Nursing Degrees Online

The two-year nursing program prepares individuals for nursing careers involving the delivery of direct client care in settings such as hospitals, physician offices, clinics, extended care facilities, and the client’s home. The curriculum includes a balance of nursing and non-nursing courses. Students must obtain a “C” or better in all nursing and natural science courses to progress in the program. Nursing courses are designed to provide learning opportunities for acquiring the necessary nursing knowledge and skill to practice nursing at the associate degree level. The focus is holistic health promotion and wellness.

The Associate Degree Nursing program is offered in Bluefield, on the main campus of the College, and in Beckley at the Beckley Center, located in Harper Industrial Park. The nursing courses at the Beckley Center are taught by Bluefield State College nursing faculty. Students may elect to take the non-nursing program courses at Bluefield State College or other area colleges. Courses taken at other colleges must have prior approval. These courses must be equivalent to the program courses as judged by Bluefield State College (see Transfer Credit section).

Eligibility requirements for admission to the associate degree nursing program include:
Meet general admission requirements.
Eligibility to enter MATH 101 by the fall semester of entrance year into the program. It is strongly recommended that students complete with a “C” or better BIOL 201/203 and MATH 101 prior to admission into the program.
An overall high school grade point average of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale, or a score of 45 on each of the GED exams.
a. Have completed with a “C” or better one unit of high school algebra, one unit of high school biology and one unit of high school chemistry (ACT/SAT equivalent score of 19 in mathematics will substitute for the algebra course)
OR
b. Be enrolled at Bluefield State College or another accredited institution of higher learning prior to application, having completed a minimum of 12 credit hours** and achieving a 2.5 or better grade point average. A “C” grade or better is required in each of the following: one mathematics course, one biology course and one introductory chemistry course. (Also required for college students are copies of their high school transcripts and ACT/SAT scores). **Developmental or Remedial courses will not be considered.
Complete HESI Admission Test with 75% or better overall average AND a 70% or better in each of the following sections: Math, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary and General Knowledge, Grammar and Biology.
Completion of Health 100, with a “C” or better, prior to admission to the program.
Applicants exceeding these academic standards and course requirements will be given first priority.

The Associate Degree Nursing program is approved by the West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses and is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

Upon successful completion of the associate degree program in nursing, the graduate is eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Exam - RN (NCLEX-RN). Successful completion of this examination allows the graduate to apply for licensure as a registered nurse.

The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) is designed to accommodate two groups of students: those who are entering a nursing program for the first time (traditional students) and those licensed practical nurses (transitional students) seeking educational mobility to the associate degree level.

In the rapidly changing health care field, registered nurses have several career options that are both challenging and rewarding. They are advocates and health educators for patients, families, and communities. The registered nurse is responsible for assessing, identifying and implementing nursing care for the patient. The registered nurse also assists physicians, administers medications and treatments and participates in the patient’s convalescence and rehabilitation.

The Associate of Science in Nursing Program is approved by the Indiana State Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission. Graduates of the ASN program are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination to become registered nurses. Graduates may seek immediate employment or choose to transfer their credits to a four-year institution offering a baccalaureate degree.

In addition to general admission requirements, students interested in pursuing the ASN must take a nursing entrance exam and meet the required standards. Once enrolled, all required courses for the ASN program must be passed at a “C” grade level or above.

The Department of Nursing offers two baccalaureate degree options: a generic (four-year BS) option that prepares students to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN); and a two-year non-generic option (RN-BS) that provides registered nurses prepared at the associate degree level an opportunity to obtain a bachelors degree in nursing. Both programs prepare students for graduate study in nursing and to practice at the professional level in a variety of health care settings, including the community, industry, government, hospitals, and clinics.

