Nursing (AAS.NUR)

What is the 3+1 BSN?
Our unique program provides students with the chance to take all associate degree nursing courses as well as 300 level BSN courses at RCBC cost. You graduate with your nursing degree, can sit for licensure,  and are working sooner than someone in a university program. Your last year for your BSN with Rowan University is online and you can complete it while working as an RN. If you work at Virtua, Deborah and many other hospitals, the hospital will pay for your tuition for your last year!

What relationship does RCBC have with Virtua Health System?
RCBC and Virtua Health System have a partnership for clinical placement for Health Science students. All students rotate through a Virtua Hospital for some of their clinical in the nursing program. If you are a current Virtua employee, you pay in county cost even if out of county. Graduates who accept employment with Virtua will have the remainder of their BSN courses at Rowan University paid for while working full time!

Can I be admitted to the nursing program right out of high school? 
YES! You can apply right out of High School. You can finish all your non-nursing courses year one and start nursing courses year two. What is the advantage to doing this? You have lower tuition than a 4 year college, can sit for licensure sooner than those in a 4 year program and can have your last year paid for by your employer.

Do I need to take an admission assessment test?
The nursing program requires the TEAS test for admission. A cumulative score of at least 58% is recommended. We look at your highest score if you have taken it more than one.  

How will I be evaluated for admission? 
Applicants who have completed required courses have these grades evaluated with a rubric. Applicants with the highest points are admitted first.  You can download the rubric below to estimate your score!

I do not live in Burlington County. Will I be considered? 
We do not base admissions on where you live!

Do I have to have taken non-nursing courses at RCBC?
We admit based on grades, we do not care where you took your courses, however, we do need transcripts from all former schools submitted.  

I went to another nursing school. Will I be considered?
Each applicant is evaluated individually. We do require that you provide a letter from the director of your prior school stating you were not dismissed for unsafe clinical behavior.  All other applicants are considered.

Step 1: Apply to RCBC

If you are not currently enrolled at RCBC, or haven't taken courses here in over 2 years, you are required to: 

• Completion of the admissions application to RCBC at rcbc.edu/apply.
• Submission of proof of high school completion via
  • High school diploma
  • GED
  • Translation of foreign credential
  • If you have not completed high school and are a current high school senior please see the High School Application section. 

Step 2: Submit all transcripts

If you are a transfer student or have attended any college or university other than RCBC, you must submit official transcripts to the Office of Admissions.

Students who hold degrees are not automatically accepted into the program, they are evaluated in the same process as all other applicants and are required to complete the prerequisite coursework.  

• Official transcripts can be sent electronically (directly from your school) or via mail to:
  Office of Outreach & Admissions
  900 College Circle
  Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
• If you previously attended another nursing program and left in good standing (no failed grades outstanding and are eligible to return to that program):
  • You must have the nursing program director from that college/institution email a letter to nursing@rcbc.edu indicating that you were not dismissed for clinically unsafe behavior.

Step 3: Complete prerequisite course work 

Students are required to complete the following prerequisites for the program. Most, if not all, of these courses should be completed by the nursing application deadline.

• BIO 110 Anatomy and Physiology I
• BIO 111 Anatomy and Physiology I Lab
• BIO 114 Anatomy and Physiology II
• BIO 115 Anatomy and Physiology II Lab
• BIO 155 Microbiology
• BIO 156 Microbiology Lab
• ENG 101 College Composition I
• ENG 102 College Composition II
• MTH 107 Introduction to Statistics
• NUR 220 Nutrition in Nursing and Healthcare
• PHI 101 Introduction to Philosophy
• PSY 101 General Psychology
• PSY 256 Developmental Psychology
• SOC 101 Principles of Sociology

Step 4: Complete the ATI TEAS exam

The ATI TEAS exam must be completed prior to the application deadline. Students can choose to register for the exam in person or online, proctored by ATI. 

• Achievement of a score of 58% or higher on the TEAS exam (completed no more than 2 years prior to closure of the application).
• Links for the exam:
  • TEAS Registration
  • Everything You Need To Know About The ATI TEAS® Exam (PDF)
• It is strongly recommended that students prepare for their TEAS exam. The following are suggested resources:
  • ATI TEAS Prep Products: Variety of package options for preparing from ATI
  • NurseHub - NurseHub is an online resource to help students prepare for the TEAS 7. If you use NurseHub and do not pass on your first try, NurseHub will refund you and pay for you to retake the exam.

Step 5: Submit the nursing application

The admissions application cycle is:

• Fall Admissions:  November 1 - January 31
  • Admissions decisions sent in late March
• Spring Admissions: May 1 - August 20
  • Admissions decisions sent in late September

All admissions decisions will be sent by email only to RCBC student email accounts.

Step 5: Complete and review other application criteria

• Applicants must be 18 years old prior to the start of the program. 
• Achievement of a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 or greater in all college coursework.
• Attending a Nursing Information Session. Information sessions run on a monthly basis. 
• RCBC does not have an LPN to RN bridge program. LPN students must meet the same admission criteria.

