A.S. Degree, Nursing (RN)

Degree Type: A.S.
Major Code: RN-AS
CIP: 1351380100
Former CIP: 1318110100

The Associate in Science (A.S.) degree in Nursing, also known as ADN, is accredited by the National League for Nursing and the Florida State Board of Nursing. Graduates receive an Associate in Science degree in Nursing and become eligible to take the licensure examination to practice as registered nurses. There are two tracks to become a registered nurse (RN):

• Generic track: 22-month program for beginning nursing students (Generic track; August and January start);
• Career Transition track: 13-month career mobility transition track for qualified Florida certified paramedic, licensed respiratory therapist and licensed practical nurses (May start).

This is a limited-access program. Students begin the generic ADN program twice each year in August (Term I) or in January (Term II). Interested persons must first be admitted to Seminole State before becoming eligible to apply to the nursing program. The dates for application may vary. Students should be aware that acceptance to the College does not guarantee admission to the nursing program. Provisional acceptance into the program is contingent on satisfying Seminole State-mandated and various healthcare agencies' requirements.

State Boards of Nursing have a responsibility to protect the public. In carrying out this responsibility, Boards of Nursing reserve the right to deny licensure to anyone who has been convicted of a crime other than minor traffic violations. Pursuant to Section 456.0635, Florida Statutes, the Florida Board of Nursing shall refuse to issue a license, certification or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination if the applicant has been:

• Convicted or plead guilty or nolo contendre (no contest) to a felony violation regardless of adjudication of chapters 409, 817 or 893, Florida Statutes; or 21 U.S.C. ss. 801-970 or 42 U.S.C. ss 1395-1396, unless the sentence and any probation or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the application.
• Terminated for cause from Florida Medicaid Program (unless the applicant has been in good standing for the most recent five years).
• Terminated for cause by any other State Medicaid Program or the Medicare Program (unless the termination was at least 20 years prior to the date of the application and the applicant has been in good standing with the program for the most recent five years).

All students entering a healthcare program with a clinical component are required to complete a criminal background check. Students must be free of offenses which could potentially disqualify them from working in a healthcare environment (Florida Statutes 456.0635, 435.04 and 316.193). Admission into clinicals is at the discretion of the clinical agencies.

Students applying for admission to the nursing program are required to complete a drug screening and an FBI criminal background check including:

• Online check of the Office of the Inspector General related to parties excluded from participation in Medicare/Medical and all federal healthcare programs.
• Online search of U.S. General Services Administration of parties excluded from federal procurements and non-procurements programs.

The nursing program has specific requirements for admission. Candidates must:

• Apply and be accepted to Seminole State College;
• Complete the College Placement Test (CPT) or equivalent (SAT/ACT);
• Have an intermediate algebra skill level (satisfied by completion of MAT 1033 Intermediate Algebra or a CPT score that makes the student eligible for MAC 1105 College Algebra);
• Achieve a minimum adjusted individual total score of 73 percent on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS);
• Submit a criminal background check and a disposition of any criminal offenses;
• Have attained a grade of "C" or higher in all General Education course requirements. The recalculated GPA (prerequisite courses) must be 2.50 or higher. In accordance with College policy, the GPA will not be "rounded up."
• Submit a Nursing Admission Request Packet, with all requirements, for consideration for admission to the program. Incomplete application packets will not be considered. (see specific track descriptions for additional requirements applicable to each track).
• Students applying to the Concurrent AS-BSN program will receive priority admission to meet the Concurrent AS-BSN program enrollment. A select number of seats in each generic class will be reserved for applicants who only want to obtain the Associate in Science degree in Nursing.

Students are selected for admission to the nursing program based on the following criteria:

Category 1:

Successful completion of ALL of the required nursing General Education courses and support courses with a prerequisite GPA of 3.00 or higher.

Category 2:

Successful completion of ALL of the required nursing General Education and support courses with a prerequisite GPA of 2.50-2.9.

