Nursing (RN) - Degree

Limited Entry, Associate of Applied Science Degree Program | mhcc.edu/Nursing

nursing

Prerequisite Advising

Academic Advising & Transfer Center: 503-491-7315 | Room AC2253 (Student Services) | Advising.Questions@mhcc.edu

Students will be assigned a nursing adviser upon acceptance into the program. 

Registered nurses (RNs) provide and direct patient care, teach patients and the public about health issues, and provide advice and support to patients and their loved ones. Most RNs work as part of a team with doctors and other healthcare experts. Some RNs oversee licensed practical nurses (LPNs), nursing assistants (CNAs), and home health aides.

Common RN tasks include:

  • Assess a patient’s condition.
  • Implement a nursing plan of care.
  • Evaluate the patient’s outcome to treatments
  • Take a patient’s info and medical history.
  • Observe the patient and take notes.
  • Administer medicines and treatments.
  • Set up plans for patient care, or add info to existing plans.
  • Consult and work with doctors and other healthcare experts.
  • Run and monitor medical equipment.
  • Help perform diagnostic tests and analyze the results.
  • Teach patients and their loved ones how to manage illnesses or injuries.
  • Explain what to do at home after treatment.

MHCC’s Nursing program is designed as a four-year course of study:

  • Year one: take pre-program courses, and complete a nursing program application.
  • Years two and three: take nursing courses at MHCC and the Registered Nurse National Council Licensure Examination (RN-NCLEX).
  • Year four (optional): complete Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) courses at OHSU or another transfer partner.

MHCC’s Nursing program is a member of the Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education (OCNE), and is approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN), 17938 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd., Portland, OR, 971-673-0685, oregon.gov/OSBN

Licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse in Oregon is granted through the OSBN. OSBN has limits on licensure as defined in OAR 851-031-006(2) and potential students are encouraged to review these limitations prior to application.  

Students are admitted without discrimination as to age, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, or marital status.

Program Outcomes

At the completion of this program, students should be able to:

  • Practice nursing along the health continuum of health promotion, disease prevention, acute and chronic disease management and end-of-life
  • Effectively communicate and collaborate with interdisciplinary health care providers, clients and families in planning and delivering health care
  • Demonstrate integration of knowledge, skills and professional attitude necessary to practice in the role of the registered nurse
  • Integrate knowledge of cultural diversity, legal aspects and ethical principles to provide and/or manage client care in a variety of health care environments
  • Demonstrate professional behaviors in the practice of nursing
  • Utilize technology to find, retrieve, plan and implement evidence-based nursing care
  • Pass the National Council Licensure Examination-RN (NCLEX for Registered Nurse)

Advanced Placement

The Nursing program accepts applications from Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and US Military Medic/ Corpsman every other year on space available basis.  For requirements to apply for Advanced Placement into the third term of the nursing program  please refer to mhcc.edu/AdvancedPlacementRN.  The Nursing program does not accept transfer students from non-OCNE schools.

Pre-Program Course Requirements

Students applying to the Nursing program must complete a minimum of 30 credits of pre-program courses, including BI231 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (Course offered online) and MTH095 Intermediate Algebra with Right Triangle Trigonometry (Course offered online) or MTH098 Quantitative Reasoning II, with a “C” or better and minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.0. All pre-program courses (45-46 credits) must be completed before starting the Nursing (NRS) courses. Students who have completed MTH095 or higher more than 7 years prior to application must take the math placement test and place into MTH105 or higher, or retake MTH095/098.

OCNE requires basic computer literacy for nursing students. Students without computer experience or who want to brush up on computer skills before beginning this program are encouraged to enroll in BCS090 Computer Basics for College Success, a FREE course offered through the Learning Success Center.

The following list of courses is intended for students taking preparatory courses at MHCC. Note, all program prerequisites must be completed prior to starting the program:

BI112Biology for Health Professions (or equivalent) 15
BI231Human Anatomy and Physiology I (Course offered online)4
BI232Human Anatomy and Physiology II (Course offered online)4
BI233Human Anatomy and Physiology III (Course offered online)4
BI234Microbiology4
FN225Nutrition (Course offered online)4
MTH095Intermediate Algebra with Right Triangle Trigonometry (Course offered online) (or higher)5
or MTH098 Quantitative Reasoning II
PSY237Human Development (Course offered online)4
WR121ZComposition I (Course offered online)4
WR122ZComposition II (Course offered online)4
Social Science course3-4
Total Credits45-46
1

Any BI102 or BI212 Principles of Biology II at MHCC, or equivalent transfer course.

Students will start in fall or winter

Please note: All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.  The total credits listed below does not include credits taken before starting the nursing program.  Students will complete 109-114 credits with pre-program and program courses combined. Students who are accepted into the program should check their official degree audit on MyMHCC to see how courses taken or transferred will fulfill degree requirements. 

