Northwest Connecticut Community College introduces nursing school

November 12th, 2010

Northwest Connecticut Community College has established a new nursing program, the Litchfield County Times reports.

The new nursing school offers an associate in science degree, and upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam.

Due to a statewide common curriculum, the courses and facilities are on par with nursing programs at other Connecticut community colleges.

Students will train with Vital Sim and SimMan mannequins. The Vital Sim model has functional respiratory and circulatory systems, and can be catheterized and intubated.

The computer-controlled SimMan mannequin offers more complicated, real-world scenarios for students, such as a sudden cardiac arrest.

“Northwestern’s committed to having the best nursing program in Connecticut,” says Connie Hotchkiss, the academic division director of nursing.

In Connecticut, there were over 350 individuals on community college waiting lists. School officials hope that by opening a new program, more students will be able to stay and study in the region.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the need for registered nurses to increase over the coming years, as the number of older individuals in need of care is slated to expand.