Nursing - A.A.S.
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Program Highlights
» Admission Requirements » Technical Standards Required for Admission |
The Nursing Program combines general education courses and nursing courses that allow students to complete their education in two years and be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN (RN licensing exam). Classroom lectures, laboratory sessions and clinical experience in area hospitals, long term care facilities and community health agencies are offered in four semesters. Concepts of nursing are based on the program philosophy and developed from the SUNY Canton conceptual framework of Transformational Learning. Graduates earn an Associate in Applied Science Degree and are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensing examination and become Registered Professional Nurses.
The SUNY Canton Nursing Program is registered by the New York State Education Department, which is responsible to the Board of Regents. The Board is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a national accrediting body for nursing education programs. The program is also accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and Middle States, having met and maintained criteria for excellence.
Accreditations
The program is a member of:
- National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission
3343 Peachtree Road NE,
Suite 850, Atlanta, Georgia 30326 404-975-5000. - Registered by the NYS Education Department,
Office of the Professions.
The majority of our graduates are employed shortly after graduation in positions as staff nurses in hospitals, long-term care facilities and community agencies. Other graduates choose to continue their education at a four-year educational institution. SUNY Canton maintains articulation agreements (2+2) with SUNY College of Technology at Utica/Rome and SUNY Plattsburgh. Approximately 95% of graduates pass the NCLEX-RN licensing exam within one year of completion of the Nursing program.
Please obtain a copy of the Nursing Program Student Handbook [pdf] which describes our program in more detail and includes the mandatory clinical orientation packet which all enrolled students must complete at the beginning of each semester in order to participate in clinical.
Students in this Major:
- Utilize the nursing process, think critically, and base patient care on evidence based practice.
- Engage in active learning.
- Develop personally and professionally.
- Upon meeting the requirements for graduation, are eligible to sit for the licensing examination to become Registered Professional Nurses.
Career Opportunities:
- Hospitals and Outpatient Clinics
- Long-Term Care Facilities
- Community Health Agencies
- Schools

Career Outlook:
- Nursing is the largest health care occupation.
- There is increasing diversity in nursing employment, and projections indicate large numbers of new jobs.
Employers Of SUNY Canton Graduates:
- Hospitals and outpatient clinics
- Long-term care facilities
- Community health agencies
- Schools
Transfer Opportunities:
Graduates have a number of transfer options including: RN-MSN, RN-BSN, and BSN programs. Students may also elect to transfer into the SUNY Canton online RN-BS program.
» View Admission Requirements
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (Curriculum 0622)
Semester I Credits
| BIOL 217 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I (GER 2) | 4 |
| ENGL 101 ENGL 102 |
Expository Writing (GER 10) OR Oral and Written Expression (GER 10) |
3 |
| NURS 101 | Fundamentals of Nursing | 6 |
| NURS 103 | Pharmacology I | 1 |
| NURS 105 | Nursing Seminar | 1 |
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology (GER 3) | 3 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 18 |
Semester II Credits
| BIOL 218 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| NURS 102 | Psychiatric and Maternal Child Nursing | 9 |
| NURS 104 | Pharmacology II | 1 |
| PSYC 220 PSYC 225 |
Child Development OR Human Development |
3 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 17 |
Semester III Credits
| BIOL 209 | Microbiology | 4 |
| NURS 200 | Pharmacology III | 1 |
| NURS 201 | Medical-Surgical Nursing I | 10 |
| Liberal Arts Elective | 3 | |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 18 |
Semester IV Credits
| NURS 202 | Medical-Surgical Nursing II | 10 |
| NURS 203 | Professional Issues & Trends in Nursing* | 1 |
| NURS 204 | Pharmacology IV | 1 |
| Liberal Arts Elective | 3 | |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 15 |
*Fulfills writing intensive requirement.
NOTE: Nursing students must successfully complete the SUNY Canton computer competency requirement.
- CPR certification (Health Provider Status) is required for NURS 102, 201, and 202.
- Students will complete clinical experiences in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and community agencies throughout Northern New York. Clinical hours may include day, evenings, and weekends. The college does not provide transportation to clinical.
- The New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions requires persons applying for licensure to answer questions related to criminal convictions and/or professional misconduct.
- Once enrolled in Fundamentals of Nursing (NURS 101), students must complete this Nursing program within four years. For extraordinary situations, permission to complete beyond four years must be granted by the Dean of the School of Science, Health, and Criminal Justice in consultation with the Nursing Program Director.
- Of the four clinical nursing courses (NURS 101, 102, 201, and 202) only one course may be repeated one time.
- A grade of C or better is required for successful completion of all nursing courses, Human Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 217), Human Anatomy and Physiology II (BIOL 218), and Microbiology (BIOL 209).
- Successful completion of all corequisite courses and a semester GPA of 2.0 or better is required to continue in the program.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS
Students must complete SUNY Canton's NURS 201, 202, 203, and 204 in order to meet the program's residency requirements.
Debra Backus, Ph.D, RN, CNE, NEA-BC
Nursing Chair
Wicks 116
backus@canton.edu










