Academic Programs

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.

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.

NURS courses have a time limit of 2 years. If a NURS course was taken more than 2 years ago, the course would need to be re-taken, even if successfully completed.

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.