Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN)
Last Updated: April 2019
Platform and Operating System (Mac/PC)
Any laptop running a current version of Windows 10 or MacOS is acceptable for MCN majors. Chromebooks, tablets, and desktop computers do not meet this standard. MCN students may be required to use their laptop to take exams or run other course required software. To prevent unwanted interruptions to their to work, students should be mindful of the battery capacity of their laptop, as this can degrade over time. It is possible that the laptop's battery may need to be replaced over the life of the device.
Computer Type
The need for mobility is an increasingly important factor in the laptop vs. desktop decision process. Laptops with wireless capability are required.
Netbooks, tablets, and eReaders
are not recommended for MCN students
as their primary computing device
. The schedule and tasks of a nursing student frequently require multi-tasking with lots of windows open...netbooks, tablets, and eReaders are not suited for this.
Consider netbooks, tablets, or eReaders as note-taking, reading, media consumption, or email devices not a primary computing device.
Special Note from TechZone: In order to complete their coursework, students may often find it necessary to use computers in their residence, around campus, or when meeting with project groups. For this reason, TechZone recommends that students strongly consider purchasing a laptop that will support such activities.
Although it is possible to successfully complete their college coursework with only a desktop computer, students may find themselves more dependent on the use (and availability) of on-campus computer labs, or their fellow students, for accomplishing some of the required course and project work.
Software Recommendations
Nursing courses require you to have the most recent version of Microsoft Office (available through university licensing for no cost), which includes PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Access, Outlook and Publisher.
If you are not familiar with PowerPoint or Word, you should develop some familiarity with these tools, as they are expectations for various nursing courses and can further assist you in your professional endeavors.