Associate Degree Nurse

Students interested in Practical Nursing Program Certificate will find information here.

Overview

Degrees Offered: AAS
Limited Enrollment: Yes
Program Begins: Fall
Delivery Method: On Campus, Satellite Sites
Phone: 701-224-2429
Email: bsc.cet@bismarckstate.edu

Description

The Associate Degree Nurse (RN) Program is part of the Dakota Nursing Program, a collaborative effort between Bismarck State College, Dakota College at Bottineau, Lake Region State College, and Williston State College. 

Classroom education is delivered by instructors on campus and from other colleges within the consortium via Microsoft Teams Classroom. Some courses/components will be offered in an online format. Laboratory and simulation practice occurs at each location. Clinical opportunities are arranged locally. This program is also offered on a rotational basis at North Dakota satellite site locations in Hazen, Harvey, Garrison, Ashley, and Hettinger.

Admission to the Program occurs in the Fall. The Application for the Associates degree Nurse programs opens December 1st and closes March 5th. 

Preparation

A strong science background is recommended with high school preparation in the biological sciences, especially anatomy and physiology, mathematics (at least Algebra II), and Certified Nursing Assistant training.

Requirements

The Associate Degree Nurse program is selective with limited enrollments. See Program Admission tab for more information.

Students who complete the curriculum requirements receive an Associate in Applied Science degree in Associate Degree Nurse.

Program Pathways

The Associate in Applied Science degree may stack into the following Bachelor of Applied Science degree:

• Health Administration

Career Opportunities

Graduates of nursing programs are in high demand in North Dakota and throughout the United States. The Nursing Program prepares an individual to practice nursing independently, inter-dependently, and safely to individuals in a variety of settings.

Career Possibilities for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs): Clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and acute care centers.

Career Possibilities for Registered Nurses (RNs): Hospital acute care settings, long-term care facilities, clinics, outpatient offices, health care industry, community and public agencies.

Additional Information

This program receives funding from the U.S. Department of Labor; therefore, veterans and eligible spouses receive priority of service over non-covered persons. (20 CFR 1010)

College Admission

Review BSC's How to Apply page and complete the college admission requirements.

Program Admission

Pre-Application Requirements

Prior to applying to the Associate Degree Nurse (ADN) program:

All ADN students should:

• Provide transcripts indicating a grade of a 2.0 (C) for any required college courses completed prior to admission, the grade in that course must be a "C" or higher or "T" (test credit) or "S" (satisfactory), and nursing GPA for all completed required nursing courses must be 2.75 or higher.
• Provide the score for the PN Comprehensive Predictor exam administered by Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) Nursing Education.
• Provide proof of Math Skill Readiness.

​Student must have completed at minimum one of the following:

• The developmental math course (ASC 93 or other prerequisite math course that would qualify a student to take MATH 103) with a grade of Satisfactory or "C" or a higher-level math course (such as MATH 103 College Algebra).
• Equivalent scores for ACT/SAT and/or Accuplacer as listed below and taken within the past 2 years:
  • Next-Generation Accuplacer - QR, Algebra, and Statistics 255
  • Next-Generation Accuplacer - Advanced Algebra 237
  • ACT - Math Subtest 21
  • SAT - Math 530
• Show valid American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS-Healthcare Provider) CPR certification.
  • Note: CPR Certification must remain valid through the entire program.
• Show a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
• Show a required minimum program GPA of 2.75.
  • Note: The program GPA is calculated using the earned grade in each class that is required to graduate with the Associate in Applied Science in Associate Degree Nurse degree.

​All current BSC PN students seeking admission should (including other Dakota Nursing Program consortium institutions):

• Show successful completion of the first semester Practical Nursing program courses with a minimum GPA of 2.75
• Show current enrollment with satisfactory progress towards completion in the remainder of the second and third semester courses.

​All incoming Advanced Standing LPN applicants seeking admission should:

• Be a graduate from a state board approved PN program from an accredited college and/or current LPN with an active, unencumbered license to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the United States.

