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Nursing Associate Degree

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Nursing Associate Degree Program

A career in nursing can be emotionally and financially rewarding and beginning at NECC can save you thousands of dollars on the cost of a nursing education at a four-year school. As a graduate you will be prepared to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), or to continue your education to earn your bachelor’s degree. In this program, you will learn in the classroom, laboratories, and at clinical site placements under the supervision of a mentor. You will be prepared to with with children, adolescents, adults, and senior citizens in a variety of settings.

How to get started as a Nurse in the Merrimack Valley

Get more details about how to apply for this program.

Program Costs

Program Costs

View tuition and fee information for this program.
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Program Info

Program Info

View the semester-by-semester pathway for this degree.
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Requirements

Courses and Requirements

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Additional Admission Criteria and Information
Accreditation

Accreditation

The Associate in Science in Nursing program is Approved with Warning from the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Nursing.

The Nursing Program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc., 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400; Atlanta, Georgia 30326; (404) 975-5000; https://www.acenursing.org

The Associate Degree nursing program at NECC located in Lawrence, MA is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate degree nursing program is continuing accreditation.

The Practical Certificate nursing program at NECC located in Lawrence, MA is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Practical Certificate nursing program is continuing accreditation.

BORN Approval Status

BORN Approval Status

NECC’s Associate in Science in Nursing Program is approved with Warning by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (BORN).

What does Approved with Warning mean?

After reviewing the A.S. in Nursing program, BORN has directed NECC to complete a review and update different areas of the program. The Health Professions Division has already started work to address the areas, including:

  • Formalizing student governance process to ensure students have opportunities to participate in decision making for the program
  • Updating faculty and administrator job descriptions with required duties included
  • Documenting specializations of clinical experiences including mental health and maternity and updating curriculum to adopt and integrate a clinical judgment model
  • Reviewing and updating 14 BORN policies
  • Evaluating and documenting time spent by students in direct patient care, laboratory hours, simulation hours, and clinical sites
  • Identifying and documenting evaluation methods to assess student achievement of learning outcomes
  • Developing and documenting course-specific student learning outcomes
  • Conducting a gap analysis of NECC curriculum and NCLEX test to ensure full coverage of required content areas and competencies
  • Revising of course assignments and evaluation rubrics
  • Revising of clinical agreements to including provision for annual review

How does the Warning status affect current and former students?

There is no immediate impact to current or former students. Current and former students who meet graduation requirements can complete their program and take the NCLEX exam in order to become a Registered Nurse.

When will the A.S. in Nursing be eligible to return to fully approved status by BORN?

The Health Professions Division will submit regular reports to BORN updating the Board on our progress in the areas identified above. Updates to the program’s status will be posted on this web page as they are available.

Who should I contact with questions about the BORN approval status of the A.S. in Nursing?

Contact Dean of Health Professions Kathy Hudson (khudson@necc.mass.edu).

Program Effectiveness Data

Program Effectiveness Data

Student Achievement Outcome Data

1. Graduates’ success on the licensure/certification examination

Class of 2025: 78% # 52 Class Graduates
Class of 2024: 86% #34 Class Graduates
Class of 2023: 100% # 18 Class Graduates
Class of 2022: 89% # 27 Class Graduates   

2. Students’ completion of the nursing program within 150% of the stated time for the program.


Class of 2025: 100%

Classes of 2023 & 2024 – 100%

Students’ completion of the nursing program within 100% of the stated time for the program.


Class of 2025: 90%

Class of 2024: 86%

Class of 2023: 78%
Class of 2022: 89%

3. Graduates employed within one year
Class of 2023 & 2024 100%

Class of 2023 & 2024 100%

Program Costs

Program Costs

Additional Program Costs

View the Additional Program Costs for Nursing Programs

Faculty & Contact

Hollie Andrews, MSN, RN, CLC, CCM

Interim Dean of Nursing

978-655-5931 (Please call to schedule an appointment)
handrews@necc.mass.edu

Elizabeth Burrows, MSN, RN

978-655-5885
Office: LC-312J

eburrows@necc.mass.edu

Jamie McLennan, DNP, MSN, RN

Professor
Email: jmclennan@necc.mass.edu

Phone: 978-655-5881

Office: LC-312A

Elsie Jean Michel, MSN, RN

Email: ejeanmichel@necc.mass.edu

Phone: 978-655-5902
Office: LC-312J

Kristi Spheekas, MSN, RN

978-655-5891
Office: LC-312C

kspheekas@necc.mass.edu

Xiaonan (Nancy) Zheng, MSN, RN

978-655-5884
Office: LC-312
K
xzheng@necc.mass.edu

Additional Program Information

LPN to ASN Option

NECC offers an accelerated Associate in Science in Nursing (ASN) Option for Licensed Practical Nurses. In the accelerated option, students start in Year 2 of the A.S. in Nursing coursework and can complete the A.S. in Nursing in one year. Note: in some cases, additional general education coursework is required for degree completion and time to complete could take more than one year. Students enrolling in the accelerated option will meet with an advisor to determine their path to completion.