Applicants to the Nursing Program are non-admissible in the following situations

• Students with non-repeated failures in required (non-nursing) courses will not be admissible.
• Students with more than 2 failures in total of any of the required (non-nursing) courses listed on the rubric will not be admissible. Please note: we do not count courses that are 8 years old or older when looking at failed courses. . 
  • For the Nursing program admissions purpose, C-, D, F, or ST are considered failures. 

NOTE: Meeting all admission standards DOES NOT guarantee admission into the program.

Admission Decisions: 

Applicants will be ranked according to total points earned based on the  admission rubric. This rubric evaluates the academic performance of a student within the required program (non-nursing) courses. The total number of points, if all courses are completed without repeats with an A is 140.

Students with the highest points, without any failures and repeats of required courses, will be admitted first.  Next, students with the highest points with one failed and repeated required course will be admitted, then finally students with the highest points and two failed and repeated courses. The number of students admitted will be based on space availability, which may vary.

Download the RCBC Nursing Admissions Rubric

Courses must be completed prior to the application deadline to receive points; it’s recommended that students complete all prerequisite courses prior to applying in order to receive full points. 

Acceptance into the Program:

Accepted students will be notified by RCBC email of their conditional acceptance into the Nursing program. Conditional acceptance will include but is not limited to the following:

• Attendance at the mandatory nursing orientation for the cohort
• Proof of Medical/Health Insurance
• Proof of  American Heart Association BLS CPR Card for an “in person” course (note: no other providers will be considered, including those stating to “follow AHA standards” or online courses.)
• Completion of a Physical Examination including:
  • Various titers, current Flu shot and PPD
  • Medical history
  • Lab Tests
• Clear Criminal History Background Checks*
• Negative Urine Drug Test
• Reliable Transportation (to clinical sites)

*According to NJ State Law, all candidates for admission must be informed before being admitted to a nursing education program, that a criminal history background check is a prerequisite for licensure as a registered professional nurse or a licensed practical nurse.

NOTE: Students who are not accepted or decline admission to the Nursing program, must re-apply in a future application cycle.

High School seniors have the opportunity to apply to the High School Nursing Application. Accepted students will begin taking their Nursing program required courses  under the guidance of the Nursing Department and enroll in Nursing courses the following year, provided they finish all requirements.  

The Nursing Application for the Fall High School cohort opens in February and the deadline to apply is June 30 at 11:59 pm.

Exceptions may be made for late applications provided all requested information is submitted for review at once and it is prior to closing of fall registration.

This acceptance permits the student to take all the non-nursing required courses following the identified pathway (must take courses in the sequence required) and, if successful (C or better) progresses into nursing courses the following fall. There is no other educational  evaluation completed. It is suggested that the student keep their GPA at 3 or above.

Students who do not apply for this pathway may still follow the course map and take all non-nursing courses year one at the college, however, they will be need to apply to the program with the traditional cohort and will be evaluated on the bases of the rubric for admission.

Students continue for the last year of the 3+1 program with online courses through Rowan University while working as an RN. The last year of courses is typically paid for through employers. The 3+1 associate degree route to the BSN at RCBC typically costs the student less than $30,000 for the entire educational degree (as opposed to BSN degrees at a four year university costing $20,00 a year or more!)

Application 

All applicants for High School Nursing admissions must complete the college admissions process for Rowan College at Burlington County. Submit a completed admissions application to the Office of Admissions by clicking here.

High School students must also complete the High School Nursing Application during the application window.

Submit Documents 

Please be sure to request an official transcript from your high school showing subjects completed, and grades earned. Transcripts should be sent to RCBC's Office of Outreach & Admissions:

Rowan College at Burlington County

Office of Outreach & Admissions

900 College Circle

Mount Laurel, NJ 08054

Admissions Criteria 

Applicants will be evaluated on their performance in high school based on the following criteria:

• Current high school senior who is completing high school (diploma) by June 30.
• Satisfactory completion of the following high school courses:
  • English (Up to 4 years)
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Algebra I
  • Algebra II

  *** NOTE: Students are encouraged to achieve a minimum grade of “C” or better in the required high school courses.

• For High School Admissions ONLY: Completion of the SAT (500 Reading and 500 Math), ACT (23 reading and 23 math) OR ATI TEAS Exam (composite score 58%) by June 30. (All students applying who did not just graduate from high school must take the TEAS exam regardless of prior exams - see information under other links).
• Links for the exam:
  • TEAS Registration
  • TEAS Prep Products
  • Everything You Need To Know About The ATI TEAS® Exam (PDF)
• GPA: minimum of 3.0 at the time of the application
  (Student must have official transcript sent to the Office of Outreach and Admissions showing the GPA.)

