Registered Nursing, AAS

The Registered Nursing Program prepares students to be lifelong learners who deliver holistic patient-centered care in a variety of healthcare settings. There are two options to obtain the degree: Traditional Option and LPN-to-RN Option. 

The traditional option encompasses four semesters of nursing courses.

The LPN-to-RN Option has three semesters of nursing courses.

Admission to the RN program

Admission criteria must be met in order to obtain a seat in the nursing program. Once admitted through the nursing admission process, students are given the first available seat in the nursing program.

Courses required for admission to the Registered Nursing program, including developmental courses, cannot be repeated for a satisfactory grade more than one time.

Admission Criteria includes:

• High school graduate or GED
• GPA > 2.5
• Test into college level math, reading and English per ACT or ACCUPLACER or take recommended courses
• High school biology and chemistry with labs with final grade of “B” or “C” with ACT science of >  24, or equivalent college courses with “C” or better
• NLN Nursing Entrance Exam (NEX) with a RN Percentile Rank score of 50 or greater on each of the 3 sections
• Completion of the following college courses with a “C” grade or better:
  • ENG 111 - Composition I  
  • PSY 110 - General Psychology  
  • BIO 231 - Anatomy & Physiology I  
• Age of 18 years or older when enrolled in clinical nursing courses

Courses required for admission cannot be repeated for a satisfactory grade more than one time.

Upon Acceptance

The applicant must submit: Nursing Acceptance deposit fee ($100.00) to hold a seat in the assigned nursing cohort.

Following acceptance into the program and prior to starting the first clinical course, students must meet health and immunization requirements and obtain CPR by taking the American Heart Association professional level BLS and be a certified state tested nursing assistant- STNA. A criminal background check must be completed 6 to 8 weeks prior to beginning the program. A drug screen is required prior to beginning the nursing program. Students must submit all requirements by due dates to retain their seats in the nursing program.

Program Learning Outcomes

Learners will be able to:

1. Integrates knowledge from physical, biological, behavioral sciences and concepts for nursing practice to make sound judgments in the provision of safe, quality patient care for individuals, families, and groups.
2. Integrates the nursing process to maintain, restore, and promote health of patients by seeking creative approaches to problems and examining the evidence underlying clinical nursing practice.
3. Incorporates principles of communication and effective interpersonal relationships to provide holistic, patient-centered care for diverse patients of all ages.
4. Advocates for patients in the promotion of self-determination and ongoing growth as human beings in an ethical environment of dignity and respect.
5. Assumes responsibility for continued learning and growth in nursing practice and personal and professional development.
6. Accepts accountability and responsibility for nursing practice, which is guided by the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to continually improve the quality and safety of patient care.
7. Summarizes the role of the associate degree nurse, including use of technology to promote safe, quality care.
8. Applies concepts of leadership and management in utilizing human and material resources to promote the health of individuals, families, and groups.

Career Outlook for RNs

Employment of registered nurses is projected to increase 9 percent from 2020 to 2030. Factors stimulating growth for registered nurses include (1) an increased emphasis on preventive care; (2) increased rates of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity; and (3) demand for healthcare services for an aging population.