Applicants are given priority of admission within each category based on:

• The completion date of the General Education and support courses.
• Prerequisite GPA for General Education and support courses.
• TEAS adjusted individual total score.
• Completion of the Tech Prep Program (must show documentation in application packet).

All nursing courses feature Web-enhanced instruction. Students must have access to a computer with Internet capabilities while enrolled in the program.

The Associate in Science degree in Nursing Generic ADN Track is accredited by the National League for Nursing and the Florida Board of Nursing. National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326, 404.975.5000.

Major Courses
NUR1020C	Fundamentals of Nursing This course introduces the five core educational competencies of the curriculum upon which all subsequent nursing courses are built: (a) caring interventions, (b) clinical competence and decision-making, (c) communication, (d) commitment to professionalism and (e) collaboration and management of care. The student will be introduced to the legal, ethical and professional standards of the nursing profession and the role of the associate degree nurse in health promotion, maintenance and restoration. Basic biopsychosocial needs of clients are identified and the student will begin to utilize the nursing process to identify client needs and intervene when these needs are unmet. Clinical competence in selected fundamental nursing skills will be developed in the simulated nursing laboratory. There will be clinical experiences in local long-term care and acute care facilities for students to begin to apply concepts and competencies learned in the classroom and nursing laboratory. Lab fee required.	7
NUR1141C	Fundamentals of Pharmacology for Nursing Care This course is designed to complement the basic nursing care curriculum presented in NUR 1020C Fundamentals of Nursing and includes the five core educational competencies of the curriculum: (a) caring interventions, (b) clinical competence and decision-making, (c) communication, (d) commitment to professionalism and (e) collaboration and management of care. This course will provide the beginning nursing student the opportunity to explore basic concepts regarding the therapeutic use of medications and the patient response to drug therapy. The student will be introduced to the nurse's role in medication administration as part of the healthcare team. Selected patient simulation scenarios designed specifically for the novice nursing student will challenge the participants to utilize critical thinking skills as they apply the nursing process to clinical case studies involving common medication and simple skills. Individual and group practice activities focusing on computation skills will assist the students achieve mastery of Level One Medication Administration Safety Competencies. Lab fee required.	2
NUR1210C	Basic Concepts in Medical Surgical Nursing This course builds upon the core educational competencies introduced during the Fundamentals course. Using the framework of the nursing process, the student is able to assist the adult client and family achieve an optimum state of health and wellness. This course prepares the student/learner to apply theoretical knowledge and basic nursing skills when providing care in meeting the biopsychosocial needs of adult clients with simple/common medical and surgical problems. This course will continue to emphasize the core educational competencies of the curriculum: (a) caring interventions, (b) clinical competence and decision-making, (c) communication, (d) commitment to professionalism and (e) collaboration and management of care. A strong laboratory focus is provided to enable to the student/learner to demonstrate competence in selected basic nursing skills. Clinical experiences in the acute care setting will be provided along with simulated lab experiences. Lab fee required.	6
NUR2241C	Advanced Concepts in Medical Surgical Nursing This course prepares the student/learner to apply safe and effective care for clients with advanced medical and surgical problems. This course is designed to build on material from the previous medical surgical courses. Through the use of the nursing process, this course will build on the five core educational competencies of the curriculum: (a) caring interventions, (b) clinical competence and decision-making, (c) communication, (d) commitment to professionalism and (e) collaboration and management of care. The student will prioritize the biopsychosocial needs of clients to promote optimal health and wellness. Lab simulation of selected clinical nursing skills will be used to facilitate meeting the needs of clients with advanced medical and surgical problems. During clinical experiences, students will interact with culturally diverse clients. Clinical experiences in acute care settings and observational experiences in specialty settings may be scheduled to enhance the learning experience. Lab fee required.	6
