Nursing

The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing prepares the licensed practical nurse (LPN) as a professional registered nurse (RN). This degree is based upon nursing and related sciences to promote, restore, and maintain the health of human beings. Critical reasoning is developed to manage complex patient-care situations in healthcare agencies and the community. Graduates of this program are generalists with the necessary academic preparation to pursue further nursing degrees and continuing professional development.  The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing has full approval by the Missouri State Board of Nursing, 3605 Missouri Boulevard, Jefferson City, MO 65102; (573) 751-0293; www.pr.mo.gov.

The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing is a three-semester program.  Students will participate in clinicals at approved healthcare agencies that may include local hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, and area schools.  Upon successful completion of the program and approval from the Missouri State Board of Nursing, students become eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Enrollment in the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing is limited, and students are selected for this program on a competitive basis.   Contact the Office of Admissions for specific application requirements, forms, and the application deadline.

Students who are admitted to the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing program should be aware that they will be subject to drug screening. Criminal background checks will be required prior to clinical placement. Per Missouri law, persons who have been convicted of or pled guilty to certain felony offenses may be prohibited from holding any direct patient care positions. This could prevent placement in and completion of clinical education courses, which are required to complete this LPN to RN degree program.

Students enrolled in nursing courses with both clinical and lecture components must pass both course components at the same time. If one course component is failed, both course components must be repeated and passed at the same time.

In order to continue in and graduate from the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing program, students must maintain a grade of 75% or better in all “Core Curriculum” courses, a “B” or better in all science courses (Microbiology and Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab I and II), and a grade of “C” or better in all other courses. 

To view program outcome data, visit https://statetechmo.edu/adnfacts/.

Program Mission

The mission of the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing program is to provide licensed practical nurses education mobility and a transition path to become a professional registered nurse. The professional registered nurse contributes to comprehensive healthcare through critical reasoning in the use of the nursing process, clinical competence, quality outcomes, and patient advocacy. Partnerships with the community through healthcare, governmental, and accrediting agencies assist the program with providing learning environments in which students build upon their skills and knowledge to strengthen their understanding of local, state, and national health issues.

Program Goals
The goals of the program are to provide the opportunity for students to develop:

• Ability to transition from a Licensed Practical Nurse to a professional Registered Nurse.
• Skills to be a safe and effective practitioner as a professional Registered Nurse.
• Individual growth in their personal, professional, and community lives.
• Skills to meet the objectives of the Missouri State Board of Nursing through teamwork and collaboration with peers, nursing faculty, advisory committee members, and cooperating agencies.
• Ability to assume a role as a member and manager of both the nursing and healthcare team.
• Clinical reasoning skills and documentation skills within the scope of the professional Registered Nurse.
• Competency in patient-centered care professional nursing practice.
• Knowledge and eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN examination to become a professional Registered Nurse.
• Ability to contribute to the profession of nursing through life-long learning, safe quality patient management, and evidence-based practice producing quality outcomes.

Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS)

Classification of Instructional Programs - 51.3801

Core Curriculum

			Credit Hours
NUR	200	Transition to Professional Nursing Practice	3
NUR	205	Health Assessment in Professional Nursing Practice	3
NUR	208	Health Assessment Clinical Education	2
NUR	210	Medical Surgical Nursing in the Adult Client	3
NUR	215	Medical Surgical Nursing in the Adult Client Clinical Education	3
NUR	221	Mental Health Nursing	3
NUR	226	Mental Health Nursing Clinical Education	1
NUR	230	Women and Child Care Nursing	3
NUR	235	Women and Child Care Nursing Clinical Education	2
NUR	240	Managing and Delegating Care in Professional Nursing Practice	3
NUR	246	Capstone with Nurse Leadership Application	3
SUB-TOTAL			29

General Education Requirements

Refer to the General Education Requirements and General Education Courses in the College Catalog.

