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Academic Programs

Nursing, A.S. (Registered Nurse)

 

Locations: Granite Falls, Pipestone, Worthington,
and Online**
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Important Nursing Admission Information

Nursing A.S. is designed for Licensed Practical Nurses who wish to obtain the Associate of Science Nursing Degree. It is an entrance point for mobility students who have graduated from another nursing program or have completed Minnesota West's Practical Nursing Program. After successful completion of the Nursing A.S. Program, students are awarded the Associate of Science (AS) Nursing Degree and are then eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination. Students are also eligible to articulate to BSN/BAN programs in the Minnesota State system.

For Minnesota West Practical Nursing students applying to progress to the AS 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 (Lifespan Developmental Psychology).
  3. No grade lower than a C is accepted in any course required for the AS nursing program (including prerequisites).
  4. Complete the Declaration of Intent form.

For licensed LPN's applying to enter the AS 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 (Lifespan Developmental Psychology).
  3. No grade lower than a C is accepted in any course required for the AS nursing program (including prerequisites).
  4. Minimum decision score of 80 on the National League for Nursing (NLN) NACE I Foundations entrance exam. Applicants may only take entrance exam twice in an application period, one month apart. Entrance exam scores are valid for a two year period of time.
NURS 2000, Transition to Professional Nursing Education (1 credit), is required prior to entrance into Fall Semester nursing classes for students who have graduated from another nursing program or are returning to Minnesota West's Nursing Program.

The following course sequence is required for completion of this program. Only students who have been accepted into the Nursing program are allowed to take the nursing courses. The prerequisite courses shown must be completed before beginning the program.

COURSE #      
COURSE TITLE CREDITS
  Prerequisites  
 
Practical Nursing Diploma OR completion of practical nursing program (Advanced Standing) 6
Human Anatomy 4
Human Physiology 4
Composition I 3
Lifespan Developmental Psychology 3
  Prerequisites Credits 14
  Co-requisite courses:  The following General Education courses may
be taken prior to beginning or during AS program.  Must be completed
prior to graduation.
 
  Communication Elective (CMST 1101, 1103, 1130 or 1120) 3
  Sociology Elective 3
Ethics Theory and Practices (medical focus) 3
 
Electives (Comp II and College Math recommended) 7
 
General Education Credits 16
 
Fall Semester
 
Patient Centered Care I 3
Pharmacology:  A Pathophysiologic Approach I 2
NURS 2135 Geriatric and Psychiatric Nursing 2
Principles of Professional Nursing 2
NURS 2150 Skills Lab 2
Acute Care Clinical I** 2
 
Credits Fall Semester 13
 
Spring Semester  
NURS 2225 Patient Centered Care II  3
NURS 2245 Health Promotion and Role of the Professional Nurse
2
NURS 2255 Pharmacology:  A Pathophysiologic Approach II 2
Family Centered Care 3
Acute Care Clinical II** 2
NURS 2390 Clinical in Alternate Settings** 2
  Credits Spring Semester 14
  Mayterm  
NURS 2275 Nursing Preceptorship 1
  Credits Mayterm Semester 1
     
  TOTAL CREDITS 64


Notes:  

Recommended electives include: ENGL 1102, humanities, social sciences (HIST 1101, HIST 1102, geography, political science or economics), chemistry, BIOL 1115, PSYC 1101, college math or statistics.

Humanities: choose from the areas of art, literature, theatre, HIST 1111, HIST 1112, music, or any course with HUM designator.

AS nursing students are required to participate in the ATI Testing Program.

Required end of program assessment will include:

  • Completion of a ATI Integrated predictor exam prior to graduation
  • Completion of a ATI Review course prior to authorization to test for NCLEX-RN exam.

**Clinical experiences are a part of the program and are completed in healthcare facilities located in southwest Minnesota. On-campus and distance learning students need to be prepared to travel to assigned clinical sites as a program requirement.

Updated:  pp 2/27/2023

 Minnesota West Community & Technical College Associate in Science Nursing Program is accredited by:

 

acen seal 
         

       Accreditation Commission for Education in
       Nursing (ACEN)
       3390 Peachtree Road NE. Suite 1400
       Atlanta, GA 30326
       404-975-5000
        https://www.acenursing.org/

       Continued accreditation granted through
       Spring of 2031.