Nursing program
Nursing A.S. is intended for Licensed Practical Nurses who are interested in obtaining the Associate of Science Nursing Degree. This is an entrance point for mobility students who have completed Minnesota West’s Practical Nursing Program or have successfully graduated from another nursing program.
After the successful completion of the Nursing A.S. Program, students are granted the Associate of Science (AS) Nursing Degree and are then qualified to take the NCLEX-RN examination. Students are also eligible to move to BSN/BAN programs in the Minnesota State system.
About the school
Minnesota West Community and Technical College is a technical and community college with five campuses in southwestern Minnesota, United States: Canby, Jackson, Pipestone, Worthington, and Granite Falls plus three learning centers in Marshall, Luverne, and Redwood Falls. Students have the opportunity to earn a Diploma, an Associate Degree, or Certificate in over 60 disciplines.
The college was founded on January 1, 1997, by the amalgamation of Southwestern Technical College and Worthington Community College.
Tuition and fees are approximately $11,281
Following are the minimum requirements for ADN-RN Nursing Program. Minimum admission standards include:
For Minnesota West Practical Nursing students applying to progress to the AS Nursing Program:
- Licensed as an LPN by August 1.
- Practical Nursing program minimum GPA of 2.75 (including clinical courses).
- Cumulative prerequisite GPA of 3.0 in BIOL 2201 (Anatomy), BIOL 2202 (Physiology), ENGL 1101 (Composition I), and PSYC 1150 (Developmental Psychology).
- No grade lower than a C is accepted in any course required for the AS nursing program (including prerequisites).
For licensed LPN’s applying to enter the AS Nursing Program:
- Licensed as an LPN by August 1.
- Practical Nursing program minimum GPA of 2.75 (including clinical courses).
- Cumulative prerequisite GPA of 3.0 in BIOL 2201 (Anatomy), BIOL 2202 (Physiology), ENGL 1101 (Composition I), and PSYC 1150 (Developmental Psychology).
- No grade lower than a C is accepted in any course required for the AS nursing program (including prerequisites).
- Minimum decision score of 80 on the National League for Nursing (NLN) NACE I Foundations entrance exam. Applicants may only take entrance exam twice in an application period, one month apart. Entrance exam scores are valid for a two year period of time.
NURS 2000, Transition to Professional Nursing Education (1 credit), is required prior to entrance into Fall Semester nursing classes for students who have graduated from another nursing program or are returning to Minnesota West’s Nursing Program.
The following course sequence is required for completion of this program. Only students who have been accepted into the Nursing program are allowed to take the nursing courses. The prerequisite courses shown must be completed before beginning the program.
| COURSE # | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| Prerequisites | ||
| Practical Nursing Diploma OR completion of practical nursing program (Advanced Standing) | 10 | |
| BIOL 2201 | Anatomy | 4 |
| BIOL 2202 | Physiology | 4 |
| ENGL 1101 | Composition I | 3 |
| PSYC 1150 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| Prerequisites Credits | 14 | |
| Co-requisite courses: The following General Education courses may be taken prior to beginning or during AS program. Must be completed prior to graduation. | ||
| SPCH 1101 | Introduction to Speech OR | 3 |
| SPCH 1103 | Interpersonal Communications | 3 |
| Sociology Elective | 3 | |
| PHIL 2101 | Ethics Theory and Practices (medical focus) | 3 |
| Electives (Comp II and College Math recommended) | 7 | |
| General Education Credits | 16 | |
| Fall Semester | ||
| NURS 2125 | Patient Centered Care I | 4 |
| NURS 2130 | Pharmacology: A Pathophysiologic Approach | 2 |
| NURS 2145 | Professional Nursing I | 2 |
| NURS 2150 | Skills Lab | 2 |
| NURS 2190 | Acute Care Clinical I** | 2 |
| Credits Fall Semester | 12 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| NURS 2225 | Patient Centered Care II | 3 |
| NURS 2245 | Professional Nursing II | 2 |
| NURS 2260 | Patient & Family Centered Care for Special Populations | 3 |
| NURS 2290 | Acute Care Clinical II** | 2 |
| NURS 2390 | Clinical in Alternate Settings** | 2 |
| Credits Spring Semester | 12 | |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 64 |
Notes: A nursing preceptorship NURS 2275 (1-2 credits) is optional upon completion of all nursing course work.
Recommended electives include: ENGL 1102, humanities, social sciences (HIST 1101, HIST 1102, geography, political science or economics), chemistry, BIOL 1115, PSYC 1101, college math or statistics.
Humanities: choose from the areas of art, literature, theatre, HIST 1111, HIST 1112, music, or any course with HUM designator.
AS nursing students are required to participate in the Kaplan Integrated Testing Program.
Required end of program assessment will include:
- Completion of a Kaplan Integrated predictor exam prior to graduation
- Completion of a Kaplan Review course prior to authorization to test for NCLEX-RN exam.
**Clinical experiences are a part of the program and are completed in healthcare facilities located in southwest Minnesota. On-campus and distance learning students need to be prepared to travel to assigned clinical sites as a program requirement
Contact/address
Minnesota West Community & Technical College
Address: 1450 College Way, Worthington, MN 56187, USA
Phone: +1 507-372-3400
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