NUR2251C	Complex Concepts in Medical Surgical Nursing This course is designed to build on the five core educational competencies of the curriculum: (a) caring interventions, (b) clinical competence and decision-making, (c) communication, (d) commitment to professionalism and (e) collaboration and management of care. The nursing process will be a guide for the student to utilize decision-making skills to meet the biopsychosocial needs of clients with complex medical and surgical problems and multi-system dysfunction. Lab simulation of selected clinical nursing skills will be used to facilitate meeting the needs of clients with complex medical and surgical problems and multi-system dysfunction. During clinical experiences, students will interact with culturally diverse clients. Clinical experiences in acute care settings and observational experiences in specialty settings may be scheduled to enhance the learning experiences. Content will include concepts of critical care, emergency care, disaster response and application of leadership and patient care management. Lab fee required.	6
NUR2310C	Concepts in Pediatric Nursing This course addresses the unique developmental, biological and psychosocial health and illness needs of the pediatric population. Emphasis is placed on exploring strategies that assist children and their caretakers to prevent and/or minimize the effects of illness and disability and promote, maintain and restore health. Concepts that will be emphasized throughout the curriculum reflect the core educational competencies of the curriculum: (a) caring interventions, (b) clinical competence and decision-making, (c) communication, (d) commitment to professionalism and (e) collaboration and management of care. The clinical component provides guided clinical experiences that allow students to demonstrate caring and clinical competence in the application of the nursing process in selected pediatric healthcare environments. Students interact with culturally diverse clients and families with an emphasis on the integration of critical thinking, effective interpersonal communication, professionalism and legal and ethical standards. The clinical simulation laboratory experience reinforces the concepts acquired during the theoretical portion of the class and allows for student collaboration and decision-making in a supported environment. Lab fee required.	4
NUR2423C	Concepts in Maternal and Newborn Nursing Concepts in Maternal and Newborn Nursing prepares the student to meet the biopsychosocial needs of the normal childbearing family utilizing the knowledge and skills obtained through the theory and clinical components of the course and through selected simulation exercises. Common alterations in the childbearing process will be discussed which will enable the student to recognize complications and implement appropriate interventions of a beginning level practitioner. The educational and anticipatory guidance needs of the childbearing family will be integrated throughout the theory and clinical components in the course to enable the family to maintain or restore a state of health and well-being. Core educational competencies emphasized throughout the course will be those of: (a) caring interventions, (b) clinical competence and decision-making, (c) communication, (d) commitment to professionalism and (e) collaboration and management of care. During clinical experiences, students will interact and care for culturally diverse clients and families. Lab fee required.	4
NUR2520C	Concepts in Mental Health Nursing This course focuses on the theory base necessary for understanding mental health and illness. Students utilize the nursing process in the care of patients experiencing interference in meeting basic needs due to neurobiological and psychosocial problems. This course continues to build on the five core educational competencies of the curriculum: (a) caring interventions, (b) clinical competence and decision-making, (c) communication, (d) commitment to professionalism and (e) collaboration and management of care. Emphasis is placed on developing therapeutic communication skills, self-awareness and effective nurse-patient relationships. Students collaborate with the healthcare team in a mental health clinical setting and begin to develop the core competencies necessary to achieve desired client outcomes. Psychopharmacology across the lifespan and concepts of medication management are integrated in each unit. Community experiences, selected video, role play and simulation activities are incorporated in this course. For distance learning students: This is a hybrid course for Career Transition students only. The theory component is presented in an online format with selected lab activities scheduled on campus once a month throughout the semester. There are clinical experiences in acute care inpatient mental health facilities and selected community settings. Lab fee required.	4
NUR2943C	Practicum and Client Care Management This culminating course in the Associate Degree Nursing Program provides students the opportunity to (a) synthesize previous knowledge and skills and (b) develop new knowledge and skills for the management of client care in a dynamically changing healthcare system. Students participate in live and online seminars to develop and enhance the five educational competencies of the nursing program: (a) caring interventions, (b) clinical competence and decision-making, (c) communication, (d) commitment to professionalism and (e) collaboration and management of care as they learn to make the transition from student to graduate nurse. In addition, selected leadership and management principles including (a) prioritizing competently, (b) delegating successfully and (c) managing conflict will be explored. These competencies are applied in the clinical environment through a guided preceptorship that is directed by the nursing faculty. Lab fee required.	3
