Associates of Science in Nursing Program

Program Description

Meridian West Central College School of Nursing prepares learners to become nurses who as contributing members of the health team, provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about health conditions and issues, and provide emotional support and advice to patients and their families.

Learners are prepared for entry-level practice as a nurse, to work in a variety of health care settings such as hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, care clinics, and long-term care facilities. As we prepare you to practice with competence, confidence, and compassion, the college core focus is your success. The blended nursing program contains didactic content online. Campus labs and seminars are provided in a face-to-face format on our campus. The synchronous online portion of the program is live in a virtual GoToMeeting classroom. All core nursing courses contains a clinical component practice in the care of diverse populations.

Program Objectives

The graduate of the ASN Nursing Program will be able to:

1. Perform nursing duties within legal and ethical principles and professional standards of practice according to prevailing regulations.
2. Apply evidence-based knowledge from nursing and the basic biological, physical, social, behavioral, and technological sciences to support clinical decision-making and to provide accurate, safe nursing care in diverse settings.
3. Apply principles of microbiology, nutrition, and pharmacology to support clinical decision- making and to provide accurate and safe nursing care in diverse settings.
4. Utilize the nursing process and collaborating with other members of the healthcare team to promote achievement of identified client outcomes.
5. Provide accurate, safe nursing care when implementing the prescribed treatment regimen to assist clients/families in coping/adapting to changes in health status and health deviation to promote self-care and continuity of care within and across healthcare settings.
6. Assist the client when making healthcare decisions to achieve optimal level of functioning or end-of-life decisions to attain a peaceful, dignified death according to the client’s emotional, cultural, religious, and spiritual needs.
7. Demonstrate caring behaviors in interactions with clients, significant support persons, and other members of the healthcare team.
8. Utilize effective communication in interactions with the client, significant support persons, and members of the healthcare team.
9. Collaborate with the client, significant support persons, and other healthcare team members to achieve desired client outcomes using available resources and services to provide safe, cost-effective care.
10. Participate in lifelong learning and professional and healthcare advancement.

Criteria for application and entrance requirements with a minimum 2.0 college GPA and minimum 2.50 GPA for nursing curriculum courses. Clinical experience will be in extended care, acute care, and community agencies where students learn the holistic practice of nursing. In order to progress into program, graduate, and be eligible to apply for licensure as a registered nurse, including taking the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), you must attain a grade of "C+" or better in all courses, nursing and non-nursing that are a part of the program. To learn more about the role of the registered nurse, please visit http://www.bls.org/ooh/healthcare/registeed-nurses.htm or www.nln.org vision series.

Courses

To receive an Associates of Science Degree in Nursing, students must complete the required credits in their major. This degree program can be completed in two or three years.

Entrance Requirements

Candidates that successfully complete the requirements listed above must submit the following to be considered for enrollment (all at applicant’s expense).

• Florida Department of Law Enforcement Criminal Background check (at expense of the applicant).
• Current physical examination performed by an MD, DO or ARNP.
• Proof of following vaccinations and titers: Hepatitis B series, MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) and VZV (Varicella) vaccine, Diphtheria, Poliomyelitis. (at expense of the applicant) .
• Negative two-step PPD result. Students with a positive PPD result must submit a negative Chest x-ray radiology report confirming a chest x-ray every two subsequent years.
• Proof of tetanus booster within ten years.
• Negative urinary drug screen indicating a 10-panel drug screen sent directly to the school (at expense of the applicant).
• Valid CPR certification from the American Heart Association.

Graduation Requirements

An Associate Degree in Nursing will be issued to each student who successfully completes the program and satisfies all the graduation requirements for Nursing.

• Achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
• Complete the program within 150% of the normal program length.
• Successfully complete all courses in the program.
• Successfully complete all required theory, online simulation lab, and clinical hours.
• Satisfy all other academic requirements (tests, assessments, assignments, etc.) of the program.
• Successfully pass required Exit Exams.
• Satisfy all financial obligations to the college.
• Complete all exit exams and interviews.

ASN Nursing Program Milestones

1. Purpose
   • To guide students through the process to fulfill program and graduation requirements in a timely manner.
2. Policy
   • During progression through the program, students complete basic requirements, including regular contact with assigned program advisor, program study and implementation of clinical requirements, admission to the college, transfer of outside credit, and application for graduation upon program completion.
3. Procedure
   1. Students must be admitted to the ASN Nursing degree program (transitional/bridge option) at Meridian West Central College.
   2. Students must begin Developmental coursework in the first semester in advance or prior attending Meridian West Central College.
   3. Students must complete at least six degree-applicable credits with a C+ or better each fall and spring semester.
   4. Students must complete their MWCC Nursing Prerequisites with a grade of C+ or better by completion of the ASN Nursing program. The Meridian West Central College Nursing Prerequisites are as follows:
      1. Anatomy and Physiology I
      2. Anatomy and Physiology II
      3. Microbiology
      4. Chemistry
      5. English Composition
      6. Intro to Philosophy
      7. Nursing Math/College Algebra
   5. Students must maintain a 2.85 GPA and:
      1. Remain in good standing in the ASN Nursing program at Meridian West Central College.
      2. Complete all courses (Nursing Prerequisites, Meridian West Central College Core, Nursing Program courses, and electives) with a C+ or better.
   6. Students must take and pass the NCLEX examination upon completion of their ASN Nursing program at Meridian West Central College.
   7. After completion of their ASN degree, students must complete any remaining Meridian West Central College Core requirements at Meridian West Central College.
   8. At least 30+ credits must be taken in degree status at Meridian West Central College.

This program has additional requirements for admission. Students must meet with a Meridian West Central College SON Advisor before signing the admission enrollment agreement.

All nursing prerequisite courses must be completed prior to graduation from the ASN Nursing program at Meridian West Central College. To minimize the time needed to earn the ASN, the Core elective requirements should be completed prior to starting the Co-enrollment program but is not required. Upon graduating from an unencumbered LPN-Nursing program, students must complete all required prerequisites, core, or elective courses at Meridian West Central College.

The Associate in Science Nursing (ASN) program completion makes you eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination, NCLEX RN in Florida, or one of the 41 nursing compact states, if you are wanting to apply for multi-state license under the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). A list of current compact states can be located on the National Council of State Board of Nursing website. If you are a student who resides outside of Florida or one of the compact states, Meridian West Central College cannot confirm whether this degree program meets educational requirements for licensure in your state. Our curriculum should meet the requirements of other states. However, some states have requirements in addition to our program’s curriculum. If you wish to take the NCLEX exam in a non-compact state, you should contact the board of nursing in that state to determine whether the MWCC ASN degree meets their licensure requirements.

PROGRAM BREAKDOWN BY COURSE