Nursing

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 practical nursing mobility program designed to educate and prepare qualified licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to take the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs. The program is one calendar year in length, beginning in June with graduation the following May.

Program Learning Outcomes
Students will demonstrate knowledge of nursing practice necessary for the performance as an RN.

Students will demonstrate satisfactory skills specific to the RN discipline.

Students will demonstrate professional development.

Special Program Requirements
Completion of all science courses is required prior to formal acceptance into the AD Nursing Program.
Completion of all other required liberal arts courses is highly recommended prior to application.
A minimum grade of 'C' is required in each of the required courses (liberal arts, sciences and nursing) for the AD Nursing Program. A grade of 'C-minus' is not acceptable.
The applicant must have a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA in required liberal arts and sciences courses and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 in the practical nursing program.
Students must apply each year that they are seeking acceptance to the AD Nursing Program.
Admission continues to be highly competitive and in strong demand. Experience working as an LPN is highly beneficial to applicants.

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 from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc.; the program is a candidate for this accreditation with the expectation of obtaining national accreditation in 2012.

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.

Employment Opportunities
Employment opportunities for RNs are expected to grow through 2012. Thousands of job openings have resulted from the need to replace experienced RNs who leave the work force, especially as the median age of the RN population continues to rise.