Nursing

Nursing students work with a dummy patient

The mission of CSM's nursing program is to educate future nursing professionals through exemplary academic programs and collaborative community partnerships.

The nursing programs strive to:

  • Foster lifelong learning, competence, and integrity in a diverse student population
  • Promote students’ commitment to the nursing profession and community
  • Provide opportunities for student learning through cutting edge technology and exceptional practical experiences

The college has been offering the Associate Degree in Nursing for 30+ years and the Practical Nursing Certificate for 40+ years. These courses are offered at the state-of-the-art Center for Health Sciences at the Regional Hughesville Campus.

During the nursing program, students participate in class activities, clinical experiences, and in-lab experiences. Program graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) or for the Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN).

Notice: COVID-19 Vaccination Required for Clinical Placement

College of Southern Maryland's clinical partners have notified us that the COVID-19 vaccination is required for clinical placement. All Nursing and Health program students must comply with this requirement to receive a clinical assignment. Students who decline to be vaccinated will not be able to remain registered for the clinical courses and may need to withdraw from their respective nursing or health program. An individual is considered to be 'vaccinated' if they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 through the receipt of one dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine (or any subsequently authorized and approved single-dose vaccine); or both doses of a 2-dose mRNA vaccine, and any booster doses recommended by CDC/ACIP to maintain vaccination status. Once vaccination is complete, students should upload their documentation to the CastleBranch portal.

Programs of Study

The AS in Nursing degree program prepares graduates to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The associate degree nurse is prepared to use the nursing process to provide nursing care that promotes the achievement of optimal health outcomes. Students learn the principles and practices of nursing through independent and Web-enhanced study, lectures, demonstrations, skills practice and simulation. They participate in clinical practice off campus in a variety of healthcare settings under the supervision of nursing instructors. Employment opportunities exist in acute care, long term care and a variety of community-based healthcare agencies.

View Program Requirements in the Catalog:

Nursing, AS

The Practical Nursing certificate program prepares graduates to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). The practical nurse (PN) is prepared to assist with the nursing process to provide nursing care that promotes the achievement of optimal health outcomes. Students learn the principles and practices of nursing through independent and web-enhanced study, lectures, demonstrations, skills practice, and simulation. They participate in clinical practice off campus in a variety of healthcare settings under the supervision of nursing instructors. Employment opportunities exist in long-term care and a variety of community-based health care agencies.

View Program Requirements in the Catalog:

Practical Nursing Certificate

The Nursing Transition Pathway prepares students to enter the AS in Nursing degree program with advanced standing. This program is designed as a part time sequence for the working adult. Students have the option to accelerate their program completion, but must discuss their success plan with the Health Sciences Advisor, meet additional criteria, and receive approval of the Chair of Nursing.

View Program Requirements in the Catalog:

Nursing Transition Pathway

Competitive Admissions

As competitive admissions programs, students must apply for entrance into nursing programs.

The Associate Degree in Nursing (A.D.N.) program admits student both in the fall and spring semesters. The Practical Nursing (PN) program admits students for the fall semester only.

To review the qualifying entrance criteria, students are encouraged to obtain a copy of the Nursing Programs Admission Booklet. Students can complete NUR-1050 before being accepted into the program of their choice.

Prospective students are encouraged to attend a Health Pathway Information Session.

Special Programs

Military Medic/Corpsman to Associate Degree Nursing Transition Pathway

At CSM, we value your military experience as a Medic and/or Corpsman. The Military Medic/Corpsman to Associate Degree Nursing Transition Pathway at the College of Southern Maryland is designed to help you transition your experience and knowledge from the military into an associate degree. After completion, you will be prepared to take the NCLEX exam to become a Registered Nurse.

Learn More About the Military Medic/Corpsman Pathway

Associate to Bachelor's (ATB) and Dual Admissions Nursing Pathways

Set your sights beyond your associate’s degree and start mapping out your route to your bachelor’s. Take advantage of our Dual Enrollment partnerships with Frostburg State University (FSU), Stevenson University Online (SUO), American Public University System (APUS), University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) or our Dual Admission agreement with University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON).

