Mar 29, 2024  
2020-2021 Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nursing, AS


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Graduates of the Associate in Science in Nursing (ASN) Program are prepared to become licensed as an entry level Registered Nurse (RN). The nursing 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, as well as 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.

The Associate Degree Program offers two options: traditional day program and an evening/ weekend program  or ANEW, which is blended with both online and on campus instruction. The ANEW schedule is not a part-time Nursing program.  It will require full-time commitment, and is offered on a schedule is consistent with the traditional day program offering  classroom instruction with labs during evening hours and clinical rotations on weekends. 

Current occupational employment and wage 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.


The Florida SouthWestern State College Associate in Science in Nursing Program is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN)

3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850

Atlanta, Georgia 30326

Telephone: 404-975-5000

http://acenursing.org/

 

Admission Requirements:

The ASN Program consists of 72 credit hours. These hours include general education (16 credits), program specific courses (14 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.

In Order to apply, Applicants must have successfully completed:

Nursing core courses, are completed in a four (4) semester cohort/group sequence. Students who begin the program in the Fall semester are able successfully complete the program in 20 months.  Students who begin the program in the Spring semester, are able successfully complete the program in 24 months.

The Traditional and ANEW schedules for the ASN Program requires discipline and commitment.  Nursing education is rigorous and must be top priority from the first semester through graduation to be successful on the NCLEX-RN licensing exam and to meet the demands to today’s nursing professionals. ASN nursing graduates are able to seamlessly transition into the FSW Bachelor of Nursing program,

LPN Florida Department of Education Gold Standard and Statewide Articulation Agreements:

The  Gold Standard Career Pathways Statewide Articulation Agreement guarantees the minimum award of course credits or a block of credit toward the above AAS/AS program is 12 hours of credit. This agreement does not preclude the awarding of additional credits by any college through local agreements. The Licensed Practical Nurse certification, or National Licensed Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) certification represents industry acknowledgment of technical skill attainment of competencies in the Nursing (Associate Degree) R.N. program. In order to To be eligible for articulation, the student must show evidence of their current Licensed Practical Nurse certification, or National Licensed Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) certification that has been issued within three (3) years prior to their enrollment in the program.

FSW LPN Acceptance:

In accordance with the Gold Standard and Statewide Articulation Agreement for LPN’s, Florida SouthWestern State College offers LPN’s, meeting the agreement requirements, the option to accept an ASE1000 block of 12 ?  credits. The ASE1000 block consists of Level I AS Degree Nursing Core Courses: NUR 1020 , NUR 1020L , NUR 1025L , and NUR 2092 .

Application Process:

  • Phase I: Initial review of applications is based on a calculation of admission points using completed pre-nursing course GPA, and the total number of general education/program specific courses completed. A Pre-admission standardized math exam, writing sample, and personal interview is conducted by Associate Dean and the department of nursing.
  • Phase II: At the applicant’s expense, a college-approved criminal background records check and drug testing must be completed. Note that applicants should consult Florida Board of Nursing if they have any criminal offenses, beyond minor traffic violations, which may limit clinical training placement and obtaining Registered Nurse (RN) licensure.
  • Phase III: During this phase of the application process each applicant admission packets is carefully reviewed.
  • Phase IV:  A final letter of acceptance is electronically sent to selected applicants. This acceptance letter will provide additional information to access the Nursing Program Policy & Procedures Manual and an online- virtual orientation.  Upon receipt of acceptance, the select applicant must submit an affidavit of acknowledgment, acceptance, and compliance of the Nursing Program Policy & Procedure Manual  by the deadline given.

Acceptance: In addition to compliance of contents in Phase IV, selected LPN applicants, accepting the ASE1000 articulation pathway, must satisfactorily complete the LPN Bridge Orientation online the deadline given.  Access to this orientation is sent to the applicant along with a  letter of acceptance.

The following items required to be completed before the first day of class:

  • Student Health Form
  • Immunizations
  • Screening for tuberculosis (TB)
  • Certification in American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Health-Care Providers
  • Proof of personal health insurance throughout enrollment in the program, naming the student and dates of coverage.

Academic Policy and Progression Criteria:

The academic standards in the Nursing program are very rigorous and require full-time commitment.

A grade of “C” or better must be earned in General Education (16 credits) and Program Specific (14 credits) course

The ASN Program uses the following grading system: (90 - 100 = A, 80 - 89.99 = B, 77 - 79.99 = C, 60 - 76.99 = D, Below 60 = F).

  • A grade of “C” or better must be earned in each Nursing/NUR course (42 credits) in order to progress in the program.
  • A grade less than “C” in a Nursing/NUR course will require a reattempt.
  • A Nursing/NUR course may be repeated or reattempted only once. If a grade of “C” or better is not achieved when the course is repeated or reattempted, dismissal from the program will result.
  • If a grade of “C” or better is not achieved or Withdrawal/W grade occurs in two or more Nursing/NUR courses, dismissal from the program will result.

Dismissal from the Nursing Program will occur if a student is deemed unsafe or unprofessional in clinical practice/patient care.

The Program Review Committee (PRC) will evaluate each student who is unsuccessful in a course or has an interruption in their program sequence. An Alternate program plan may be suggested by the committee in collaboration with the student.

Attendance and punctuality is mandatory for all classroom, laboratory, and clinical activities. The third and each subsequent classroom absence and/or partial absence will result in a 5-point deduction from the final course grade. Attendance (100%) is required for all simulation and clinical activities.

End of Program Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the ASN Program, the graduate will be able to:

  1. Advocate holistically for diverse patient populations and their families in ways that promote health, self-determination, integrity, and ongoing growth as human beings
  2. Integrate clinical reasoning, substantiated with evidence, to provide and promote safe and compassionate quality care for patients and families in a community context.
  3. Distinguish one’s professional identity in ways that reflect integrity, responsibility, legal and ethical practices, and professional growth and development as a nurse.
  4. Communicate respectfully and effectively with diverse populations and the interdisciplinary healthcare team through collaborative decision making to produce optimal patient outcomes.
  5. Manage patient care effectively related to time, personnel, informatics and cost to continuously improve the quality and safety of health care systems.

ASN Program of Study (72 credits)


General Education Requirements: 16 credits required


Program Specific Coursework: 14 credits required


Total Degree Requirements: 72 Credit Hours


AS Nursing Pathway

Level 1 - NUR 1020 NUR 1020L , NUR 1025L NUR 2092   

Level 2 - NUR 1034 , NUR 1034L , NUR 1214L NUR 2145   

Level 3 - NUR 2033 , NUR 2033L NUR 2424  

Level 4 - NUR 2244 , NUR 2244L  , NUR 2941L  

 

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