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Program Overview
The Nursing Program offers the opportunity to earn an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing, in preparation for the licensing exam, The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN® exam) to become a Registered Nurse.
Accreditation Statement
The associate degree nursing program at Lakes Region Community College (LRCC) meets the state education requirements for a Registered Nurse license in the state of New Hampshire. Lakes Region Community College has not determined if the associate degree nursing program at Lakes Region Community College meets the state education requirements in any other state, any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia. Contact the state regulatory agency for nursing in any other state for which this information is needed.
The Associate Degree Nursing Program is approved by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing (NHBON). Upon satisfactory completion of the program, the graduate is eligible to apply to the New Hampshire Board of Nursing (NHBON) and Pearson VUE NCLEX Candidate Services for the NCLEX-RN. The New Hampshire Board of Nursing’s licensing regulations may restrict candidates who have been involved in civil or criminal legal proceedings. Questions about licensing restrictions should be addressed to the New Hampshire Board of Nursing, 7 Eagle Square, Concord, NH 03301.
The Associate nursing program at Lakes Region Community College located in Laconia, New Hampshire is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975 – 5000
www.acenursing.org
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
Program Mission
The mission of the Lakes Region Community College Associate Degree Nursing Program is to prepare compassionate health care professionals whose practice is holistic, scientifically based, and technically competent. The mission is to provide all students with a quality education that affords each graduate the opportunity to enter the healthcare profession in their community and pursue a Bachelor of Science degree
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the LRCC nursing program will be prepared to achieve the following Student Learning Outcomes:
- Deliver safe, legal, and ethical patient-centered care to the culturally and developmentally diverse patients using the nursing process
- Practice collaboratively throughout the healthcare system on a multi-professional healthcare team to achieve shared goals using principles of communication, leadership, and management
- Support a culture of continuous evidence-based quality improvement by using data to monitor outcomes and identify and report actual or potential problems
- Use health care system resources and technology to coordinate and deliver individual and/or population-focused care that is safe, effective, and efficient
- Demonstrate professional accountability using legal, ethical, and regulatory guidelines
- Participate in activities that contribute to life-long learning
Nursing Program Outcomes
| Class of 2023 | Class of 2024 | Class of 2025 | |
| LRCC NCLEX RN first time pass rate | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| NH NCLEX RN first time pass rate | 96.08% | 95.57% | TBD |
| National NCLEX RN first time pass rate | 88.55% | 93.35% | TBD |
| 4 Semester Completion Rate (100%) | 52% | 55% | 64% |
| Graduate Job Placement Rate | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Course Sequencing
First Year
Admission Requirements for Nursing I Students
- Complete high school or college level Algebra, Chemistry with a lab and Biology with a lab with a grade of C or better
- Complete a Nursing application
- Upload the required essay
- Have official transcripts from high school and all colleges attended sent directly to the admissions office
- Meet all general college admissions requirements
- Complete the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)* with a Total Score of 66% or higher
- Early application deadline is December 15
- Regular application deadline is February 1
- Questions related to the Nursing program can be directed to Matt Simon or Marty Pasquali.
Points will be awarded for the following:
- Tiered points for completion of the required science courses prior to the February admission deadline
- Tiered points for TEAS score
- Tiered points for Essay score
- Current Certification or licensure as an LNA/MA/LPN/EMT/Paramedic (Submission of a copy of a current license and/or certification is required)
- Current or Former military medic or corpsman (Submission of a DD form 214 or transcript is required)
While not required, recent experience working in a healthcare field is recommended.
TEAS
- The TEAS may be taken four times in one year starting with the date of the first exam
- Each attempt must be at least four weeks apart
- TEAS scores are valid for two years
- Registration and payment for the TEAS is done at atitesting.com
- The TEAS exam is offered at multiple locations including LRCC
TEAS exam dates for admission in Fall 2026:
8/9/25
9/13/25
10/11/25
11/8/25
12/13/25
1/10/26
Nursing Essay Directions
Address items 1 and 2 using a narrative format.
- Describe two coping mechanisms that you use to manage stressful situations.
- Compare your personal and/or professional characteristics with desirable characteristics in a nurse.
Additional instructions:
Place your name at the top of the page
Your answers should be word processed
Use a size 12 font
Double spaced
Maximum of 300 words for both items
Program requirements for incoming students
- Attend a designated orientation session
- Students admitted after April 30 must contact the department Chair [email protected]
- Demonstrate a minimum of a C in all General Education courses
- Complete the following Clinical Requirements:
- Obtain and maintain current American Heart Association Basic Life Support for the Healthcare Provider certification
- Pass a criminal background check, prior to each fall semester of the nursing program
- Complete a Bureau of Aging and Adult Services(BAAS)State Registry form with no findings
- Pass a Division of Children, Youth and Families Name Search
- Submit proof of immunizations
- Submit proof of a negative result of a two-step Tuberculosis (TB) test or TB blood test
- Submit proof of current health insurance that meets the accepted health insurance criteria set forth by the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH)
- Pass an annual drug screen
- Attendance is required for all classroom and lab/clinical activities starting with the first day of the semester.
- Make up all clinical and class hours missed for any reason at the discretion of the faculty
- Google Chromebooks are not recommended for use in the nursing program
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) may apply to the Lakes Region Community College nursing program to earn an Associate’s degree in nursing. LPN applicants who successfully meet all of the admission requirements may be eligible for admission on a space available basis
Admission Requirements for LPN to ADN Pathway Applicants
- Meet with the nursing department chair
- Meet all of the admission requirements for a Level I student except for completion of the TEAS exam
- All nursing courses must have been completed with a grade of B- or better
- The LPN program must be accredited by ACEN
- Meet all the co-requisite requirements for the first semester of the nursing program
- Hold an unencumbered New Hampshire LPN license
- Complete the NLN NACE I exam with a minimum grade of 74%
- Meet all admission criteria by December 15 for admission in to the spring semester (Nursing II)
- Questions related to the Nursing program can be directed to Matt Simon or Marty Pasquali.
NACE I test scores are valid for a period of two years. Contact the nursing department chair at [email protected] for further information about the NACE I exam.
Anatomy & Physiology I, Anatomy & Physiology II, and Microbiology must be completed within five years of starting the nursing program with a minimum grade of a C. If any of these required science courses have been completed greater than five years before starting the nursing program, they must be re-taken.
The Nursing program has established RN to BSN transfer pathways with colleges in New Hampshire. These include but are not limited to Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and Colby-Sawyer College. Further information can be obtained from the Nursing Department chair.
Technical Standards
Patient safety must be maintained at all times. During learning experiences students are expected to behave in an ethical manner, demonstrate emotional stability and sound judgement. Students must be able to accept direction from a supervisor or faculty member and establish appropriate interpersonal relationships with patients and their families, colleagues, members of the healthcare team at each clinical site, and faculty and staff at LRCC.
The following expectations have been established to provide guidance to students as to what is required to function successfully in the LRCC nursing program and the profession of nursing.
- Sufficient hearing to assess patient needs and to understand instructions, emergency signals, and telephone conversations
- Sufficient visual acuity to observe patients, manipulate equipment and interpret data. Visual acuity must be adequate to ensure a safe environment, identify color changes, read fine print/writing and, content in the electronic medical record (EMR) and calibrations
- Sufficient speech and language ability to express, comprehend and exchange information and ideas, verbally and non-verbally, and to interact clearly and logically with patients, families, colleagues and members of the healthcare team
- Ability to work with frequent interruption, respond to unexpected situations and to cope with variations in workload and stress levels
- Sufficient strength, motor coordination, and dexterity to operate equipment, move and transfer patients, and perform CPR
- Sufficient computer skills to work within the college Learning Management System and an Electronic Medical Record
- Travel Policy: Transportation to and from the college and all clinical sites is the responsibility of the student
Applicants who think they may be unable to meet one or more of these expectations must contact Martha Pasquali, nursing department chair prior to applying to the nursing program.