The Nursing Program educates individuals to become registered nurses at the associate degree level. It is designed to provide the foundation for further preparation in nursing and life-long learning. The program prepares a nurse generalist for beginning professional practice using knowledge derived from the liberal arts, biological sciences, physical sciences, behavioral sciences, and nursing. Individuals will be prepared to practice in a variety of health care settings, and encouraged to continue personal and professional growth. The program emphasizes excellent teaching with a commitment to student-faculty interaction. Individual talents, background experiences, perspectives, and insights are recognized and appreciated by faculty. Graduates will be eligible to apply to write the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).

The School of Nursing recognizes the education and experience of Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses with an articulation model. LPN’s/LVN’s will be able to advance their education with minimal duplication of knowledge and skills. Eligible applicants will be admitted to the Accelerated LPN-RN Track. Graduates will earn the Associate of Science in Nursing degree and are eligible to apply to write the NCLEX-RN

With Excelsior College, formerly Regents College, you can get ready for the NCLEX® exam—and acquire the knowledge and skills RNs need—while tending to your work and family.

Accredited by NLNAC, Excelsior College associate degrees in nursing are the only ones you can earn at a distance. While you work in a health care clinical setting, you can study independently and test for credit in a respected program that prepares you to make a difference as an RN. It also prepares you to take the NCLEX® exam: Excelsior College graduates have an NCLEX® pass rate for first-time test takers that is at or above the national average.

On the associate level, you can choose from one of two nursing degrees: the Associate in Science (AS) or the Associate in Applied Science (AAS).

What You’ll Learn

At Excelsior College, we believe that the practice of nursing at the associate degree level involves three complementary and interrelated roles: provider of care, manager of care, and member of the profession. Our associate degree programs help our graduates deliver quality care, be effective members of the health care teams in collaboration with other health care professionals, and function as patient advocates within the legal and ethical parameters defined by the profession.

Degree Requirements

Both the Associate in Science (AS) and the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) require successful completion of 67 semester credits, including 31 in general education and 36 in nursing. The two degree programs have identical nursing component requirements but differ slightly in the general education requirements.

Many requirements for these degree programs may be met by taking Excelsior College Examinations. Of course, before registering for any courses or examinations, we encourage you to discuss degree requirements further with an Excelsior College academic advisor.

Technical Standards

Technical standards are the required and essential abilities that an individual must effectively demonstrate as an Excelsior College Associate Degree nursing student taking the Clinical Performance Nursing Examination (CPNE®).

Excelsior College School of Nursing is committed to providing educational opportunities to students with disabilities and is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The College provides reasonable accommodations based on the specifics of each case.

The CPNE tests a student’s application of the nursing process and technical components for nursing practice in the care of adults and children in the acute care setting. Therefore the nursing student must be able to perform the following:
Assess, perceive and understand the condition of assigned patients;
See, hear, smell, touch and detect subtle changes in colors;
Communicate (both verbally and in writing) with English speaking patients and/or family members/significant others as well as members of the health care team, including nurses, physicians, support staff and faculty;
Read and understand documents written in English;
Perform diagnostic and therapeutic functions necessary for the provision of general care and emergency treatment to the hospital patient
Stand, sit, move and tolerate the required physical exertion necessary to meet the demands of providing safe clinical care;
Solve problems involving measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis and synthesis; and
Perform nursing skills in the face of stressful conditions, exposure to infectious agents and blood-borne pathogens.

At the associate degree level, emphasis is placed on providing and managing direct care to individuals with common well defined problems. The associate degree graduate functions as a team member using nursing diagnoses and established protocols for individuals in acute care and community based settings. Additionally, the graduate participates as a member of the profession in appropriate specialty and politically focused nursing organizations.

