Overview
The DSU Department of Nursing prepares students in the AASPN program, to become Licensed Practical Nurses, who 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 mission is to foster students’ development to become knowledgeable healthcare professionals who are prepared to serve in a continually evolving healthcare environment.
END OF PROGRAM STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (EPSLOs)
Upon completion of the program, the graduate will achieve:
1. Professionalism: Demonstrate professional behaviors of accountability and professionalism according to the legal and ethical standards for a competent licensed practical nurse.
2. Communication: Effectively communicate with patients, significant support person(s), and members of the interdisciplinary health care team incorporating interpersonal and therapeutic communication skills.
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.
5. Caring Interventions: Demonstrate a caring and empathic approach to applying safe, therapeutic, and individualized care of each client.
6. Managing: Manages care through the processes of planning, organizing and directing.
Career Options
Why should you pursue a Associate in Applied Science Degree - Practical Nursing?
The Associate in Applied Science degree in practical nursing prepares students to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). Graduates are prepared to take the national exam to become licensed as LPNs. Licensed Practical Nurses provide basic nursing care under the direction of Registered Nurses and Medical Doctors. In some states, LPNs provide IV therapy and supervise other LPNs or nursing assistants.
Possible Career Paths
- Staff Nurse
- Clinic Nurse
- Charge Nurse
Requirements
The AASPN Curriculum requires specific general education course requirements. The category of the General Education requirement is indicated below. 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 |
| | Group III-E | |
| | | |
| ENGL 110 | College Composition I | 3 |
| | Group I-A | |
| | | |
| ENGL 120 | College Composition II | 3 |
| | Group I-B | |
| | | |
| NURS 240 | Fundamentals of Nutrition | 2 |
| | Group II-D | |
| | | |
| PSYC 111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| | Group II-C | |
| | | |
| | Select one course from the following: | |
| SOC 110 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| | OR | |
| SOC 115 | Social Problems | 3 |
| | Group II-C | |
| | | |
| 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.
A minimum nursing GPA of 2.25 is required to progress from the first year to the second year.
A cumulative and nursing GPA of 2.25 or higher are required for graduation with the AASPN degree.
Program Sequence