Transfer into the LRCC Nursing Program
Transfer into the LRCC Nursing Program is available on a space available basis into the Nursing II course. The LRCC curriculum does not allow for transfer into Nursing III or Nursing IV.
Transfer credit will be evaluated based on course content, program hours, and credits earned. A student who has exited from another nursing program for unsafe practice or unprofessional behavior is not eligible for transfer into the Nursing program at LRCC.
Admission Requirements for Transfer students
- Meet with the nursing department chair
- Meet all of the admission requirements for a level 1 student except for completion of the TEAS exam
- Nursing courses being transferred in must be from a program approved by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- All nursing courses being transferred in must be completed with a minimum grade of B-
- Applicants must submit a letter of good standing to the LRCC nursing department chair from their previous nursing program department chair.
- Questions related to the Nursing program can be directed to Matt Simon or Marty Pasquali.
Nursing
The Nursing Program offers the opportunity to earn an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing, in preparation for the licensing exam (NCLEX-RN) to become a Registered Nurse. This Nursing program has the full approval of the New Hampshire Board of Nursing. Access to the New Hampshire Board of Nursing’s website is found at www.state.nh.us/nursing.
The associate degree nursing program at Lakes Region Community College meets the state education requirements for a Registered Nurse license in the state of New Hampshire. Lakes Region Community College has not determined if the associate degree nursing program at Lakes Region Community College meets the state education requirements in any other state, any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia. Contact the state regulatory agency for nursing in any other state for which this information is needed.
The Associate Degree Nursing Program is approved by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing (NHBON). Upon satisfactory completion of the program, the graduate is eligible to apply to the New Hampshire Board of Nursing (NHBON) and Pearson VUE NCLEX Candidate Services for the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The New Hampshire Board of Nursing’s licensing regulations may restrict candidates who have been involved in civil or criminal legal proceedings. Questions about licensing restrictions should be addressed to the New Hampshire Board of Nursing, 7 Eagle S, Concord, NH 03301.
The Associate Degree Nursing Program at Lakes Region Community College located in Laconia, New Hampshire is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000 www.acenursing.org.The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree Nursing Program to continue LRCC’s accreditation can located and viewed for public information disclosure by ACEN at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
Program Mission
The nursing department accepts and aligns itself with the mission of Lakes Region Community College. The mission of the Lakes Region Community College Associate Degree Nursing Program is to prepare compassionate health care professionals whose practice is holistic, scientifically based and technically competent. The mission is to provide all students with a quality education that affords each graduate the opportunity to enter the healthcare profession in their community and have the ability to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.
End-of-Program Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the LRCC nursing program will be prepared to achieve the following Learning Outcomes:
- Deliver safe, legal, and ethical patient-centered care to the culturally and developmentally diverse patients using the nursing process.
- Practice collaboratively throughout the healthcare system on a multi-professional healthcare team to achieve shared goals using principles of communication, leadership, and management.
- Support a culture of continuous evidence-based quality improvement by using data to monitor outcomes and identify and report actual or potential problems.
- Use health care system resources and technology to coordinate and deliver individual and/or population-focused care that is safe, effective, and efficient.
- Demonstrate professional accountability using legal, ethical, and regulatory guidelines.
- Participate in activities that contribute to life-long learning.
The New Hampshire State Board of Nursing may restrict licensing of candidates who have been involved in civil or criminal legal action. Address questions about licensing restrictions to the Board of Nursing. Satisfactory completion of the A.S. in Nursing does not guarantee RN Licensure.
Students admitted into the Nursing Program must achieve a minimum grade of C in all pre-requisite and co-requisite courses, and B- in all nursing courses.
Graduates of the program are encouraged to pursue a Bachelor and/or Master of Science in Nursing. Graduates of the LRCC nursing program have the opportunity to pursue further nursing education through the RN to BSN pathway with Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and Colby Sawyer College. Students planning to continue their education toward the bachelor or Master of Science in Nursing should plan their program of study with an academic advisor from the Department of Nursing.
Admission Requirements for Level I applicants:
- Meet all general college admissions requirements
- Provide Documentation of completion of high school or college algebra, chemistry with lab and biology with lab classes all with a minimum grade of “C” or higher
- Submit a completed college application for admission.
- Early notification applicant’s deadline is December 15. If the applicant is not admitted through the early action process, their application will be reconsidered with the other regular decision applications after the February 1 application deadline.
- Applications completed after February 1 may only be considered on a space available basis, if the program is not at capacity. Applications are considered complete only when the LRCC Admissions Office receives all required documentation prior to the above deadlines.
- Complete the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)* with a Total Score of 66% or higher
- The TEAS may be taken four times in one year starting with the date of the first exam
- Each attempt must be at least four weeks apart
- TEAS scores are valid for two years
- Registration and payment for the TEAS is done at https://www.atitesting.com/
- Submit a 300 to 500-word essay to the admissions office. Directions for completing the essay can be found on the LRCC website.
- All science courses required to complete a degree in Nursing must be taken in person. Online science courses will not be accepted.
- Applicants who have completed all of the admission requirements are strongly encouraged to meet with their nursing advisor or the nursing department chair.
Nursing courses must be completed within three years from the date of entry. Students who leave the program in good standing may be re-admitted only once.
Students may be required to do an evening clinical rotation depending on clinical site and/or clinical faculty availabilityAll students accepted into the Nursing Program will:
- Attend a designated summer orientation session
- Obtain and maintain current Basic Life Support for the Professional Rescuer certification
- Pass a criminal background check
- Complete a Department of Health and Human Services NH Child Abuse Central Registry Name Search
- Submit proof of immunizations
- Submit results of a two-step Tuberculosis (TB) test
- Submit proof of current health insurance
- Submit a completed Health Exam form
- Pass a drug screen
- Purchase the required uniform.
- Make up all clinical and class hours missed for any reason at the discretion of the faculty
Transfer into the LRCC Nursing Program
To qualify for acceptance into the Nursing Program a prospective transfer student must meet the following criteria:
- All nursing courses must have been completed with a grade of B- or better.
- All required science courses must have been completed within the 5 years of starting the nursing program with a grade of C or better.
- If any required science courses have been completed greater than 5 years before entry into the nursing program, applicants can must re-take the course.
- A science course that is being repeated must be completed by the end of the semester in which it is designated as a co-requisite.
- All pre-requisite and co-requisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.
- The program hours for each nursing course being transferred in to LRCC must meet the minimum number of required program hours determined by the LRCC nursing program.
Transfer into the LRCC Nursing Program is available on a space available basis. Transfer credit will be based on course content, program hours, and credits earned. Prior to applying for transfer into the Nursing Program, potential transfer students must first meet with the Chair of the Nursing department. Based on the results of the meeting and/or additional review by the Chair, students may then be advised to apply for admission and for what semester.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to have official transcripts from all previously attended high school and college institutions sent to the LRCC Admissions Office as soon as possible. A student who has been accepted for transfer into the Nursing Program must complete the program within 2 years. A student who has transferred into the Nursing Program and does not complete course work within 2 years may not reapply for readmission to the Nursing Program.
