Click here to see the Associate Degree in Nursing section of the 2009-2010 JCHS Catalog, which contains information about this track.

Respiratory Therapists and Paramedics build upon previous experience and education to complete an Associate Degree in Nursing. Beginning with summer nursing courses which provide the fundamentals and skills necessary for transition into professional nursing, students enter into second-level nursing courses in the fall semester.

The program can be completed in as little as three semesters of full time study. Students must satisfactorily complete the registry exams in Respiratory Care or in Paramedic prior to the beginning of fall semester to continue to progress in the program past the initial summer semester.

The accelerated associate degree nursing program prepares graduates with the knowledge, skills and values inherent in the three roles basic to associate degree nursing practice: provider of care, manager of care and member within the discipline of nursing. Graduates of the Associate Degree Nursing program will be prepared for the challenge of passing the National Council Licensing Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) for licensure and for entering a practice field that requires the ability to synthesize extensive knowledge, skills and values.

The faculty of the department is committed to working with students to help them achieve educational and clinical practice goals. Once students are admitted to the ARN program, they will meet with a faculty advisor who will help them develop a plan of study that based on their individual transcripts. Graduation requires 8 general education credits and 33 nursing credits. Twenty seven credits are awarded for prior RT or Paramedic Associate Degrees for total credits of 68.

Although many of our accelerated ADN students opt to be full-time students, some students work full-time and choose to take classes on a part-time basis. Students must complete the program of study within four years of beginning nursing courses.

Upon completion of the associate degree program, the graduate will:

1. Apply current knowledge from nursing science, the humanities, social and natural sciences in providing nursing care. 


2. Perform comprehensive client assessment by collecting information from multiple sources to establish a foundation for provision of client care.


3. Provide safe, competent care and promote positive client outcomes using critical thinking to make clinical decisions.


4. Demonstrate accountability for ethical and professional standards of nursing. 


5. Teach the client and significant support person(s) in order to promote and facilitate informed decision making, achieve positive outcomes, and promote self-care activities. 


6. Demonstrate caring behaviors toward the client, significant support person(s), peers and other members of the healthcare team. 


7. Demonstrate effective communication skills to exchange information verbally, non-verbally, in writing and through information technology, directed toward promoting positive health outcomes. 


8. Manage client care as a member of the healthcare team, effectively utilizing resources to meet client needs and to support organizational outcomes. 


9. Collaborate with the client, significant support person(s) and members of the health care team to achieve positive client outcomes. 


10. Use contemporary technology safely in nursing practice. 


11. Use evidence-based information to support clinical decision making. 


12. Recognize the impact of social, economic, legal, and political factors on the delivery of healthcare. 


13. Value life-ling learning and professional development.

• Accredited by National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)


• Awards credit for prior educational preparation as an RT or Paramedic


• Program can be completed in as little as three semesters


• Nursing courses are supported by distance learning to increase flexibility


• Individualized faculty advising for all nursing students


• Small clinical groups enhance student/faculty relationships


• Attractive Financial Aid options available for all students

• Associate Degree in either Paramedic or Respiratory Therapy


• Eligible to sit for registry exams in either Paramedic or Respiratory Therapy

• Students must satisfactorily complete the registry exams in Respiratory Care or in Paramedic prior to the beginning of fall semester to continue to progress in the program.


• Students must complete 8 general education credits, 4 in microbiology and 4 in developmental psychology, prior to the beginning of fall semester to continue to progress in the program.

Nursing courses:

• Summer nursing courses provide skills laboratory practice and skills check-off on mannequins prior to performing nursing skills on real patients.


• Classroom experiences provide the theoretical foundation needed for entry level practice as a registered professional nurse.


• Clinical courses have clinical experiences that are planned and scheduled to meet course objectives and student goals.


• Full-time nursing course schedule is not recommended for students who are employed full time. · Part-time nursing course schedule can be designed for working students.