Currently, the entire nation is experiencing a shortage of registered nurses.  Therefore, the job placement rate for graduate nurses is nearly 100 percent.  Many health-care employers offer incentives for graduate nurses to accept employment, such as sign-on bonuses and educational benefits.

According to the Department of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for Registered Nurses in PA is $65,070 and  $67,720 nationally.

The Associate Degree Nursing Program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (3343 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326 at 1-404-975-5000) 

The Associate's Degree program has received continuous accreditation since 1974. Mount Aloysius College provides an education to prepare graduates as Associate Degree Nurses, qualified to take the national Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses following graduation. Admission to the Nursing program requires a careful review of SAT and/or ACT scores for applicants who have graduated high school within the past five years.  If it has been more than five years since the graduation, a passing score on a nursing entrance test is required.

Program pre-requisites include a high school diploma or equivalent, with a minimum of 16 units, including four units of English, three units of social studies, two units of mathematics, and two units of science with related laboratories (biology and chemistry are recommended.)  One course in algebra, at either the high school or college level also is required.  These prerequisites must have been completed with a minimum grade of “C.”

Accepted students may be admitted to courses in the nursing major in either the fall or the spring semester.  Prior to beginning nursing courses, the student must complete EE 091and EE 098, if required by college placement examination, and BL 201 with a minimum grade of “C.” The Associate Degree Nursing Program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (3343 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326 at 1-404-975-5000).

Completed work equal to a standard high school course with a minimum of 16 units, including four units of English, three units of a social studies, two units of mathematics and two units of science with a related laboratory.  (Biology and chemistry recommended.) The two units of science with a related laboratory must be completed with a minimum grade of “C.”

1. One course in algebra at either the senior high school or college level with aminimum grade of “C.”
2. Applicants who have graduated from high school within the past five years arerequired to submit satisfactory SAT scores or ACT scores. Applicants who havegraduated from high school more than five years ago are required to obtain a satisfactory score on a pre-nursing test.
3. Other variables such as academic achievement and experience may be considered for individual candidates.

PROGRAM SPECIFICS

1. Since student employment during enrollment in the Nursing program is  voluntary, students will not be excused from classes or clinical experiences due to conflict with employment schedule.  Status as a student nurse does notqualify the student for employment in any nursing position for which thestudent is not otherwise qualified, certified, or licensed.
2. Students enrolled in the Nursing program must comply with the requirements of the Professional Nursing Law of Pennsylvania. Among other restrictions, the State Board of Nursing will not issue a license to an applicant who has beenconvicted of a felonious act. Students will be required to submit to a criminal record check and a child abuse history clearance. Healthcare agencies have the right to deny employment based on background checks. The Board shall not issue a license or certificate to an applicant who has been convicted of a  felonious act prohibited by the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L. 233, No. 64), known as “The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act,” or convicted of a felony relating to a controlled substance in a court of law of the United States or any other state, territory or country unless:
   • at least ten (10) years have elapsed from the date of conviction;
   • the applicant satisfactorily demonstrates to the Board that he has made significant progress in personal rehabilitation since the conviction such that licensure of the applicant should not be expected to create a substantial risk of harm to the health and safety of patients or the public or a substantial risk of further criminal violations; and
   • the applicant otherwise satisfies the qualifications contained in or authorized by this act.
   • The term “convicted” shall include a judgement, an admission of guilt or a plea of nolo contendere. An applicant’s statement on the application declaring the absence of a conviction shall be deemed satisfactory evidence of the absence of a conviction, unless the Board has some evidence to the contrary.
3. Prerequisite requirements for first level nursing clinical:
   • Students are required to submit a completed health form including medical history, physical examination and immunization, and lgG anti body lab titers indicating immunity for rubella, rubeola, mumps, and varicella. Students must comply with all health requirements as outlined on the form.  Clinical experience will not be permitted without the completed health form. Health forms are obtained from the Health Services Department and returned to the Health Services Department where the results are kept confidential.
   • Blood test to verify immunity to measles, German measles and chicken pox, or required vaccination; urine drug screen and 2-step PPD are also required.
   • Prerequisite courses: BL 201 and any required EE courses.
4. Ongoing requirements for entry into other nursing clinical courses include:
   • Required prerequisite courses
   • Current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR (Adult, Child, Infant and AED) certification
   • Annual TB testing (PPD Mantoux)
5. All courses listed in the catalog as prerequisites must be completed with a minimum “C” grade before the student is admitted into subsequent nursing courses.