If during the application/admissions timeframe, more qualified students applying to transfer into the Nursing Program, than there is available space, the final decision regarding acceptance into the program will be made by the Nursing Faculty. A student who has exited from another nursing program for unsafe practice or unprofessional behavior is not eligible for transfer into the Nursing program at LRCC.
LPN to ADN Pathway
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) may apply to the Lakes Region Community College nursing program to earn an Associate degree in nursing. Prior to applying to the Nursing Program, an LPN applicant must first meet with the Chair of the Nursing department. Based on the results of the meeting and/or additional review by the Chair, the applicant may then be advised to apply for admission. To apply to the nursing program, the LPN applicant must meet the following criteria:
- Meet all pre-requisites for the RN program excluding completion of the TEAS exam.
- All nursing courses must have been completed with a grade of B- or better.
- Meet all the co-requisite requirements for the first semester of the nursing program.
- Hold an unencumbered New Hampshire LPN license
- Complete the NLN NACE I exam with a minimum grade of 74%
- Meet all admission criteria by December 15 for admission in to the spring semester.
NACE I test scores are valid for a period of two years. Contact the National League for Nursing Testing Services for information about the NACE I exam
LPN applicants who successfully meet all of the admission requirements may be eligible for admission into the RN program beginning the spring semester of Level 1 on a space available basis.
Technical Standards
The following technical standards are to guide students to make an informed decision regarding a career in nursing. These standards are required to complete the nursing curriculum and to enter nursing practice as a Registered Nurse. The skills are as follows:
Auditory: Each student must possess auditory ability to monitor, and assess health needs, including (but not limited to)
- hear and interpret information a client is communicating verbally
- hear auscultory sounds using a stethoscope
- hear auditory signals from equipment
- communicate over the telephone
Visual: Each student must possess visual ability sufficient for observation, and assessment necessary to provide nursing care, including (but not limited to)
- observe drainage on dressings and drainage of body fluids
- note fluid levels in supplies and equipment
- read gauges that monitor clients
- see to administer treatments
- observe changes in client skin color
- observe client’s behavior and movement
Tactile: Each student must possess tactile ability sufficient to perform a physical assessment, and procedures on clients, not limited to)
- perform palpation, and other functions necessary for physical exam
- assess texture, shape, size, temperature, and vibration
- perform therapeutic procedures
- collect specimens
Sense of Smell: It is desirable that each student possess a sense of smell acute enough to detect strong odors that may indicate a change in a client’s condition, including (but not limited to);
- a purulent wound
- ketones on a person’s breath
- body fluids that have a strong odor
- smoke or other indicator of danger
Communication: Each student must be able to communicate in English effectively with clients, families, and other health care professionals. This includes expressive, and receptive modes of verbal, nonverbal, and written communication, including (but not limited to);
- explain procedures, and treatments
- initiate health education
- document nursing assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nurse and client actions, and responses
- read client documentation, and medical literature
- give an accurate report of client information to other health care providers
Motor Function: Each student must have sufficient motor function, neuromuscular strength, and coordination to effectively perform nursing functions, including (but not limited to)
- transfer clients to/from wheelchair to bed, and bed to/from stretcher
- gather assessment data by palpation, auscultation and percussion
- manipulate instruments to perform physical assessment
- apply pressure (to stop bleeding). Gross and Fine Motor Coordination: Each student must have sufficient
- gross and fine motor coordination to
- move around in the health care environment
- perform treatments, and procedures
- calibrate, and use equipment
- navigate stairs or other client settings
Stamina: Each student must have sufficient stamina to sit, stand, and move within the classrooms; skills lab, nursing units, operating room, and community settings, for periods of time as long as eight hours at a time. Each student must be able to lift 20 lbs.
Behavioral: Each student must possess the ability to establish, and maintain, appropriate professional relationships, including the following factors
- act ethically
- exercise sound clinical judgment
- be compassionate
- develop mature, and effective relationships with clients
- complete all responsibilities required for client care
Emotional Health: Each student must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities, including (but not limited to)
- prioritize competing demands
- function in stressful situations
- tolerate physically taxing workloads
- adjust to changing circumstances
Overview
Nursing
The Nursing Program offers the opportunity to earn an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing, in preparation for the licensing exam (NCLEX-RN) to become a Registered Nurse. This Nursing program has the full approval of the New Hampshire Board of Nursing. Access to the New Hampshire Board of Nursing’s website is found at www.state.nh.us/nursing.
The associate degree nursing program at Lakes Region Community College meets the state education requirements for a Registered Nurse license in the state of New Hampshire. Lakes Region Community College has not determined if the associate degree nursing program at Lakes Region Community College meets the state education requirements in any other state, any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia. Contact the state regulatory agency for nursing in any other state for which this information is needed.
The Associate Degree Nursing Program is approved by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing (NHBON). Upon satisfactory completion of the program, the graduate is eligible to apply to the New Hampshire Board of Nursing (NHBON) and Pearson VUE NCLEX Candidate Services for the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The New Hampshire Board of Nursing’s licensing regulations may restrict candidates who have been involved in civil or criminal legal proceedings. Questions about licensing restrictions should be addressed to the New Hampshire Board of Nursing, 7 Eagle S, Concord, NH 03301.
The Associate Degree Nursing Program at Lakes Region Community College located in Laconia, New Hampshire is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000 www.acenursing.org.The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree Nursing Program to continue LRCC’s accreditation can located and viewed for public information disclosure by ACEN at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
Program Mission
The nursing department accepts and aligns itself with the mission of Lakes Region Community College. The mission of the Lakes Region Community College Associate Degree Nursing Program is to prepare compassionate health care professionals whose practice is holistic, scientifically based and technically competent. The mission is to provide all students with a quality education that affords each graduate the opportunity to enter the healthcare profession in their community and have the ability to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.
End-of-Program Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the LRCC nursing program will be prepared to achieve the following Learning Outcomes:
- Deliver safe, legal, and ethical patient-centered care to the culturally and developmentally diverse patients using the nursing process.
- Practice collaboratively throughout the healthcare system on a multi-professional healthcare team to achieve shared goals using principles of communication, leadership, and management.
- Support a culture of continuous evidence-based quality improvement by using data to monitor outcomes and identify and report actual or potential problems.
- Use health care system resources and technology to coordinate and deliver individual and/or population-focused care that is safe, effective, and efficient.
- Demonstrate professional accountability using legal, ethical, and regulatory guidelines.
- Participate in activities that contribute to life-long learning.
The New Hampshire State Board of Nursing may restrict licensing of candidates who have been involved in civil or criminal legal action. Address questions about licensing restrictions to the Board of Nursing. Satisfactory completion of the A.S. in Nursing does not guarantee RN Licensure.
Students admitted into the Nursing Program must achieve a minimum grade of C in all pre-requisite and co-requisite courses, and B- in all nursing courses.
Graduates of the program are encouraged to pursue a Bachelor and/or Master of Science in Nursing. Graduates of the LRCC nursing program have the opportunity to pursue further nursing education through the RN to BSN pathway with Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and Colby Sawyer College. Students planning to continue their education toward the bachelor or Master of Science in Nursing should plan their program of study with an academic advisor from the Department of Nursing.
Admission Requirements for Level I applicants:
- Meet all general college admissions requirements
- Provide Documentation of completion of high school or college algebra, chemistry with lab and biology with lab classes all with a minimum grade of “C” or higher
- Submit a completed college application for admission.
- Early notification applicant’s deadline is December 15. If the applicant is not admitted through the early action process, their application will be reconsidered with the other regular decision applications after the February 1 application deadline.