Admissions Decisions (Updated)

Students who apply and submit official transcript by April 1 will receive a decision letter by April 15.
Students who apply after April 1  will receive a decision letter two weeks after their application is submitted.
All remaining material, including final transcript, SAT/ACT or TEAS are due by June 30. 

Acceptance into the Program

Acceptance as a high school student into the Nursing program is conditional acceptance for fall if the student successfully completes the following:

• Satisfactory completion of all the current coursework required for high school graduation.
• Submissions of final transcript from high school after graduation to RCBC’s Office of Outreach & Admissions.
• Satisfactory completion with a grade of “C” or better in the following courses by spring of the following year:
  • PSY 101: Introduction to Psychology, 3 credits.
  • ENG 101: English Composition I, 3 credits.
  • BIO 110/111 Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab, 4 credits.
  • SOC 101: Principles of Sociology, 3 credits.
  • PHI 101: Introduction to Philosophy, 3 credits.
  • NUR 220: Nutrition in Nursing & Healthcare, 3 credits.
  • ENG 102: English Composition II, 3 credits.
  • BIO 114/115: Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology II, 4 credits with lab.
  • PSY 256 : Developmental Psychology, 3 credits.
  • MTH 107: Introduction to Statistics, 3 credits.
  • BIO 155/156: Microbiology and Lab, 4 credits.*

*BIO 155/156 can be taken during the summer after freshman year, or concurrently with NUR 130/131/132. All other courses must be completed by the end of the spring semester, the first year. 

Upon successful completion of the above listed courses, students will need to complete compliance and health requirements prior to July 30.

Please note: Clinical requirements are dictated by the clinical agencies necessary for completion of the clinical component of the curriculum. These facilities have the right to deny entrance to any student who has not completed the stated requirement. The requirements are not college requirements but requirements to enter a clinical facility based on contracts the program has with the facility. Students are guests in the facility and the agency has the right to refuse entrance to any student/guest who has not completed requirements.

• Students will need to: Undergo a criminal background check and have clear results.*
  NOTE: Any charge regardless of degree or type that appears on the background screen would make student ineligible.**
• Undergo a drug screening with negative results. NOTE: students with positive drug screens are ineligible to continue and will have their admission rescinded. A positive result for marijuana (as well as any other drug) will make students ineligible to continue in the program.
• Complete requirements as detailed in the student handbook.

*Eligibility for placement in clinical facilities is a requirement of admission and enrollment in Health Sciences Division programs specifically in relation to the Nursing program, the following statement is from the NJ State Board of Nursing:

NJAC 13:37-1.8 (h) “Before an individual is admitted to a nursing education program, the program shall inform the individual that a criminal history background check is a prerequisite for licensure as a registered professional nurse.”

Note: Admitted students with either a positive background or a positive drug screen will have their admission decision rescinded.  Students who suspect they have charges on their criminal background check should seek legal assistance for expungement before re-applying to the program. 

Program Requirements

The pre-requisite for NUR 130, Fundamentals of Nursing Practice, is admission to the RCBC Nursing program.

All information on this webpage is subject to change. Every effort will be made to apprise applicants of any changes affecting admission.

Associate in Applied Science Program
900 College Circle
Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
Dean
Karen Montalto, PhD, MSN, BSN, RN
Dean of Health Sciences (and Director of Nursing until 1/3/2023)
Email:kmontalto@rcbc.edu
Phone: (856) 222-9311 ext 1579
Nursing Administrator:
Dr Shannon Williams
Nursing Program Director (start date 1/3/2023)
Email: slwilliams@rcbc.edu
Phone:(856) 242 5925
Accreditation Status
GOV ID: 258
Initial Accreditation: April 1986
The Associate Degree nursing program at Rowan College at Burlington County, at the Mount Laurel Campus, located in Mount Laurel, NJ 08054, is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 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 Degree nursing program is Full Accreditation
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at https://www.acenursing.org/acen-programs-05202024/rowan-college-at-burlington-county-a.
Date of Last Visit: September 18-20, 2018
Next Site Visit: Fall, 2026

The nursing program is fully accredited by the New Jersey State Board of Nursing 
The State Board can be reached for any concerns or complaints about a nursing program at the following address and phone number: 
New Jersey Board of Nursing, 124 Halsey Street, 6th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102, (973) 504-6430
http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/nur

1. Apply critical thinking skills to guide decisions regarding nursing practice for individuals and groups within a complex health care delivery system.
2. Adapt therapeutic interventions to assist individuals and groups in the promotion maintenance and restoration of health.
3. Apply professional standards and cultural concepts in planning the care of patients with complex healthcare alterations.
4. Evaluate therapeutic communication strategies when caring for individuals and groups of patients with complex healthcare alterations.
5. Synthesize evidence based research as it applies to the care of patients with complex healthcare alterations.
6. Demonstrate incorporation of professional nursing standards of practice and commitment to professional development into personal nursing practice.

Administration

Faculty

Adjunct Faculty

Staff and Clinical Education Administration

Clinical Adjunct Faculty