The Nursing Program was established at OCC in 1966 and has been noted for its excellence in nursing education and student learning. There are twelve full-time faculty and twenty-five part-time clinical instructors.

The Nursing Program has different opportunities to obtain an Associates Degree (AAS) in Nursing leading to the RN:

1. The Traditional Nursing Program admits students for the Fall and Spring semesters. Students may choose day or evening lectures. Clinicals, which are assigned by the nursing office, are usually 1 day per week 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (subject to change) and may include weekends. There are no evening clinicals. To meet clinical objectives, clinical experiences can be spread throughout the state of NJ (*see information below about clinicals).

2. The On Site On Line Nursing Program is a unique full-time program that is designed for students who attend class face-to-face one day or more per week and the rest is delivered online. Great for those who are working or have significant family responsibilities, however, the program is rigorus and requires discipline on the part of the student to study on the subsequent days. Healthcare experience is a requirement. Students are admitted the Fall semester only. (*see information below about clinicals).

Deadline for Fall 2012 is March 30, 2012

On Site On Line Application

3. The Career Mobility Nursing Program (click to open link) is an alternative program for qualified, practicing LPN's. This is a selective program. All nursing general education requirements must be completed before applying for Career Mobility (see admissions to nursing page and open link for list). This includes students with a previous degree. Please contact the Nursing Department if you have any questions at ext. 2224. (*see information below about clinicals)

*Current clinical sites:

Southern Ocean Medical Center, Manahawkin

Community Medical Center, Toms River

Kimball Medical Center, Lakewood

Ocean Medical Center, Brick

Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune

Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch

St. Barnabas Behavorial Health, Toms River

CentraState Medical Center, Freehold

Genesis Health, Manahawkin

Meridian Sub Acute, Brick

Barclays Sub Acute, Jackson

Clinical skills:

In order to allow for maximum time in the classroom and clinical setting the nursing program will require nursing students entering Nurs. 2, 3, & 4 to practice clinical skills in one session with re-entry skills competency testing in another session on the same day.

Attendance for re-entry is mandatory. For the fall semester students must set aside the third or fourth week of August and for the spring semester the week before the semester begins. Students should not schedule vacation or any other activity during this time as there are no make-up days.

All OCC Nursing Programs are two year programs. This does not include the General Education requirements. The program spans four semesters (not including summer) generally following a 15 week semester.

There is usually a waiting period between completing the General Education requirements and acceptance into the Nursing program.

Any former student who has been out of the program for more than 2 years since the last date of a completed Nurs. course must start from the beginning and enter through the Admissions process.