			Credit Hours
General Education Requirements			19
Must Include:
MAT	115	College Algebra	3
		or
A mathematics course approved by the Nursing department chair.
ASC	104	Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab I	4
May Not Include:
ASC	106	Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab II	4
SUB-TOTAL			19

Program Requirements

			Credit Hours
ASC	106	Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab II	4
PSY	161	Health Psychology	3
SCI	151	Microbiology with Lab	4
SUB-TOTAL			11

Graduation Requirements

			Credit Hours
COM	125	Job Search Strategies	1
It is a graduation requirement of the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing program for students to earn a grade of 75% or better in all "Core Curriculum" courses, a "B" or better in all science courses (Microbiology and Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab I and II), and a "C" or better in all other courses.
SUB-TOTAL			1

PROGRAM TOTAL

60

Courses

NUR 200: Transition to Professional Nursing Practice

This course focuses on the role transition of a licensed practical nurse (LPN) to that of a professional registered nurse (RN). The roles of the RN as a provider and manager of patient-centered care and as a member of the professional nurse community are emphasized. Communication skills build on previous knowledge including the use of technology. Concepts of responsibility, accountability, delegation, advocacy, and collaboration will be discussed and articulated. Students will learn to reflect and synthesize information based on ethical, legal, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, safety, financial, and cultural considerations while organizing, prioritizing, and delegating nursing care. Social and political influences on nursing practice and healthcare delivery will be explored.

Requisites:
Prerequisite Acceptance into the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing program
and
Prerequisite ASC 104 minimum grade B
Prerequisite ASC 106 minimum grade B
Prerequisite PSY 161 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite SCI 151 minimum grade B

Credit Hours: 3

NUR 205: Health Assessment in Professional Nursing Practice

This health assessment course is designed to transition the licensed practical nurse (LPN) to the professional registered nurse (RN) role. The student will learn concepts and advanced nursing interventions including medication and intravenous management to provide safe, quality patient-centered practice in a variety of healthcare settings. Emphasis is placed on developing professional skills in health assessment, implementation, and evaluation of nursing interventions, technologies, and quality outcomes. Concepts build on previous knowledge to enhance professionalism and utilization of appropriate communication, documentation, life-span considerations, and evidence-based practice. NUR 205 and its clinical course NUR 208 must be taken and passed at the same time. If either course is failed, both courses must be repeated and passed at the same time.

Requisites:
Prerequisite Acceptance into the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing program
and
Prerequisite ASC 104 minimum grade B
and
Prerequisite ASC 106 minimum grade B
and
Prerequisite PSY 161 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite SCI 151 minimum grade B
and
Corequisite NUR 208 minimum grade C NUR 205 and NUR 208 must be taken and passed at the same time.

Credit Hours: 3

NUR 208: Health Assessment Clinical Education

This health assessment clinical course is designed to transition the licensed practical nurse (LPN) to the professional registered nurse (RN) role. Emphasis is placed on developing professional skills in health assessment including planning care, utilizing appropriate nursing interventions, and evaluating patient outcomes. Physical assessment, infection control, patient education, nutrition, safety, advanced medication administration, and nursing skills are practiced and mastered in skills lab, simulation, and the clinical setting. NUR 208 and its lecture course NUR 205 must be taken and passed at the same time. If either course is failed, both courses must be repeated and passed at the same time.

Requisites:
Prerequisite Acceptance into the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing program
and
Prerequisite ASC 104 minimum grade B
and
Prerequisite ASC 106 minimum grade B
and
Prerequisite PSY 161 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite SCI 151 minimum grade B
and
Corequisite NUR 205 minimum grade C NUR 208 and NUR 205 must be taken and passed at the same time.

Credit Hours: 2

NUR 210: Medical Surgical Nursing in the Adult Client

This didactic course transitions the licensed practical nurse (LPN) nursing knowledge and skills to that of the professional registered nurse (RN). The student will focus on the pathophysiology, nutrition, and medications related to complex medical surgical conditions. Medication administration and intravenous therapy will be emphasized. Students will expand their critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills by utilizing assessment, health data, cultural competence, and the nursing process in the application of safe, evidence-based practice, and quality nursing care. The student will gain organization, prioritization, and collaboration skills while learning to function more independently. Accountability and integrity within the ethical legal framework of entry-level registered professional nursing practice will be self-assessed while fostering a commitment to ongoing professional development. NUR 210 and its clinical course NUR 215 must be taken and passed at the same time. If either course is failed, both courses must be repeated and passed at the same time.

