64 Credits AS 3363/2317, Academic Catalog 2024-2025
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The 色中色 Professional Nursing Associate of Science in Nursing Degree (ASN) is approved by Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
An Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Degree will prepare a student for the future registered nurse role. The RN role is important to leading a team and overseeing safe, high-quality care for diverse clients and families across the lifespan. Employment is with clinics, long-term care and assisted living, home care, treatment facilities, and hospitals. The ASN degree can be earned in four semesters after the Pre-Nursing requirements are completed. Once accepted into the Professional Nursing program, you will be able to enroll in nursing (NURS) classes. Successful completion of the Professional Nursing program provides eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN exam (National Council Licensure Examination is a nationwide examination for licensure in the U.S. and Canada) enabling you to obtain the RN credential for entry level practice.
If already an LPN and interested in becoming a registered nurse, the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree is an option for you. This is accomplished by applying to the LPN to RN Transition Plan which is part of the ASN program. The LPN to RN Transition Plan grants advanced standing of four (4) credits to the future LPN to RN student. In your first semester of the nursing program, completion of one course, NURS 2200 LPN to RN Transition Role is required. The course is four (4) credits and a combination of theory, lab, and clinical to 鈥渢ransition鈥� LPN students to the RN role. Subsequent semesters are with the traditional, non-degree ASN students.
It is recommended students take as many of the required liberal arts and science courses as possible before beginning the Nursing program which is a full-time study.
Individuals earning an ASN Degree may transfer credits to a four-year institution to work towards a Bachelors of Nursing Degree. Learners will be required to take additional liberal arts and science courses, and should visit with whichever institution they wish to transfer to for further information.
Admitted Nursing candidates are required to participate in a background study.
Campuses: Faribault and North Mankato
Program Start Dates: Fall and Spring Semesters
Base estimate for 64 credit program
Tuition is paid on a semester by semester basis and will vary depending on the courses and total credits you take.
Tuition and Fees: $13,139
Tools and Equipment: $ n/a
Total Estimated Cost: $13,139 *
and you'll see that tuition at 色中色 is much more affordable than other institutions.
*Based on 2024-2025 tuition and fees rates. Does not include extra expenses for online delivery, course fees, or course differential. Books, transportation, and living expenses also not included.
The course requirements listed below are specific to the current school year (noted above). If you need to view the program from previous years view our Catalog Archive.
Required Technical Courses (13 Courses)
Complete the following courses:
NURS2230 Semester 1 Pharmacology (2 Credits)
This course provides students the opportunity to learn pharmacology concepts and biological influences on body systems. Drug classifications will provide the foundation for learning medications within groups including desired and undesired effects. Standards for safe practice will be identified. Students will use the nursing process for medication management. Use of current pharmacology and technology resources will be identified. (Prerequisite: Acceptance into Nursing Program is required in order to register for Nursing Courses)
NURS2240 Fundamental Concepts (2 Credits)
This course introduces the student to the basic concepts in nursing. Topics include: nursing process, critical thinking, communication, cultural competence, professionalism, the multi-disciplinary team, scope of practice, nutritional concepts, and legal and ethical issues. (Prerequisites: Acceptance into Nursing Program is required in order to register for Nursing Courses)
NURS2275 Semester 1 Skills Lab (2 Credits)
This course provides students the opportunity to learn basic nursing procedures, equipment, and health assessments in the laboratory setting. The six rights of medication administration and dosage calculation will be explained and practiced. Medical terminology, abbreviations, and documentation will be threaded throughout the course. Credible nursing resources will be identified. Competencies related to infection control, asepsis, patient safety, mobility, vital sign measurements, oxygenation, and elimination will be achieved. (Prerequisite: Acceptance into Nursing Program is required in order to register for Nursing Courses)
NURS2250 Semester 1 Clinical Practice (2 Credits)
This course provides an opportunity to integrate laboratory and supervised client care in the long-term health care setting. Students utilize the Nursing Process to collect data, implement nursing interventions and administer medications. Emphasis is placed on organization, critical thinking, therapeutic communication, and use of the EHR (electronic health record). Professional behavior will be modeled including ethics, maintaining confidentiality, and recognizing the hierarchy structure in health care. This course will also cover the characteristics of hazardous wastes and its safe handling, storage, and disposal. (Prerequisite: Acceptance into Nursing Program is required in order to register for Nursing Courses)
NURS2320 Semester 2 Med-Surg Basics (3 Credits)
This course will focus on the medical-surgical nursing basics for assessment and planning of the care for adult patient with common illnesses. The emphasis is on the following systems/conditions: cardiaovascular, respiratory, endocrine, neurological, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, and renal. Case studies, discussions, group projects, software programs, and exams will be utilized in identifying the patient's response to illness. (Prerequisites: Successfully complete all Semester 1 Courses in order to advance to Semester 2 Courses)
NURS2375 Semester 2 Skills Lab and Pharmacology (2 Credits)