Learn More about ATB and Dual Enrollment Pathways

Accreditation

The Practical Nursing and Associate Degree Nursing programs have the approval of the Maryland Board of Nursing and are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Accreditation information regarding the nursing programs may be obtained from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing: 3343 Peachtree Road Suite 850, NE Atlanta, GA 30326, 404-975-5000, www.acenursing.org

Program Details

Admission Criteria (Technical Standards/Essential Functions): Student must be free of contagion and possess sufficient stamina and mental stability, with or without reasonable accommodations as may be required by law, to fulfill the requirements of the program and the customary requirements of the profession:

  • Work for 8 - 12 hours performing physical tasks requiring sufficient strength and motor coordination without jeopardy to patient and student safety as, for example, walking, sitting, bending, lifting, turning
  • Perform fine motor movements and be able to manipulate instruments and wide variety of equipment according to established procedure and standards of speed and accuracy.
  • Establish and work toward goals in a consistently responsible, realistic manner.
  • Have auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs. (For example: communicate verbally, in an effective manner, with patients and other personnel)
  • Have visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary for patient care. (For example: use a microscope, read and process patient related information like patient charts and requisitions, visually assess patient response to interventions)

Graduates' Success on Licensure Exam

​Graduates’ success on licensure exams is a significant benchmark for any nursing program. Graduates’ success is calculated by the Maryland Board of Nursing (MBON) and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) by the number of graduates who are successful on passing the NCLEX-RN on their first attempt.

Graduates' success on licensure exam (NCLEX-RN):

Year 2023 2022 2021
College of Southern Maryland (CSM) pass rate for NCLEX-RN*
First time test-takers
81.60%
(102 out of 125)
85.29%
(87 out of 102)
90.91%
(80 out of 88)
State average for MBON pass rate for NCLEX-RN 82.93% 82.11% 86.45%
Required minimum Maryland Board of Nursing (MBON) pass rate for NCLEX-RN 74.89% 72.75% 76.08%

*Pass rates reported by Maryland Board of Nursing are calculated by the fiscal year (July1-June 30) and combined partial results from two classes. Some takers from states outside of Maryland, may be absent from these results.

Graduate Satisfaction and Employment in Nursing

CSM nursing graduates have the opportunity to provide feedback to the nursing program 6-12 months after completion. Surveys are made available to graduates through email and graduates are encouraged to provide anonymous feedback regarding the nursing program. Results are calculated from those graduates who choose to participate.

Graduate satisfaction is calculated by the response to the following question: Please rate your overall satisfaction with your CSM program: Exceptional, Good, Adequate, Fair, Poor.

Employment in Nursing is calculated by the response to the following question:  Are you currently employed as a Registered Nurse? Yes or No.

Some graduates do not seek employment immediately upon graduation due to changing life circumstances, relocation, and/or entering a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Master in Science in Nursing (MSN) program upon completion of their Associate degree.

Graduating Class Graduate Satisfaction
 3 or above on 1-5 scale
Employed as a RN
Response Data
AY 2022- 2023 100% 96% (24 of 25)              25 of 32 – 78% response rate*
AY 2021- 2022 90% 97% (38 of 39) 39 of 70 – 56% response rate
AY 2020- 2021 71% 95.65% (22 of 23) 23 of 42 – 55% response rate 

* pending results from May 2023 graduates              

Program Completion is calculated at 100% stated program length (4 clinical semesters) for all students enrolled in initial nursing courses. The CSM ADN program offers flexible scheduling and the majority of students choose to attend part time, thus extending their program completion time.

Cohort Program Entry Program Completion

Data below reflect the new benchmark of 35% completion within 4 semesters

Spring 2021 42%
Fall 2020 44%
Spring 2020 35%

Data below reflect the old benchmark of 60% completion within 6 semesters

Fall 2019 71%
Spring 2019 68%
Fall 2018 74%

Graduates' Success on Licensure Exam

Graduates’ success on licensure exams is a significant benchmark for any nursing program. Graduates’ success is calculated by the Maryland Board of Nursing (MBON) and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) by the number of graduates who are successful on passing the NCLEX-PN on their first attempt.

Graduates' success on licensure exam (NCLEX-PN):

Year 2022 2021 2020 2019
College of Southern Maryland (CSM) pass rate for NCLEX-PN*
For first-time test takers
no cohort 100%
(8 out of 8)
100%
(5 out of 5)

 100%
(7 out of 7)

State average for MBON pass rate for NCLEX-PN n/a 91.44% 96.34%  98.44%
Required minimum MBON pass rate for NCLEX-PN n/a 72.46% 78.66%  76.94%

*Pass rates reported by Maryland Board of Nursing (MBON) are calculated by the fiscal year (July1 – June 30). Some takers from states outside of Maryland, may be absent from these results.

Graduate Satisfaction and Employment in Nursing

CSM nursing graduates have the opportunity to provide feedback to the nursing program 6-12 months after completion. Surveys are made available to graduates through email and graduates are encouraged to provide anonymous feedback regarding the nursing program. Results are calculated from those graduates who choose to participate.

Graduate satisfaction is calculated by the response to the following question: Please rate your overall satisfaction with your CSM program: Exceptional, Good, Adequate, Fair, Poor.

