Associate in Applied Science Degree - Practical Nursing
The DSU Department of Nursing prepares students in the AASPN program, to become Licensed Practical Nurses, whom are prepared to take the national licensing exam for Practical Nurses.
Graduates will attain education necessary to make a significant impact upon the state of North Dakota and the surrounding region, improving both the health and quality of life of its citizens. The program’s goals are to foster students’ development into knowledgeable healthcare professionals who are adequately prepared to serve in a continually-evolving healthcare environment.
END OF PROGRAM STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (EPSLOs)
1. Professionalism: Demonstrate professional behaviors of accountability and professionalism according to the legal and ethical standards for a competent licensed practical nurse. As measured according to these subcompetencies: Accountability, Motivation and Personal Appearance.
2. Communication: Effectively communicate with patients, significant support person(s), and members of the interdisciplinary health care team incorporating interpersonal and therapeutic communication skills. As measured according to these subcompetencies: Confidentiality, Verbal, Nonverbal, Written, and Information Technology.
3. Assessment: Collect holistic objective and subjective assessment data from multiple sources.
4. Planning: Collaborate with the registered nurse or other members of the health care team to organize and incorporate assessment data to plan/revise patient care and actions based on established nursing diagnoses, nursing protocols, and assessment and evaluation data. As measured according to these subcompetencies: Nursing Diagnosis, Goals and Outcomes, Interventions, Rationale and Evaluation.
5. Caring Interventions: Demonstrates a caring and empathic approach to applying safe, therapeutic, and individualized care of each client. As measured according to these subcompetencies: Safety, Infection Control, Basic Care and Comfort, Skills, Organization, Medication Administration, Collaborates with Health Care Team, Assessing Learning Needs, Dignity and Cultural Sensitivity.
6. Managing: Manages care through the processes of planning, organizing and directing. As measured according to these subcompetencies: Delegation and Accountability.
Degree Requirements: AASPN Major Courses
The AASPN Curriculum requires specific general education course requirements. Students are advised to consult with their advisor to ensure proper course selection for this major.
Students must earn a grade of "C" or higher in each of the following General Education, Interdisciplinary and Nursing courses listed below:
General Education Requirements
| CHEM 115 | Introductory Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 115L | Introductory Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| ENGL 110 | College Composition I | 3 |
| ENGL 120 | College Composition II | 3 |
| NURS 240 | Fundamentals of Nutrition | 2 |
| PSYC 111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| | | |
| | Select one course from the following: | |
| SOC 110 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| | OR | |
| SOC 115 | Social Problems | 3 |
| | MEETS General Education Elective Requirement | |
| | | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Interdisciplinary Course Requirements
Nursing Course Requirements
| NURS 121 | Basic Nursing Concepts I | 5 |
| NURS 198A | Basic Nursing Concepts Clinical I | 1 |
| NURS 131 | Basic Nursing Concepts II | 5 |
| NURS 198B | Basic Nursing Concepts Clinical II | 1 |
| NURS 231 | Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing | 2 |
| NURS 241 | Intermediate Nursing Concepts I | 4 |
| NURS 298B | Intermediate Nursing Concepts Clinical I | 3 |
| NURS 215 | Introduction to Pharmacology | 2 |
| NURS 251 | Intermediate Nursing Concepts II | 4 |
| NURS 298C | Intermediate Nursing Concepts Clinical II | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 30 |
NURS 215: Students not enrolled in the nursing program may take NURS 215 provided they have permission of the faculty teaching the course.
Total Credit Hours: 66
A cumulative and nursing GPA of 2.25 or higher are required for graduation with the AASPN degree.