- Applications completed after February 1 may only be considered on a space available basis, if the program is not at capacity. Applications are considered complete only when the LRCC Admissions Office receives all required documentation prior to the above deadlines.
- Complete the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)* with a Total Score of 66% or higher
- The TEAS may be taken four times in one year starting with the date of the first exam
- Each attempt must be at least four weeks apart
- TEAS scores are valid for two years
- Registration and payment for the TEAS is done at https://www.atitesting.com/
- Submit a 300 to 500-word essay to the admissions office. Directions for completing the essay can be found on the LRCC website.
- All science courses required to complete a degree in Nursing must be taken in person. Online science courses will not be accepted.
- Applicants who have completed all of the admission requirements are strongly encouraged to meet with their nursing advisor or the nursing department chair.
Nursing courses must be completed within three years from the date of entry. Students who leave the program in good standing may be re-admitted only once.
Students may be required to do an evening clinical rotation depending on clinical site and/or clinical faculty availabilityAll students accepted into the Nursing Program will:
- Attend a designated summer orientation session
- Obtain and maintain current Basic Life Support for the Professional Rescuer certification
- Pass a criminal background check
- Complete a Department of Health and Human Services NH Child Abuse Central Registry Name Search
- Submit proof of immunizations
- Submit results of a two-step Tuberculosis (TB) test
- Submit proof of current health insurance
- Submit a completed Health Exam form
- Pass a drug screen
- Purchase the required uniform.
- Make up all clinical and class hours missed for any reason at the discretion of the faculty
Transfer into the LRCC Nursing Program
To qualify for acceptance into the Nursing Program a prospective transfer student must meet the following criteria:
- All nursing courses must have been completed with a grade of B- or better.
- All required science courses must have been completed within the 5 years of starting the nursing program with a grade of C or better.
- If any required science courses have been completed greater than 5 years before entry into the nursing program, applicants can must re-take the course.
- A science course that is being repeated must be completed by the end of the semester in which it is designated as a co-requisite.
- All pre-requisite and co-requisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.
- The program hours for each nursing course being transferred in to LRCC must meet the minimum number of required program hours determined by the LRCC nursing program.
Transfer into the LRCC Nursing Program is available on a space available basis. Transfer credit will be based on course content, program hours, and credits earned. Prior to applying for transfer into the Nursing Program, potential transfer students must first meet with the Chair of the Nursing department. Based on the results of the meeting and/or additional review by the Chair, students may then be advised to apply for admission and for what semester.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to have official transcripts from all previously attended high school and college institutions sent to the LRCC Admissions Office as soon as possible. A student who has been accepted for transfer into the Nursing Program must complete the program within 2 years. A student who has transferred into the Nursing Program and does not complete course work within 2 years may not reapply for readmission to the Nursing Program.
If during the application/admissions timeframe, more qualified students applying to transfer into the Nursing Program, than there is available space, the final decision regarding acceptance into the program will be made by the Nursing Faculty. A student who has exited from another nursing program for unsafe practice or unprofessional behavior is not eligible for transfer into the Nursing program at LRCC.
LPN to ADN Pathway
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) may apply to the Lakes Region Community College nursing program to earn an Associate degree in nursing. Prior to applying to the Nursing Program, an LPN applicant must first meet with the Chair of the Nursing department. Based on the results of the meeting and/or additional review by the Chair, the applicant may then be advised to apply for admission. To apply to the nursing program, the LPN applicant must meet the following criteria:
- Meet all pre-requisites for the RN program excluding completion of the TEAS exam.
- All nursing courses must have been completed with a grade of B- or better.
- Meet all the co-requisite requirements for the first semester of the nursing program.
- Hold an unencumbered New Hampshire LPN license
- Complete the NLN NACE I exam with a minimum grade of 74%
- Meet all admission criteria by December 15 for admission in to the spring semester.
NACE I test scores are valid for a period of two years. Contact the National League for Nursing Testing Services for information about the NACE I exam
LPN applicants who successfully meet all of the admission requirements may be eligible for admission into the RN program beginning the spring semester of Level 1 on a space available basis.
Technical Standards
The following technical standards are to guide students to make an informed decision regarding a career in nursing. These standards are required to complete the nursing curriculum and to enter nursing practice as a Registered Nurse. The skills are as follows:
Auditory: Each student must possess auditory ability to monitor, and assess health needs, including (but not limited to)
- hear and interpret information a client is communicating verbally
- hear auscultory sounds using a stethoscope
- hear auditory signals from equipment
- communicate over the telephone
Visual: Each student must possess visual ability sufficient for observation, and assessment necessary to provide nursing care, including (but not limited to)
- observe drainage on dressings and drainage of body fluids
- note fluid levels in supplies and equipment
- read gauges that monitor clients
- see to administer treatments
- observe changes in client skin color
- observe client’s behavior and movement
Tactile: Each student must possess tactile ability sufficient to perform a physical assessment, and procedures on clients, not limited to)
- perform palpation, and other functions necessary for physical exam
- assess texture, shape, size, temperature, and vibration
- perform therapeutic procedures
- collect specimens
Sense of Smell: It is desirable that each student possess a sense of smell acute enough to detect strong odors that may indicate a change in a client’s condition, including (but not limited to);
- a purulent wound
- ketones on a person’s breath
- body fluids that have a strong odor
- smoke or other indicator of danger
Communication: Each student must be able to communicate in English effectively with clients, families, and other health care professionals. This includes expressive, and receptive modes of verbal, nonverbal, and written communication, including (but not limited to);
- explain procedures, and treatments
- initiate health education
- document nursing assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nurse and client actions, and responses
- read client documentation, and medical literature
- give an accurate report of client information to other health care providers
Motor Function: Each student must have sufficient motor function, neuromuscular strength, and coordination to effectively perform nursing functions, including (but not limited to)
- transfer clients to/from wheelchair to bed, and bed to/from stretcher
- gather assessment data by palpation, auscultation and percussion
- manipulate instruments to perform physical assessment
- apply pressure (to stop bleeding). Gross and Fine Motor Coordination: Each student must have sufficient
- gross and fine motor coordination to
- move around in the health care environment
- perform treatments, and procedures
- calibrate, and use equipment
- navigate stairs or other client settings
Stamina: Each student must have sufficient stamina to sit, stand, and move within the classrooms; skills lab, nursing units, operating room, and community settings, for periods of time as long as eight hours at a time. Each student must be able to lift 20 lbs.
Behavioral: Each student must possess the ability to establish, and maintain, appropriate professional relationships, including the following factors
- act ethically
- exercise sound clinical judgment
- be compassionate
- develop mature, and effective relationships with clients
- complete all responsibilities required for client care
Emotional Health: Each student must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities, including (but not limited to)
- prioritize competing demands
- function in stressful situations
- tolerate physically taxing workloads
- adjust to changing circumstances
Overview
Nursing
The Nursing Program offers the opportunity to earn an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing, in preparation for the licensing exam (NCLEX-RN) to become a Registered Nurse. This Nursing program has the full approval of the New Hampshire Board of Nursing. Access to the New Hampshire Board of Nursing’s website is found at www.state.nh.us/nursing.
The associate degree nursing program at Lakes Region Community College meets the state education requirements for a Registered Nurse license in the state of New Hampshire. Lakes Region Community College has not determined if the associate degree nursing program at Lakes Region Community College meets the state education requirements in any other state, any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia. Contact the state regulatory agency for nursing in any other state for which this information is needed.
