Nursing, AS

Associate of Science in Nursing Curriculum - Regular Track

Credit Breakdown (66 hours for the ASN)

• Prerequisite Courses Credit Hours: 10
• General Education Courses Credit Hours: 14
• Nursing Courses Credit Hours: 42

Total Credit Hours Required 66

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)-to-Registered Nurse (RN) Track

The LPN to RN Track of the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Degree Program is a 65 credit hour, selective admission program that consists of one summer and one academic year. Students who successfully complete the program may apply to the Missouri State Board of Nursing to determine eligibility to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

The qualified LPN may begin classes in January if BMS 267 - Human Anatomy , BMS 268 - Human Physiology , MTH 130  (or higher) placement, PSY 121 - Introductory Psychology , and ENG 110 - Writing I  have been completed. LPNs may begin the nursing program without PSY 121  if permission is obtained from the Nursing Department prior to the start of nursing courses. Qualified LPNs may receive 15 hours of Advanced Placement Credit for NUR 100 - Fundamentals of Nursing  and NUR 101 - Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing 1 . Transfer credit for other coursework will be evaluated by the admissions office. The Nursing Department strongly urges students to complete any or all of the general education requirements of the ASN degree prior to the start of nursing courses. Curriculum pathways for both options are below:

The LPN-RN Track program curriculum is as follows (with general education requirements needed):

Transfer Students

Students desiring to transfer into the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree program at Missouri State University-West Plains may be accepted into the program after successful application to the University and a decision by the Missouri State University-West Plains ASN Admissions Committee.

Students may enroll in required nursing courses only after admission to the ASN program.

• Enrollment is based on space available in class.
• Transfer students will be responsible for meeting objectives of prerequisites to the nursing courses in which they desire to enroll.
• Transfer students must complete at least 15 hours of the requirements for the Associate of Science in Nursing degree in residence on the West Plains campus or its extended campuses.

Program Costs

Find out about nursing program costs at: https://wp.missouristate.edu/nursing/costs.htm.

Accreditation

The Associate of Science in Nursing Program is fully approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing, PO Box 656, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0656, Phone (573) 751-0681, http://pr.mo.gov/nursing.asp and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326, Phone: (404) 975-5000, http://www.acenursing.org/.

State Board Examination for R.N. Licensure

Students who meet educational and other standards for application for a license to practice as a registered nurse (Sect.335.046.1 RSMo) may apply to take the NCLEX-RN examination for RN licensure (4CSR 20004.020 Missouri Code of State Regulations). There is a fee for the examination and license. Successful completion of the nursing program does not guarantee licensure. Applicants may be denied licensure in Missouri for one or any combination of causes stated in the Missouri Nursing Practice Act Sect. 335.066, 2 (1015) RSMo. A copy of the Missouri Nursing Practice Act Sect. 335.066, 2 (1015) RSMo is available upon request or may be found at the Missouri State Board of Nursing website: http://pr.mo.gov/nursing.asp.

Application Requirements for the Nursing Program

All applicants will be considered competitively on an annual basis. To be considered for acceptance into the nursing program, your applicant file must contain all required documentation by application deadline. Follow the three steps below to make sure your applicant file is complete.

1. Office of Admissions

• Apply to Missouri State University-West Plains
• Provide high school transcripts or HiSET/GED certificate if required for the admission to the University.
• Provide official transcripts from all previously attended colleges or Universities.
• Receive letter of admission to the University and BearPass number.

2. Missouri State-West Plains Testing Center - Kaplan Entrance Exam

• Have on file the Kaplan Entrance Exam with a minimum overall score of 55%.
• A minimum reading subtopic score on the Kaplan Entrance Exam of 64%.

3. Nursing Department

•  Apply online through My Grizzly Den, Nursing Application on the Student Resources card. (Login required - Contact the Help Desk if you need a BearPass password.)
• If applicable, have transcripts from other nursing programs sent directly to the nursing department.
• LPN students: Proof of active, non-disciplined LPN licensure.
• You will receive written notification of admission status - accepted, alternate or not accepted.

Entrance Requirements

• A minimum overall GPA of 2.5
• A minimum GPA of 2.51 in all science courses
• MTH 130 - Contemporary Mathematics  eligibility as determined by:
  • Placement exam score or
  • Completed college coursework such as MTH 103 .
• ENG 110 - Writing I  eligibility as determined by:
  • Eligibility established by application deadline
  • Completed by start of program.

Applicants who have met the minimum admission requirements and who have successfully completed support courses within the nursing curriculum will acquire points for ranking.

Offers of acceptance to the Associate of Science in Nursing program are conditional. Conditions include satisfactory completion of nursing support courses, a satisfactory background check and a negative drug and/or controlled substance test.

• An applicant or current nursing student who refuses to authorize and pay testing or who tests positive for drugs, alcohol or controlled substances will not receive a final offer of admission or will not be allowed to continue in the nursing program.
• Past academic history and known academic integrity may be used by the committee to determine if an applicant will be admitted into the nursing program.
• Admission is contingent upon meeting the grade criteria of ‘C’ or better for past and current enrollment in nursing curriculum support classes.

As a requirement of the nursing program application process, in response to RSMo 660.315 and 660.317b, applicants to the program will be required to consent to release of their criminal history record (RSMo 43.450) solely for the purpose of determining the applicant’s ability to enter patient care areas in order to fulfill the requirements of the ASN program. For more information see Nursing Eligibility.

Notes:

Students are strongly encouraged to confirm transferability of individual courses to other institutions prior to enrollment. Not all courses will transfer or satisfy specific degree requirements for bachelor’s degrees.