Nursing Application Process

Abilities and Skills Necessary to Meet Curriculum Objectives

Students must have the knowledge and ability to effectively assess a client’s biopsychosocial and physical needs.  In addition, each student must be able to analyze the data in order to state a client’s problem, plan for a full range of independent and collaborative interventions, safely carry out the plan of care, and evaluate the care given and the client’s response to the care.   In order to safely care for any client, the student must have observation, communication, motor, cognitive, psychosocial, and behavioral abilities sufficient to carry out the aforementioned responsibilities.  Technological compensation can be made for some disabilities in some of these areas, but a student must be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner.  The use of a trained intermediary is not acceptable since a student’s judgment would be influenced by someone else’s observations.   The following abilities and skills are representative of those necessary to meet the requirements of the Nursing Curriculum:

1. Visual acuity with corrective lenses to identify such entities as cyanosis and absence of respiratory movement in clients; to read very fine, small print on medication containers and physicians’ orders; and to discern equipment calibrations.

2. Hearing ability with auditory aids to understand the normal speaking voice without viewing the speaker’s face; hear monitor alarms, emergency signals, call bells from clients, and telephones; auscultate or hear blood pressures, and heart, lung, vascular, and abdominal sounds with a stethoscope.

3. Physical ability to stand for prolonged periods of time, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, lift clients and objects of 35 pounds or more, and move from room-to-room with coordination, dexterity, and mobility required to meet the clients’ needs.

4. Communicate effectively in verbal and written form by speaking clearly and accurately when explaining treatment procedures, describing client conditions, and implementing health teaching. Students must also write legibly and correctly in the client’s chart/record for legal documentation.

5. Manual dexterity to perform and maintain sterile technique to insert catheters, withdraw blood, prepare and administer medication (oral, intramuscular, intravenous), change dressings, and any other procedures required for client care. Fine motor skills include those clinical skills essential for patient care such as, but not limited to, manipulating equipment, entering client data both with a pen/pencil and keying in information on a computer keyboard.

6. Function safely under stressful conditions with the ability to adapt to an ever-changing environment inherent in clinical situations involving client care.   If a student cannot meet the above requirements, the faculty will meet to determine if the student can continue in the Nursing and Allied Health Program.

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT – Northern Maine Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, age, or Vietnam era veteran status in its programs and activities. If you have a physical, learning, or health disability and wish to request accommodations in order to have reasonable access to programs and services offered by NMCC, you must register with the ADA Services Coordinator by contacting the Director of Counseling at 207-768-2793, located at the main NMCC Campus in the Christie Building.

• Official high school transcript or GED (must have completed at least a high school level Biology and  Chemistry with labs within the past 10 years; must also have had at least one year of algebra)
• Official academic transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. * Regardless of whether transfer credit is being sought, applicants must disclose all prior colleges attended. Failure to furnish all information on past education may constitute an adequate reason for disqualification of your acceptance or subsequent dismissal from the College as well as possible retraction or denial of financial aid funds.
• Placement testing (may be required):
  • ACCUPLACER – scores must meet or exceed the MCCS recommendations on all on all three sub-sections: Sentence Skills, Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Reasoning OR
  • Scholastic Aptitude Test (evidence-based SAT) – score 480 or above Reading & Writing and 500 or above Mathematics OR
  • proof of successful prior college courses
  • PLEASE NOTE: Candidates who fail to meet the standard on placement testing will be deferred.
  • Recommendation requirements: As part of the application process for the Nursing Program at NMCC, you are required to submit two (2) references attesting to your motivation and commitment. These should not be given to a relative, but rather to an employer, former employer, guidance counselor, instructor, etc.
    Please complete the top portion of the reference forms and submit them to the evaluator. Also, we encourage you to sign the optional space concerning the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (Public Law 93-380) on each form. The reference forms are to be returned by the evaluator directly to: Admissions Office, Northern Maine Community College, 33 Edgemont Drive, Presque Isle, ME 04769

Candidates who meet the placement testing requirement proceed to the next steps in the admission process: TEAS™ testing and admission decision.  To check the status of your application, log into MyNMCC.  Click on the Admissions tab and on the left side under “Admissions”, click (>) on Applicant Status > Folder Items > View Folder Items. If you have any other listing under “Requirements Not Yet Met”, you should submit those documents immediately in order to complete your file.  You must have a complete file for consideration.  This is your responsibility. **Applicants can take the pre-admission Nursing entrance exam (TEAS™) two times per application cycle. To ensure ample preparation the College recommends at least six weeks between separate testing attempts.  TEAS™ scores are good for 2 years. Test dates will be scheduled annually with additional test dates in the months of October, November, and December.