The Associate Degree Nursing Program is approved by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing (NHBON). Upon satisfactory completion of the program, the graduate is eligible to apply to the New Hampshire Board of Nursing (NHBON) and Pearson VUE NCLEX Candidate Services for the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The New Hampshire Board of Nursing’s licensing regulations may restrict candidates who have been involved in civil or criminal legal proceedings. Questions about licensing restrictions should be addressed to the New Hampshire Board of Nursing, 7 Eagle S, Concord, NH 03301.
The Associate Degree Nursing Program at Lakes Region Community College located in Laconia, New Hampshire is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000 www.acenursing.org.The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree Nursing Program to continue LRCC’s accreditation can located and viewed for public information disclosure by ACEN at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
Program Mission
The nursing department accepts and aligns itself with the mission of Lakes Region Community College. The mission of the Lakes Region Community College Associate Degree Nursing Program is to prepare compassionate health care professionals whose practice is holistic, scientifically based and technically competent. The mission is to provide all students with a quality education that affords each graduate the opportunity to enter the healthcare profession in their community and have the ability to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.
End-of-Program Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the LRCC nursing program will be prepared to achieve the following Learning Outcomes:
- Deliver safe, legal, and ethical patient-centered care to the culturally and developmentally diverse patients using the nursing process.
- Practice collaboratively throughout the healthcare system on a multi-professional healthcare team to achieve shared goals using principles of communication, leadership, and management.
- Support a culture of continuous evidence-based quality improvement by using data to monitor outcomes and identify and report actual or potential problems.
- Use health care system resources and technology to coordinate and deliver individual and/or population-focused care that is safe, effective, and efficient.
- Demonstrate professional accountability using legal, ethical, and regulatory guidelines.
- Participate in activities that contribute to life-long learning.
The New Hampshire State Board of Nursing may restrict licensing of candidates who have been involved in civil or criminal legal action. Address questions about licensing restrictions to the Board of Nursing. Satisfactory completion of the A.S. in Nursing does not guarantee RN Licensure.
Students admitted into the Nursing Program must achieve a minimum grade of C in all pre-requisite and co-requisite courses, and B- in all nursing courses.
Graduates of the program are encouraged to pursue a Bachelor and/or Master of Science in Nursing. Graduates of the LRCC nursing program have the opportunity to pursue further nursing education through the RN to BSN pathway with Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and Colby Sawyer College. Students planning to continue their education toward the bachelor or Master of Science in Nursing should plan their program of study with an academic advisor from the Department of Nursing.
Admission Requirements for Level I applicants:
- Meet all general college admissions requirements
- Provide Documentation of completion of high school or college algebra, chemistry with lab and biology with lab classes all with a minimum grade of “C” or higher
- Submit a completed college application for admission.
- Early notification applicant’s deadline is December 15. If the applicant is not admitted through the early action process, their application will be reconsidered with the other regular decision applications after the February 1 application deadline.
- Applications completed after February 1 may only be considered on a space available basis, if the program is not at capacity. Applications are considered complete only when the LRCC Admissions Office receives all required documentation prior to the above deadlines.
- Complete the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)* with a Total Score of 66% or higher
- The TEAS may be taken four times in one year starting with the date of the first exam
- Each attempt must be at least four weeks apart
- TEAS scores are valid for two years
- Registration and payment for the TEAS is done at https://www.atitesting.com/
- Submit a 300 to 500-word essay to the admissions office. Directions for completing the essay can be found on the LRCC website.
- All science courses required to complete a degree in Nursing must be taken in person. Online science courses will not be accepted.
- Applicants who have completed all of the admission requirements are strongly encouraged to meet with their nursing advisor or the nursing department chair.
Nursing courses must be completed within three years from the date of entry. Students who leave the program in good standing may be re-admitted only once.
Students may be required to do an evening clinical rotation depending on clinical site and/or clinical faculty availabilityAll students accepted into the Nursing Program will:
- Attend a designated summer orientation session
- Obtain and maintain current Basic Life Support for the Professional Rescuer certification
- Pass a criminal background check
- Complete a Department of Health and Human Services NH Child Abuse Central Registry Name Search
- Submit proof of immunizations
- Submit results of a two-step Tuberculosis (TB) test
- Submit proof of current health insurance
- Submit a completed Health Exam form
- Pass a drug screen
- Purchase the required uniform.
- Make up all clinical and class hours missed for any reason at the discretion of the faculty
Transfer into the LRCC Nursing Program
To qualify for acceptance into the Nursing Program a prospective transfer student must meet the following criteria:
- All nursing courses must have been completed with a grade of B- or better.
- All required science courses must have been completed within the 5 years of starting the nursing program with a grade of C or better.
- If any required science courses have been completed greater than 5 years before entry into the nursing program, applicants can must re-take the course.
- A science course that is being repeated must be completed by the end of the semester in which it is designated as a co-requisite.
- All pre-requisite and co-requisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.
- The program hours for each nursing course being transferred in to LRCC must meet the minimum number of required program hours determined by the LRCC nursing program.
Transfer into the LRCC Nursing Program is available on a space available basis. Transfer credit will be based on course content, program hours, and credits earned. Prior to applying for transfer into the Nursing Program, potential transfer students must first meet with the Chair of the Nursing department. Based on the results of the meeting and/or additional review by the Chair, students may then be advised to apply for admission and for what semester.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to have official transcripts from all previously attended high school and college institutions sent to the LRCC Admissions Office as soon as possible. A student who has been accepted for transfer into the Nursing Program must complete the program within 2 years. A student who has transferred into the Nursing Program and does not complete course work within 2 years may not reapply for readmission to the Nursing Program.
If during the application/admissions timeframe, more qualified students applying to transfer into the Nursing Program, than there is available space, the final decision regarding acceptance into the program will be made by the Nursing Faculty. A student who has exited from another nursing program for unsafe practice or unprofessional behavior is not eligible for transfer into the Nursing program at LRCC.
LPN to ADN Pathway
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) may apply to the Lakes Region Community College nursing program to earn an Associate degree in nursing. Prior to applying to the Nursing Program, an LPN applicant must first meet with the Chair of the Nursing department. Based on the results of the meeting and/or additional review by the Chair, the applicant may then be advised to apply for admission. To apply to the nursing program, the LPN applicant must meet the following criteria:
- Meet all pre-requisites for the RN program excluding completion of the TEAS exam.
- All nursing courses must have been completed with a grade of B- or better.
- Meet all the co-requisite requirements for the first semester of the nursing program.
- Hold an unencumbered New Hampshire LPN license
- Complete the NLN NACE I exam with a minimum grade of 74%
- Meet all admission criteria by December 15 for admission in to the spring semester.
NACE I test scores are valid for a period of two years. Contact the National League for Nursing Testing Services for information about the NACE I exam
LPN applicants who successfully meet all of the admission requirements may be eligible for admission into the RN program beginning the spring semester of Level 1 on a space available basis.
