Degree Programs

Nursing AAS

The Nursing Program at Cayuga Community College prepares students for entry into the profession of nursing. Upon graduation, students receive the Associate in Applied Science in Nursing and are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The overall NCLEX-RN passing rate for Cayuga students is consistently exceptional, exceeding state and national averages.

The curriculum offers a balance of general education and nursing courses. Students are provided with the theoretical knowledge and clinical practice needed to provide nursing care for individuals throughout their lives. Learning experiences are provided in the classroom, nursing laboratory, and various clinical settings.

Nursing education is available at both the Auburn and Fulton campuses.

Program Accreditation

Cayuga’s Nursing program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and Registered by the Office of Professions, NYSDE

The Associate in Applied Science Degree nursing program at Cayuga Community College at the Auburn and Fulton campus(es) located in Auburn NY and Fulton NY, is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
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 in Applied Science Degree nursing program is continuing accreditation.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website.

Office of the Professions
New York State Education Department
2nd Floor, West Wing, EB
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12234
HEGIS Code: 5208.10

Nursing Admissions Process

Admission to the Nursing Program is a two-application process. Applicants must fill out the Admissions application and a Nursing Admission Application. Completion of these two applications is free of charge and does not guarantee admission to the program.

Nursing Program Options

Cayuga Community College offers two pathways to complete the Nursing A.A.S. degree, each with a different schedule and start term.

Traditional Nursing Program (Auburn & Fulton)

• Start Term: Fall (once per year)
• Campuses: Auburn and Fulton
• Schedule:
  • Auburn: Weekday format
  • Fulton: Evening / every other weekend

Fast Track Nursing Program (Auburn Only)

• Start Term: Spring (once per year)
• Campus: Auburn only
• Schedule: Evening / every other weekend

Nursing Program Application and Requirements

Admission to the Nursing Program is selective and competitive and requires a separate Nursing application in addition to acceptance to Cayuga Community College.

Application Deadlines

All required admission criteria and supporting documentation must be completed and received by the application deadline to be considered.

Admissions Criteria

Admission Requirements (Prerequisites)

The following requirements must be completed prior to applying to the Nursing Program:

• High school diploma or equivalency (GED/TASC)
• Official college transcripts (if applicable)
• Algebra math proficiency, demonstrated by one of the following:
  • Placement into MATH 102 (Intermediate Algebra) or higher
  • Completion of MATH 099 or higher with a minimum grade of C (70%)
  • Completion of high school pre-calculus or higher with a minimum grade of C (70%)
    Note: Math placement older than 5 years or completed out of state will be evaluated by the Math Coordinator

• Satisfactory completion (C or 70% or higher) of high school or college biology
• Satisfactory completion (C or 70% or higher) of high school chemistry (Regents or General) or CHEM 103 (or equivalent)
  Note: CHEM 151 from Onondaga Community College (OCC) is not accepted without the 1-credit lab component
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or high school average of 75%
• Submission of two professional references using the Nursing Department’s required Professional Reference Form
• Proof of English language proficiency, if English is not the applicant’s first language. See International Students Process for more information.

Additional Requirements

• Accepted and enrolled students may also be required to:
• Complete a background check for clinical placement
• Consent to drug testing, if required by the College or clinical agencies
• Participate in an interview, if requested

Selection Process

Admission to the Nursing Program is selective and competitive. Applications are reviewed by nursing faculty in collaboration with the Admissions Office. Selection decisions are based on a combination of academic performance, prerequisite coursework, and supporting materials.

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Applicants are evaluated based on:

• High school and/or college grade point average
• Performance in required science, chemistry, and math courses
• Personal essay
• Professional references

Important Information

• Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend a Nursing Information Session.
• Technical standards are abilities and behaviors that a nursing student must be able to perform to function safely. It is essential that nursing students possess and maintain the following functional requirements, with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Admission to the Nursing Program is a two-application process.
• Applicants must fill out the Admissions Application and a Nursing Admission Application. Completion of these two applications is free of charge and does not guarantee admission to the program. NOTE: If you have already attended Cayuga as a matriculated student, contact the Center for Student Engagement and Academic Advisement at 315-294-8523 or studenteng@cayuga-cc.edu before completing an additional Admissions Application.
• Send all official transcripts to the Auburn Admissions Office.
• Applicants not accepted may be placed on a waitlist; high school students (only) may receive a deferral option.
• Applicants not accepted must reapply to be considered for admission the following year.

Seeking Professional Licensure or Certification Outside New York State

Per College Policy 100.154 Professional Licensure Disclosures, federal regulation requires institutions of higher education to make a determination whether a Title IV eligible academic program that leads to professional licensure or certification meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the U.S. State where the institution is located and the U.S. States where “distance education” students are located at the time of initial enrollment in the program, as well as U.S. States where the program is advertised as meeting such requirements, and if applicable, the U.S. State where students attest they intend to be licensed/certified. The Associate in Applied Science in Nursing program at Cayuga Community College is registered by the New York State Education Department and thus meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification for New York State.