Plan of Study Grid
First QuarterCredits
NRS110A Foundations of Nursing: Health Promotion - A 5
NRS110B Foundations of Nursing: Health Promotion - B 4
NRS230 Clinical Pharmacology I 3
Health and Physical Education 3
 Credits15
Second Quarter
NRS111A Foundations of Nursing in Chronic Illness I - A 3
NRS111B Foundations of Nursing in Chronic Illness I - B 3
NRS231 Clinical Pharmacology II 3
NRS232 Pathophysiological Processes I 3
 Credits12
Third Quarter
NRS112A Foundations of Nursing in Acute Care I - A 3
NRS112B Foundations of Nursing in Acute Care I - B 3
NRS233 Pathophysiological Processes II 3
If transferring to a university: 4-5
Math in Society
or Precalculus I: Functions (Course offered online)
or Elementary Statistics I (Course offered online)
If not transferring to a university:
Elective from Arts & Letters, Social Science or natural sciences
 Credits13-14
Fourth Quarter
NRS221A Foundations of Nursing in Chronic Illness II and End of Life - A 4
NRS221B Foundations of Nursing in Chronic Illness II and End-of-Life - B 5
 Credits9
Fifth Quarter
NRS222A Foundations of Nursing in Acute Care II and End of Life - A 4
NRS222B Foundations of Nursing in Acute Care II and End-of-Life-B 5
 Credits9
Sixth Quarter
NRS224A Integrative Practicum I - A 2
NRS224B Integrative Practicum I - B 7
 Credits9
 Total Credits67-68

Students who are accepted into the nursing program will complete a total of 109-114 credits between the pre-program courses and the program courses. 

Transfer University Partners

Students planning to transfer to a BSN program are strongly encouraged to work with their transfer institution to select elective courses. 

The Nursing program requires a special application process.

  1. Complete the General Admission Application and select Pre-Health Professions as your major
  2. Determine your course placement levels
  3. Work with an Academic Adviser to create an education plan
  4. Attend a Nursing information session
  5. Complete the Nursing prerequisite courses and apply before the deadline

For the application and list of prerequisite courses for and Nursing program, please see mhcc.edu/nursing. The information is subject to change; it is the student's responsibility to verify completion of appropriate prerequisite courses. All admitted students must pass a criminal background check prior to entering the program. Program information sessions are offered on a regular basis; dates and places are listed on the website at mhcc.edu/NursingContact. Students are encouraged to address further questions about the program and/or requirements to MHCC’s Academic Advising and Transfer Center. Completion of prerequisite courses does not guarantee admission into the Nursing program.

Students are admitted without discrimination as to age, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, or marital status.


Prerequisite Advising

Academic Advising & Transfer Center: 503-491-7315 | Room AC2253 (Student Services) | Advising.Questions@mhcc.edu

nursing

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Careers related to nursing:

NRS110A Foundations of Nursing: Health Promotion - A

Credits 5Fall/Winter

Registration Requirement: Acceptance into the Nursing program. Concurrent enrollment in NRS230 and NRS110B is required.

This course introduces the learner to framework of the OCNE curriculum. The emphasis on health promotion across the lifespan includes learning about self-care as well as patient health practices. To support self and patient health practices, students learn to access evidence about healthy lifestyle patterns and risk factors for disease/illness, apply growth and development theory, interview patients in a culturally sensitive manner, identify members of an inter professional team, and use reflective thinking about their practice as nursing students.

Additional Course Fee: $335.00

NRS110B Foundations of Nursing: Health Promotion - B

Credits 4Fall/Winter

Registration Requirement: Acceptance into the Nursing program. Concurrent requisites: NRS110A and NRA230.

This course introduces the learner to framework of the OCNE curriculum. The emphasis on health promotion across the lifespan includes learning about self-care as well as patient health practices. To support self and patient health practices, students learn to access evidence about healthy lifestyle patterns and risk factors for disease/illness, apply growth and developmental theory, interview patients in a culturally sensitive manner, identify members of an inter professional team, and use reflective thinking about their practice as nursing students. Includes classroom and clinical learning experiences. The clinical portion of the curses includes practice with selected core nursing skills.

Additional Course Fee: $787.00

NRS111A Foundations of Nursing in Chronic Illness I - A

Credits 3Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: Completion of NRS110A and BI234, with a grade of "C" or better. Concurrent enrollment in NRS111B, NRS231 and NRS232.