ASU offers two Associate Degree programs:

The LPN-AASN program provides upward mobility for the LPN to receive an Associate Degree and become a Registered Nurse and is offered at the following campuses:

ASU-Jonesboro

ASU-Beebe

ASU Mountain Home

Mid-South Community College - West Memphis

The Traditional AASN Program offers a 2-year Associate Degree for students with no prior nursing experience and is offered at the following campuses:

ASU Beebe

ASU Mountain Home

Mid-South Community College - West Memphis

The AASN program is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006, Phone (212) 989-9393 ext 153. Upon completion of this program, the student is eligible for the National Council of State Board of Nursing Licensing Examination (NCLEX) and, after passing the examination, is licensed as a Registered Nurse by the state(s) to which application is made.

The Associate Degree Program in Nursing plans a January admission for new students. Applications for the spring admission will be available September 2007. All applicants must meet eligibility requirement at the time of application.

Students considering our programs are encouraged to prepare for a challenging experience of study that requires consistent discipline, focus, and scholarly work. In addition, the RN-BSN curriculum is designed to provide registered nurses theory and practicum opportunities for leadership roles, nursing research, and/or graduate education. This is truly a “new day and a new opportunity” for us and it can be for you. All of the programs previously identified are offered at the associate degree level, except for nursing. The nursing program has offerings at the certificate, associate, and bachelor degree levels. Therefore, please continue to review each program’s curriculum of study, and know that we have plans for continued growth, diversification, and excellence within our department.
It is my vision to become a model School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions, providing evidence based training for a variety of health care disciplines at the certificate, associate, and bachelor degree levels. In addition, I envision meeting a critical need for Nurse Educators with the establishment of a Masters Level Program for Nurse Educators. It is critical to provide the healthcare workforce opportunities for cross training and career mobility, in addition to meeting a workforce shortage. I envision the University of the District of Columbia meeting these needs. We have already started to lay the ground work through major collaborations with other universities and health care facilities, and with plans to add bachelor level and specialty courses to our allied health programs.

The faculty and I applaud you, if you are considering health care as a career choice. Health care is a rewarding profession that can bring great pride, personal, and professional satisfaction. Curricula for all programs in the Department of Nursing and Allied Health are designed to provide the knowledge and clinical competence required for twenty-first century practitioners. We work to facilitate a transformation from dedicated students into competent practitioners in a student centered environment. That practitioner can be you!

In closing, I encourage you to consider nursing education at the University of the District of Columbia, and we will strive to make all of your educational and professional aspirations become reality.

The Baccalaureate Program in Nursing receives eight (8) years reaccreditation from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).

Students considering our programs are encouraged to prepare for a challenging experience of study that requires consistent discipline, focus, and scholarly work. In addition, the RN-BSN curriculum is designed to provide registered nurses theory and practicum opportunities for leadership roles, nursing research, and/or graduate education. This is truly a “new day and a new opportunity” for us and it can be for you. All of the programs previously identified are offered at the associate degree level, except for nursing. The nursing program has offerings at the certificate, associate, and bachelor degree levels. Therefore, please continue to review each program’s curriculum of study, and know that we have plans for continued growth, diversification, and excellence within our department.
It is my vision to become a model School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions, providing evidence based training for a variety of health care disciplines at the certificate, associate, and bachelor degree levels. In addition, I envision meeting a critical need for Nurse Educators with the establishment of a Masters Level Program for Nurse Educators. It is critical to provide the healthcare workforce opportunities for cross training and career mobility, in addition to meeting a workforce shortage. I envision the University of the District of Columbia meeting these needs. We have already started to lay the ground work through major collaborations with other universities and health care facilities, and with plans to add bachelor level and specialty courses to our allied health programs.

The faculty and I applaud you, if you are considering health care as a career choice. Health care is a rewarding profession that can bring great pride, personal, and professional satisfaction. Curricula for all programs in the Department of Nursing and Allied Health are designed to provide the knowledge and clinical competence required for twenty-first century practitioners. We work to facilitate a transformation from dedicated students into competent practitioners in a student centered environment. That practitioner can be you!

In closing, I encourage you to consider nursing education at the University of the District of Columbia, and we will strive to make all of your educational and professional aspirations become reality.