Nursing A.S. Degree (Traditional)

NURSING A.S. DEGREE (Traditional)

Program Course Requirements

Semester One

CHEM 1407** Life Science Chemistry (4 cr)

ENGL 1410 Composition I (4 cr)

NURS 1540 Professional Nursing Fundamentals (3 cr)

NURS 1541 Professional Nursing Fundamentals Lab (2 cr)

NURS 1542*** Medication Administration Concepts (1 cr)

PSYC 2421 General Psychology (4 cr)

Total – 18 credits

Semester Two

BIOL 2467* Anatomy and Physiology I (4 cr)

ENGL 1411* Composition II (4 cr)

NURS 1544* Professional Nursing Concepts I (4 cr)

NURS 1545* Professional Nursing Practicum I (2 cr)

PHIL 2422 Medical Ethics (3 cr)

Total – 17 credits

Semester Three

BIOL 2468* Anatomy and Physiology II (4 cr)

NURS 2540* Professional Nursing Concepts II (6 cr)

NURS 2541* Professional Nursing Practicum II (3 cr)

NURS 2542* Advanced Skills for the Professional Nurse (1 cr)

Total – 14 credits

Semester Four

BIOL 2457* Microbiology (4 cr)

NURS 2545* Professional Nursing Concepts III (6 cr)

NURS 2546* Professional Nursing Practicum III (3 cr)

NURS 2547* Professional Nursing Leadership (2 cr)

Total – 15 credits

GRADUATION REQUIREMENT – 64 CREDITS

*Denotes Prerequisites

***NURS 2522 may be substituted for NURS 1542.

Click here to download a copy of the Nursing A.S. (Traditional) Program Planning Form (PDF)

Career Description: Registered nurses (RNs) work to promote health, prevent disease, and help clients cope with illness. They are advocates and health educators for clients, families, and communities. When providing direct client care they observe, assess, and record symptoms, responses, and progress of clients; assist physicians during examinations, treatments, and surgeries; administer medications; and assist in convalescence and rehabilitation. RNs develop and manage nursing care plans and must possess critical thinking and problem solving skills.

Program Information: The Associates Degree (AD) Nursing Program at Central Lakes College is a traditional nursing program designed to educate and prepare individuals to take the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs. The program is four semesters long or two academic school years.

Special Program Requirements:

• This program has a special application process. This includes completion of a CLC application and the College Entrance Test (CET). Also, a traditional nursing application must be completed along with the TEAS Test. Please contact the admissions department for information or to apply to the program.
• Students must apply each semester that they are seeking acceptance to the AD Nursing Program. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. First review of applicants will be completed with a priority deadline of February 1st for the Fall start and with a priority deadlines of July 1st for a Spring start. Applicants will continue to be reviewed and accepted up until the start of the semester if space is available in the program.
• Background study: Any person who has direct contact with patients and residents at health care facilities licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health must have a criminal background check completed. Results of the study are to be on file in the department of nursing before students begin their clinical experiences. Any student who does not pass the criminal background check will not be permitted to participate in clinical experiences, thereby rendering the individual ineligible to progress in the AD Nursing Program.Students should direct questions and appeals to the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Licensing Division, 444 Lafayette Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155-3842. Phone: (651) 296-3971. Web address: http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/.
• Permission from Facility Health Partners for site clinical participation
• Immunization documentation requirements
• Mandatory orientation session

In addition to the program requirements listed, students must meet the following conditions in order to progress or graduate:

1. College Cumulative GPA Requirement: The cumulative grade point average (GPA) must be at least 2.0.
2. Residency Requirement: students must complete 25% of their credits at Central Lakes College.
3. The student must achieve a B- or better in all Nursing (NURS) courses.
4. The student must also achieve a C or better and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in the following 4 courses: BIOL 2467, CHEM 1407, ENGL 1411, and PSYC 2421.
5. With the exception of courses listed in #4 above, the student must achieve a C or better in all remaining required general education courses.

Accreditation: This program is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The AD Nursing Program is seeking national accreditation.

Admissions: Admission to the Nursing sequence is competitive and based on TEAS test score.

Career Opportunities: RNs make up the largest number of health care professionals in the United States. Currently there are 2.6 million RN jobs in the nation with an expected job growth rate of 22%, accounting for a more rapid growth rate than the national average for all other professions. The median salary for RNs is $62,450. Information about RN jobs in Minnesota may be found at: http://www.nursingjobs.org/rn/minnesota.

Program Outcomes:

Graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate comprehensive, holistic assessments that include diversity in the dimensions of physical, developmental, emotional, psychosocial, cultural, spiritual, and functional status of the client in context of environment;
• Effectively utilize therapeutic verbal and non-verbal communication techniques through culturally competent care that is directed toward promoting positive outcomes and establishing trusting, client-centered relationships;
• Apply the knowledge and science of nursing by performing within the scope of practice of a registered nurse (RN);
• Collaborate with the health care team, including use of nursing judgment to accurately plan patient priorities and preferences, utilize available resources and referrals, and develop shared accountability and mutual respect for safe, ethical, patient-centered, holistic nursing care;
• Demonstrate development of personal/professional behaviors by implementing one’s role as a nurse in ways that reflect integrity, responsibility, ethical practices, and an evolving professional identity as a nurse committed to evidence-based practice, life-long learning, service learning/civic engagement, caring, advocacy, excellence, and safe, quality care for diverse patients within a family and community context; and
• Analyze assessed information to determine effective clinical decision-making through a spirit of inquiry that results in problem resolution, individualizes care through use of the nursing process, and assures the delivery of accurate, safe care that moves the client and support person toward positive outcomes.

Transfer Opportunities: Broader career opportunities are available for RNs with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing. The counseling department has transfer guides for baccalaureate nursing programs at other colleges. Admission requirements and course equivalencies may vary. This program has articulation agreements with the following MnSCU institutions: Bemidji State University, Metro State University, Minnesota State University – Mankato, Minnesota State University – Moorhead, St. Cloud State University, Winona State University.

Associate Degree Nursing Program Student Handbook (pdf)

Nursing AS Traditional Admission and Progression Requirements (pdf)