Employment in Nursing is calculated by the response to the following question:  Are you currently employed as a Licensed Practical Nurse? Yes or No.

Some graduates do not seek employment immediately upon graduation due to changing life circumstances, relocation, and/or entering an Associate Degree in Nursing program.

Graduating Class Graduate Satisfaction Employed in Nursing Response Rate
Summer 2022 100% (2 of 2) 50% (1 of 2) 33% (2 of 2)
Summer 2021 no cohort no cohort no cohort
Summer 2020 85.7% 57% no data available

Program Completion is calculated at 150% stated program length (3 clinical semesters) for all students enrolled in initial nursing courses. The CSM PN program offers flexible scheduling and the majority of students choose to attend part time, thus extending their program completion time.

Cohort Graduation Year
Program Completion*
Summer 2023 0%
Summer 2022 46%
Summer 2021 no cohort
Summer 2020 36%

Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program and Practical Nursing (PN) Certificate Program

Item

PN Certificate Program

ADN Program

TEAS $100 $100
Tuition $5,166 $8,610
Course Fees $1,159 $1,932
Textbooks $2,159 $2,881
Criminal Background Check/drug screen $100 $150
Initial Health Screening and Immunization Requirements
(Cost is dependent on number of immunizations needed and student’s medical insurance coverage)
$100-500

 

$100-500

 

CPR for Health Care Professionals $40-100 $40-100

Clinical Supplies:

   
Lab Packs $195 $195
Uniforms $75-100 $75-100
Uniform Shoes $50 $50
CSM Uniform Patch $4 $4
Watch (with second hand) $20-100 $20-100
CSM Name Tag $8 $8
Bandage Scissors $5 $5
Penlight $5 $5
Hemostat $4 $4
Stethoscope $50-100 $50-100

Gasoline costs:

   
Based on traveling:
25 miles/day x 4 days a week
20 miles/gallon
$3.00/gallon
$600 $900

Graduation Costs:

   
Graduation Package (includes cap/gown/tassel/announcements) $30-143 $30-143
Nursing Pin (Optional) $50-200 $50-200

Licensure Costs:

   
NCLEX Exam Fee $200 $200
Initial State Licensing Fee (Varies State to State) $100-200 $100-200
Passport Photo $10 $10
Fingerprinting $58-75 $58-75
Review Course (Optional) $300-500 $300-500

Total Program Costs*:

$10,526 – $11,732

$15,815 – $17,021

*Program costs are provided as an estimate for planning purposes only and may not reflect an individual student’s actual cost for program completion.

Opportunities to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Traditionally, community college students have 3 transfer pathways to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing:

Students who do not want to take their clinical courses (the NUR courses) and want to work towards their Registered Nursing (RN) license at a four-year institution may want to pursue a "standard" nursing transfer pathway. These pathways are designed for students who do not have a previous nursing degree. 

Students interested in this transfer option can take their non-nursing courses at the College of Southern Maryland.

These programs have different names at different institutions. For example, at various Maryland public colleges and universities these are called:

Often for these programs, students will need to be first admitted to their desired transfer destination. After the student is admitted to the institution, they traditionally will need to go through the process to petition for the Nursing program at that institution. Just because you are admitted to the college or university does not mean you are guaranteed admission into the Nursing program at that college or university. 

Please note that if you are interested in one of these types of programs, it is important that you work with your desired transfer destination early in your college experience. Different programs will have different pre-requisite requirements. As well, colleges and universities have different timelines for petitioning for Nursing programs. 

Through Associate-to-Bachelor's programs and Dual Admission Nursing Pathway, students have the opportunity to work towards their Bachelor of Science in Nursing while pursuing their Associate of Science in Nursing at the College of Southern Maryland.

Take advantage of our Dual Enrollment partnerships with Frostburg State University (FSU), Stevenson University Online (SUO), American Public University System (APUS), University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) or our Dual Admission agreement with University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON).

For more information, please visit our Associate to Bachelor's (ATB) and Dual Admission nursing Pathways Webpage

Once a student has graduated from a community college with an Associate of Science in Nursing and successfully passed the NCLEX exam, they are eligible to receive their Registered Nursing (RN) license. Students possessing an unencumbered RN license are eligible to participate in an RN-to-BSN Program to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

According to the Maryland Board of Nursing State-Wide Nursing Education Articulation Agreement, NUR courses do not transfer. However, Registered Nurses with an active unencumbered Maryland or compact RN license articulating to the baccalaureate level are awarded a minimum of 30 upper division nursing credits in the program they are entering. 

The programs listed below have transfer agreements with the College of Southern Maryland. 