Technical Standards
The following technical standards are to guide students to make an informed decision regarding a career in nursing. These standards are required to complete the nursing curriculum and to enter nursing practice as a Registered Nurse. The skills are as follows:
Auditory: Each student must possess auditory ability to monitor, and assess health needs, including (but not limited to)
- hear and interpret information a client is communicating verbally
- hear auscultory sounds using a stethoscope
- hear auditory signals from equipment
- communicate over the telephone
Visual: Each student must possess visual ability sufficient for observation, and assessment necessary to provide nursing care, including (but not limited to)
- observe drainage on dressings and drainage of body fluids
- note fluid levels in supplies and equipment
- read gauges that monitor clients
- see to administer treatments
- observe changes in client skin color
- observe client’s behavior and movement
Tactile: Each student must possess tactile ability sufficient to perform a physical assessment, and procedures on clients, not limited to)
- perform palpation, and other functions necessary for physical exam
- assess texture, shape, size, temperature, and vibration
- perform therapeutic procedures
- collect specimens
Sense of Smell: It is desirable that each student possess a sense of smell acute enough to detect strong odors that may indicate a change in a client’s condition, including (but not limited to);
- a purulent wound
- ketones on a person’s breath
- body fluids that have a strong odor
- smoke or other indicator of danger
Communication: Each student must be able to communicate in English effectively with clients, families, and other health care professionals. This includes expressive, and receptive modes of verbal, nonverbal, and written communication, including (but not limited to);
- explain procedures, and treatments
- initiate health education
- document nursing assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nurse and client actions, and responses
- read client documentation, and medical literature
- give an accurate report of client information to other health care providers
Motor Function: Each student must have sufficient motor function, neuromuscular strength, and coordination to effectively perform nursing functions, including (but not limited to)
- transfer clients to/from wheelchair to bed, and bed to/from stretcher
- gather assessment data by palpation, auscultation and percussion
- manipulate instruments to perform physical assessment
- apply pressure (to stop bleeding). Gross and Fine Motor Coordination: Each student must have sufficient
- gross and fine motor coordination to
- move around in the health care environment
- perform treatments, and procedures
- calibrate, and use equipment
- navigate stairs or other client settings
Stamina: Each student must have sufficient stamina to sit, stand, and move within the classrooms; skills lab, nursing units, operating room, and community settings, for periods of time as long as eight hours at a time. Each student must be able to lift 20 lbs.
Behavioral: Each student must possess the ability to establish, and maintain, appropriate professional relationships, including the following factors
- act ethically
- exercise sound clinical judgment
- be compassionate
- develop mature, and effective relationships with clients
- complete all responsibilities required for client care
Emotional Health: Each student must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities, including (but not limited to)
- prioritize competing demands
- function in stressful situations
- tolerate physically taxing workloads
- adjust to changing circumstances
Overview
Nursing
The Nursing Program offers the opportunity to earn an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing, in preparation for the licensing exam (NCLEX-RN) to become a Registered Nurse. This Nursing program has the full approval of the New Hampshire Board of Nursing. Access to the New Hampshire Board of Nursing’s website is found at www.state.nh.us/nursing.
The associate degree nursing program at Lakes Region Community College meets the state education requirements for a Registered Nurse license in the state of New Hampshire. Lakes Region Community College has not determined if the associate degree nursing program at Lakes Region Community College meets the state education requirements in any other state, any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia. Contact the state regulatory agency for nursing in any other state for which this information is needed.
The Associate Degree Nursing Program is approved by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing (NHBON). Upon satisfactory completion of the program, the graduate is eligible to apply to the New Hampshire Board of Nursing (NHBON) and Pearson VUE NCLEX Candidate Services for the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The New Hampshire Board of Nursing’s licensing regulations may restrict candidates who have been involved in civil or criminal legal proceedings. Questions about licensing restrictions should be addressed to the New Hampshire Board of Nursing, 7 Eagle S, Concord, NH 03301.
The Associate Degree Nursing Program at Lakes Region Community College located in Laconia, New Hampshire is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000 www.acenursing.org.The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree Nursing Program to continue LRCC’s accreditation can located and viewed for public information disclosure by ACEN at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
Program Mission
The nursing department accepts and aligns itself with the mission of Lakes Region Community College. The mission of the Lakes Region Community College Associate Degree Nursing Program is to prepare compassionate health care professionals whose practice is holistic, scientifically based and technically competent. The mission is to provide all students with a quality education that affords each graduate the opportunity to enter the healthcare profession in their community and have the ability to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.
End-of-Program Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the LRCC nursing program will be prepared to achieve the following Learning Outcomes:
- Deliver safe, legal, and ethical patient-centered care to the culturally and developmentally diverse patients using the nursing process.
- Practice collaboratively throughout the healthcare system on a multi-professional healthcare team to achieve shared goals using principles of communication, leadership, and management.
- Support a culture of continuous evidence-based quality improvement by using data to monitor outcomes and identify and report actual or potential problems.
- Use health care system resources and technology to coordinate and deliver individual and/or population-focused care that is safe, effective, and efficient.
- Demonstrate professional accountability using legal, ethical, and regulatory guidelines.
- Participate in activities that contribute to life-long learning.
The New Hampshire State Board of Nursing may restrict licensing of candidates who have been involved in civil or criminal legal action. Address questions about licensing restrictions to the Board of Nursing. Satisfactory completion of the A.S. in Nursing does not guarantee RN Licensure.
Students admitted into the Nursing Program must achieve a minimum grade of C in all pre-requisite and co-requisite courses, and B- in all nursing courses.
Graduates of the program are encouraged to pursue a Bachelor and/or Master of Science in Nursing. Graduates of the LRCC nursing program have the opportunity to pursue further nursing education through the RN to BSN pathway with Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and Colby Sawyer College. Students planning to continue their education toward the bachelor or Master of Science in Nursing should plan their program of study with an academic advisor from the Department of Nursing.
Admission Requirements for Level I applicants:
- Meet all general college admissions requirements
- Provide Documentation of completion of high school or college algebra, chemistry with lab and biology with lab classes all with a minimum grade of “C” or higher
- Submit a completed college application for admission.
- Early notification applicant’s deadline is December 15. If the applicant is not admitted through the early action process, their application will be reconsidered with the other regular decision applications after the February 1 application deadline.
- Applications completed after February 1 may only be considered on a space available basis, if the program is not at capacity. Applications are considered complete only when the LRCC Admissions Office receives all required documentation prior to the above deadlines.
- Complete the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)* with a Total Score of 66% or higher
- The TEAS may be taken four times in one year starting with the date of the first exam
- Each attempt must be at least four weeks apart
- TEAS scores are valid for two years
- Registration and payment for the TEAS is done at https://www.atitesting.com/
- Submit a 300 to 500-word essay to the admissions office. Directions for completing the essay can be found on the LRCC website.
- All science courses required to complete a degree in Nursing must be taken in person. Online science courses will not be accepted.
- Applicants who have completed all of the admission requirements are strongly encouraged to meet with their nursing advisor or the nursing department chair.
Nursing courses must be completed within three years from the date of entry. Students who leave the program in good standing may be re-admitted only once.
Students may be required to do an evening clinical rotation depending on clinical site and/or clinical faculty availabilityAll students accepted into the Nursing Program will:
- Attend a designated summer orientation session
- Obtain and maintain current Basic Life Support for the Professional Rescuer certification
- Pass a criminal background check
- Complete a Department of Health and Human Services NH Child Abuse Central Registry Name Search
- Submit proof of immunizations
- Submit results of a two-step Tuberculosis (TB) test
- Submit proof of current health insurance
- Submit a completed Health Exam form
- Pass a drug screen
- Purchase the required uniform.
- Make up all clinical and class hours missed for any reason at the discretion of the faculty
Transfer into the LRCC Nursing Program
To qualify for acceptance into the Nursing Program a prospective transfer student must meet the following criteria:
- All nursing courses must have been completed with a grade of B- or better.
- All required science courses must have been completed within the 5 years of starting the nursing program with a grade of C or better.
- If any required science courses have been completed greater than 5 years before entry into the nursing program, applicants can must re-take the course.
- A science course that is being repeated must be completed by the end of the semester in which it is designated as a co-requisite.
- All pre-requisite and co-requisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.
