Nursing: Associate Degree

The Associate in Science Degree in Nursing is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.

Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

The associate degree nursing program at Massachusetts Bay Community College at the Framingham, MA campus is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA, 30326. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the associate degree nursing program is continuing accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website. The program is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.

Upon completion, the Associate in Science in Nursing degree is awarded.

The ADN program prepares students for careers as Registered Nurses (RNs). Graduates receive an Associate in Science Degree and are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam. The program begins each Fall semester and is designed to be completed in two years (four semesters), with a curriculum that includes classroom lectures, laboratory work, and clinical practicums at various healthcare facilities.

Mission: Prepare graduates from diverse backgrounds to practice safe and quality nursing care within an evolving healthcare system.

1. Integrated Reasoning: Apply critical thinking, creativity, and innovation to formulate nursing judgments.

2. Concept Integration: Use nursing concepts and scientific knowledge for evidence-based, holistic patient care.

3. Professionalism and Leadership: Uphold high ethical standards and pursue professional growth.

4. Patient-Centered Care: Provide care based on patient/family values and preferences.

5. Quality and Safety: Improve safety and quality of care through monitoring.

6. Communication and Teamwork: Collaborate within the healthcare team with mutual respect.

7. Systems-Based Practice: Utilize various systems for managing nursing care, including technology.

1. Staff Nurse: Work in hospitals, long-term care, and outpatient clinics.

2. Specialized Nursing: Focus on areas like pediatrics or oncology with additional certifications.

3. Community Health Nurse: Work in public health, focusing on health education and disease prevention.

4. Home Health Nurse: Provide care to patients in their homes.

5. Occupational Health Nurse: Work in corporate settings focusing on employee health and safety.

6. Case Management Nurse: Coordinate patient care across various providers.

7. Nursing Informatics Specialist: Combine nursing with IT to improve healthcare data management.

8. Nurse Educator: Teach and train future nurses.

9. Travel Nurse: Take temporary assignments in different locations.

10. Nurse Administrator: Manage nursing staff and operations.

For details on program outcomes, NCLEX pass rates, and program completion rates, please refer to the attachment below.

MassBay Community College Associate Degree Nursing Program Outcomes →

1. To be considered for admission, students must have the following:
2. High school diploma or equivalent, or associate degree or higher
3. Completed Admissions Application
4. Minimum GPA of 2.5 calculated from prerequisite and corequisite courses (English, Math, Psychology, and Sciences) taken within the past 3 years
5. Assessment Technologies Institute, Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS) Exam.  Results are valid for three years. Students may repeat the exam two times within 12 months.  No minimum score required.
6. Completion of  English Composition I (EN 101) with a grade of C or higher.
7. Completion of a 100-level math course (not MAC) with a grade of C or better or placing into a 200-level mathematics course.
8. Completion of BI 215 Anatomy and Physiology I and BI 217 Anatomy and Physiology II within a five (5) year time frame with a grade of C+ or higher at the time student records are reviewed for matriculation into the nursing program (Note: students may repeat each science course only once to achieve a C+ within the required 5-year period). Challenge examinations are available for BI 215: Anatomy and Physiology I and BI 217: Anatomy and Physiology II if the applicant has completed the coursework, including the associated labs, within the five-year limit. Students may repeat each science course only once to achieve a C+ within the required 5-year period.
9. After students have been admitted to the program, the following pre-program requirements must be completed:
   1. Orientation: Nursing students are required to attend a New Student Orientation and Registration session.
   2. Required Pre-Entry Documentation:
      1. After being admitted into a Health Sciences program, students will receive instructions on how to upload required health documentation to an online platform. Students must submit all documents by the published deadline in order to be eligible to start Health Sciences classes.
   3. Medical clearance and proof of immunizations as outlined by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and found in the Division of Health Sciences handbook. Proof of CPR certification. The BLS Provider Card (from the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross) or the equivalent from the Military Training Network is the only type of CPR certification that meets this requirement (Copies of both sides and a valid signature or e-card are required).
10. The student must complete the CORI /SORI (Criminal/Sex Offender Record Information) to authorize a search of conviction and pending criminal case information under Standard Required Level 1 by DCJIS (Department of Criminal Justice Information Services) and a National County Criminal Background as part of the clinical requirements. More information is available on the Division of Health Sciences page on the MassBay website.

1. All Nursing (HL and NU) courses must be completed with a grade of 75% or higher.
2. Competency in Mathematics: Quantitative skills is a MassBay graduation competency for associate degree programs. Prior to graduation, students must demonstrate this competency by completing a 100-level math course (not MAC); or placement into a 200-level mathematics course.
3. Competency in Critical Thinking is a MassBay graduation requirement.  Students who achieve a C or higher in the Nursing Capstone course (NU 275) have demonstrated competency in critical thinking and have met the required graduation requirement.
4. Humanities Electives: Art, Communications, English (EN 103 or higher), ESL (ES 100 or higher; up to 6 credits), Film, Foreign Language, Humanities, Literature, Oral Communication, Philosophy, Photography, Sign Language, Theater Arts.
5. This program qualifies as an Alternative Transfer Agreement (MassTransfer) with select public institutions in Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.mass.edu/masstransfer.

For more details or questions, contact the Admissions Office at 508-279-4059 or admissions@massbay.edu. Visit the MassBay Health Sciences Info Session Schedule for upcoming sessions.

The Advanced Placement Curriculum enables Licensed Practical Nurses and Certified Paramedics to apply to the Associate Degree in Nursing Program by meeting all the admission requirements. The theoretical and clinical components of nursing courses must be taken concurrently and sequentially as outlined in the applicable curriculum sheet. Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).