Associate of Science (A.S.) to become a registered nurse (RN)

The Associate of Science (A.S.) in Nursing degree prepares the practical nurse (LPN) to become a professional nurse (RN). Students with the goal to become an RN need to complete or be in progress, with a practical nursing program before applying to the A.S. nursing program.

Admission Requirements

For Minnesota West Practical Nursing students applying to progress to A.S. Nursing Program:

1. Completion of required prerequisite courses.
2. Licensed as an LPN by July 15.
3. Cumulative prerequisite GPA of 3.0 in BIOL 2201 (Anatomy), BIOL 2202 (Physiology), ENGL 1101 (Composition I), and PSYC 1150 (Lifespan Developmental Psychology).
4. No grade lower than a C is accepted in any course required for the A.S. nursing program (including prerequisites).
5. Three general courses required for the nursing programs have a time limit of 5 years (Anatomy, Physiology, and Developmental Psychology). Review the currency of courses with a nursing advisor. 
6. Complete the Declaration of Intent form.

For licensed LPN’s applying to enter the A.S. Nursing Program:

1. Licensed as an LPN by July 15.
2. Cumulative prerequisite GPA of 3.0 in BIOL 2201 (Anatomy), BIOL 2202 (Physiology), ENGL 1101 (Composition I), and PSYC 1150 (Developmental Psychology).
3. No grade lower than a C is accepted in any course required for the A.S. nursing program (including prerequisites).
4. Three general courses required for the nursing programs have a time limit of 5 years (Anatomy, Physiology, and Developmental Psychology). Review the currency of courses with a nursing advisor.

 A.S. Program - Additional Instructions - by February 15 the following application steps must be completed and submitted.

1. Complete the online Minnesota West Application for Admission.  Submit Official high school and college transcripts to the Admissions Department (admissions@mnwest.edu). 
2. Complete the A.S. Nursing Program Application using the Online Application (The Online form is not available for mobile devices, this form cannot be submitted using a mobile device. Clear your web browser history before submitting the form.)
3. A.S. applicants must complete the NLN NACE I Foundation of Nursing Exam. You will take the NLN NACE I Foundation exam from home via an online remote proctor.
   Email jodi.christensen@mnwest.edu for directions. Register at https://ondemand.questionmark.com/home/405669/ and make a payment of $86.00 to NLN. The test is limited to three attempts in an application period (June 15 through February 15). If you retest, you must wait one month before retesting. February 15, 2024, is the last day to test. Official transcript results must be sent to Minnesota West Community & Technical College.
4. Please carefully read through our Associate Degree Nursing (RN) Application Packet, which includes a checklist and additional important information.

Acceptance/Selection Process to the Nursing Program

Admission to the Nursing Program is competitive. Applicants who have met the minimum admission requirements by February 15 will be reviewed for fall admission to the program.

Admission to the nursing program is determined by a screening committee and based on the following criteria:

• Nursing test scores (ATI TEAS test for Practical Nursing Program and NLN test for Associate Degree Nursing Program).
• College GPA.
• Coursework related to the degree requirements for the nursing program. Minnesota West will evaluate the college transcripts and post-transfer credits to your Minnesota West transcript in accordance with Minnesota State Policy 3.21.  You are encouraged to complete non-nursing courses prior to beginning nursing courses. 

Applicants who do not meet the minimum admission requirements or fail to complete the nursing program admission process by the February 15 deadline will be denied admission to the nursing program. Minnesota West will notify all applicants in writing of their admission status in the nursing program within six weeks of the application deadline.

Please do not call to check on your admission status before April 1.

Requirements after Acceptance to the Nursing Programs (both PN and A.S. programs)

1. Completion of all prerequisite coursework and courses within the nursing program with a grade of C or higher. C minus (-) grades are not accepted.
2. Current personal health insurance is required. Students are responsible for incurred medical costs during the nursing program.
3. CastleBranch database registration is required for all nursing students. Students are required to upload clinical documents to CastleBranch by July 15 where their health records will be stored while they are in the nursing program. Students are responsible for registering and paying the CastleBranch fee. Documents that must be uploaded to the CastleBranch database include:
   
   1. Minnesota West Nursing Health History and Physical form.
   2. Written documentation from a health care provider, Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC), or agency of immunizations/vaccinations/tests which include the following:
      - Hepatitis B series – documentation of three (3) vaccinations or evidence of a positive Hepatitis B titer.  
      - MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) – documentation of two vaccinations or documentation of a positive MMR titer. 
      - Tdap ( Tetanus, Diptheria, and acellular Pertussis) – within the last ten (10) years. 
      - Varicella (Chicken Pox) – two vaccinations or documentation of a positive varicella titer. 
      - 2 step - Tuberculosis Skin Test, Quantiferon blood test,  or evidence of recent chest X-ray (within one year).
      - A COVID vaccine (or declination to the vaccine) is required at clinical experience locations. COVID documentation must include the vaccine manufacturer and lot number.
      - Influenza - documentation must be administered during the current flu season (August - March) and must be submitted on the school form, available for download.
      Note:  Records with any personal medical information are considered confidential documents and are secured in the student CastleBranch database.
4. Current CPR Certification :
      - American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC) Basic Life Support for the Healthcare Provider 
      - Certification must include a ‘hands-on’ demonstration of CPR skills for all age groups and include AED training.  
      - Online CPR renewals will not be accepted.
5. Background Checks: Nursing students are required to complete two (2) background checks at the beginning of the nursing program. Clinical facilities may also require their own background check – in addition to the following background checks: 
   - MN Department of Human Services (DHS) background check pursuant to MN Statute 245C requires that students who have contact with individuals in licensed healthcare institutions complete an annual background study with the MN Department of Health and Human Services. 
   - Criminal Background Check: students will complete a criminal federal background check through CastleBranch database, in addition to the MN Department of Human Services background check.
      If discrepancies occur on background checks, the student will be contacted by the nursing program director. Disqualifying offenses may be found at: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=245C.15 . Criminal background discrepancies may be reviewed by clinical facilities. Clinical facilities have the final decision on if students with a discrepancy may attend clinical experiences at their location.
6. For A.S nursing program only: Students must have an active and unencumbered LPN license throughout the entire AS nursing program.
7. Students are responsible for cost of nursing clinical experiences, health examinations, health insurance, malpractice insurance, CPR certification, healthcare vaccines, CastleBranch registration fee, background checks, etc.
8. ATI examinations are required periodically in the program as well as a national standardized, end-of-program ATI exam near the completion of your final semester to assist in preparation for the licensure exam after graduation. The cost of this preparation tool and examinations by ATI are included in your tuition.
9. ATI review course: Students must complete either an on-campus ATI review course after graduation and prior to receiving authorization to test for the NCLEX exam.

Program Costs

Tuition and fees are posted on our website and are subject to change. Additional costs include:

1. Supplies, books, uniforms, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses. Licensure preparation, resources, and testing (ATI) throughout the program (included in tuition).
2. Healthcare vaccines, insurance, and/or healthcare examination for clinical partner training experiences.
3. Background checks or testing as required by clinical partner training experiences.

Nursing orientation information

The Practical Nursing and Associate Degree Nursing programs at Minnesota West Community and Technical College at the Worthington, Pipestone, and Granite Falls Campuses located in Worthington, Pipestone, and Granite Falls, Minnesota are accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000 https://www.acenursing.org/ The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree Nursing Program is Continuing Accreditation. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Practical Nursing Program is Initial Accreditation.

Links to: Nursing Program Webpage