week sessions
undergraduate tuition
Available program formats: In class: AS
Prepare to join the fast-growing healthcare field of nursing. The program is open to individuals who have no prior nursing education and to individuals who hold a Licensed Practical Nursing license.
Degree Requirements
Becoming a registered nurse can be challenging and competitive. The Associate in Science in Nursing degree from Columbia College will help you successfully complete your journey to RN licensing. The ASN provides simulation lab experiences and clinicals that prepare you to pass the NCLEX-RN exam—whether you have prior nursing education or are starting on this path for the first time.
You’ll graduate with a strong background in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, microbiology and other sciences. You’ll also better understand the nursing profession as a whole, including specialties like mental health, as well as women’s and infant health.
Opportunities to study:
Submit your spring application packet by: December 15
NURS 209 test-out date: December 9, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
If you are selected for the program at Columbia College, you have the reassurance of knowing that our curriculum is reviewed systematically to ensure it prepares you to succeed in a position in the nursing field. We have also identified the prerequisite courses that will aid you the most in completing the nursing course sequence.
Thanks to our comprehensive coursework, state-of-the-art simulation labs, and clinical experiences, graduates of our Missouri State Board of Nursing-approved program are well prepared for the NCLEX-RN exam. Successful completion of the program does not guarantee eligibility to take the licensure examination. According to the Nursing Practice Act, licensure may be withheld or revoked due to controlled substance abuse, criminal prosecution, and a variety of other offenses.
Registered nursing jobs are growing at a fast rate across all settings—including hospitals, home care, hospice, schools and nursing homes.
Some possible paths include:
| Year | Retention Rate | NCLEX-RN Pass Rates | Job Placement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 84% | 82.35% | 95% |
The Associate in Nursing program at the Columbia College campus, located in Columbia, MO and the Lake of the Ozarks campus, located in Osage Beach, MO is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate in Nursing program is initial accreditation.
Columbia College Global offers traditional classroom instruction for many courses at nationwide locations. Students at nationwide locations are expected to engage with multiple learning methods, including online and virtual while completing their degree. Columbia College offers on-campus programs with traditional classroom instruction at the Residential Campus in Columbia, Missouri.
"Being a member of a nursing honor society is very prestigious. When you have that on your resumé and you apply for jobs, people know what that means."
Read about JoyceSubmit this form to get information about applying to Columbia College.
Available program formats
This course is designed to provide the foundation for the role of the registered professional nurse. Nursing as a profession, nursing standards and legal-ethical issues in nursing are explored. Communication principles, nutrition and patient teaching continues to be discussed. Principles of medication administration, math as applied to medication administration, intravenous therapy and physical assessment skills are also covered. Critical thinking skills and evidence-based practice concepts are applied to multiple nursing situations. General principle of caring for patients across the lifespan with common medical surgical health deviations are the clinical focus. Accompanying skills lab and clinical experiences are designed to increase the knowledge, judgment, skills level and professional behaviors in the nursing student. Additional lab fee for main campus day and Lake Ozarks offerings when applicable. Prerequisites: NURS 208, NURS 212 and NURS 314; or NURS 209, NURS 210, and NURS 212.
This course is designed to integrate knowledge and skills from previous nursing courses to develop a progressing knowledge base in medical surgical nursing across the lifespan. Fluid and electrolytes and acid/base concepts are introduced. Common medical surgical health deviations are reviewed with an emphasis on pathophysiology, health promotion and nursing interventions. Principles of communication, patient teaching, pharmacology, nutrition and culture/ethnic/socially diverse concepts are integrated with these topics to develop critical thinking skills in patient care. Introduction to leadership and management theories are presented. Prerequisites: Admission to the Associate or Bachelor Level Nursing program; NURS 300(BSN and ASN).
This course is designed to provide the foundation for entry level competence in mental health nursing across the lifespan. Interpersonal, behavioral, psychosocial and communication concepts provide the basis for effective and therapeutic mental health nursing. Critical thinking skills and evidence based practice concepts are applied and analyzed. Emphasis is placed on selected pathophysiology and related care using the nursing process. Therapeutic communication skills within the nurse-patient-family relationship will be highlighted in the care of patients with psychosocial,substance dependence and other mental health deviations. Other topics integrated throughout the course are legal-ethical issues, patient education, pharmacological and sociocultural principles. Alternative therapies and treatments are investigated and discussed, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the professional nurse, including collaboration with other disciplines and organizations as resources and support mechanisms. $35 lab fee. This nursing course is offered to nursing students at the campus site they regularly attend. The lecture portion of the course may be offered by in-classroom instruction or by interactive video classroom technology. Prerequisites: Admission to the nursing program; NURS 210. Corequisite: NURS 212.
This course is designed to provide the foundation for entry-level competence in women's and infants' health. Critical thinking skills and evidence-based practice concepts will be applied to multiple nursing scenarios. Emphasis is placed on developing nursing care for a woman with an uncomplicated or complicated pregnancy, the normal and high risk infant and women's reproductive and post-reproductive health and health deviations. Communication, legal-ethical concepts, patient education and pharmacological, nutritional and socio-cultural principles are integrated throughout the course. Prerequisites: admission to the ASN or traditional BSN nursing program and NURS 301. Corequisite: NURS 491 for associate in nursing students only. Additional lab fee for main campus day and Lake Ozarks offerings when applicable.