Support courses
Humanities or History Elective		3
HUN2202	Human Nutrition and Diet Therapy This course focuses on the scientific principles of normal nutrition, including specific nutrients, digestion, absorption, metabolism and nutritional requirements of different age groups. This course has a special focus on the application of nutrition principles to physical health. Emphasis is placed on the interdisciplinary team approach to disease prevention and health restoration.	3
or HUN 1201 Principles of Nutrition and HUN 2015 Diet Therapy for Health Care Professionals.
Choose three credits from the following list:
HSC1531	Medical Terminology This is an introductory course to the language of medicine utilized by healthcare professionals. Basic word structure and formation, medical terms, abbreviations, definitions and spelling are included. Major disease processes and pathological conditions of specific body systems will be discussed.	3
STA2023	Statistical Methods I This course introduces probability and statistical inference including estimation, hypothesis testing, confidence interval estimation, small sample methods, the study of random variables, correlation and regression and nonparametric tests. This course is a first course in statistical methods for those students entering a science or business related field. This course partially satisfies the mathematics requirement S.B.E. 6A-10.030.	3
(STA2014 may substitute for STA 2023)
SYG2000	Introduction to Sociology This course is an introductory survey of sociology covering its scope, methods and general principles. Topics emphasized include group behavior, race relations, population, social institutions, social change and social stratification. The purpose of the course is to assist the student in acquiring an understanding of society. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030.	3
(SYG1000 may substitute for SYG 2000)
General Education Courses
ENC1101	English I This is a course in the process of expository writing. Students will read essays and compose papers that are unified, organized, logically developed and supported, clearly stated and well-focused. Research techniques are introduced and incorporated into at least one composition. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. Students must pass the core assignments with a grade of "C" or higher.	3
BSC2093C	Anatomy and Physiology I This is the first part of a two-semester course that investigates in detail the structure and function of humans. The course is primarily designed for students of healthcare professions, biology or physical education. We will utilize a "system" approach, examining each organ system at the cellular, tissue, organ and system levels and discuss interactions with other systems. Emphasis will be placed on the homeostatic rather than the dysfunctional individual. Lab fee required.	4
BSC2094C	Anatomy and Physiology II This course is the second part of a two-semester course that investigates the structure and function of humans. The course is designed for students of healthcare professions, biology or physical education. We utilize a "systems" approach, examining each organ system at the cellular, tissue, organ and system levels and discuss interactions with other systems. Emphasis will be placed on homeostatic rather than dysfunctional individuals. Lab fee required.	4
DEP2004	Developmental Psychology This course explores the effects of genetic, psychological, maturational and social factors at various stages during the lifespan. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030.	3
MCB2010C	Microbiology This fundamental course in Microbiology is designed to fulfill the needs of nursing students as well as other allied health majors. The course stresses the structure, nutrition, growth, control, metabolism and introductory genetics of bacteria. An introduction to fungi, parasites and viruses is included. Laboratory experience in techniques and primary isolation will be provided. Lab fee required.	4
(MCB2005C Microbiology for Health Professionals may substitute for the above course.)
PSY2012	General Psychology This is an introductory course which surveys the field of psychology and basic principles and concepts utilized to understand human behavior. The major areas of study include development, learning, perception, motivation, emotions, personality, abnormal behavior, psychotherapy and testing measurements. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030.	3
Total Credits:		72

Note:

• Associate in Science (A.S.) degrees are designed to prepare graduates for immediate entry into their chosen career field. A.S. degree graduates may transfer into certain baccalaureate programs. Students planning to transfer to baccalaureate programs should consult with Student Affairs counselors, advisors or specialists to make sure required courses are taken and entry requirements are met for the college/university program of their choice.