Nursing, AS

Purpose

Graduates of the Associate in Science in Nursing (ASN) Program are prepared to become licensed as entry-level Registered Nurses (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.  Two scheduling options are available for each campus. The traditional schedule is offered during daytime hours, Monday - Friday. The evening/weekend schedule is offered during 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. Clinical placements are typically completed in facilities closest to the campus the student is assigned, However, at times students in either program may have to travel to other clinical site locations within the region and/or complete weekday, weekend, or evening hours to secure the required clinical hours necessary to pass the course.   Both schedules require students 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

Current College Students:

Current college student applicants must meet the following requirements prior to the ASN application deadline of May 15 for fall and September 15 for spring.    

1. Be accepted by Florida SouthWestern State College.
2. HUN 1201 - Human Nutrition with a grade of “C” or better.
3. ENC 1101 - Composition I with a grade of “C” or better.
4. DEP 2004 - Lifespan Development with a grade of “C” or better.
5. BSC 1085C or BSC 1093C - Anatomy and Physiology I with a grade of “C” or better.
6. BSC 1086C or BSC 1094C - Anatomy and Physiology II with a grade of “C” or better.
7. Minimum GPA of 3.0, based only on completed General Education coursework required to graduate with an ASN.
8. 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.
9. Complete and submit the ASN Application through the ASN program page including payment of program Application Fee.
10. 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):

1. Be accepted into Florida SouthWestern State College.
2. HUN 1201- Human Nutrition with a grade of “C” or better.
3. ENC 1101 - Composition I with a grade of “C” or better.
4. DEP 2004 - Lifespan Development with a grade of “C” or better.
5. BSC 1085C or BSC 1093C - Anatomy and Physiology I with a grade of “C” or better.
6. BSC 1086C or BSC 1094C - Anatomy and Physiology II with a grade of “C” or better.
7. Completion of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. Complete and submit the ASN Application through the ASN program page including payment of program Application Fee.

Application Process

Applicant decisions are based on overall scores, campus preference, and schedule options.

• The ASN Nursing Program is competitive.
• Pre-requisite courses provide foundational knowledge for success in the program and the number of prerequisite courses completed will be taken into consideration during the application review.  
• 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, however, patterns of D’s, F’s, and W’s and repeated General Education courses may negatively impact placement into the program.
• Students are encouraged to complete a Core Math course prior to admission to the program. MAC 1105 College Algebra or STA 2023 Statistical Methods are recommended.
• 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 may be taken within two years prior to application.
• Instructions for TEAS testing are posted on the AS Nursing Website.

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:

1. Health Form, immunizations, and screening for tuberculosis (TB)
2. Certification in American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (CPR and AED)
3. Proof of personal health insurance throughout enrollment in the program, naming the student and dates of coverage.
4. ASN Orientation
5. Uniform fitting
6. Purchase books and materials
7. Complete a Change of Major Form, register for classes, and register for campus forum.

Academic Standards

Graduation Requirements

1. Satisfactorily complete a minimum of 72 credit hours as outlined in the ASN Program of Study.
2. Complete all required Nursing/NUR courses with a minimum score of 77%.
3. Complete required 16 Community Volunteer Hours prior to the final semester.
4. 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.