Nursing - LPN/RN, A.A.S.
Entry Time
Fall, Spring, Summer
Note: The Nursing Program is a day program. However, some evening or weekend experiences may be required.
Award
Associate of Applied Science degree
2 years (5 terms plus prerequisites)
Accreditation
The Nursing program is approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing:
River Point Business Park
400 S.W. 8th Street, Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309-4685
515-281-3255
https://nursing.iowa.gov
NLN CNEA Accreditation
- The Kirkwood Community College Associate Degree in Nursing program holds accreditation status from the
National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation
2600 Virginia Avenue, NW
Washington, DC, 20037
202-909-2526
Program Description
The first two semesters of the Practical Nursing (PN) and Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) programs are identical and provide a core of knowledge and skills that are common to both nursing roles. Kirkwood nursing classes cover medical, surgical, geriatric, maternal-child, mental health and home health nursing over the five-semester program. Patient care skills are learned in a supervised lab setting. Clinical experience begins in the first semester. Students receive clinical experience in all of the major areas of nursing and complete their clinicals in area hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, mental health facilities, home health agencies and a variety of specialty clinics.
Additional Requirements
- GPA of 2.75 in pre-requisites with Minimum C in each course EXCEPT: minimum B- in Introduction to Nursing and Anatomy & Physiology I and II
- May take each pre-requisite course only twice
- Anatomy & Physiology I and II courses must be taken within 5 years of entry into the nursing program and must be 3 credits didactic course with a 1 credit lab
- Introduction to Nursing must be taken within 2 semesters of entry into the nursing program
- TOEFL IBT of 84 with a minimum Speaking score of 26 for those who have not graduated from a high school or college in the United States
- Meet the program Math requirement listed below by achieving one of the requirements below:
- ACT math score of ≥ 19
- ALEKS algebra score of 30 (effective October 1, 2016)
- College level Math course equivalency
- Earned AA or Bachelor’s Degree
- Please Note: Test scores expire after 2 years
- Personal laptop is required for all computer based testing. Specifications of laptop requirements are available on the Kirkwood Nursing website or at the Department of Nursing office; 2172 Linn Hall.
- Certified Nursing Assistant OR Health Support Professional
- Certified Nursing Assistant demonstrated by the following:
- Certificate of completion of an Iowa CNA course (with completion of the clinical component of the course)
- Listing in the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals Direct Care Worker Registry as eligible
- Note: Students may obtain CNA training through Kirkwood's Continuing Education
- Certified Nursing Assistant demonstrated by the following:
or
- Health Support Professional demonstrated by the following:
- Certificate of completion of all Health Support Professional (HSP) modules in the Iowa Prepare to Care Direct Care Professional Career Pathway (https://iowapreparetocare.training-source.org/) curriculum
- Listing in the Care Book as an HSP
- Minimum of 80 hours of work experience as an HSP supported with the following:
- Letter from nurse manager
- Official job description
- Compliance Requirements:
- Criminal and Dependent Adult Abuse and Child Abuse Background Checks
- Immunizations
- Current certification for American Heart Association Health Care Provider in CPR
- Administrative requirements
- Note: Students must provide immunization paperwork for specified immunizations and pass a Criminal and Dependent Adult Abuse and Child Abuse Background Check prior to admission to the program. Failure to pass these background checks, complete the immunizations or administrative requirements will prevent admission to the Nursing Program.
- Note: Nursing courses with a clinical component may not be taken by a person:
- Who has been denied licensure by the Iowa Board of Nursing.
- Whose license is currently suspended, surrendered or revoked in any United States jurisdiction.
- Whose license/registration is currently suspended, surrendered or revoked in another country due to disciplinary action.
Career Opportunities
- hospitals
- long-term care facilities
- home health care
- hospice
- nurse educator
- public health
- clinics
- school nursing
- military
- correctional nursing
- wellness centers
- occupational-industry
Degree Requirements
| Prerequisites | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| BIO-168 | Human Anatomy Physiology I 1 | 4 |
| BIO-151 | Nutrition 2 | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Composition I 2 | ||
| College Writing 2 | ||
| PSY-111 | Intro to Psychology 2 | 3 |
| SOC-110 | Introduction to Sociology 2 | 3 |
| Humanities or History/Culture Course 2 | 3 | |
| Term Totals: | 19 | |
| Term 1 | ||
| BIO-173 | Human Anatomy Physiology II 1 | 4 |
| HSC-189 | Introduction to Nursing 1 | 4 |
| PSY-121 | Developmental Psychology 2 | 3 |
| BIO-186 | Microbiology 2 | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Fundamentals of Oral Comm 2 | ||
| Public Speaking 2 | ||
| Term Totals: | 18 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| PNN-228 | Foundations of Nursing I 1 | 6 |
| PNN-280 | Pharmacology I 1 | 2 |
| PNN-721 | Foundations of Nursing Clinical I | 2 |
| PNN-293 | Health Assessment 1 | 3 |
| Term Totals: | 13 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| PNN-229 | Foundations of Nursing II 1 | 4 |
| PNN-282 | Pharmacology II 1 | 2 |
| PNN-446 | Nursing Care of the Growing Family 1 | 4 |
| PNN-723 | Foundations of Nursing Clinical II | 2 |
| Term Totals: | 12 | |
| Term 4 | ||
| ADN-171 | Concepts of Nursing I 1 | 5 |
| ADN-740 | Concepts of Nursing Clinic | 3 |
| ADN-176 | Adv Concepts in Mental Health 1 | 4 |
| Term Totals: | 12 | |
| Term 5 | ||
| ADN-180 | Advanced Concepts of Nursing 1 | 4 |
| ADN-760 | Advanced Concepts of Nursing Clinical | 4 |
| ADN-183 | Advanced Concepts in Obstetric and Pediatric Nursing 1 | 4 |
| Term Totals: | 12 | |
| Program Totals: | 86 | |
- 1
Completion of courses with a B- minimum required.
- 2
Completion of courses with a minimum of a C required prior to acceptance.
Optional Courses
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ADN-924 | Honors Project | 1 |
| HSC-160 | Healthcare Communication | 3 |
| HSC-224 | Geriatric Specialist | 3 |