Every applicant to Cayuga’s Nursing program will, prior to or at the time of their enrollment, be provided with a copy of Policy 100.154 along with a Licensure Explanation and Acknowledgment form to be completed and signed by the student, kept on file by the college and scanned into our electronic Records Retention System.

The Licensure Explanation and Acknowledgment form will require the student to specify the state in which they intend to be licensed/certified and inform the student that they must notify the Director of Nursing should they ever consider seeking licensure or certification in any other state.

Upon receipt of any form or other notice indicating that a student may intend to seek licensure or certification in any state other than New York, the Director of Nursing will advise and assist the student in contacting the licensure/certification authority in the applicable U.S. State for any further guidance.

Health Requirements

After being accepted into the Nursing program, the student must show evidence of the following by a date designated by the Nursing department:

• Completed physical exam and updated annually. The health record must show no physical condition that would limit the safe performance of Essential Functions and Abilities. See “Nursing Students – Health Report Form” to download the required form.
• Completed Mantoux test and immunization records
• Compliance with New York State health requirements

CPR Requirement

The student must hold CPR certification for the Professional Healthcare Provider throughout the program. We only accept courses taken through the American Heart Association or American Red Cross, which include Basic Life Support (BLS) for adults, infants, and children. Certification is valid for two years. Online certification or re-certification is accepted only if a competency demonstration is performed in person.

NOTE: “Heart Saver” and “Community CPR” do NOT meet the CPR requirement. An eCard or paper copy of CPR certification must be submitted to the Nursing Education office by the date designated by the Nursing department.

Program Progression

• A minimum passing grade of 77 (C+) must be achieved in each Nursing course. A grade less than C+ is considered an unsuccessful attempt.
• A “Satisfactory” clinical grade must be achieved in each clinical Nursing course.
• A minimum passing grade of C+ is required in BIOL 203, 204, and 216 courses.
• A student is limited to one W or unsuccessful attempt in any clinical Nursing course (NURS 101, 102, 214, 215, 216, 217). A second W or unsuccessful attempt in any clinical Nursing course will result in dismissal from the program.
• All required Nursing courses (except NURS 101) must be taken at Cayuga Community College.
• The following grading system is used by the Nursing faculty:

  The grading system used by the Nursing faculty

  Letter Grade	Numerical Grade
  A	93–100
  A-	90-92
  B+	87–89
  B	83-86
  B-	80–82
  C+	77–79
  C	73-76
  C-	70-72
  D+	67-69
  D	63-66
  D-	60-62
  F	less than 60

• A student receiving a W or a grade less than C+ in NURS 101 must reapply for admission to the Nursing program in accordance with specified application deadlines.
• A student receiving a W or a grade less than C+ in NURS 102, 214, 215, 216, or 217 must apply for re-entry to the program through the director of Nursing (email Mary Driscoll, Director of Nursing at driscollm@cayuga-cc.edu). The student must schedule a meeting with the director of Nursing three months prior to the course start date. Academic counseling will be initiated to develop a success plan. Re-entry is granted on a space-available basis and upon compliance with the re-entry procedure.
• A student seeking re-entry to the Nursing program must meet program policies in effect at the date of re-entry.
• Nursing courses must be completed within three years of starting NURS 101

Learning Experiences

Clinical schedules include days, evenings, and occasional weekends. Students must provide their own transportation to clinical facilities. Clinical agencies include but are not limited to Finger Lakes Center for Living, St. Anthony on the Commons, Seneca Hill Manor, Auburn Community Hospital, Upstate University Hospital Downtown, Upstate University Hospital Community Campus, Veterans Medical Center, and Oswego Hospital.

Degree Requirements

The following curriculum represents the Nursing course sequence and minimum requirements for the AAS degree in Nursing (total of 64 credit hours).

Legal Limitations for RN Licensure

The licensure exam requires that the applicant be of “good moral character.” Applicants should be aware that the New York State Education Office of Professional Discipline will investigate applicants who have been convicted of a crime (felony or misdemeanor) or have charges pending in any state or country to determine their eligibility for licensure as a registered nurse in New York State. Refer to www.op.nysed.gov/ for specific criteria.

Graduation Requirement

The candidate for the Associate in Applied Science degree in Nursing must meet the following requirements:

• Completion of 64 credits
• A cumulative average of no less than 2.0 and a minimum grade of “C+” in each Nursing and Biology course.

Technical Standards

These are abilities and behaviors that a nursing student must be able to perform to function safely. It is essential that students of nursing meet the functional requirements with or without reasonable accommodations. Download Essential Functions and Abilities for Nursing Students.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates of this program can:

• Practice within the professional, ethical, and legal standards, incorporating personal responsibility and accountability for continued self-development to promote professional identity.
• Provide safe, competent, patient-centered care in various healthcare settings while efficiently managing time and prioritizing care for a group of patients.
• Utilize the nursing process, clinical reasoning, and evidence-based practice to provide safe and effective care.
• Demonstrate caring behaviors that honor diversity and inclusion through global awareness, respect for each individual in the delivery of care, and advocacy for patients and families.
• Facilitate communication with patients, families, and healthcare team members in a professional and collaborative manner to support patient outcomes.
• Promote the health and wellness of patients across the lifespan and within the community through leadership skills and principles of teaching and learning, aiming to achieve inclusive and equitable outcomes.
• Utilize information technologies to advance knowledge, support evidence-based practice, and promote safe, quality patient outcomes.