Requisites:
Prerequisite Acceptance into the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing program
and
Prerequisite ASC 104 minimum grade B
and
Prerequisite ASC 106 minimum grade B
and
Prerequisite PSY 161 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite SCI 151 minimum grade B
and
Prerequisite NUR 205 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite NUR 208 minimum grade C
and
Corequisite NUR 215 minimum grade C NUR 210 and NUR 215 must be taken and passed at the same time.

Credit Hours: 3

NUR 215: Medical Surgical Nursing in the Adult Client Clinical Education

This clinical course transitions the licensed practical nurse (LPN) nursing knowledge and skills to that of professional registered nurse (RN). Students will apply concepts of pathophysiology, nutrition, and medication knowledge related to complex medical surgical conditions. Medication administration and intravenous therapy will be emphasized. Students will demonstrate critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills in managing assessment, health data, cultural competence, and the nursing process in the application of safe, evidence-based practice and quality nursing care. Students will also utilize organization, prioritization, and collaboration skills while learning to function more independently. Accountability and integrity within the ethical legal framework of entry-level professional nursing practice will be self-assessed while fostering a commitment to ongoing professional development. NUR 215 and its lecture course NUR 210 must be taken and passed at the same time. If either course is failed, both courses must be repeated and passed at the same time.

Requisites:
Prerequisite Acceptance into the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing program
and
Prerequisite ASC 104 minimum grade B
and
Prerequisite ASC 106 minimum grade B
and
Prerequisite PSY 161 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite SCI 151 minimum grade B
and
Prerequisite NUR 205 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite NUR 208 minimum grade C
and
Corequisite NUR 210 minimum grade C NUR 215 and NUR 210 must be taken and passed at the same time.

Credit Hours: 3

NUR 221: Mental Health Nursing

This course focuses on the transition of the licensed practical nurse (LPN) to that of a professional registered nurse (RN) in the care of clients with mental health disorders. The physiological and psychosocial integrity of the client with a specific focus on the psychosocial aspects of mental health disorders will be explored. Consideration is given to clients' past and present patterns of behavior as they impact on alterations of mental well-being. Communication skills are further developed using theories of interpersonal relationships. With assistance, a student learns to provide a milieu that is both safe and therapeutic. Students use the nursing process as a tool for critical thinking in organizing, prioritizing, managing individual plans of care, and collaborating with the healthcare team. Students are assisted to address ethical and legal dilemmas in their roles as client advocates. Self-assessment and self-awareness are encouraged to enhance self-development and foster therapeutic relationships with an emphasis on multicultural diversity. NUR 221 and its clinical course NUR 226 must be taken and passed at the same time. If either course is failed, both courses must be repeated and passed at the same time.

Requisites:
Prerequisite NUR 200 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite NUR 205 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite NUR 208 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite NUR 210 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite NUR 215 minimum grade C
and
Corequisite NUR 226 minimum grade C NUR 221 and NUR 226 must be taken and passed at the same time.

Credit Hours: 3

NUR 226: Mental Health Nursing Clinical Education

This clinical course focuses on the transition of the licensed practical nurse (LPN) to that of a professional registered nurse (RN) in the care of clients with mental health disorders. The physiological and psychosocial integrity of the client with a specific focus on the psychosocial aspects of mental health disorders will be explored in mental health agencies. Consideration is given to clients' past and present patterns of behavior as they impact on alterations of mental well-being. Communication skills are further developed using theories of interpersonal relationships. The student learns to provide a milieu that is both safe and therapeutic. Students use the nursing process as a tool for critical thinking in organizing, prioritizing, managing individual plans of care, and collaborating with the healthcare team. Students are assisted to address ethical and legal dilemmas in their roles as client advocates. Self-assessment and self-awareness are encouraged to enhance self-development and foster therapeutic relationships with an emphasis on multicultural diversity. NUR 226 and its lecture course NUR 221 must be taken and passed at the same time. If either course is failed, both courses must be repeated and passed at the same time.

