Purpose
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 ASN program is offered on the Charlotte, Collier, and Lee campuses. There are two schedule options available at each campus. The traditional schedule is offered during daytime hours, Monday - Friday. The evening/weekend schedule is offered evening hours Monday - Friday and any time on weekends. Both schedules consist of classroom instruction, laboratory, simulation education, and clinical practice through multiple modalities including online and in person instruction. Both schedules will require the student to fully commit to the academic schedule put forth by the Nursing department.
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 Associate and Baccalaureate of Science degree nursing programs at Florida SouthWestern State College at the Charlotte, Collier, and Lee campuses located in Punta Gorda, Naples, and Fort Myers, Florida are accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
Telephone: 404-975-5000
https://acenursing.org/
*The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate of Science in Nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
Admission Requirements
For Fall 2023 admission, please refer to admission requirements for the 2022-23 catalog found here:
https://catalog.fsw.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=16&poid=1565&returnto=1616
Spring 2024 admission requirements are as follows:
Current College Students:
Current college student applicants must meet the following requirements prior to the ASN application deadline for Spring: September 15.
- Be accepted by Florida SouthWestern State College.
- HUN 1201 - Human Nutrition with a grade of “C” or better.
- ENC 1101 - Composition I with a grade of “C” or better.
- DEP 2004 - Lifespan Development with a grade of “C” or better.
- BSC 1085C or BSC 1093C - Anatomy and Physiology I with a grade of “C” or better.
- BSC 1086C or BSC 1094C - Anatomy and Physiology II with a grade of “C” or better.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0, based only on completed General Education coursework required to graduate with an ASN. For ASN Admission purposes, the GPA will be calculated using the best attempt with a “C” or better.
- If applicable, transcripts must be received and evaluated by the FSW Registrar’s Office. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure this is completed by the application deadline.
- Complete and submit the ASN Application through the ASN program page including payment of program Application Fee.
- Completion of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).
Licensed Practical Nursing Applicants:
Florida Department of Education Gold Standard Career Pathways and Statewide Articulation Agreement guarantees the minimum award of course credits or a block of credit toward the above AS program is 10 credit hours. 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. 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 which must have been issued within three (3) years prior to their enrollment in the program. If space permits, Florida SouthWestern State College offers LPNs meeting the application and agreement requirements the option to accept an ASE1000 block of credits. The ASE1000 block consists of Nursing I AS Degree Nursing Core Courses (see Nursing Requirements below).
LPN applicants must meet the following requirements prior to the ASN application deadline (Spring: September 15):
- Be accepted into Florida SouthWestern State College.
- HUN 1201- Human Nutrition with a grade of “C” or better.
- ENC 1101 - Composition I with a grade of “C” or better.
- DEP 2004 - Lifespan Development with a grade of “C” or better.
- BSC 1085C or BSC 1093C - Anatomy and Physiology I with a grade of “C” or better.
- BSC 1086C or BSC 1094C - Anatomy and Physiology II with a grade of “C” or better.
- Completion of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).
- Minimum GPA of 3.0, based only on completed General Education coursework required to graduate with an ASN. For ASN admission purposes, the GPA will be calculated using the best attempt with a “C” or better.
- Current Licensed Practical Nurse Certification, or National Licensed Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) certification, which must have been issued within three (3) years prior to enrollment in the program. LPN’S who do not meet this requirement should follow the Current College Student application process.
- If applicable, transcripts must be received and evaluated by the FSW Registrar’s Office. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure this is completed by the application deadline.
- Complete and submit the ASN Application through the ASN program page including payment of program Application Fee.
Application Process
All applicants will receive a score based upon their GPA and TEAS test scores.
- The GPA is based on completed General Education coursework required to graduate with an ASN. For ASN admission purposes, the GPA will be calculated using the best attempt with a “C” or better.
- The TEAS test may be taken twice in a calendar year with greater than one month between the two attempts. Only two attempts are allowed in each admission cycle. TEAS tests must be taken within two years prior to application. Instructions for TEAS testing are posted on the AS Nursing website.
Applicant decisions are based on overall scores, campus preference, and schedule preference. Applicants who are selected will be notified with instructions to proceed with a college-approved criminal background records check, and drug testing. This is completed 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 clinical training placement and obtaining Registered Nurse (RN) licensure.
Applicants who receive clearance for their background check and drug testing will be converted to ASN-admitted students and will proceed to complete the final steps prior to the first day of class. Students must have successfully completed the following by the dates indicated on the timeline they will receive in their acceptance packet:
- Health Form, immunizations, and screening for tuberculosis (TB)
- Certification in American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (CPR and AED)
- Proof of personal health insurance throughout enrollment in the program, naming the student and dates of coverage.
- ASN Orientation
- Uniform fitting
- Purchase books and materials
- Complete a Change of Major Form, register for classes, and register for campus colloquium.
Program Structure
This program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of 72 credit hours in the following areas: 16 credit hours of General Education Requirements; 14 credit hours of Program Specific Coursework, and 42 credit hours of Nursing Requirements.
Academic Standards
The academic standards in the AS Nursing program are very rigorous and require full commitment.
- Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in each required General Education, Program Specific, and Nursing course.
- Students must earn a grade of “C” or better (77%) in each required Nursing/NUR course to progress in the program. 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 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 minimum percent score of 77% is not achieved according to the syllabus grading requirements in two or more Nursing/NUR courses, dismissal from the program may result. If a second withdrawal/W occurs within the ASN program, the student’s case will be reviewed by the Department of Nursing.
- Dismissal from the AS Nursing program will occur if a student is deemed unsafe or unprofessional in clinical practice/patient care. The Academic Review Committee (ARC) 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 are 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.
Course Prerequisites
Many courses require prerequisites. Check the description of each course in the list below for prerequisites, minimum grade requirements, and other restrictions. Students must complete all prerequisites for a course prior to registering for it.
Graduation Requirements
- Satisfactorily complete a minimum of 72 credit hours as outlined in the ASN Program of Study.
- Complete all required Nursing/NUR courses with a minimum score of 77%.
- Complete required 16 Community Volunteer Hours prior to the final semester.
- Students must fulfill all requirements of their program to be eligible for graduation. Students must indicate their intention to attend commencement ceremony by completing the Commencement Form by the published deadline.