Academic Programs
Nursing, A.S.
Overview
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.
Locations
Granite Falls, Online, Pipestone, Worthington
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:
- Licensed as an LPN by July 15.
- Cumulative prerequisite GPA of 3.0 in BIOL 2201 (Anatomy), BIOL 2202 (Physiology), ENGL 1101 (Composition I), and PSYC 1150 (Lifespan Developmental Psychology).
- No grade lower than a C is accepted in any course required for the AS nursing program (including prerequisites).
- Complete the Declaration of Intent form.
For licensed LPN's applying to enter the AS Nursing Program:
- Licensed as an LPN by July 15.
- Cumulative prerequisite GPA of 3.0 in BIOL 2201 (Anatomy), BIOL 2202 (Physiology), ENGL 1101 (Composition I), and PSYC 1150 (Lifespan Developmental Psychology).
- No grade lower than a C is accepted in any course required for the AS nursing program (including prerequisites).
- 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 Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisites | ||
| Practical Nursing Diploma OR completion of practical nursing program (Advanced Standing) | 6 | |
| BIOL 2201 | Human Anatomy | 4 |
| BIOL 2202 | Human Physiology | 4 |
| ENGL 1101 | Composition I | 3 |
| PSYC 1150 | 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 | |
| PHIL 2101 | Ethics Theory and Practices (medical focus) | 3 |
| Electives (Comp II and College Math recommended) | 7 | |
| General Education Credits | 16 | |
| Fall Semester | ||
| NURS 2125 | Patient Centered Care I | 3 |
| NURS 2130 | Pharmacology: A Pathophysiologic Approach I | 2 |
| NURS 2135 | Geriatric and Psychiatric Nursing | 2 |
| NURS 2145 | Principles of Professional Nursing | 2 |
| NURS 2150 | Skills Lab | 2 |
| NURS 2190 | 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 |
| NURS 2260 | Family Centered Care | 3 |
| NURS 2290 | 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.
Minnesota West Community & Technical College Associate in Science Nursing Program is accredited by:
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.