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FAQs

What do I need to do to apply to the nursing program?
To apply to the nursing program, the applicant must be a student of Oakland Community College. Attendance at a Nursing Information Session will provide valuable information about the programs. A student interested in applying to a nursing program, meets with a counselor at the Highland Lakes or Southfield Campus, to do an unofficial checklist (ADN, PNE, RNE, TPN) of the program’s pre-admission requirements. Prior to the application deadline date, the student meets with a counselor at the Highland Lakes or Southfield Campus to complete an official checklist and complete the application to the nursing program.

What is the application deadline?
The deadline dates are as follows:

Program	Application Deadline	Program Starts
Associate Degree Nursing Program (ADN)	December 15	Fall
Modified Career Ladder-Practical Nurse Education ( MCL-PNE)	October 15	Winter II
Second Year Associate Degree Completion Program (RNE)	October 15	Winter I
Transitional Practical Nurse Program (TPN)	May 1	Summer II

What are the required pre-requisites?
The required pre-requisite courses for the Nursing programs are found in the College Catalog, presented in the Information Brochure, and discussed at the Information Sessions.

How many students are admitted?
The Michigan State Board of Nursing has approved the Nursing Department of Oakland Community College to admit 216 students to the ADN Program; 27 students to the MCL-PNE Program and up to 75 students to the TPN Program.

How are students selected for admission?
Students are selected using the published criteria in the Information Brochure and College Catalog. Students are ranked according to Priority Status. Selection for the Nursing program is made initially from Priority I students. Priority II students are selected only after priority I is exhausted. Priority III students are selected after Priority II is exhausted. If necessary, the number of required pre-requisite courses taken at OCC by the applicant will be used to break a tie. Applicants with the greatest number of these courses will form the top of the order. In case of another tie, the overall GPA in those courses taken at OCC and required for the Nursing program will be used to the break the tie.

What will my schedule be like in the nursing program?
In the first year, you should plan on being in school four days per week, one day of theory class, two days of hospital clinical, and one day in the campus clinical nursing lab. The days vary depending on where you are assigned. You will also need to plan time for assignments and to study. The second year of the program is the same as above, minus the campus clinical nursing lab.

How many hours will I be in class and clinical?
The number of hours in theory and clinical depends upon the course. Please see the program links below for theory and lab contact hours.
Associate Degree Nursing Contact Hours
Modified Career Ladder/Practical Nurse Education Contact Hours
Transitional Licensed Practical Nurse to Associate Degree Nurse Contact Hours
Second Year Associate Degree Nursing Completion Program (MCL/PNE graduates)

Are the nursing courses offered at the Southfield Campus?
The ADN Nursing Program is offered at the Highland Lakes Campus; the MCL-PNE Program, the Second Year Associate Degree Completion Program, and TPN Programs are offered at the Southfield campus

What are the high school requirements?
Students interested in the nursing program are required to provide evidence of High School graduation or GED. Students interested in the ADN or MCL-PNE Programs are required to provide evidence of one full year of high school Algebra, Biology, and Chemistry with a C grade or better. Students who did not take these courses in high school, will have to take the OCC equivalent course(s).

How long is the Math Proficiency Test (MPT) good for?
There is no time limit on the MPT. The student must achieve a score of 90% or better. The student has the opportunity to take the test three times. The MPT is offered at the Southfield and the Highland Lakes Campus. Contact the ASC for practice problems and scheduling the test.

What is the time limit on the required pre-requisite courses?
The required biology courses have a time limit. For the ADN and MCL-PNE programs, the required biology courses, BIO 2630, 2640 and 1570 or 2710, have a 5 year limit; the time limit for these courses for the TPN programs is 8 years.

What additional requirements are there for the nursing program?
Once a student is admitted to the nursing program, the student is informed of additional admission requirements and forms. These requirements include professional liability insurance, a current history and physical, negative TB test, immunizations, and evidence of current Health Care provider BLS Certification or American Red Cross Professional Rescuer. Immunizations include the following: mumps, measles, rubella and chickenpox. For Hepatitis B, either proof of immunity or a signed declination of immunization is required.

What hospitals are used for clinical experiences?
A variety of hospitals are used to provide the students with the opportunities to have clinical in small and large hospitals, city and suburban hospitals, and teaching and non- teaching hospitals. Students are assigned by the Department of Nursing to various clinical agencies. Examples of agencies include: Botsford Hospital; Children's Hospital, Crittenton, Genesys Hospital, Henry Ford Hospital, Huron Valley Sinai Hospital, Hutzel Hospital, North Oakland Medical Center, Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital, Providence Hospital, Sinai Grace Hospital, St. Mary Mercy, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland, and William Beaumont Hospital (Royal Oak).

What is the cost of the program?
All NUR courses have a lab fee. This varies per course. The cost of uniforms, shoes, nursing pin, stethoscope, transportation, watch with a second hand, books, malpractice insurance and physical exam are additional expenses. For tuition and fees for each program, please see the links below:

• ADN Program Tuition and Fees
• MCL/PNE Program Tuition and Fees
• TPN Program Tuition and Fees
• RNE Program Tuition and Fees

Are nursing scholarships available?
There are a number of scholarships available. The counselors and the staff of the Financial Aid Office have the details of those scholarships.

Can a student work while in the nursing program?
Students admitted to the nursing program are advised to work no more than 20 hours per week. Each course requires time for preparation and study.

What is the passing rate of graduates on the NCLEX-RN?
The passing rate for graduates taking the examination for the first time is above the state average score for graduates of associate degree programs.

What assistance is available for students to assist them with the NCLEX-RN?
Specific information and guidance is provided to students in the last course of the nursing program. A standardized diagnostic test is given to evaluate the student’s areas of strength and weaknesses to assist them in planning for their own review. Additionally an optional review course in preparation for the licensure examination is offered following completion of the program.