accountability for continued self-development to promote professional identity.
  • Provide safe, competent, patient-centered care in various healthcare settings while efficiently managing time and prioritizing care for a group of patients.
  • Utilize the nursing process, clinical reasoning, and evidence-based practice to provide safe and effective care.
  • Demonstrate caring behaviors that honor diversity and inclusion through global awareness, respect for each individual in the delivery of care, and advocacy for patients and families.
  • Facilitate communication with patients, families, and healthcare team members in a professional and collaborative manner to support patient outcomes.
  • Promote health and wellness of patients across the lifespan and within the community through leadership skills and principles of teaching and learning, to achieve inclusive, equitable outcomes.
  • Utilize information technologies to advance knowledge, support evidence-based practice, and promote safe, quality patient outcomes.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT OUTCOME DATA

Student achievement outcome results data for Cayuga Community College for the class graduating 2023 and 2024.

Outcome Definition Actual Level of Achievement
Class 2023 Success on NCLEX-RN Percentage of graduates, first-time writers, passing the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Expected level of achievement 80%. 100%
Program Completion Percentage of students completing the program within two years of matriculating in the nursing program (ACEN definition). Expected level of achievement 70%. 62%
Class of 2023 Employment Percentage of graduates actively seeking employment who obtain employment as a RN within six months of graduation. Expected level of achievement 80%. 100%
Nursing Class of 2023

TRANSFER INFORMATION

TRANSFER INTO THE PROGRAM

Students requesting a transfer from another Nursing program must:

  • Satisfy the admission criteria stated under the Admission Requirements section.
  • Submit a Nursing Transfer Request form to the Director of Nursing at driscollm@cayuga-cc.edu before October 31.
  • The only nursing course that may be accepted for transfer is NURS 101, pending a review of the course syllabus. A minimum grade of C+ (77) is required for NURS 101 credit transfer. The nursing course must be completed within one year of the transfer request.
  • Apply for admission through the Admissions Office by October 31.
  • Complete the Nursing Department Skill Competency Evaluation with a grade of satisfactory.
  • Complete the nursing clinical review course with a passing grade.
President Durant Congratulating a Nursing Student on stage

TRANSFERRING INTO A BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAM

Cayuga Community College has articulation agreements with a number of baccalaureate nursing programs. For information on these, contact the Director of Nursing at driscollm@cayuga-cc.edu.

A prior felony conviction may hinder a student’s ability to enroll in a course or complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or meet the criteria for licensure required by certain professions.

ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES

Nursing students must be able to meet all established academic and clinical requirements to complete the program. By law and College policy, no qualified individual with a disability shall, on the basis of that disability, be excluded from the program. Cayuga Community College will provide reasonable accommodations to a qualified individual with a disability. The Office of Accessibility Resources is responsible for determining if reasonable accommodations can be identified and for ensuring that such accommodations are provided for students. It is the responsibility of the applicant or student to request the accommodations needed to meet the program’s Essential Functions and Abilities (see above). To be eligible for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must provide clear documentation of disability. Arranging for accommodations is a confidential process.