• Candidates must create an account, register and pay for this test at www.atitesting.com.  ATI accepts credit and debit cards.
• Registration for any TEAS™ administration closes 48 hours prior to the test.  Register early, space is limited. Refunds are not made for no-shows or cancellations within 48 hours before the test.
• Be sure to indicate Northern ME CC TEAS in your profile.
• Candidates must bring a photo id and their ATI ID – candidates without this information will not be admitted into the test session.  To find your ID, log into your account at atitesting.com.  On the Student Home tab under My Account, click on the Go button to view your information. Late admission into the test session is not permitted; please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to scheduled test administration time.

TEAS testing will be administered on the NMCC Campus for NMCC nursing applicants only on the following dates.  Tests will be administered at the Testing Center, located in the A.K. Christie building Admissions Suite.

2023-2024 TEAS test dates:

Monday, October 2, 2023, 9:00 a.m.

Friday, October 27, 2023, 12:00 p.m.

Friday, November 2, 2023, 9:00 a.m.

Monday, November 6, 2023, 12:00 p.m.

Friday, November 17, 2023, 12:00 p.m.

Monday, November 20, 2023, 9:00 a.m.

Monday, December 4, 2023, 12:00 p.m.

Friday, December 8, 2023, 9:00 a.m.

Monday, December 18, 2023, 9:00 a.m.

Friday, January 5, 2024, 12:00 p.m.

Monday, January 22, 2024, 12:00 p.m.

Friday, February 9, 2024, 9:00 a.m.

Friday, March 15, 2024, 12:00 p.m.

Monday, April 8, 2024, 9:00 a.m.

Friday, May 17, 2024, 9:00 a.m.

Pre-test study manuals are available online from ATI.  A wide variety of other no-cost study materials/guides is also available online.  All students are strongly encouraged to prepare for the test prior to taking it.

Licensed practical nurse applicants, with a minimum of one year of experience, must meet the general requirements of NMCC and the following requirements:

• Submit application and application fee along with all required documentation:
  • Submission of HS and college transcripts
  • Submission of proof of current (at time of acceptance) LPN license.  NOTE:  LPN license must be current throughout the program.
  • Transcript of practical nursing education (prior to acceptance) that shows successful completion of a state board approved practical nursing program similar to practical nursing programs in Maine.
  • Two (2) nursing related references from the most recent employers.
  • Supplemental questions – candidates are required to submit typewritten answers to a series of questions developed by the Nursing department faculty.
• Successful completion of the following general education courses:
  • Anatomy & Physiology I and II w/lab (within the last 10 years of application date)
  • English Composition
  • College Algebra and/or Quantitative Reasoning

To be seriously considered, applicants must:

• Earn preferably A’s and B’s in all prerequisite coursework (higher grades carry more weight in the selection process)
• Provide well-constructed, thoughtful answers to the supplemental questions;
• Ask for recommendations from individuals who know your strengths particularly as related to becoming a nurse.  Keep in mind that recommendations are confidential and the content of these recommendations and/or point value assigned during the selection process will not be revealed;

Personal interviews are used as part of the selection criteria; interviews are scheduled with each candidate when all documentation has been received.

The Nursing Admission Committee reviews all eligible candidates and forwards recommendations to the NMCC Director of Admissions.

• Candidates selected for admission must provide all required documentation and deposits by the date stated in pre-admission letter or admission will be revoked.
  • Medical compliance, immunizations, health physicals/inventory, etc.
  • Background checks
  • Classroom deposits
  • Offer of Acceptance
  • American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers certification

Upon successfully meeting the above requirements, LPNs will receive credit for ALH124, NUR100, NUR117, and NUR125 (the equivalent of the first semester coursework in the Nursing program).