Student Achievement Outcome Data

Student achievement outcome results data for Cayuga Community College for the class graduating 2024 and 2025.

Transfer Information

Students requesting transfer from another nursing program must:

• Satisfy the admission criteria stated under the Admission Requirements section.
• Submit a Nursing Transfer Request form to the Director of Nursing at driscollm@cayuga-cc.edu before October 31.
• The only nursing course that may be accepted for transfer is NURS 101, pending a review of the course syllabus. A minimum grade of C+ (77) is required for NURS 101 credit transfer. The nursing course must be completed within one year of the transfer request.
• Apply for admission through the Admissions Office by October 31.
• Complete the Nursing Department Skill Competency Evaluation with a grade of satisfactory.
• Complete the nursing clinical review course with a passing grade.

Transferring Into a Bachelor’s Degree Program

Cayuga Community College has articulation agreements with a number of baccalaureate nursing programs. For information on these, contact the Director of Nursing at driscollm@cayuga-cc.edu.

Current articulation agreements include: 

• SUNY Binghamton 
• SUNY Empire State College 
• SUNY Plattsburgh 
• SUNY Polytechnic College  
• SUNY Upstate  

Private Institutions:

• Aspen University  
• Excelsior College 
• Grand Canyon University Keuka College 
• New York Institute of Technology  
• St. John Fisher College 
• University of The Cumberlands  

A prior felony conviction may hinder a student’s ability to enroll in a course, complete the requirements of certain academic programs, and/or meet the licensure criteria required by certain professions.

Accessibility Resources

Nursing students must be able to meet all established academic and clinical requirements to complete the program. By law and College policy, no qualified individual with a disability shall, on the basis of that disability, be excluded from the program. Cayuga Community College will provide reasonable accommodations to a qualified individual with a disability. The Office of Accessibility Resources is responsible for determining if reasonable accommodations can be identified and for ensuring that such accommodations are provided for students.

It is the applicant’s or student’s responsibility to request the accommodations needed to meet the program’s Essential Functions and Abilities. To be eligible for reasonable accommodations, applicants must provide clear documentation of disability. Arranging for accommodations is a confidential process.

Earning Credit for LPN License

RN candidates will be granted a waiver for the following portions of NURS 101: NURS 101 Long-Term Care Clinical Hours Rotation I (approximately 30 hours).

Eligibility Requirements and Skills Assessment

Cayuga Community College allows Licensed Practical Nurses the opportunity to waive their participation in specific segments of the NURS 101 course. This waiver agreement provides LPNs an opportunity to demonstrate skills and competencies acquired in the LPN licensing program and on the job, thereby advancing in the RN curriculum.

Agreements:

RN candidates will be granted a waiver for the following portions of NURS 101:

1. NURS 101 long-term care clinical hours Rotation I (approximately 30 hours)
2. Nur 101 nursing lab skill requirements (approximately 10 nursing lab hours).

• Nur 101 (SP/IP/CD) for medication administration for PO medications, SQ medication, and IV therapy. Student is still required to attend class for theory component for skill.
• Nur 101 nursing lab skill requirements (IP/CD) for MODS skills as outlined; student will still be required to attend theory component for MODs.

Credit is accepted under the following conditions:

For this waiver, RN candidates must meet the following Requirements:

1. One-year LPN clinical acute or long-term care experience completed within 18 months of starting NUR 101.
2. Satisfactory demonstration of Nur 101 MODS skills; Bed bath & Occupied bed making with lateral positioning, Range of Motion Exercise, Shift Assessment, Mechanical Lift Hoyer/wheelchair transfers, and PPE donning/doffing.
3. Satisfactory demonstration of vital signs; BP, Temp, Apical, Resp Rate.
4. Orientation to EHR and satisfactory completion of medication administration competency demonstration prior to the start of the fall semester and Nur 101 for PO, SQ, and IV therapy set-up, flush & connect, and IV discontinue.

Process:

1. Prospective students will apply for admission to Cayuga Community College’s Nursing Program in a timely manner and will complete all procedures required of candidates for admission.
2. A waiver will only be granted following acceptance and enrollment into the degree program.
3. The student will submit their LPN license to the Admissions Office or a CPL Coordinator/designee.
4. The LPN will submit proof of one-year consistent employment in a long-term care clinical setting or medical/surgical hospital setting within 18 months of program start.
5. Accepted students will participate in the required skills assessment and receive a completed “NURS 101 Licensed Practical Nurse Clinical Hours/Nursing Lab Skills Waiver” form with the signature of the Director of Nursing prior to or at Nursing Boot Camp, which is usually scheduled in late August before the start of classes.

Criminal Background Check

Criminal background checks are required at the student’s expense prior to the first semester.