Associate Degree Nursing

Program Description

Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) classes start in August. The ADN program has a selective admission process. Approval for admission will be granted by the Faculty Organization in the ADN program.

The application deadline for fall classes is due to the nursing department by January 15th. Applicants who have met all admission requirements and have been selected by the Faculty Organization will be notified by March 1st of their acceptance into the August class. An acceptance form will be sent to those applicants admitted; this form must be returned by the specified deadline to secure a position in the August class. A mandatory orientation will take place during the summer prior to beginning the nursing program. Applicants who are not placed in the August class or fail to attend the mandatory orientation will be placed on a candidacy status for the next year. For more information on the selective admission process contact the nursing department.

The nursing program is designed to prepare students for employment as registered nurses. The nursing program includes nursing and non-nursing courses. Non-nursing courses may be taken at any MPCC location or transferred from an accredited college or university. The program includes a concept based nursing curriculum and state-of-the art simulations to improve student and program outcomes. Clinical sites will be in local hospitals, long term care facilities and various other community agencies and clinics.

Graduates have met the education eligibility requirement to take the National Council of State Board of Nursing Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), which meets one requirement leading to state licensure as a Registered Nurse.

Mid-Plains Community College’s ADN program is approved by the Nebraska State Board of Nursing and accredited by:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Rd. NE
Suite1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
Phone 404-975-5000
www.acenursing.org

Accreditation Commission for Nursing Education (ACEN) - Associate Degree Nursing Program is fully accredited.

MPCC is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) advanced placement is available for those who have earned their LPN, hold a current unencumbered LPN license for the State of Nebraska and are seeking an RN degree. (Please contact the nursing department for specific information).

Admission Requirements

The applicant will need to have a completed file to be eligible for acceptance into the ADN Program. Please read and comply with the following admission requirements.

  1. Fulfill Mid-Plains Community College’s General Admission Requirements.
  2. Complete application to Mid-Plains Community College specifying interest in the nursing program, specify Register Nursing Program.
  3. Submit official high school transcript or GED.
  4. Have cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
  5. Submit official college or university transcripts if other than Mid-Plains Community College.
  6. Submit ACT scores which must have a composite score of at least 21 with all subscores 19 or higher.
    OR Complete Accuplacer testing. Scores will be used to determine admission into nursing programs. Accuplacer Test Scores must meet the nursing criteria of: Arithmetic 75; Reading Comprehension 74; and Sentence Skills 84 or complete NEXT-GEN Accuplacer testing.  Scores will be used to determine admission into nursing programs.  NEXT-GEN Accuplacer test scores must meet the nursing criteria of: Arithmetic 263; Reading 258; and Writing 258.
  7. Must have 2 references from teachers and/or current employers. Submit name, position and phone number.
  8. Complete Math for Health Occupations course with a C + or higher.
  9. Active status on the Nebraska Nursing Assistant Registry.
  10. Must speak and understand the English language in order to communicate clearly with patients and staff. (Refer to information concerning international students).

Additional Requirements for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Advanced Placement

  1. Admission requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10.
  2. Hold a current unencumbered LPN license for the State of Nebraska
  3. Practiced a minimum of 600 hours in the past year as a LPN or graduated in the last 3 years from the MPCC PN program.
  4. Successfully completed Challenge Exams
    1. Accelerated Challenge Exam I - pass with a 78% or higher or graduated in the last 3 years from MPCC PN Program 
    2. Math/Medication Challenge Exam - pass with 80% or higher or take MATH 0090 Math for Health Occupations with a C+ or higher
  5. Complete the following courses with a “C+” or higher:
    BIOS 2250
    & BIOS 2251    		Human Anatomy/Physiology I
    and Human Anatomy/Physiology I Lab    		4.0
    BIOS 2260
    & BIOS 2261    		Human Anatomy & Physiology II
    and Human Anatomy & Physiology II Lab    		4.0
    ENGL 1010English Composition I3.0
    PSYC 1810Intro to Psychology3.0

**Test results valid for three years**

**All general education courses must be passed with a C + or higher**

Due by First Day of Class

The following must be completed prior to beginning the program: Due dates will be given at mandatory orientation.

  1. Immunizations must be current (refer to immunization form)
  2. Current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR card
  3. Proof of professional liability insurance
  4. Criminal background check. Based on the outcome of the background check, a student may be prevented from entering the program due to inability to place in a clinical area. Please note: Misdemeanor or felony convictions may prevent a graduate from acquiring a state license. (Contact the State Board of Nursing with questions).
  5. Approval of clinical facilities

Program Objectives

  1. Provide safe, quality, evidence-based, patient-centered nursing care in a variety of healthcare settings to diverse patients across the lifespan.
  2. Engage in clinical reasoning to make patient-centered care decisions in a safe care environment.
  3. Participate in quality improvement processes to improve patient care outcomes.
  4. Participate in teamwork and collaboration with members of the interdisciplinary team, the patient, and the patient’s support persons.
  5. Use information management principles, techniques, and systems, and patient care technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision-making.
  6. Use leadership, management, legal, and ethical principles to guide practice as a professional nurse.
  7. Promote a culture of caring to provide holistic, compassionate patient care.

State Licensure or Certification Requirements

States for which Mid-Plains Community College has determined that its curriculum MEETS the state educational requirements for licensure or certification includes:

  • Nebraska

States for which Mid-Plains Community College has determined that its curriculum DOES NOT meet state educational requirements for licensure or certification includes:

  • N/A

States/Territories for which Mid-Plains Community College HAS NOT DETERMINED that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification includes:

  • Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

If a student from a state outside of Nebraska is interested in this program, state licensure will be investigated.

Graduates of this program are eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-RN exam. Nebraska belongs to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) compact. Any student passing the NCLEX-RN exam in Nebraska may also practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) in any of the other compact States without reapplying for a license in that state. Click on the following link to access all compact states: www.ncsbn.org/compacts.ht

Career Opportunities

The Associate Degree Registered Nurse gives care within the framework of his/her educational background. The curriculum is designed to prepare the graduate to provide nursing care in a variety of structured health care settings. Such areas include: hospitals, long-term care facilities and medical offices. Job openings are present throughout the country and in a variety of health care agencies. Mid-Plains Community College actively assists the graduate in job placement. Salary levels will vary with geographical area and the type of position.

Progression in Program

All NURS courses must be completed with a grade of 78% (C) or higher to progress through the program. All non-nursing courses must be completed with a grade of C+ or higher to progress through the program. Courses must be followed in the sequence of study. If a student receives a grade lower than a “C” in an NURS course or a “C+” in non-nursing courses during a given semester, withdrawal from the program is required. Unsatisfactory clinical performance will result in a non-passing grade for the nursing course.

Educational Advancement

The Associate Degree Nursing Program coordinates efforts to maximize the number of credits that can be transferred into a four-year nursing program. The acceptance of transfer credits is subject to that college’s or university’s policies. Students are encouraged to contact the other college as early as possible to facilitate the process.

**Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
3390 Peachtree Rd. NE
Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
404-975-5000
http://www.acenursing.org

Associate Degree Nursing