- The program hours for each nursing course being transferred in to LRCC must meet the minimum number of required program hours determined by the LRCC nursing program.
Transfer into the LRCC Nursing Program is available on a space available basis. Transfer credit will be based on course content, program hours, and credits earned. Prior to applying for transfer into the Nursing Program, potential transfer students must first meet with the Chair of the Nursing department. Based on the results of the meeting and/or additional review by the Chair, students may then be advised to apply for admission and for what semester.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to have official transcripts from all previously attended high school and college institutions sent to the LRCC Admissions Office as soon as possible. A student who has been accepted for transfer into the Nursing Program must complete the program within 2 years. A student who has transferred into the Nursing Program and does not complete course work within 2 years may not reapply for readmission to the Nursing Program.
If during the application/admissions timeframe, more qualified students applying to transfer into the Nursing Program, than there is available space, the final decision regarding acceptance into the program will be made by the Nursing Faculty. A student who has exited from another nursing program for unsafe practice or unprofessional behavior is not eligible for transfer into the Nursing program at LRCC.
LPN to ADN Pathway
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) may apply to the Lakes Region Community College nursing program to earn an Associate degree in nursing. Prior to applying to the Nursing Program, an LPN applicant must first meet with the Chair of the Nursing department. Based on the results of the meeting and/or additional review by the Chair, the applicant may then be advised to apply for admission. To apply to the nursing program, the LPN applicant must meet the following criteria:
- Meet all pre-requisites for the RN program excluding completion of the TEAS exam.
- All nursing courses must have been completed with a grade of B- or better.
- Meet all the co-requisite requirements for the first semester of the nursing program.
- Hold an unencumbered New Hampshire LPN license
- Complete the NLN NACE I exam with a minimum grade of 74%
- Meet all admission criteria by December 15 for admission in to the spring semester.
NACE I test scores are valid for a period of two years. Contact the National League for Nursing Testing Services for information about the NACE I exam
LPN applicants who successfully meet all of the admission requirements may be eligible for admission into the RN program beginning the spring semester of Level 1 on a space available basis.
Technical Standards
The following technical standards are to guide students to make an informed decision regarding a career in nursing. These standards are required to complete the nursing curriculum and to enter nursing practice as a Registered Nurse. The skills are as follows:
Auditory: Each student must possess auditory ability to monitor, and assess health needs, including (but not limited to)
- hear and interpret information a client is communicating verbally
- hear auscultory sounds using a stethoscope
- hear auditory signals from equipment
- communicate over the telephone
Visual: Each student must possess visual ability sufficient for observation, and assessment necessary to provide nursing care, including (but not limited to)
- observe drainage on dressings and drainage of body fluids
- note fluid levels in supplies and equipment
- read gauges that monitor clients
- see to administer treatments
- observe changes in client skin color
- observe client’s behavior and movement
Tactile: Each student must possess tactile ability sufficient to perform a physical assessment, and procedures on clients, not limited to)
- perform palpation, and other functions necessary for physical exam
- assess texture, shape, size, temperature, and vibration
- perform therapeutic procedures
- collect specimens
Sense of Smell: It is desirable that each student possess a sense of smell acute enough to detect strong odors that may indicate a change in a client’s condition, including (but not limited to);
- a purulent wound
- ketones on a person’s breath
- body fluids that have a strong odor
- smoke or other indicator of danger
Communication: Each student must be able to communicate in English effectively with clients, families, and other health care professionals. This includes expressive, and receptive modes of verbal, nonverbal, and written communication, including (but not limited to);
- explain procedures, and treatments
- initiate health education
- document nursing assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nurse and client actions, and responses
- read client documentation, and medical literature
- give an accurate report of client information to other health care providers
Motor Function: Each student must have sufficient motor function, neuromuscular strength, and coordination to effectively perform nursing functions, including (but not limited to)
- transfer clients to/from wheelchair to bed, and bed to/from stretcher
- gather assessment data by palpation, auscultation and percussion
- manipulate instruments to perform physical assessment
- apply pressure (to stop bleeding). Gross and Fine Motor Coordination: Each student must have sufficient
- gross and fine motor coordination to
- move around in the health care environment
- perform treatments, and procedures
- calibrate, and use equipment
- navigate stairs or other client settings
Stamina: Each student must have sufficient stamina to sit, stand, and move within the classrooms; skills lab, nursing units, operating room, and community settings, for periods of time as long as eight hours at a time. Each student must be able to lift 20 lbs.
Behavioral: Each student must possess the ability to establish, and maintain, appropriate professional relationships, including the following factors
- act ethically
- exercise sound clinical judgment
- be compassionate
- develop mature, and effective relationships with clients
- complete all responsibilities required for client care
Emotional Health: Each student must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities, including (but not limited to)
- prioritize competing demands
- function in stressful situations
- tolerate physically taxing workloads
- adjust to changing circumstances
Overview
Nursing
The Nursing Program offers the opportunity to earn an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing, in preparation for the licensing exam (NCLEX-RN) to become a Registered Nurse. This Nursing program has the full approval of the New Hampshire Board of Nursing. Access to the New Hampshire Board of Nursing’s website is found at www.state.nh.us/nursing.
The associate degree nursing program at Lakes Region Community College meets the state education requirements for a Registered Nurse license in the state of New Hampshire. Lakes Region Community College has not determined if the associate degree nursing program at Lakes Region Community College meets the state education requirements in any other state, any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia. Contact the state regulatory agency for nursing in any other state for which this information is needed.
The Associate Degree Nursing Program is approved by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing (NHBON). Upon satisfactory completion of the program, the graduate is eligible to apply to the New Hampshire Board of Nursing (NHBON) and Pearson VUE NCLEX Candidate Services for the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The New Hampshire Board of Nursing’s licensing regulations may restrict candidates who have been involved in civil or criminal legal proceedings. Questions about licensing restrictions should be addressed to the New Hampshire Board of Nursing, 7 Eagle S, Concord, NH 03301.
The Associate Degree Nursing Program at Lakes Region Community College located in Laconia, New Hampshire is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000 www.acenursing.org.The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree Nursing Program to continue LRCC’s accreditation can located and viewed for public information disclosure by ACEN at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
Program Mission
The nursing department accepts and aligns itself with the mission of Lakes Region Community College. The mission of the Lakes Region Community College Associate Degree Nursing Program is to prepare compassionate health care professionals whose practice is holistic, scientifically based and technically competent. The mission is to provide all students with a quality education that affords each graduate the opportunity to enter the healthcare profession in their community and have the ability to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.
End-of-Program Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the LRCC nursing program will be prepared to achieve the following Learning Outcomes:
- Deliver safe, legal, and ethical patient-centered care to the culturally and developmentally diverse patients using the nursing process.
- Practice collaboratively throughout the healthcare system on a multi-professional healthcare team to achieve shared goals using principles of communication, leadership, and management.
- Support a culture of continuous evidence-based quality improvement by using data to monitor outcomes and identify and report actual or potential problems.
- Use health care system resources and technology to coordinate and deliver individual and/or population-focused care that is safe, effective, and efficient.
- Demonstrate professional accountability using legal, ethical, and regulatory guidelines.
- Participate in activities that contribute to life-long learning.
The New Hampshire State Board of Nursing may restrict licensing of candidates who have been involved in civil or criminal legal action. Address questions about licensing restrictions to the Board of Nursing. Satisfactory completion of the A.S. in Nursing does not guarantee RN Licensure.
Students admitted into the Nursing Program must achieve a minimum grade of C in all pre-requisite and co-requisite courses, and B- in all nursing courses.
