Purpose
This associate degree nursing curriculum prepares individuals with the knowledge, abilities, and skills to practice nursing independently and interdependently through the application of the nursing process to provide safe nursing care to individuals and families across the lifespan in a variety of settings. Graduates of this program may apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX- RN®) which is required for practice as a registered nurse. Employment opportunities include acute care centers, long-term care facilities, clinics, outpatient offices, industry, and community agencies.
Mission
The mission of the Dakota Nursing Program is to provide quality undergraduate education, which prepares graduates for nursing practice in multiple-structured, culturally diverse health care settings for clients across the lifespan.
Associate Degree Nursing Program Outcomes
The Dakota Associate Degree Nursing Program will:
Produce safe, competent associate degree nurses capable of passing the NCLEX-RN®
Serve as the foundation for further professional advancement and lifelong learning.
Assist in meeting the needs of the community and surrounding areas for Registered Nurses.
Associate Degree Nursing Graduate Outcomes
These outcomes describe the consortium expectations for graduates from the Dakota Associate Degree Nursing Program. The graduate will:
Adapt the nursing process to provide nursing care in diverse settings to meet the human needs of individuals along the health-illness continuum.
Incorporate various communication techniques in developing therapeutic relationships with individuals, families, and members of the interdisciplinary team.
Function within the legal and ethical scope of practice as an accountable member of the healthcare team providing leadership and management in the delivery of quality nursing care consistent with the associate degree registered nurse.
Demonstrate professional behaviors as a member of the dynamic health care discipline of nursing incorporating independent and continuous learning.
Integrate teaching-learning principles in providing individuals and families with healthcare information and skills related to health promotion and maintenance.
Integrate social, biological, behavioral and nursing sciences when providing evidence-based nursing care to diverse individuals across the lifespan.
Application Process/Admission Policy
Requirements for continuation of the Dakota Associate in Applied Science Degree Program in Nursing (RN):
Successful completion of the first year of the Dakota Nursing Program with a minimum GPA of 2.75 in all prerequisite courses and a minimum GPA of 2.75 in the 47 credit course requirements as defined in the PN curriculum. The student must maintain an overall GPA of 2.5.
Students must complete the application process for continuation to the AD program dated no later than March 5 of the year the student would be entering the 2nd year of the program. Students must have positive references from faculty to progress.
Students must pass a pre-admission examination. See ATI policy found later in this handbook.
Students must submit to a background check and pass a mandatory drug screen to be completely admitted to the program. (a) OR Prerequisites for Incoming Application toward the Associate in Applied
Science Degree in Nursing (ADN):
Unencumbered license to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the United States of America.
Minimum GPA of 2.75 in all prerequisite courses (including nursing classes) and an overall minimum GPA of 2.5
Admission to the college of choice as well as completion of a formal application to the Dakota Associate Degree Nursing Program. Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to the ADN program. Application forms for admission to the Dakota ADN Program may be obtained from the Nursing Department beginning January 15 with application due on or before March 5.
Pass a pre-admission examination.
Currently enrolled (if competitive) or satisfactory completion with a “C” or better in each of the following courses: All required nursing courses from an accredited Practical Nursing Program CHEM 115 Introductory Chemistry and lab ENGL 110 Composition I PSYC 111 Introduction to Psychology BIOL 220 Anatomy and Physiology I with lab BIOL 221 Anatomy and Physiology II with lab PHRM 215 Introduction to Pharmacology (must have been completed within 5 years of ADN admission) PSYC 250
Developmental Psychology Students must submit to a background check and pass a mandatory drug screen to be completely admitted to the program.
Students who meet the prerequisites and have completed their file are accepted into the program based on each college’s admission criteria. Students accepted into the nursing program must have access to reliable, high speed internet. Upon successful completion of the above curriculum, students will receive an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing from Williston State College*.
*The Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College is a distant site of the Dakota Nursing Program under Williston State College. The Dakota Nursing Program is a collaboration among Bismarck State College, Dakota College at Bottineau, Lake Region State College, and Williston State College.