The nurse's role in the care of clients with chronic illness across the life span of multiple ethnic groups is introduced. The client's and family's lived experiences with selected chronic illness are explored. Clinical practice guidelines and research evidence are used to guide clinical judgments in the care of individuals with chronic conditions. Multidisciplinary team roles/responsibilities are explored in the context of delivering safe, high quality healthcare to individuals with chronic conditions (includes practical and legal aspects of delegations). Chronic pain, intervention and treatment, roles and responsibility of the nurse is reviewed. Cultural, ethical, legal and healthcare delivery issues are explored via case scenarios.

Additional Course Fee: $335.00

NRS111B Foundations of Nursing in Chronic Illness I - B

Credits 3Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: NRS110A and BI234, each with a grade of "C" or better. Concurrent enrollment in NRS111A, NRS231 and NRS232.

Nursing assessment and common interventions (including technical procedures) for clients with chronic health conditions are introduced. Students practice technical nursing skills and physical assessment in the nursing lab and in simulation activities. Case studies are designed illustrate student learning. The clinical portion of the course includes practice with therapeutic communication skills, physical assessment, selected core nursing skills identified in the OCNE Core Nursing Skills document, and documentation using electronic medical records. Populations studied in the course include children, adults and older adults.

Additional Course Fee: $864.00

NRS112A Foundations of Nursing in Acute Care I - A

Credits 3Fall/Spring

Registration Requirement: Concurrent enrollment in NRS112B and NRS233.

This course focuses on acute illness and the delivery of nursing care to patients experiencing an acute illness across the lifespan. It introduces the learner to assessment and common interventions for care of patients during an acute episode of disease/illness. The importance of critical thinking and integration of nursing care concepts, pharmacological interventions and lab analysis are stressed regarding the care of the acutely ill patient. Disease/illness trajectories and their translation into clinical practice are considered in relation to their impact on providing culturally sensitive, client-centered care. Acute pain and management of acute pain is also addressed.

Additional Course Fee: $335.00

NRS112B Foundations of Nursing in Acute Care I - B

Credits 3Fall/Spring

Registration Requirement: Concurrent enrollment in NRS112A and NRS233.

This course introduces the learner to assessment and common interventions (including relevant technical procedures) for care of patients across the lifespan who require acute care, including normal childbirth. Disease/illness trajectories and their translation into clinical practice guidelines and/or standard procedures are considered in relation to their impact on providing culturally sensitive, patient-centered care. Includes classroom and clinical learning experiences.

Additional Course Fee: $710.00

NRS221A Foundations of Nursing in Chronic Illness II and End of Life - A

Credits 4Summer/Winter

Registration Requirement: Concurrent enrollment in NRS221B.

This course builds on Foundations of Nursing in Chronic Illness I. Chronic Illness II expands the student's knowledge related to family care giving, symptom management and end-of-life concepts. These concepts are a major focus and basis for nursing interventions with patients and families. Ethical issues related to advocacy, self-determination and autonomy are explored. Skills related to enhancing communication and collaboration as a member of an interdisciplinary team are further explored. Exemplars include patients with chronic mental illness and addictions as well as other chronic conditions and disabilities affecting functional status and family relationships. Palliative care and end-of-life issues are also addressed.

Additional Course Fee: $335.00

NRS221B Foundations of Nursing in Chronic Illness II and End-of-Life - B

Credits 5Summer/Winter

Registration Requirement: Concurrent enrollment in 221A.

Chronic Illness II expands the student's knowledge related to family care giving, symptom management and end of life concepts. These concepts are a major focus and basis for nursing interventions with patients and families. Ethical issues related to advocacy, self-determination, and autonomy are explored. Complex skills associated with the assessment and management of concurrent illnesses and conditions are developed within the context of patient and family preferences and needs. Skills related to enhancing communication and collaboration as a member of an interprofessional team and across health care settings are further explored. Exemplars include patients with chronic mental illness and addictions as well as other chronic conditions.

Additional Course Fee: $710.00

NRS222A Foundations of Nursing in Acute Care II and End of Life - A

Credits 4Fall/Spring

Registration Requirement: Concurrent enrollment in NRS222B.

This course builds on NRS111, focusing on more complex and/or unstable patient care conditions, some of which may result in death. These patient conditions require strong noticing & rapid decision-making skills. Evidence is used to support appropriate focused assessments & effective, efficient nursing interventions. Life span & developmental factors, cultural variables & legal aspects of care frame ethical decision-making employed in patient choices for treatment or palliative care for disorders with an acute trajectory. Case scenarios incorporate prioritizing care needs, delegation, supervision, and family & patient teaching for discharge planning or end-of-life care. Exemplars include acute conditions affecting multiple body systems.

Additional Course Fee: $335.00

NRS222B Foundations of Nursing in Acute Care II and End-of-Life-B

Credits 5Fall/Spring

Registration Requirement: Concurrent enrollment in NRS222A.

