Associate in Science in Nursing Degree
The Associate in Science in Nursing Program is offered at two sites - at the Home Campus in Columbia, Missouri and at the Lake Ozark Campus. The program is open to individuals who have no prior nursing education and to individuals who hold a Licensed Practical Nursing license.
The program is approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing and is a candidate for accreditation with the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.
The program is designed to prepare the graduate for a nurse generalist role. Graduates are awarded an Associate in Science in Nursing degree and are eligible to apply for the Registered Nursing Licensure Examination. *
The curriculum consists of general education, mathematics and science courses and specific nursing courses. Students are required to complete all of the general education, mathematics and science courses before entering the Nursing Course Sequence.
Admission to the nursing program is on a selective basis. Selection will be made each August and each January. The application deadline is August 2 for students who plan to start the nursing sequence courses in January. The application deadline is January 2 for students who plan to start the nursin sequence courses in March and for LPN students who plan to start the nursing sequence courses in June. The maximum number for the Home Campus-Columbia is 40 students (made up of a combination of non-LPNs and LPNs). The maximum number for the Lake Campus is 32 students (made up of a combination of non-LPNs and LPNs).
All candidates for the nursing program are expected to meet general admission requirements to the College. Acceptance to Columbia College does not guarantee acceptance to the Nursing Course Sequence. Selection criteria for the Nursing Course Sequence:
- Completion of NURS 209 Introduction to Nursing or at least one year of documented clinical experience in a health care setting. An admission committee of nurse faculty will determine the adequacy of health care experience and may require the student to successfully complete a clinical skills assessment.
- Completion of the general education, mathematics and science courses. Students may elect to complete NURS 209, one or more of their remaining general education, mathematics, or science courses in the eight week session(s) between the time of the submission of the nursing application and the start of the nursing classes. Students are limited to a maximum of eight semester hours of coursework during an eight-week session.
- Minimum of an overall GPA of 2.0 for the general education, mathematics and science courses and be in good academic standing within Columbia College. A minimum grade of 'C' is required for all science courses and for English Composition I and II.
- Achieve a minimum composite percentage of 75% on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Possess the necessary functional abilities to provide safe and effective patient care. **
- LPN students must submit the following paperwork:
- official copy of Practical Nursing transcript.
- copy of LPN license (current and undisciplined) for the state of Missouri.
- A criminal background check is required at the time of submission of the nursing application. Forms and directions for completion are available as part of the nursing application.
- Selection of nursing students will be based on the GPA of the prerequisite courses and the TEAS score.
- Additional requirements for those selected for the Nursing Program:
- Urine drug test
- Physical forms, including documentation of immunizations/titers
- Current CPR certification by the American Heart Association, Health Care Providers course.
Department:
Degree Requirements:
| A. | General Education, Math and Science Requirements | 32 sem. hrs | ||
| Math and Science (26 sem. hrs) | ||||
| BIOL 110 |  | Principles of Biology I | 3 hrs | |
| BIOL 110L | | Principles of Biology I Laboratory | 2 hrs | |
| BIOL 221 | | Clinical Microbiology and | 3 hrs | |
| BIOL 221L | | Clinical Microbiology Laboratory OR | 2 hrs | |
| BIOL 312 | | Microbiology | 3 hrs | |
| BIOL 312L | | Microbiology Laboratory | 2 hrs | |
| BIOL 223 | | Anatomy | 3 hrs | |
| BIOL 223L | | Anatomy Laboratory | 2 hrs | |
| BIOL 326 | | Physiology | 3 hrs | |
| BIOL 326L | | Physiology Laboratory | 2 hrs | |
| CHEM 110 | | Chemistry I | 3 hrs | |
| MATH 106 | | Intermediate Algebra | 3 hrs | |
| or higher General Education Mathematics Course | ||||
| General Education (6 sem. hrs) | ||||
| ENGL 112 | | English Composition II | 3 hrs | |
| PSYC 101 | | General Psychology | 3 hrs | |
| B. | Nursing Sequence Courses | 36 sem. hrs | ||
| (All courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher.) | ||||
| NURS 210 | | Fundamentals of Nursing* | 6 hrs | |
| NURS 211 | | Mental Health Nursing | 3 hrs | |
| NURS 212 | | Pharmacology for Nursing | 3 hrs | |
| NURS 213 | | Foundations of Professional Nursing | 6 hrs | |
| NURS 214 | | Medical/Surgical Nursing I | 6 hrs | |
| NURS 215 | | Medical/Surgical Nursing II | 6 hrs | |
| NURS 216 | | Women's and Infant's Health | 6 hrs | |
| NURS 216 | | Women's and Infant's Health | 6 hrs | |
| *Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN's) are not required to take NURS 210 Fundamentals of Nursing if they are able to pass the HESI Fundamentals exam with a score of 75% or greater and successfully complete a clinical skills assessment conducted by nurse faculty. The HESI Exam and clinical skills assessment are arranged through the Nursing Program Office. The exam costs $50. NURS 209 is a prerequisite for NURS 210. NURS 209 may be waived if students have at least one year of documented clinical experience in a health care setting. See #1 above for more information. | ||||
Locations
The Associate in Science in Nursing degree is available at the following locations:| Main Campus, Day Program |
| Main Campus, Evening Program |
|
Lake of the Ozarks, MO |