Students will refine nursing skills including performing a health history, assessments, pharmacology, math competence, and advanced skills in the laboratory setting to enhance the acute care clinical experiences. (Prerequisites: Successfully complete all Semester 1 Courses in order to advance to Semester 2 Courses)
NURS2350 Semester 2 Clinical Practice (4 Credits)
Students apply theory related to alteration in body systems through observation, assessment and interaction with clients in laboratory and acute care settings. Nursing interventions are individualized to meet each client's needs with consideration of the client's culture. The Nursing Process is implemented with an emphasis on critical thinking. Organizational skills are developed with opportunities to care for multiple clients. Students will demonstrate effective communication with other members of the multidisciplinary health care team. Professional nursing behavior will be demonstrated.This course will also cover the characteristics of hazardous wastes and its safe handling, storage, and disposal. (Prerequisites: Successfully complete all Semester 1 Courses in order to advance to Semester 2 Courses)
NURS2420 Semester 3 Maternal-Child Health (2 Credits)
This course introduces the student to the specialty area of Maternal Child Health. It will explore the unique health care considerations of women, children and their families. Incorporating growth and development theories, culture, legal, and ethical implications, and family centered patient education.This course explores antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, well-child care, and pediatric health issues and health promotion. The importance of family centered care is emphasized. (Prerequisites: Successfully complete all Semester 2 Courses in order to advance to Semester 3 Courses)
NURS2430 Semester 3 Mental Health (2 Credits)
This course introduces the student to the specialty area of Mental Health. The Mental Health content will explore the unique health care considerations for persons with mental illness across the lifespan. (Prerequisites: Successfully complete all Semester 2 Courses in order to advance to Semester 3 Courses)
NURS2455 Semester 3 Clinical Practice Specialty (3 Credits)
This course will focus on the client with specialized needs across the lifespan. Students will have the opportunity to explore the wonder of human gestation from conception to post-partum care of the newborn and mother. Pediatric nursing will be experienced in the clinical and simulation setting where theories of growth and development will be foundational in designing patient care. Family-centered care will be examined as the context of client development, response to illness and health promotion. External systems such as culture and religion will be considered as influencing client health and illness. Students will provide care for the client with complex multiple needs in the clinical setting. Concepts of mental health and illness will be explored in the clinical and simulation setting. Students will have the opportunity to observe, experience, and design nursing care for the hospitalized and community client with mental health needs. This course will also cover the characteristics of hazardous wastes and its safe handling, storage, and disposal. (Prerequisites: Successfully complete all Semester 2 Courses in order to advance to Semester 3 Courses)
NURS2520 Semester 4 Leadership (1 Credit)
This course introduces concepts related to leadership skills and management for nurses within the multidisciplinary health care team. Healthcare policy and regulatory processes impact on nursing practice are analyzed. Ethical principles and diversity are reviewed. Quality improvement concepts in health care are examined. Community service and education projects are implemented. (Prerequisites: Successfully complete all Semester 3 Courses in order to advance to Semester 4 Courses)
NURS2550 Semester 4 Clinical Practice (4 Credits)
This course offers opportunities to care for patients across the lifespan in a variety of medical-surgical settings. The student will have opportunity to apply theory to practice in complex clinical situations. Critical thinking is supported by best practice and threaded throughout the course. The leadership role is explored in clinical and simulated laboratory experiences.The student nurse will be mentored by a practicing Registered Nurse in the patient care setting. The student will establish learning outcomes and identify areas of growth. Students will demonstrate professionalism and accountability for their actions. (Prerequisites: Successfully complete all Semester 3 Courses in order to advance to Semester 4 Courses)
NURS2560 Semester 4 Med Surg Advanced (3 Credits)
This course synthesizes knowledge from previous semesters to provide care for hospitalized patients with complex medical-surgical needs. (Prerequisites: Successfully complete all Semester 3 Courses in order to advance to Semester 4 Courses)
Required Arts and Sciences (9 Courses)
To complete an A.S. Degree, student must complete 32 MNTC credits from 6 of the 10 MNTC Goal Areas. Complete the following required courses:
BIOL220 Human Anatomy (4 Credits)
This course takes an in-depth look at the anatomy of the human body systems. The course emphasizes structure and anatomical function at the cellular, tissue, organ and systemic level. Dysfunctions are included but the body in homeostasis is emphasized. This course includes a weekly three hour lab. Some labs include dissection. (Prerequisite: Must have a Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher, or Classic Accuplacer Reading Comprehension score of 78 or higher or completion of either READ0090 or EAP 0090 with a grade of C or better or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher, or MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher.) (MNTC Goal Area 3)
BIOL230 Human Physiology (4 Credits)
This course provides an in-depth study of the functioning of most body systems, including muscle, nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and endocrine systems at both the cellular and systemic level. An emphasis is placed on normal physiology, but dysfunction will also be discussed. This course contains a weekly 3 hour laboratory component. (Prerequisites: BIOL 220 with a grade of C or better and CHEM 108, CHEM 110 or CHEM 120 with a grade of C or better) (MNTC Goal Area 3)
BIOL240 Pathophysiology (3 Credits)
