Associate of Science in Nursing

Nursing (AS)

Associate of Science

The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Degree Program is a 66 credit hour, selective admission program that consists of two academic years. 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).

Qualified Applicants to the ASN program may begin classes after program acceptance notification and if ENG 110 Writing I, BMS 110 Introduction to the Biomedical Sciences, MTH 130 (or higher) placement, and PSY 121 Introductory Psychology have been completed. Applicants may begin the nursing program without PSY121 if permission is obtained from the Nursing Department prior to the start of nursing courses. The Nursing Department strongly urges students to complete any or all of the general education requirements (as indicated with an *) of the ASN degree prior to the start of nursing courses.

Associate of Science in Nursing Curriculum - Regular Track

Year 1 - Semester 1 Credit Hours
NUR 100 Fundamentals of Nursing 7
BMS 267 Human Anatomy 4*
BMS 268 Human Physiology 4*
PSY 121 Introductory Psychology (if needed) 3*
Year 1 - Semester 2 Credit Hours
NUR 101 Adult Medical - Surgical Nursing I 8
NUR 201 Mental Health Nursing 3
BIO 210 Elements of Microbiology 3*
Year 2 - Semester 3 Credit Hours
NUR 204 Adult Medical - Surgical Nursing II 9
NUR 202 Pharmacology 3
Year 2 - Semester 4 Credit Hours
NUR 212 Nursing Care Across the Lifespan 9
NUR 220 Current trends and Issues in Nursing (capstone course) 3
Civics: Select three (3) credit hours
  • HST 121 Survey of US History to 1877  OR
  • HST 122 US History Since 1877  OR
  • PLS 101 American Democracy and Citizenship
3*
Credit Breakdown (66 hours for the ASN) Credit Hours
Prerequisite Courses 10
General Education Courses 14
Nursing Courses 42
Nursing (AS) Degree Credit Hours
Total 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 I. 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):

Associate of Science in Nursing Curriculum - LPN-to-RN Track

Semester 1 Credit Hours
NUR 190 Transitions for the LPN-to-RN 3
NUR 201 Mental Health Nursing 3
NUR 212 Nursing Care Across the Life Span 9
PSY 121 Introductory Psychology (if needed) 3
Semester 2 Credit Hours
BIO 210 Elements of Microbiology 3
Civics: Select three (3) credit hours
  • HST 121 Survey of US History to 1877 OR
  • HST 122 US History Since 1877 OR
  • PLS 101 American Democracy and Citizenship
3*
Semester 3 Credit Hours
NUR 202 Pharmacology 3
NUR 204 Adult Medical - Surgical Nursing II 9
NUR 220 Current Trends and Issues in Nursing (capstone course) 3

Or the LPN-RN Track program curriculum is as follows (with general education requirements already completed):

Associate of Science in Nursing Curriculum - LPN-to-RN Track

Semester 1 Credit Hours
NUR 190 Transitions for the LPN-to-RN 3
NUR 201 Mental Health Nursing 3
NUR 212 Nursing Care Across the Life Span 9
Semester 2 Credit Hours
NUR 202 Pharmacology 3
NUR 204 Adult Medical - Surgical Nursing II 9
NUR 220 Current Trends and Issues in Nursing (capstone course) 3
Credit Breakdown (65 hours for the ASN): Credit Hours
Prerequisite Courses 11
General Education Courses 9
Advanced Placement Nursing Credit 15
Nursing Courses 30
Degree Total: 65

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.

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 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.
Cumulative GPA Scoring Points awarded toward Ranking score
2.51-2.99 10
3.0-3.49 15
3.5+ 20
Science GPA Scoring Points awarded toward Ranking score
2.76-2.99 10
3.0-3.24 15
3.25-3.49 20
3.5+ 25
Kaplan Entrance Exam Scoring Points awarded toward Ranking score
60.0-63.4 10
63.5-71.8 15
71.9-80.2 20
80.3+ 25
Kaplan Subtopic Scoring Points awarded toward Ranking score
Science 55+ 2
Critical Thinking 66+ 2
Support Courses Points awarded toward Ranking score
BIO 210 (Regular-track students) A-5, B-4, C-3
PLS 101 A-3, B-2, C-1
PSY 121 A-3, B-2, C-1
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.