Maria College

Nursing Programs Offered

ADN Program Details

Maria College is one of the nursing schools in Albany, NY where the Nursing Associate Degree curriculum moves from nursing theory to the art and science of patient care, integrating clinical experiences with formal classroom work. Courses are offered in day and evening divisions. Clinical laboratory experiences are conducted at Albany Medical Center, Bellevue Woman’s Center, St. Peter’s Hospital, Ellis Hospital, St. Margaret’s Center for Children, Capital District Psychiatric Center, Our Lady of Mercy Life Center, and selected community agencies.

All students must meet the health requirements of the Nursing program and health agencies. Satisfactory health clearance and a copy of current CPR registration must be on file in the department by August 15 in order to maintain admission status, and all forms are required prior to participation in each of the clinical courses (Nur 110, 120, 130, 240, 250, 260).

A student must obtain a minimum grade of C in all courses required in the Nursing program. (A grade of C- is not adequate to meet the minimum requirement of C.) The student must pass both theoretical and clinical components of a nursing course, or the course must be repeated in its entirety. Failure to successfully complete course work that is required by the Nursing program results in dismissal from the program. A student may repeat a nursing course only once. Readmission to the Nursing program is not automatic, is at the discretion of the Nursing chair and faculty, and may depend upon space availability. Requests for readmission must be submitted by March 15 for the fall semester and October 15 for the spring semester. Readmission beyond Nursing 120 will require a written and skills examination. The student must be successful in both. Any student who fails two clinical nursing courses will not be readmitted to the program.

Graduates of this program are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination – RN.

RN to BSN Program Details

The focus of the Nursing RN-BS degree program curriculum at Maria College is unique in its combination of degree courses that will expand the graduate’s knowledge of the older adult, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, nurse sensitive indicators, informatics and alternative/complimentary theories. Student clinical experiences will be centered around community-based programs/services and outreach programs, especially those concerned with the older adult. The main emphasis of the curriculum on the older adult comes at a time when the demographics are changing, in both New York State and the Albany area, towards an older population.

LPN Program Details

The Practical Nurse Certificate (PNC), a program within the Department of Nursing, is a 47-credit certificate program with up to 32 transferable nursing credits to the ADN program at Maria College. Upon successful completion of the required coursework, students are eligible to sit for the New York State National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Passing the licensure exam will make the graduate eligible for LPN positions in the health field.

The PNC program is offered through the Weekend College and can be completed within six semesters by the qualified applicant. The program consists of 46-47 credits (30 nursing and 16-17 liberal arts). It is recommended that at least 13-14 liberal arts credits be completed prior to the first nursing course.

To enter the PNC program, the applicant must provide evidence of a completed high school program or its equivalent. Applicants who do not have previous college credit or do not meet SAT cutoff scores will be required to take a placement test to determine the appropriate level of mathematics and language arts. Those scoring below a cutoff score will be required to complete remedial coursework before admittance into the program so that they will be prepared to complete the program. A complete physical examination, first aid, and Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation Certification (CPR) are required before clinical courses can be taken.

The PNC courses consist of a sequence of four semesters, or about 15 months. The first course, PNC 101, which begins in May of each year, has lecture and lab classes during the summer Weekend College, which is generally every other weekend. The remaining nursing courses (PNC 102, 103 and 104) are clinical courses and require student participation every weekend from September through August of the next year. Lecture and lab classes are during Saturday and Sunday of Weekend College. Clinical experience is required off-site at a clinical facility during Saturday and Sunday of the opposite weekends.