Or

• Be a graduate from a state board approved paramedic program and a current paramedic, of at least one year experience, with an active, unencumbered, license to practice as a paramedic in the United States AND have completed the Lake Region State College Paramedic to Nurse Bridge program.
• Currently enrolled or satisfactory completion with a "C" or better or "T" (test score) or "S" (satisfactory) in each of the required nursing courses from an approved Practical Nursing Program and the general education requirements of the Nursing Program PN curriculum.
  • ​PHRM 215 Introduction to Pharmacology (must have been completed within the past 7 years).

​Nursing students for whom English is not their native language must complete an English Language Proficiency Test

• Note: A certain level of English proficiency is necessary for academic success as well as for patient safety. In addition to general college English proficiency requirements, all applicants for whom English is not their native language (including International and/or U.S. residents) and have not attended 4 years of U.S. high school and achieved a HS GPA of 3.0 or higher must meet additional language proficiency requirements for admission to the Practical Nursing (PN/LPN) Program.
• To be considered for admission to the ADN Program, English Language Learners (ELL) applicants must achieve minimum scores.
  • Minimum TOEFL internet-based test (TOEFL iBT) test scores of:
    • Minimum cumulative Score of 86 combined AND minimum individual scores of:
      • 26 in Speaking
      • 20 in Writing
      • 20 in Reading
      • 20 in Listening
  • ​​Minimum Duolingo English Test (DET) test scores of:
    • Minimum Overall Score of 115.
    • It is expected that the applicant reaches a content score (variation as determined by the admission and progression committee) of 90 in the following four areas:
      • Literacy (Reading)
      • Comprehension (Listening)
      • Conversation (Speaking)
      • Production (Writing)
  • ​​​Note: Nursing students for whom English is not their native language should be aware that they may not be able to complete the program of study within the described time frame. Students are encouraged to consult the nursing advisor before submitting the nursing program application. This gives the opportunity to discuss requirements and arrange to either take the English proficiency exam (TOEFL or DET) if applicable or seek assistance to be successful on the English proficiency exam in the future.

Application

Admission occurs in the Fall. Applications will be accepted between December 1st – March 5th for the following Fall.

• Submit Associate Degree Nurse application.

Pre-Acceptance

Application Receipt: Upon receipt of all application materials, the Associate Degree Nurse (ADN) program will evaluate the applicant's file for completeness.

Application Scoring: Applicants will be scored on past academic performance, ATI Comprehensive Predictor exam, Narrative statement, previous experience, recommendations, and overall quality of application.

Post-Acceptance

Once accepted into the program, students will be required to successfully complete a background check, provide proof of immunizations required by clinical affiliations, and drug screen at their own cost.

Note: Clinical affiliates maintain sole discretion as to the student's ability to participate Clinical rotations and Preceptorship experience.

Program Completion

• Students are required to earn "C" or higher or "T" (test credit) or "S" (satisfactory) in all designated courses for successful completion of the program.
• A grade of "C" or higher must be earned in all prescribed technical program requirement courses to continue in the program.
• Upon successful completion of the curriculum, the student will receive an Associate in Applied Science Degree and is eligible to apply to take the NCLEX RN®.  

Degree Plans

• Associate Degree Nurse Associate in Applied Science

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation, Associate Degree Nurse students will be able to demonstrate:

• Teamwork and communication: Collaborate with clients and members of the interdisciplinary health care team to optimize effective communication, caring behaviors and management of client needs.
• Professionalism and leadership: Adhere to professional standards and scope of practice as an associate degree registered nurse while pursuing professional growth and acting as a leader and change agent within legal, ethical and regulatory frameworks.
• Client-centered care: Provide culturally competent care and advocate for clients while promoting their self-determination and integrity.
• Evidence-based practice and nursing judgment: Implement nursing judgment to make safe, effective, and evidenced-based decisions that integrate science and the nursing process in providing holistic client care.
• Quality improvement and safety: Incorporate a spirit of inquiry to make evidence based clinical judgments and management decisions to improve the safety and quality of care across a variety of systems.
• Informatics: Integrate current technology to support decision-making and manage information in the delivery of client care.