This course provides an in-depth study of the chemical, biological and psychological process involved with alterations of health, using systemic and non-systemic approaches. Besides the two hour lecture, this course meets one additional hour to work on case studies. (Prerequisite: BIOL 230 or 235 with a grade of C or better) (MNTC 3: Natural Sciences)
BIOL270 Microbiology (4 Credits)
This course is an introduction to the general principles and methods used in the study of microorganisms. It includes a survey of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms emphasizing bacteria and viruses. Topics include microbial cell structure and function, metabolism, microbial genetics, and the role of microorganisms in disease, immunity and other selected applied areas. Laboratory techniques include isolating, culturing and identifying microorganisms. This course contains a three hour per week laboratory component. (Prerequisites: A grade of C or higher in BIOL115 OR BIOL225 OR BIOL220 AND CHEM108 OR CHEM110) (MNTC Goal Area 3)
CHEM110 Chemistry for the Health Sciences (4 Credits)
Key concepts of general, organic, and biological chemistry are introduced in an integrated approach with applications from the medical fields. The course is designed to prepare students for Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology or to be utilized as a general Arts and Sciences course. Limited mathematical approach; this course does not meet the requirements of a prerequisite for CHEM 120. Lecture and a 2-hour lab are included. (Prerequisite: [Must have a Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher, or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher or completion of either READ 0090 or EAP 0090 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher] AND [ENGL 0090 or EAP 0095 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher] AND [have a Next-Generation Accuplacer AAF score of 250 or higher or (Classic Accuplacer Arithmetic score of 56 or higher and Classic Accuplacer Elementary Algebra score of 76 or higher) or completion of either MATH 0085 or MATH 0095 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher or ACT Math score of 19 or higher or MCA Math score of 1158 or higher.] (MNTC 2, 3: Critical Thinking, Natural Sciences)
OR
CHEM108 Introduction to Chemistry (4 Credits)
A one-semester introduction to the field of chemistry, this course is designed to allow the student to understand how chemistry relates to everyday life and to learn some of the language and concepts of chemistry related to applied health. This course uses a math-based approach. (Prerequisite: [Must have a Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher, or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher or completion of either READ 0090 or EAP 0090 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher] AND [have a Next-Generation Accuplacer AAF score of 250 or higher or (Classic Accuplacer Arithmetic score of 56 or higher and Classic Accuplacer Elementary Algebra score of 76 or higher) or completion of either MATH 0085 or MATH 0095 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher or ACT Math score of 19 or higher or MCA Math score of 1158 or higher.] (MNTC 3: Natural Sciences)
COMM130 Intercultural Communication (3 Credits)
The focus of intercultural communication is to develop and improve the knowledge needed to understand culture, communication, how culture influences communication, and the process of communication between people from different cultures or co-cultures. The course also focuses on practicing the skills needed for effective intercultural interactions. (Prerequisites: Must have a Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher, or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher, or completion of either READ 0090 or EAP 0090 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher, or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher.) (MNTC Goal Areas 7, 8: Human Diversity, Global Perspectives)
ENGL100 Composition (4 Credits)
Composition is concerned with developing, through theory and practice, the ability to communicate in written form for personal and professional reasons. Students will develop writing skills, analytic skills, and critical thinking skills. Students will complete readings, papers, grammar exercises, and in-class activities. Students will complete research and write a research paper. Students will learn methods of writing informatively and persuasively. (Prerequisites: Must have a Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher, or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher, or completion of either READ 0090 or EAP 0090 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher AND completion of either ENGL 0090 or EAP 0095 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher, or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher.) (MNTC 1: Communication)
PHIL150 Medical Ethics (3 Credits)
This course examines the moral problems confronting medical providers and surveys the broader field of bioethics. After providing a general introduction to ethical concepts and theories, it focuses on specific issues relating to the American health care system, including access to care, inequality, obesity, reproductive rights, end-of-life care, disability, organ transplantation, and alternative medicine. Emphasis is placed on practical application of moral principles and critical analysis of case studies. (Prerequisites: Must have a Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher, or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher, or completion of either READ 0090 or EAP 0090 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher, or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher.) (MNTC Goal Areas 2, 9)
PSYC110 Lifespan Psychology (3 Credits)
This is an introductory course examining human development across the lifespan, with emphasis on normal physical, cognitive, and social development. (Prerequisites: Must have a Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher, or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher, or completion of either READ 0090 or EAP 0090 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher, or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher.) (MNTC 5, 7: History/Social & Behavioral Sciences, Human Diversity)
PLEASE NOTE: All program plans are preliminary and curriculum may change without notice. Your catalog of record may have different requirements.