Graduates of the program are encouraged to pursue a Bachelor and/or Master of Science in Nursing. Graduates of the LRCC nursing program have the opportunity to pursue further nursing education through the RN to BSN pathway with Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and Colby Sawyer College. Students planning to continue their education toward the bachelor or Master of Science in Nursing should plan their program of study with an academic advisor from the Department of Nursing.
Admission Requirements for Level I applicants:
- Meet all general college admissions requirements
- Provide Documentation of completion of high school or college algebra, chemistry with lab and biology with lab classes all with a minimum grade of “C” or higher
- Submit a completed college application for admission.
- Early notification applicant’s deadline is December 15. If the applicant is not admitted through the early action process, their application will be reconsidered with the other regular decision applications after the February 1 application deadline.
- Applications completed after February 1 may only be considered on a space available basis, if the program is not at capacity. Applications are considered complete only when the LRCC Admissions Office receives all required documentation prior to the above deadlines.
- Complete the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)* with a Total Score of 66% or higher
- The TEAS may be taken four times in one year starting with the date of the first exam
- Each attempt must be at least four weeks apart
- TEAS scores are valid for two years
- Registration and payment for the TEAS is done at https://www.atitesting.com/
- Submit a 300 to 500-word essay to the admissions office. Directions for completing the essay can be found on the LRCC website.
- All science courses required to complete a degree in Nursing must be taken in person. Online science courses will not be accepted.
- Applicants who have completed all of the admission requirements are strongly encouraged to meet with their nursing advisor or the nursing department chair.
Nursing courses must be completed within three years from the date of entry. Students who leave the program in good standing may be re-admitted only once.
Students may be required to do an evening clinical rotation depending on clinical site and/or clinical faculty availabilityAll students accepted into the Nursing Program will:
- Attend a designated summer orientation session
- Obtain and maintain current Basic Life Support for the Professional Rescuer certification
- Pass a criminal background check
- Complete a Department of Health and Human Services NH Child Abuse Central Registry Name Search
- Submit proof of immunizations
- Submit results of a two-step Tuberculosis (TB) test
- Submit proof of current health insurance
- Submit a completed Health Exam form
- Pass a drug screen
- Purchase the required uniform.
- Make up all clinical and class hours missed for any reason at the discretion of the faculty
Transfer into the LRCC Nursing Program
To qualify for acceptance into the Nursing Program a prospective transfer student must meet the following criteria:
- All nursing courses must have been completed with a grade of B- or better.
- All required science courses must have been completed within the 5 years of starting the nursing program with a grade of C or better.
- If any required science courses have been completed greater than 5 years before entry into the nursing program, applicants can must re-take the course.
- A science course that is being repeated must be completed by the end of the semester in which it is designated as a co-requisite.
- All pre-requisite and co-requisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.
- The program hours for each nursing course being transferred in to LRCC must meet the minimum number of required program hours determined by the LRCC nursing program.
Transfer into the LRCC Nursing Program is available on a space available basis. Transfer credit will be based on course content, program hours, and credits earned. Prior to applying for transfer into the Nursing Program, potential transfer students must first meet with the Chair of the Nursing department. Based on the results of the meeting and/or additional review by the Chair, students may then be advised to apply for admission and for what semester.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to have official transcripts from all previously attended high school and college institutions sent to the LRCC Admissions Office as soon as possible. A student who has been accepted for transfer into the Nursing Program must complete the program within 2 years. A student who has transferred into the Nursing Program and does not complete course work within 2 years may not reapply for readmission to the Nursing Program.
If during the application/admissions timeframe, more qualified students applying to transfer into the Nursing Program, than there is available space, the final decision regarding acceptance into the program will be made by the Nursing Faculty. A student who has exited from another nursing program for unsafe practice or unprofessional behavior is not eligible for transfer into the Nursing program at LRCC.
LPN to ADN Pathway
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) may apply to the Lakes Region Community College nursing program to earn an Associate degree in nursing. Prior to applying to the Nursing Program, an LPN applicant must first meet with the Chair of the Nursing department. Based on the results of the meeting and/or additional review by the Chair, the applicant may then be advised to apply for admission. To apply to the nursing program, the LPN applicant must meet the following criteria:
- Meet all pre-requisites for the RN program excluding completion of the TEAS exam.
- All nursing courses must have been completed with a grade of B- or better.
- Meet all the co-requisite requirements for the first semester of the nursing program.
- Hold an unencumbered New Hampshire LPN license
- Complete the NLN NACE I exam with a minimum grade of 74%
- Meet all admission criteria by December 15 for admission in to the spring semester.
NACE I test scores are valid for a period of two years. Contact the National League for Nursing Testing Services for information about the NACE I exam
LPN applicants who successfully meet all of the admission requirements may be eligible for admission into the RN program beginning the spring semester of Level 1 on a space available basis.
Technical Standards
The following technical standards are to guide students to make an informed decision regarding a career in nursing. These standards are required to complete the nursing curriculum and to enter nursing practice as a Registered Nurse. The skills are as follows:
Auditory: Each student must possess auditory ability to monitor, and assess health needs, including (but not limited to)
- hear and interpret information a client is communicating verbally
- hear auscultory sounds using a stethoscope
- hear auditory signals from equipment
- communicate over the telephone
Visual: Each student must possess visual ability sufficient for observation, and assessment necessary to provide nursing care, including (but not limited to)
- observe drainage on dressings and drainage of body fluids
- note fluid levels in supplies and equipment
- read gauges that monitor clients
- see to administer treatments
- observe changes in client skin color
- observe client’s behavior and movement
Tactile: Each student must possess tactile ability sufficient to perform a physical assessment, and procedures on clients, not limited to)
- perform palpation, and other functions necessary for physical exam
- assess texture, shape, size, temperature, and vibration
- perform therapeutic procedures
- collect specimens
Sense of Smell: It is desirable that each student possess a sense of smell acute enough to detect strong odors that may indicate a change in a client’s condition, including (but not limited to);
- a purulent wound
- ketones on a person’s breath
- body fluids that have a strong odor
- smoke or other indicator of danger
Communication: Each student must be able to communicate in English effectively with clients, families, and other health care professionals. This includes expressive, and receptive modes of verbal, nonverbal, and written communication, including (but not limited to);
- explain procedures, and treatments
- initiate health education
- document nursing assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nurse and client actions, and responses
- read client documentation, and medical literature
- give an accurate report of client information to other health care providers
Motor Function: Each student must have sufficient motor function, neuromuscular strength, and coordination to effectively perform nursing functions, including (but not limited to)
- transfer clients to/from wheelchair to bed, and bed to/from stretcher
- gather assessment data by palpation, auscultation and percussion
- manipulate instruments to perform physical assessment
- apply pressure (to stop bleeding). Gross and Fine Motor Coordination: Each student must have sufficient
- gross and fine motor coordination to
- move around in the health care environment
- perform treatments, and procedures
- calibrate, and use equipment
- navigate stairs or other client settings
Stamina: Each student must have sufficient stamina to sit, stand, and move within the classrooms; skills lab, nursing units, operating room, and community settings, for periods of time as long as eight hours at a time. Each student must be able to lift 20 lbs.
Behavioral: Each student must possess the ability to establish, and maintain, appropriate professional relationships, including the following factors
- act ethically
- exercise sound clinical judgment
- be compassionate
- develop mature, and effective relationships with clients
- complete all responsibilities required for client care
Emotional Health: Each student must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities, including (but not limited to)
- prioritize competing demands
- function in stressful situations
- tolerate physically taxing workloads
- adjust to changing circumstances
Overview
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