Nursing, AS

Graduates of the Associate in Science in Nursing (ASN) Program are prepared to become licensed as entry-level Registered Nurses (RN). The nursing curriculum incorporates classroom instruction, laboratory, simulation education, and clinical practice in the care of diverse populations. Local health facilities are utilized for clinical practice, including community agencies, acute care institutions, as well as long-term and ambulatory care facilities. Graduates of the program possess knowledge, values, skills, and compassion; all are essential for professional nursing practice in a dynamic and rapidly changing health care environment. The ASN program is offered on the Charlotte, Collier, and Lee campuses Two scheduling options are available for each campus. The traditional schedule is offered during daytime hours, Monday - Friday. The evening/weekend schedule is offered during evening hours Monday - Friday and any time on weekends. Both schedules consist of classroom instruction, laboratory, simulation education, and clinical practice through multiple modalities including online and in-person instruction. Clinical placements are typically completed in facilities closest to the campus the student is assigned, However, at times students in either program may have to travel to other clinical site locations within the region and/or complete weekday, weekend, or evening hours to secure the required clinical hours necessary to pass the course. Both schedules require students to fully commit to the academic schedule put forth by the Nursing department. Current occupational employment and wage data for Registered Nurses are published by the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics at www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291141.htm. Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN) *The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate of Science in Nursing program is Continuing Accreditation. Current college student applicants must meet the following requirements prior to the ASN application deadline of May 15 for fall and September 15 for spring. Florida Department of Education Gold Standard Career Pathways and Statewide Articulation Agreement guarantees the minimum award of course credits or a block of credit toward the above AS program is eleven (11) credit hours. This agreement does not preclude the awarding of additional credits by any college through local agreements. The Licensed Practical Nurse certification, or National Licensed Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) certification represents industry acknowledgment of technical skill attainment of competencies in the Nursing (Associate Degree) R.N. program. To be eligible for articulation, the student must show evidence of their current Licensed Practical Nurse certification, or National Licensed Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) certification which must have been issued within three (3) years prior to their enrollment in the program. If space permits, Florida SouthWestern State College offers LPNs meeting the application and agreement requirements the option to accept an ASE1000 block of credits. The ASE1000 block consists of Nursing I AS Degree Nursing Core Courses (see Nursing Requirements below). LPN applicants must meet the following requirements prior to the ASN application deadline (Spring: September 15): Applicant decisions are based on overall scores, campus preference, and schedule options. Applicants who are selected will be notified with instructions to proceed with a college-approved criminal background records check, and drug testing. This is completed at the applicant’s expense. Note that applicants should consult Florida Board of Nursing if they have any criminal offenses, beyond minor traffic violations, which may limit clinical training placement and obtaining Registered Nurse (RN) licensure. Ap