Career Description

Registered Nurses (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. 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 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 Associate Degree in Nursing (A.S.) at Central Lakes College is a traditional nursing program designed to educate and prepare individuals to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. The program is four semesters long or two academic school years.

Program Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

• Client Centered Care (NLN Human Flourishing)
  The Associate Degree Nursing graduate advocates for individual clients in providing compassionate and culturally competent care through therapeutic communication and holistic assessments based on respect for clients’ preferences, values, and needs.
• Nursing Judgment
  The Associate Degree Nursing graduate applies the nursing process, evidence based decision making, and prioritization to develop a plan of care that ensures safe, quality treatment and health promotion for clients, families, and the community.
• Professional Identity
  The Associate Degree Nursing graduate practices professional nursing in an ethical and legal manner, including case management of clients, which demonstrates leadership, teamwork, delegation, collaboration, and life-long learning.
• Quality Improvement (NLN Spirit of Inquiry)
  The Associate Degree Nursing graduate contributes to continuous quality improvement by developing policies and procedures that incorporate evidence based practice while effectively using resources and technology to achieve optimal client outcomes.

Special Program Requirements

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

• College Cumulative GPA Requirement: cumulative grade point average (GPA) of credits attempted and completed at CLC must be at least 2.0;
• Residency Requirement: students must complete 25% of their credits at Central Lakes College;
• Students must achieve a grade of B- or better in all Nursing (NURS) courses;
• Students must achieve a grade of C or better and a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher in the following courses: BIOL 2447 OR BIOL 2457, BIOL 2467, BIOL 2468, CHEM 1407, ENGL 1410 OR ENGL 1420, ENGL 1411 OR ENGL 1421, PHIL 2420 OR PHIL 2421 OR PHIL 2422, and PSYC 2421 OR PSYC 2423 OR PSYC 2431.
• Students must complete 31 MN Transfer Credits (MNTC) to graduate. Students taking the MNTC courses for fewer credits than those offered at CLC will be required to take additional MNTC courses to meet the 31 credit requirement.

Accreditation

The CLC Associate Degree in Nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA). The most recent accreditation was affirmed in June, 2019.

Admissions

• Health Care Provider or Professional Rescuer CPR Certificate.
• NSGA 1110 Nursing Assistant Course, OR 75-hour Minnesota Department of Health Nursing Assistant, OR active on the MN Registry of Nursing Assistants.
• Students must apply to the program for each semester in which they are seeking admission to the Nursing major. Application to the college is NOT required if your current CLC student status is open. Students can consult with their academic advisor to determine whether their CLC application status is open. The Nursing program application can be found on the Nursing Admission web pages.
• Applications will be reviewed and students will be accepted up until the start of the semester if space is available in the program.
• Students applying to this program will be required to take and pass the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) exam with a score of 65% or higher. TEAS exam results are valid for 5 years from the date the test was taken. Students must provide an official TEAS transcript when applying to the program.
  • Please Note: For students who apply to begin the program starting in Spring semester 2025, a different exam will be used to assess readiness for admission to the program. Check with the college before taking the TEAS exam.
• 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 study 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 study will not be permitted to participate in clinical experiences, thereby rendering the individual ineligible to progress in the AD Nursing Program.
• Drug testing may be required.
• Immunization documentation is required.Some courses may require students to meet College Placement Levels in reading, writing, and/or math. See an advisor for more information.For insurance purposes, clinical courses may require students be 18 years old.

Transfer Opportunities

Broader career opportunities are available for RNs with a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Nursing. Contact an advisor for assistance with transfer information for baccalaureate nursing programs at other colleges. Admission requirements and course equivalencies may vary. This program has articulation agreements with Bemidji State University, Metro State University, Minnesota State University – Mankato, Minnesota State University – Moorhead, Southwest Minnesota State University, St. Cloud State University, and Winona State University.

Employment Statistics

For more information regarding employment statistics, career salary information and estimated job growth, follow the resource links below:

https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/ces/
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm
Salary information from indeed.com