Required Documents

Required Documents

Accreditation

Accreditation

The Associate in Science in Nursing program is Approved with Warning from the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Nursing.

The Nursing Program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc., 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400; Atlanta, Georgia 30326; (404) 975-5000; https://www.acenursing.org

The Associate Degree nursing program at NECC located in Lawrence, MA is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate degree nursing program is continuing accreditation.

The Practical Certificate nursing program at NECC located in Lawrence, MA is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Practical Certificate nursing program is continuing accreditation.

BORN Approval Status

BORN Approval Status

NECC’s Associate in Science in Nursing Program is approved with Warning by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (BORN).

What does Approved with Warning mean?

After reviewing the A.S. in Nursing program, BORN has directed NECC to complete a review and update different areas of the program. The Health Professions Division has already started work to address the areas, including:

  • Formalizing student governance process to ensure students have opportunities to participate in decision making for the program
  • Updating faculty and administrator job descriptions with required duties included
  • Documenting specializations of clinical experiences including mental health and maternity and updating curriculum to adopt and integrate a clinical judgment model
  • Reviewing and updating 14 BORN policies
  • Evaluating and documenting time spent by students in direct patient care, laboratory hours, simulation hours, and clinical sites
  • Identifying and documenting evaluation methods to assess student achievement of learning outcomes
  • Developing and documenting course-specific student learning outcomes
  • Conducting a gap analysis of NECC curriculum and NCLEX test to ensure full coverage of required content areas and competencies
  • Revising of course assignments and evaluation rubrics
  • Revising of clinical agreements to including provision for annual review

How does the Warning status affect current and former students?

There is no immediate impact to current or former students. Current and former students who meet graduation requirements can complete their program and take the NCLEX exam in order to become a Registered Nurse.

When will the A.S. in Nursing be eligible to return to fully approved status by BORN?

The Health Professions Division will submit regular reports to BORN updating the Board on our progress in the areas identified above. Updates to the program’s status will be posted on this web page as they are available.

Who should I contact with questions about the BORN approval status of the A.S. in Nursing?

Contact Dean of Health Professions Kathy Hudson (khudson@necc.mass.edu).

Program Effectiveness Data

Program Effectiveness Data

Student Achievement Outcome Data

1. Graduates’ success on the licensure/certification examination

Class of 2025: 78% # 52 Class Graduates
Class of 2024: 86% #34 Class Graduates
Class of 2023: 100% # 18 Class Graduates
Class of 2022: 89% # 27 Class Graduates   

2. Students’ completion of the nursing program within 150% of the stated time for the program.


Class of 2025: 100%

Classes of 2023 & 2024 – 100%

Students’ completion of the nursing program within 100% of the stated time for the program.


Class of 2025: 90%

Class of 2024: 86%

Class of 2023: 78%
Class of 2022: 89%

3. Graduates employed within one year
Class of 2023 & 2024 100%

Class of 2023 & 2024 100%

Program Costs

Program Costs

Additional Program Costs

View the Additional Program Costs for Nursing Programs

Credit for Prior Learning or Work Experience

With NECC’s Credit for Prior Learning, you can move through the program at a faster pace and graduate sooner! These credits are covered free-of-charge for eligible Massachusetts learners.

Support for Every Student

NECC offers a variety of student support services, including tutoring, counseling, and academic advising, to help students thrive academically. Want to transfer to NECC? Our advisors are happy to assist you.

Accommodations at NECC

As an ADA-compliant institution, NECC is committed to serving the needs of students, faculty, staff, and visitors with disabilities, including those who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. We partner with multiple entities are dedicated to ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all members of the NECC community.

Do you have a documented disability? Are you Deaf or Hard of Hearing? If so, the Center for Accessibility Resources & Services (CARS) can connect you to the services you need to thrive at NECC.

Free Community College

MassEducate & MassReconnect

No tuition. No fees. And both programs include an allowance for books and supplies for eligible students.

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100 Elliott Street
Haverhill, MA 01830
978-556-3000

Lawrence Campus
45 Franklin Street
Lawrence, MA 01840
978-556-3000

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