Turn caring, compassion and communication skills into a challenging career with a degree in Nursing from Mercy College. Mercy's nursing curriculum is unique, offering hands-on, real-life training earlier on in the education process than other schools, so you can better understand your future career. The demand for nurses is great and the rewards, both financial and personal, are even greater. With both bachelor's and associate's degree programs available, Mercy College offers the skills and knowledge you need to become successful in this exciting, flexible and marketable occupation.

Nursing Program Information

Building a strong foundation to qualify for a cutting-edge career as a nurse requires a blend of critical thinking and caring. By enrolling in the associate or bachelor's degree nursing programs offered at Mercy College you will gain the knowledge and skills you'll need to become a valuable member of any healthcare team.

The focus of your career as a Registered Nurse (RN) is to promote health, to prevent disease, and to help patients cope with illness. You are the advocate and health educator for patients, families and communities. When you're providing direct patient care, you observe, assess and record symptoms, reactions and progress; perform treatments and examinations; administer medications; and assist in convalescence and rehabilitation. As an RN, you also develop, manage and evaluate patient care; instruct patients and their families in proper healthcare; and assist individuals and groups to take steps to improve or maintain their health.

Know that as an RN, you are a vital part of the health care team. You work with other team members such as doctors, social workers, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, and clergy. Your career consists of caring for people -- children, the elderly, the sick, the dying, as well as those who are well and need information regarding maintenance of a healthy lifestyle. There are also technical roles you may get involved in: working with computers, patient monitoring systems, ventilators, and medication delivery systems. Your career in nursing combines caring, communication and technical skills.

Demand for RNs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, is high and is expected to grow faster than all other occupations through the year 2008. To give you an idea of what compensation you can expect, in 1998 The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that half of all RNs earned an annual salary of $42,280. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $30,330 and the top 10 percent made more than $66,670 annually. Many employers offer flexible work schedules, childcare, education benefits, and bonuses.

The associate degree in nursing (ADN) is a minimum level of education for technical nursing practice. Upon completion of the ADN, students are eligible to sit for State Board examination to practice as a registered nurse.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in nursing program are eligible to sit for State Board examination to practice as a registered nurse. The baccalaureate nurse is prepared to plan, provide, and coordinate care for clients experiencing problems across the health-illness continuum and in diverse settings.

The Associate Degree Program in Nursing at Mercy College of Northwest Ohio is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC); 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY; 10006; 212-363-5555, Ext. 153; www.nlnac.org

Prospective nursing students are advised that when applying for state licensure examination, they will be required to indicate whether or not they have ever been convicted of a felony or other crimes. A positive response to this question may disqualify the candidate for licensure. The Ohio Board of Nursing makes all eligibility decisions. As of June 1, 2003, candidates who wish to sit for the NCLEX RN examination will be required to submit their fingerprints to the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCII). Each individual applying to take the exam is responsible for the cost of this procedure.

Nursing