Nursing (AS)

Nursing Program Accreditation

Normandale's nursing program is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 3343 Peachtree Rd NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Georgia 30326. 404-975-5020 or www.nlnac.org.

The Normandale Nursing Department educates students to become entry-level professional nurses, prepared to begin their careers as competent, caring members of today's healthcare team. Graduates are qualified to take National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Registered Nurse Licensure. This program is committed to quality, integrity, active life-long learning, student success, alliances and community service.

Normandale Community College offers the Associate of Science degree in Nursing as a two-year program located within the health sciences division. The nursing program requires four semesters to complete. Each nursing course is offered every semester. Graduates will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX) and to apply to the Minnesota Board of Nursing (612-617-2270) for Nursing licensure. The passing rate for the licensure exam averages above 90 percent.

Students entering the nursing program are expected to meet the MnSCU Performance Standards for Entry-Level Nursing Programs, which are available at http://www.normandale.edu/academics/health-sciences/nursing/non-academic-requirements.html. These performance standards are required abilities for effective performance in MnSCU nursing education programs. The standards are compatible with the scope of practice as defined by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The examples show how a standard may be applied in entry-level nursing education programs. The examples listed are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be a complete list of all tasks in an entry-level nursing program.

Reasonable accommodations for meeting standards may be available for otherwise program-qualified individuals with disabilities. Information is available in the Office for Students with Disabilities at 952-358-8625.

Curriculum Changes

The Normandale Community College Nursing Program is in the process of transitioning to a new curriculum. Students applying to begin their nursing courses fall semester of 2014 or beyond will enter Normandale's Nursing, Minnesota Alliance for Nursing Education (MANE) nursing curriculum.

Normandale's MANE nursing program will admit the student to both Metropolitan State University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program as well as to Normandale Community College's Associate of Science degree program. Normandale will transition to the MANE nursing curriculum beginning with changes to program admission processes and prerequisite course requirements during the 2013-2014 academic year. Additional information is available at http://www.normandale.edu/academics/health-sciences/nursing.html

Admission Requirements and Application Process

• Submit the Normandale Community College general application form and the $20 application fee to the Admissions Office (applicants new to Normandale only).
• The application to the nursing program deadline is October 1 for the spring semester 2014 and February 1 for the following fall semester 2014. The application must be postmarked on or before that date.
• Students wishing to petition an exemption of admission requirements must do so prior to the application deadline.
• New students are encouraged to attend a college information session; current students should call 952-358-8261 to schedule a meeting with an advisor.

Applicants for Spring Semester 2014 must meet the following requirements before the application is processed. The student must:

• Be currently registered as a nursing assistant with the Minnesota Department of Health (work experience in the health field is highly recommended but not required).
• Have a minimum cumulative 3.00 grade point average (GPA) on all college-level (1000+ level) courses. Those with a previous baccalaureate degree may satisfy this requirement with a minimum cumulative 3.00 GPA on the most recent 30 credits of undergraduate level coursework, including post-degree coursework.
• Within the past two years, have completed Intermediate Algebra (MATH 0700) with a grade of C or higher, or have placed into college-level math (1000+) on the math section of the placement test (medical dosage courses do not meet the math requirement).
• Have completed at least 20 semester credits of college-level (1000+) courses or have placed into READ 1106 or above on the reading section of the placement test.
• Have completed the following general education courses with a grade of C or higher: ENGC 1101, Freshman Composition; CHEM 1050, Organic and Biochemistry; and BIOL 1141, Human Anatomy.
• Take the NLN Pre-Admission Examination. A composite score of 110 is recommended. Check the Nursing web page each fall for the NLN exam schedule.
• Reasonable accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities. Prior to registering for the NLN Exam, students must contact the Normandale Office for Students with Disabilities at 952-358-8625.

Additional Information for Spring 2014 applicants:

• The NLN Pre-Admission Examination is an online test that will be taken at Normandale Community College. This exam will assist in admission decisions by providing a reliable, common basis for evaluating students' academic ability. The exam tests basic verbal, math and science skills at a high school level. Each test will be one hour in length, with five minutes between each section. The cost of the exam is $45 and is non-refundable. A practice review guide is available for purchase at http://www.nlnonlinetesting.org/pax/. The exam scores are valid for 2 years. Students requesting special accommodations must contact the Office for Students with Disabilities prior to registering for the exam.
• The admissions committee, composed of faculty from the Nursing Department, will review and score each application.
• Applicants will be offered admission to the Normandale nursing program based on a ranked score.
• Directions and maps can be found at www.normandale.edu/maps. Use the main college entrance and park in the South Lot.

Applicants for Fall Semester 2014:

Admission criteria for Normandale's MANE nursing curriculum are being finalized. Information will be posted on Normandale's nursing web page by Summer of 2013.

Submission of Nursing Program Application

When the program admission requirements are met, the nursing application form may be completed and mailed to the Health Sciences Enrollment Manager at:

Betty Blazer
Health Science Enrollment Manager
Normandale Community College
9700 France Avenue S
Bloomington, MN 55431

Applications to Normandale's Nursing Program are available on campus in the Activities building and at www.normandale.edu under department/academics/nursing.

Admissions policies are subject to change. Applications will be accepted under the terms in place at the time an application is received by the Health Science Division. It is the responsibility of the student to keep up-to-date on any changes which may affect their qualifications for acceptance.

Application Deadlines

The application to the nursing program is October 1 for following spring semester 2014 and February 1 for the fall semester 2014. The application and all required documents must be postmarked on or before the due date.

Application Notification

Applicants will be notified in writing on or before November 15 for spring semester and April 15 for fall semester. Candidates will be instructed in their acceptance letter of the due date to accept or decline the admission offer. If a response is not received by the due date, the seat will be considered declined.

Students who are not admitted must reapply to the nursing program the following year.

Nursing Program Requirements (Spring 2014 start):

Required Courses: (32 cr)

General Education Requirements: (32 cr)

Complete two courses in two different MnTC Goals 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10.

Sequence of Courses

The sequence suggested is for full-time students who wish to complete the program in two years following admission to the nursing program.

First Semester (16 cr)

Second Semester (12 cr)

Third Semester (14 credits)

Fourth Semester (11-12 credits)

Notes: Throughout the nursing program, certification in CPR for the healthcare provider, immunizations and criminal background checks must remain current. Progression through the program is dependent upon a grade of C or higher in all program requirements.

Admissions policies are subject to change. Applications will be accepted under the terms in place at the time an application is received by the Health Science Division. It is the responsibility of the student to keep up-to-date on any changes which may affect their qualifications for acceptance.

Metropolitan State University/Metro Alliance Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) Program Partnership

Students earning an AS in Nursing prior to the MANE curriculum are invited to pursue their BSN through Metropolitan State Universitys RN-BSN nursing program. Metropolitan State University will be offering courses through this partnership. Students will be able to take classes, including prerequisite courses, at a convenient location.

*A minimum of 40 upper-division (300-400 level) semester credits are required for graduation with a BSN. Thirty-two (32) upper division credits will be earned through the nursing major. With completion of WRIT 331 and PHIL 321 at Metropolitan State, the student will automatically meet the 40-credit upper division requirement.

Contact Information:

Metropolitan State University-Saint Paul Campus

College of Nursing and Health Sciences

700 East Seventh Street

Saint Paul, MN 55106-5000

651-793-1375

For more information on advanced degrees or to contact a Metropolitan State University Nursing advisor, visit www.metrostate.edu/cnhs/.