A.S. Nursing Application Process
We will accept applications from June 15, 2025 through February 15, 2026 for the fall 2026 start date. Applications received after February 15, 2026 will not be considered.
Successful completion of prerequisites is required prior to beginning the nursing program.
A.S. Nursing Program Application Checklist
The following are required by the February 15 deadline.
_____ Complete the Application for Admission to the College.
_____ Submit Official high school and college transcripts to the Admissions Department (admissions@mnwest.edu)
_____ Complete the online A.S. Nursing Program Application
_____ Complete the NLN NACE Foundations of Nursing v1.2 Exam.
Student guide to NLN Assessments (Instructions and register link)
For more information or questions, please contact Jodi at jodi.christensen@mnwest.edu or 507-825-6806
Important Information
Please Read
Selection Process
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 based on the following criteria:
- Nursing test scores
- 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.
Program Costs
Tuition and fees are posted on our website and are subject to change. Additional costs include:
- Supplies, books, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses
- Licensure preparation testing (ATI) at the end of program (included in tuition)
Transcripts
Official high school and college transcripts must be submitted to the Admissions Office at Minnesota West by the February 15 deadline. Final official transcripts must be forwarded after you complete courses that are in progress. Some general courses required for nursing programs have a time limit of five (5) years (i.e., Anatomy, Physiology, and Developmental Psychology).
Requirements after Acceptance to the Nursing Program
- Completion of all prerequisite coursework and courses within the nursing program with a grade of C or higher. C minus (-) grades are not accepted.
- Current personal health insurance is required. Students are responsible for incurred medical costs during the nursing program.
- CastleBranch database registration is required for all nursing students. Students are required
to upload clinical documents to CastleBranch by July 15 where your health record will be stored while you 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:
a) Minnesota West Nursing Health History and Physical form.
b) Written documentation from a health care provider or agency of immunizations/vaccinations/tests which include the following:- Hepatitis B series – documentation of three (3) vaccinations; documentation of the new 2-dose Heplisav-B vaccination; 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, Diphtheria 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 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 vaccine manufacturer and lot number.
- Influenza - documentation must be administered during current flu season (August – March) and must be submitted on the school form available for download.
- Current CPR Certification from the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red
Cross (ARC) Basic Life Support BLS for the Healthcare Provider
- Certification must include ‘hands-on’ demonstration of CPR skills for all age groups and include AED training.
- Online CPR renewals will not be accepted.
- Note: Records with any personal medical information are considered confidential documents and are secured in the student CastleBranch database.
- Background Checks: Nursing students are required to complete two (2) background checks at beginning of 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 health care institutions complete an annual background study with the MN Department of Health and Human Services. - Criminal Background Check: students will complete a criminal 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.
- For A.S nursing program only: Students must have an active and unencumbered LPN license throughout the entire AS nursing program.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Alignment with Other States’ Educational Requirements
Learn more about our Alignment with Other States’ Registered Nursing Educational Requirements
(Minnesota West reserves the right to modify admission requirements and/or curriculum for the 2026-2027 Practical Nursing program)
Minnesota State Associate Degree Nursing Programs Performance Standards
Standards
Critical thinking ability for effective clinical reasoning and clinical judgment consistent with level of educational preparation
Examples include but are not limited to…
- Ability to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care.
- Organize workload to manage time effectively and prioritize the delivery of client care.
- Use resources effectively to understand the evidence, context of situations, and perspectives (their own and others) to make logical and informed decisions.
- Possess problem-solving skills, including the ability to reason, measure, calculate and use data to make decisions in time-pressured environment.
- Assimilate information from class, lab and clinical to demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes.
- Ongoing demonstration of skills mastery while integrating and mentally sorting new information.
Standards
Interpersonal skills sufficient for professional interactions with a diverse population of individuals, families, and groups
Examples include but are not limited to…
- Maintain and protect client confidentiality and privacy.
- Establish professional and ethical relationships with others.
- Accept feedback and integrate new understanding into behavior.
- Display personal accountability, integrity, understanding that student behavior affects others.
- Practice the ability to delegate.
- Promote a team-building environment.
- Provide effective and therapeutic care in a variety of cultural settings.
- Convey empathy, compassion and sensitivity in interactions and relationships
Standards
Communication skills sufficient for verbal and written professional interactions
Examples include but are not limited to…
- Assimilate verbal and non-verbal information, process and exchange information with clients, families, instructors and members of the healthcare team.
- Accurately interpret and document nursing actions and client responses.
- Display the capacity to engage in successful conflict resolution and advocate for client rights and needs.
- Effectively communicate in English in verbal, written, and electronic resources with colleagues, school staff, and members of the interdisciplinary team.
- Use therapeutic communication techniques to provide support to peers, clients and families.
- Process relevant information; accurately and timely communicate to the healthcare team.
- Ability to design teaching plans for client education and assess effectiveness.
- Provide disease prevention and health promotion, care coordination and case findings
Standards
Psychomotor skills sufficient for providing safe, effective nursing care
Examples include but are not limited to…
- Move about client’s room and/or workspaces to complete client assessment.
- Administer rescue procedures - cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Demonstrate the ability to work for long periods.
- Safely use and calibrate equipment in a variety of settings.
- Perform procedures necessary to safely admit, transfer, or discharge a client.
- Prepare and administer medications and treatments.
- Perform nursing skills safely and efficiently
Standards
Assessment skills sufficient for providing safe, effective nursing care
Examples include but are not limited to…
- Ability to provide comprehensive assessment of client’s health status through collection and synthesis of data to establish baseline status for client.
- Ability to integrate assessment information to form a plan of care.
- Recognize emergent needs; perform appropriate targeted assessment, interventions and evaluation.
- Assume accountability for delivered care; recognize limits of knowledge, skills and licensure scope.
- Understand and process healthcare provider orders according to assessment data, evaluate effectiveness of interventions and communicate with members of the healthcare team.
- Demonstrate distinction between provider-dependent and independent nursing interventions.
Standards
Demonstrates appropriate behavior to function effectively under stress and assume
accountability
for one’s actions
Examples include but are not limited to…
- Demonstrate emotional stability while encountering a wide variety of emotions in self and others.
- Communicate empathy, recognize own values, attitudes, beliefs, emotions and experiences affect perceptions and relationships with others.
- Personal flexibility to adapt to rapidly changing environments.
- Ability to apply sound judgement in pressured situations.
Standards
Process attributes that include compassion, altruism,
integrity, honesty, responsibility and tolerance
Examples include but are not limited to…
- Provide safe and effective care to patients along the age continuum without regard to disability, ethnic origin, gender status or social standing.
- Recognize and preserve individual human dignity.
- Advocate for the client’s best interest.
- Demonstrate professional accountability and ability to work in hierarchical environment.
- Demonstrate intent to follow the ANA Code of Ethics.
- Practice participation in development of healthcare policies, procedures.
- Demonstrate understanding of nursing theory and practice.
Standards
Other considerations
Examples include but are not limited to…
- Ability to work with infectious agents and blood-borne pathogens.
- Ability to work in area with potential chemical and radiation hazards, potential allergens such as latex.
- Ability to work in areas of potential violence.
- Ability to work in close proximity to others.
Standards
Sensory
Examples include but are not limited to…
- Visual and auditory ability to perform assessments, safe nursing care, and meet program outcomes.
References:
H.C. Gonzalez, E-L. Hsiao / Teaching and Learning in Nursing 15 (2020) 53-56.
Minnesota Nurse Practice Act – Minnesota Statute Section 148.171.
Revised and approved by AD and PN Nursing Directors of Minnesota State June 2020.