Degree: Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences
The Nursing curriculum prepares entry-level nurses to provide direct client care in acute and extended care facilities. The graduate is eligible to apply for the NCLEX (licensing examination) to become licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN).
The length of the nursing program may vary from one to three years. LPNs may receive advanced placement and typically complete the nursing course work in two semesters. Students with no previous nursing course work usually complete the program in two years (four semesters). Prerequisite course work is required for admission into the two-year nursing program (contact the Admissions Office or the Nursing Department for more information on the nursing admission policy). A student may also opt to take the program over two-and-one-half or three years, allowing one or two semesters for prenursing and elective courses and time for extracurricular activities, employment or family responsibilities. Total hours required in the nursing program range from 65 to 75 depending on the student’s academic preparation and competencies.
The Hesston College nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing (see page 10).
Required Program Courses: 41 hours (grade of C or better required):
Nursing I (8 hours), Nursing II (8), Nursing III (9), Nursing IV (9), Nursing Pharmacology I/II/III/IV (1+1+1+1), Integration Seminar (3).
General Education Notes: for nursing students, Developmental Psychology meets the social science requirement, Anatomy and Physiology and Microbiology meet the natural science requirement, Principles of Nutrition meets the Fitness Concepts requirement and Integration Seminar meets the second Hesston College distinctive requirement. Grades of C or better are required in these courses. Introduction to Chemistry is required of students who have not completed one year of high school chemistry with a grade of C or better in the last five years. Prior to the first term of the two-year program, student must complete Anatomy and Physiology.
First Year Fall Program courses
Nursing I
Nursing Pharmacology I
Recommended courses
Introductory Chemistry
First-Year Seminar
College Writing I
math course or math competency exam*
computer course or competency exam
Spring Program courses
Nursing II
Nursing Pharmacology II
Recommended courses
Microbiology
Principles of Nutrition
Developmental Psychology
Second Year Fall Program courses
Nursing III
Nursing Pharmacology III
Recommended courses
Biblical Literature
Speech Communication or Interpersonal Communication
Spring Program courses
Nursing IV
Nursing Pharmacology IV
Integration Seminar
Recommended courses
humanities course
General Education Note: students are required to demonstrate math competency in dosage calculations through testing in Nursing I. If math competency is not met, students must successfully complete Nurs 105 Dosage Calculations. This requirement is mandatory regardless of ACT, SAT or ASSET scores.
Recommendations: Test-Taking for Nurses, Medical Terminology, Fluids and Electrolytes, Nursing Cooperative Education. Note: students choosing a three-year plan of study focus on general education courses during the first year. They begin nursing courses the second year.