NURSING

A Career as a Registered Nurse

In response to today's rapid changes in health care, there continues to be a growing need for Registered Nurses in diverse settings. Registered nurses are essential members of the health team. A majority practice in hospitals, though a growing number are employed in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes and home health care agencies. Others work in community-based facilities such as outpatient surgery centers and rehabilitation centers. Still others practice in community health, industrial or school nursing, clinics, physicians' offices or as private duty nurses

ECC's Program

East Central College offers two programs leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing. The main campus in Union and the Rolla site offer a complete generic program (pre-licensure) for those interested in becoming a Registered Nurse. A 1 + 1 Bridge program is available on the Rolla campus for LPNs in the area interested in becoming a Registered Nurse. Upon completion of either program, graduates are eligible to apply to write the NCLEX-RN Exam for licensure as a registered nurse. Students must be 19 years of age at the time of writing the NCLEX-RN Exam.

The generic program on the Union and Rolla campuses include 74 credit hours: 42 of nursing and 32 of General Education. Full-time students take the nursing hours over four semesters and one summer. However, prior to acceptance into the nursing program, students may take general education requirements of the Associate Degree Nursing curriculum. Nursing courses are sequenced and include supervised practicum in a variety of health care agencies. This affords the student an opportunity to practice skills and apply knowledge learned in the classroom. Completion of the East Central College Associate Degree Nursing Program does not guarantee eligibility to write the NCLEX. The Missouri State Board of Nursing may refuse licensure to graduates for reasons listed in RSMo 335.066. Upon passing this exam the individual will be licensed as a registered professional nurse.

Thirty students are selected and admitted one time a year in the Fall semester at the Union campus and sixteen at the Rolla site. Specific admission requirements must be met prior to acceptance. Advanced placement into the generic Associate Degree Nursing program at Union campus and Rolla site is available for Licensed Practical Nurses. ECC has articulation agreements with Four Rivers Career Center in Washington, Missouri and Rolla Technical Center in Rolla, Missouri. LPN’s who have started their advanced education within three years of graduation, from the above LPN program, are eligible for articulation credit for Fundamentals of Nursing, Nutrition, and Human Growth and Development. All LPN’s should consult with the Director of Nursing.

The 1 + 1 Bridge program on the Rolla campus is designed for Licensed Practical Nurses to obtain an associate degree in nursing and to meet eligibility requirements for the NCLEX-RN exam in one calendar year after successful completion of pre-requisites.

Twenty-one students are admitted each January. Specific admission requirements must be met prior to acceptance. This program is approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing.

For specific admission criteria please check the admissions page, or to request an application for the Nursing program call 636-583-5195, ext. 2447, or email nursing@eastcentral.edu.

Applications:

Pre-licensure (Union and Rolla)

LPN (Advanced Placement- Union and Rolla)

LPN (1+1 LPN to RN Bridge- Rolla campus only)

For more information please contact the following:

Scholarships

Applications are available in the ECC Financial Aid Office. Call 636-583-5195 ext. 2216.

Dotte Betz Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Entering first-year student who has been admitted to the ECC Nursing Program Renewable for second year of program.
Award: Tuition and $300 for books the first year and $100 for books the second year.

ECC Nursing Scholarship
Recipient must be accepted into ECC nursing program
Award: Tuition, lab, fees and support service fees. May apply for renewal the second year.

Academic Scholarships--Nursing
Recipient must be majoring in Nursing.
Award: Tuition, lab fees and support services fees. May apply for renewal the second year.

Allen M. Pritchett Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Recipient must be either a first or second year nursing student at ECC.
Award: $200 for books
An essay on "Why I Want to be a Nurse" must accompany the application.

Phelps County Regional Medical Center Auxiliary offers the following scholarships:
Applications for all the Phelps County scholarships are available in the Volunteer Services department at Phelps Country Regional Medical Center, Rolla, MO, 65401.

Anyone is eligible to apply for any of these scholarships.

James Foundation Nursing Scholarship
Award: $1,000

Margaret Prater Nursing Scholarship
Award: $1,000

Edward Gray Nursing Scholarship
Award: $1,000

Detailed information about the program is available from the course descriptions of the catalog, or by contacting Robyn Walter.