This course builds on NRS111, focusing on more complex & unstable patient care conditions, some of which may result in death. These patient care conditions require strong noticing and rapid decision making skills. Evidence base is used to support appropriate focused assessments, and effective, efficient nursing interventions. Life span and developmental factors, cultural variables, & legal aspects of care frame the ethical decision-making employed in patient choices for treatment or palliative care for disorders with an acute trajectory. Case scenarios incorporate prioritizing care needs, delegation & supervision, family & patient teaching for discharge planning or end-of-life care. Exemplars include conditions affecting multiple systems.

Additional Course Fee: $710.00

NRS224A Integrative Practicum I - A

Credits 2Summer/Winter

Registration Requirement: Concurrent enrollment in NRS224B.

This course formalizes the clinical judgments, knowledge and skills necessary in safe, registered nurse practice. Faculty/Clinical Teaching Associate/Student Triad Model provides a context that allows the student to experience the nursing role in a selected setting, balancing demands of professional nursing and lifelong learner. Analysis and reflection throughout the clinical experience provide the student with evaluative criteria against which they can judge their own performance and develop a practice framework. Includes seminar, self-directed study and clinical experience.

Additional Course Fee: $160.00

NRS224B Integrative Practicum I - B

Credits 7Summer/Winter

Registration Requirement: Concurrent enrollment in NRS224B.

This course is designed to formalize the clinical judgments, knowledge and skills necessary in a safe registered nurse practice. Faculty/Clinical Teaching Associates/Student Triad Model provide a context that allows the student to experience the nursing role in selected setting, balancing demands of professional nursing and lifelong learner. Analysis and reflection throughout the clinical experience provide the student with evaluative criteria against which they can judge their own performance and develop a practice framework. Includes class activities/seminars, simulated case activities, self-directed learning and clinical experience and national standardized testing.

Additional Course Fee: $810.00

NRS230 Clinical Pharmacology I

Credits 3Fall/Winter

Registration Requirement: Acceptance into the Nursing program. Concurrent requisites: NRS110A and NRS110B.

This course introduces the theoretical background that enables students to provide safe and effective care related to drugs and natural products to persons throughout the lifespan. It includes the foundational concepts of principles of pharmacology, as well as numerous classes of drugs. Students will learn to make selected clinical decisions in the context of nursing regarding using current, reliable sources of information, understanding of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, developmental physiologic considerations, monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of drug therapy, teaching persons from diverse populations regarding safe and effective use of drugs and natural products. Drugs are studied by therapeutic class.

Additional Course Fee: $220.00

NRS231 Clinical Pharmacology II

Credits 3Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: NRS230, with a grade of "C" or better. Concurrent requisites: NRS111A, NRS111B, and NRS232.

This sequel to Clinical Pharmacology I continues to provide the theoretical background that enables students to provide safe and effective nursing care related to drugs and natural products to persons throughout the life span. Students will learn to make selected clinical decisions in the context of nursing regarding using current, reliable sources of information, monitoring & evaluating the effectiveness of drug therapy, teaching persons from diverse populations regarding safe & effective use of drugs and natural products, intervening to increase therapeutic benefits and reduce potential negative effects, & communicating appropriately with other health professionals regarding drug therapy. Contains drugs & products not in NRS 230.

Additional Course Fee: $220.00

NRS232 Pathophysiological Processes I

Credits 3Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: Concurrent enrollment in NRS111A, NRS111B, and NRS231.

This course introduces pathophysiological processes that contribute to many different disease states across the life span and human responses to those processes. It includes foundational concepts of cellular adaptation, injury and death; inflammation and tissue healing; fluid and electrolyte imbalances; and physiologic response to stressors and pain, and pathophysiological processes. Students learn to make clinical decisions using current, reliable sources of pathophysiological information, selecting and interpreting nursing assessments based on a knowledge of pathophysiological processes, teaching persons from diverse populations about pathophysiological changes, and communicating with other health professionals.

Additional Course Fee: $220.00

NRS233 Pathophysiological Processes II

Credits 3Fall/Spring

Registration Requirement: Concurrent enrollment in NRS112A and NRS112B.

This sequel to Pathophysiological Processes I continues to explore pathophysiological processes that contribute to disease states across the life span and human responses to those processes. Students learn to make selected clinical decisions in the context of nursing using current, reliable sources of pathophysiology information, selecting and interpreting focused nursing assessments based on knowledge of pathophysiological processes, teaching persons from diverse populations regarding pathophysiological processes, and communicating with other health professionals regarding pathophysiological processes. The course addresses additional pathophysiological processes not contained in Pathophysiological Processes I.

Additional Course Fee: $220.00