Requisites:
Prerequisite NUR 200 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite NUR 205 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite NUR 208 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite NUR 210 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite NUR 215 minimum grade C
and
Corequisite NUR 221 minimum grade C NUR 226 and NUR 221 must be taken and passed at the same time.

Credit Hours: 1

NUR 230: Women and Child Care Nursing

This course focuses on the transition of the licensed practical nurse (LPN) to a professional registered nurse (RN) in the care of women, infants, and children. Students apply the nursing process using the principles of critical thinking with childbearing and/or child-rearing families. Concepts of human development, family community systems, safe-protective care environment, therapeutic communication, health, education, and culturally-specific healthcare are emphasized and are applied to clients in a variety of mother-child settings. Students provide increasingly complex care, moving toward more independent practice, and increasing professional accountability. Ethical and legal issues pertaining to obstetric and infant clients are explored. Along with care in the clinical setting, an emphasis is placed on collaboration with families and members of the healthcare team as well as professional development and self-assessment. NUR 230 and its clinical course NUR 235 must be taken and passed at the same time. If either course is failed, both courses must be repeated and passed at the same time.

Requisites:
Prerequisite NUR 200 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite NUR 210 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite NUR 215 minimum grade C
and
Corequisite NUR 235 minimum grade C NUR 230 and its clinical course NUR 235 must be taken and passed at the same time.

Credit Hours: 3

NUR 235: Women and Child Care Nursing Clinical Education

This clinical course focuses on the transition of the licensed practical nurse (LPN) to a professional registered nurse (RN) in the care of women, infants, and children. Students apply the nursing process using the principles of critical thinking with childbearing and/or child-rearing families. Concepts of human development, family community systems, safe-protective care environment, therapeutic communication, health, education, and culturally-specific healthcare are emphasized and are applied to clients in a variety of mother-child settings. Students provide increasingly complex care, moving toward more independent practice, and increasing professional accountability. Ethical and legal issues pertaining to obstetric and infant clients are explored. Along with care in the clinical setting, an emphasis is placed on collaboration with families and members of the healthcare team as well as professional development and self-assessment. NUR 235 and its lecture course NUR 230 must be taken and passed at the same time. If either course is failed, both courses must be repeated and passed at the same time.

Requisites:
Prerequisite NUR 200 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite NUR 210 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite NUR 215 minimum grade C
and
Corequisite NUR 230 minimum grade C NUR 235 and NUR 230 must be taken and passed at the same time.

Credit Hours: 2

NUR 240: Managing and Delegating Care in Professional Nursing Practice

This course focuses on the role transition of a licensed professional nurse (LPN) to that of a professional registered nurse (RN) as a provider and manager of patient-centered care. As a member of the professional nurse community, communication skills build on previous knowledge including the use of technology. Concepts of responsibility, accountability, delegation, advocacy, and collaboration will be discussed and articulated. Students will learn to reflect and synthesize information based on ethical, legal, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, safety, financial, patient-centered care, and cultural issues while organizing, setting priorities, and delegating nursing care. Social and political influences on managing nursing practice for self, healthcare team, institution, and community care delivery will be explored.

Requisites:
Prerequisite NUR 221 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite NUR 226 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite NUR 230 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite NUR 235 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 3

NUR 246: Capstone with Nurse Leadership Application

This clinical capstone course focuses on the role transition of a licensed practical nurse (LPN) to that of a professional registered nurse (RN) as a provider and manager of patient-centered care. As a member of the professional nurse community, communication skills build on previous knowledge including the use of technology and collaboration. Students will select a nursing mentor to further explore nursing strategies in managing care with the assistance of the instructor. This learning experience will afford the student the opportunity to formulate objectives and goals and allows students to observe management and delegation in practice for a group of patients and nurses. Students will then reflect on the experience, write a reflective paper, and present the paper to a team of instructors and mentors who will provide feedback to the student. NCLEX-RN preparation is also included in this course.

Requisites:
Prerequisite NUR 221 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite NUR 226 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite NUR 230 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite NUR 235 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 3