The Associate Degree Nursing program will prepare students for this exciting career with concentrated classroom studies and extensive clinical work based in a wide-range of health care settings. The first two semesters are identical in both the Practical Nursing (PN) program and the Associate Degree Nursing program enabling students to finish with the PN diploma after the first summer, and/or continue in the ADN program.

Program Mission Statement: The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program is committed to providing quality nursing education to aid students to meet their diverse learning needs in preparing for a career as a Registered Nurse.

Student Responsibilities: A medical health form, certification in basic cardiac life support, and other immunization requirements must be completed prior to starting the nursing courses. Transportation to the clinical site is the student’s responsibility. Uniforms are purchased by the students and worn to clinical. All nursing students must complete a Criminal Record/Child and Adult Abuse check prior to attending clinical. Any student with a felony conviction must notify the Iowa Board of Nursing after they have completed requirements for licensure including completion of a course of study and filing an application. Upon completion of the program, graduates are qualified to take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX).

Accreditation: The ADN program is approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing.

Admission Requirements: This program is a selective, limited enrollment program. Students who would like to be considered for admission must complete an additional nursing application packet. Students must also be enrolled in, or have previously completed any pre-requisites of the program with a “C” or higher before they will be considered for the program. Students must submit proof of their enrollment in/or completion prior to the application deadline. The following criteria is required for applicants: a minimum of a high school diploma (GPA 2.5) or equivalent (GED 550) or HiSET 15, minimum ASSET scores of 40 in writing and reading and 46 in math, ALEKS score of 20 or higher, and ACT scores of 18 in Reading and English or Accucplacer Next Generation score of ≥ 250 (Reading), and WritePlacer score ≥ 5. For students who are non-native speaker of “American English” will be required to submit TOEFL scores of 17 or above in each section-Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. High School Biology, Algebra, English and Chemistry are highly recommended. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) may enter the ADN program as Advanced Standing students and continue in the second year to complete the requirements of the ADN program. Licensed Practical Nursing students must submit an Advanced Standing nursing application and submit a copy of their LPN license. All science courses are required to be completed within the past five years.

Enrollment Date: Fall and Spring Semester Fort Dodge; Fall Semester Storm Lake and Webster City
Minimum Required Credits: 78 (79 with Advanced Standing)
Campus: Fort Dodge, Storm Lake, Webster City
Department: Health Science
CIP#: 51.16010200

Program Outcomes:

1. Utilize critical thinking through the nursing process to determine priorities and implement safe, effective patient care for groups or individuals.
2. Collaborate with other health team members within the health care setting to meet individuals’ needs along the health-illness continuum.
3. Utilize communication skills to maintain effective and/or therapeutic relationships with individuals, families, and members of the health team.
4. Practice within the profession’s ethical and legal framework pertinent to the role of the registered nurse.
5. Utilize technical skills (including working with health equipment) in providing safe, effective nursing care.
6. Demonstrate personal responsibility and accountability in the practice of nursing.