Students must graduate from CSM with an Associate of Science in Nursing and hold a current active, unencumbered RN license in order to be eligible for this program.

This is an online program.

Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in each course for which the student desires to transfer credits. 

CSM graduates receive:

  • Application fee waiver.
  • Transcript evaluation fee waived if partnership is mentioned.
  • Technology fee waiver.

For more information, please visit the American Public University System Partnership Webpage.

Students must graduate from CSM with an Associate of Science in Nursing with a 2.0 GPA or higher and hold an active RN license in order to be eligible for this program.

This is an online program.

Students should apply no sooner than the last two semesters of the Associate of Science in Nursing program.

All pre-requisite course work must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

For more information, please visit the Drexel University-Online Partnership Webpage.

Students must graduate from CSM with an Associate of Science in Nursing with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher and hold an active RN license in order to be eligible for this program.

 

All pre-requisite course work must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

Students who meet the required criteria are guaranteed admission. As well, GW will provide scholarships to 3 CSM students who are admitted under this agreement each year.

For more information, please visit the George Washington University School of Nursing Partnership Webpage.

Students must graduate from CSM with an Associate of Science in Nursing  and hold an active RN license in order to be eligible for this program.

This is an online program.

Students must submit a separate application to the School of Nursing with a priority deadline of February 1.

All pre-requisite course work must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

For more information, please visit the Old Dominion University-Online Partnership Webpage.

This is an online program.

RN to BSN Admission Requirements:

  • Hold an earned diploma or associate degree in nursing from an accredited nursing program (ACEN, CCNE, and CNEA) OR state Board of Nursing approved program that prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam
  • Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on the degree awarding transcript OR a cumulative GPA between 2.0 and 2.49 on the degree awarding transcript with a minimum of nine (9) credit hours earned subsequent to the diploma or associate degree with at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA.
  • Students who do not hold a nursing license and have graduated from a nursing program within three months may be admitted if they meet all other admission requirements. Evidence of licensure must be provided within three months from date of admission.
  • If you are an RN to BSN student interested in the Accelerated RN to MSN, contact an SNHU admission counselor or your SNHU academic advisor for more information as admission into the RN to MSN program is contingent upon a 3.5 GPA and dean approval.

Nursing students are required to maintain a B- or better in core major courses.


Students may transfer up to 90 credits if previous credits earned meet SNHU Online degree requirements and academic standards for transfer.

Students must take at least 30 credits (10 classes) at SNHU Online to be awarded a bachelor’s degree.

For more information, please visit the Southern New Hampshire University Partnership Webpage.

Students must graduate from CSM with an Associate of Science in Nursing with a 2.8 cumulative GPA or higher and hold an active RN license in order to be eligible for this program.

This is an online program.

All Associate of Science in Nursing course work must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

Students must complete the SUNY Online Transfer Application and electronic Supplemental Information Form. 

For more information, please visit the State University of New York-Delhi Partnership Webpage.

Students must graduate from CSM with an Associate of Science in Nursing with a 2.5 GPA or higher and hold an active RN license in order to be eligible for this program.

Students can not have matriculated at another institution of higher education after graduating from CSM.

Students must hold a current, active RN license in the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia.

All pre-requisite course work must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

Trinity Washington University will offer students an application fee waiver for those students who apply online.

For more information, please visit the Trinity Washington University Partnership Webpage.

Students must graduate from CSM with an Associate of Science in Nursing  and hold an active RN license in order to be eligible for this program.

This is an online program.

For more information, please visit the University of Maryland Global Campus Partnership Webpage.

Students must graduate from CSM with an Associate of Science in Nursing and hold an active RN license in order to be eligible for this program.

This is an online program.

Associate of Science in Nursing graduates from CSM will need to take 30 credits at YCP.

Graduates from the Associate of Science in Nursing will not be required to take Chemsitry as long as they have an active RN license and an Associate of Science in Nursing.

Please note that the Bachelor of Science in Nursing requires 120 credits, so students may need to take some general education credits to complete the requirements at YCP.

Some specific courses that transfer from CSM to YCP include:

  • CSM's SOC-1010 transfers as YCP's SOCI-100.
  • CSM's MTH-1015 transfers as YCP's BEH-260.
  • CSM's HEA-1755 transfers as YCP's PHL-346.

Through this partnership, YCP will offer a preferred tuition rate to graduates from CSM who are admitted to the program at a rate of $9,900 for the 10 core nursing curriculum courses (a rate of $330/credit hour). The preferred tuition rate will also be extended to family members of those graduates who hold a valid nursing license and are admitted to the RN to BSN program. 

For more information, please visit the York College of Pennsylvania Partnership Webpage.

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