Graduates of the Associate in Science in Nursing (ASN) program are prepared to become licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN). The role of a RN is to assess and evaluate clients and their healthcare needs, develop and implement plans of care, and document client responses to interventions. Nurses administer care to people who are ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled. Nurses counsel clients seeking healthier lifestyles.
The ASN curriculum incorporates classroom instruction, laboratory, simulation education, and clinical practice in the care of diverse populations. Local health facilities are utilized for clinical practice, including community agencies, acute care institutions, long-term and ambulatory care facilities. Graduates of the program possess knowledge, values, skills, and compassion; all are essential for professional nursing practice in a dynamic and rapidly changing health care environment.
Current occupational employment and wages data for Registered Nurses are published by the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics at www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291141.htm.
Accreditation:
The Florida SouthWestern State College Associate in Science in Nursing Program is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission on Education in Nursing, Inc.
3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
Telephone: 404-975-5000
http://acenursing.org/
Curriculum Options:
Florida SouthWestern State College offers several options for students to apply, enroll, and complete the Nursing AS degree program:
- Entry Curriculum, Full-Time, 4 semesters - for applicants entering the nursing profession who do not meet the criteria below for acceptance into the Transition Curriculum
- Entry Curriculum, Part-Time, 5 semesters - for applicants entering the nursing profession who do not meet the criteria below for acceptance into the Transition Curriculum; for applicants who would like to complete the program on a part-time basis with classes offered evening and weekend hours. The Part-Time curriculum is currently offered on the Lee Campus only.
- Transition Curriculum, Full-Time, 3 semesters - statewide articulations agreements allow for a minimum guarantee of articulated credit from for applicants who have completed a Licensed Practical Nursing Program in Florida and hold current Florida licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse/LPN. Applicants must enter the ASN program within five years of their program completion date.
Degree Requirements and Program Length:
The ASN degree consists of 72 credit hours. These hours include General Education and Program Specific Courses (30 credits), and Nursing Core Courses (42 credits). Competitive applicants will have completed most or all of their General Education and Program Specific courses before starting the Nursing Core courses.
Minimally, students must complete the following PRIOR to admissions into each curriculum:
Prior to registration for the final semester of the Nursing Program, students MUST complete all General Education and Program Specific courses. Each curriculum option in the AS Nursing Program is offered during various terms on Florida SouthWestern State College’s three campus locations and takes various numbers of terms and calendar months to complete:
AS Nursing
Curriculum |
LEE CAMPUS
START TERM |
COLLIER CAMPUS
START TERM |
CHARLOTTE CAMPUS
START TERM |
Entry Full-Time
4 semesters
22 calendar months |
FALL |
FALL |
FALL |
Entry Full-Time
4 semesters
24 calendar months |
SPRING |
SPRING |
SPRING |
Entry Part-Time
5 semesters
21 calendar months
(includes a Summer) |
FALL |
|
|
Transition Full-Time
3 semesters
16 calendar months |
FALL |
FALL |
|
Transition Full-Time
3 semesters
16 calendar months |
SPRING |
|
SPRING |
Application Deadlines:
Fall Semester Start - Application due by May 15
Spring Semester Start - Application due by October 1
*Finalists will be notified within four weeks after application deadlines.
The ASN program has limited enrollment due to the rigorous clinical education requirements for the program. Acceptance to Florida SouthWestern State College does not imply acceptance into the ASN program. Each applicant must meet specific criteria which are listed in the admission policies. The Criteria for Admission Policies are available through the School of Health Professions Nursing office on each campus. Admission information and applications are located at http://www.fsw.edu/academics/programs/asnursing.
Acceptance to the program is based on a tally of admission points using completed pre- nursing course GPA, pre-admission testing scores, and total number of general education/program specific courses completed. Pre-admission standardized examination includes Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) for Entry and Transition applicants.
After notification, finalists must complete the following:
- College-approved criminal records check and drug testing at the applicant’s expense. Note that applicants should consult Florida Board of Nursing if they have any criminal offenses, beyond minor traffic violations, which may limit RN licensure eligibility.
- Immunization and health report
- Screening for tuberculosis (TB)
- Certification in American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (CPR and AED)
ASN to RN-BSN NURSING CAREER LADDER:
Credits earned in the ASN program will count towards the related baccalaureate Nursing degree completion (RN-BSN) program under the provisions of Florida Rule 6A-10.024. This creates a career ladder so that students can proceed toward their educational objectives as rapidly as their circumstances permit. Please note that ASN graduates will be required to complete all General Education, Program Specific Courses, Foreign Language competence, and earn the Florida Registered Nursing RN credential before admission to the RN-BSN program at FSW. For more information, please refer to the RN-BSN Program information at: http://www.fsw.edu/academics/programs/bsnursing .
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