Associate Degree Nurse (AAS)

Program Manager:
Paige Baade, Dean for Nursing & Health Professions
701-228-5444
paige.baade@dakotacollege.edu

Program Advisor:
Paige Baade, Dean for Nursing & Health Professions
701-228-5444
paige.baade@dakotacollege.edu

The Program is offered through a consortium of four colleges in North Dakota. The member colleges are Bismarck State College (BSC), Dakota College, Lake Region State College (LRSC), and Williston State College (WSC).

Classroom education is delivered by instructors on campus and from the other college within the consortium TEAMS. Some courses/components will be offered in online format. Laboratory and simulation practice occur at each location. Clinical opportunities are arranged locally.

The associate degree nursing curriculum prepares individuals with the knowledge, skill, and ability to practice nursing through application of the nursing process to provide safe and effective nursing care.

Upon completion of the program, the individual is qualified to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX RN®), as required by the North Dakota State Board of Nursing for licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN). Graduates are encouraged to continue to an RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.

Employment for RNs can be found in hospitals, long term care facilities, clinics, outpatient offices, home health care services, healthcare industry, community and public health, schools, correctional facilities, and the military.

As program requirements can change yearly, please refer to the Dakota College website https://www.dakotacollege.edu/academics/programs/nursing for the most up to date information.

PREPARATION AND REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAM FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS:

For Current DNP PN Students and Paramedic to Nurse Bridge Students requesting admission:

1. Successful completion of the first year of the Dakota Nursing Program with a minimum GPA of 2.75 in the 42 credit course requirements as defined in the PN curriculum or successful completion of the LRSC Paramedic to Nurse Bridge Program with a minimum GPA of 2.75 in the 9 credit course requirements as defined in the Paramedic to Nurse Bridge Curriculum. The student must maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 in either program. 
2. An application dated no later than March 5th of the year the student will be entering the 2nd year of the program. 
3. ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor report showing an individual composite score which equals a predicted probability of passing the NCLEX-PN of 92%. Students achieving a score of less than 92% predicted probability on the first attempt will be required to retake the predictor after remediating on the topics they failed. Applicants will be allowed two (2) attempts to pass the NCLEX-PN Predictor per application process. A student may be considered for admission after a successful retake, however, the internal student (current Dakota Nursing Program student) failing the predictor on first attempt will not be considered for admission until after all qualified applicants meeting the application criteria and deadlines have been screened and accepted. 
4. Positive recommendations from nursing administration and nursing faculty. 

CHECKLIST FOR INTERNAL ADN APPLICANTS 

• Complete the electronic application for the Dakota Nursing Program
• Pass a preadmission examination (ATI Comprehensive PN Predictor) 
• References: DNP students are not required to submit additional references. Faculty evaluations of the student from previous PN clinical courses are strongly considered by the interview committee.

All applicants will be notified of preliminary status by June 1st with final acceptance after completion of the ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor during the first week of July. 

*Incoming applicants who are qualified for admission will be on a waiting list until all internal applicants have completed the ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor during the first week of July. 

Incomplete applications are not able to be processed and will be refused. 

PREPARATION AND REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ADVANCE STANDING ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAM:

Admission to the Dakota Nursing Program is on a competitive basis. The following are prerequisites for consideration for Admission to the Associate Degree Nursing Program: 

1. Applicant is: 
   1. A graduate from a state board approved PN program from an accredited college and current LPN with an active, unencumbered license to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the United States of America. OR
   2. A graduate from a state board approved paramedic program and a current paramedic, of at least two years’ experience, with an active, unencumbered, license to practice   as a paramedic in the United States of America AND have completed the LRSC   Paramedic to Nurse Bridge Program. 
2. Minimum GPA of 2.75 in all prerequisite courses (including prior practical nursing classes) and an overall minimum GPA of 2.5 
3. Admission to the college of choice as well as completion of a formal application to the Dakota Associate Degree Nursing Program. Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to the ADN program. Application forms for admission to the Dakota ADN Program may be obtained on the Dakota Nursing Program website at  www.dakotanursing.org beginning December 1st with application due on or before March 5th. 
4. Pass a preadmission examination — ATI Comprehensive PN Comprehensive Predictor report showing an individual composite score which equals a predicted probability of passing the NCLEX-PN of 92%. Students achieving a score of less than 92% predicted probability on the first attempt will be required to wait 30 days until retaking the predictor after remediating on the topics they failed. Comprehensive PN Predictor scores are valid for up to one (1) year prior to March 5th of the year of application. Applicants will be allowed two (2) attempts to pass the NCLEX-PN Predictor per application process. Contact the nursing coordinator or testing center at your local campus to schedule your test date on or before the application period. A student may be considered for admission after a successful retake, however, the internal student (current Dakota Nursing Program student) failing the predictor on first attempt will not be considered for admission until after all qualified applicants meeting the application criteria and deadlines have been screened and accepted. 
5. Currently enrolled (if competitive) or satisfactory completion with a “C” or better in each of the following courses: 
   • All required nursing courses from an approved Practical Nursing Program 
   • ENGL 110 Composition I 
   • PSYC 111 Introduction to Psychology 
   • BIOL 220 Anatomy and Physiology I with lab 
   • BIOL 221 Anatomy and Physiology II with lab 
   • PHRM 215 Introduction to Pharmacology (must have been completed within 7 years of ADN admission). 
   • PSYC 250 Developmental Psychology 
6. A certain level of English proficiency is necessary for academic success in nursing as well as for patient safety. In addition to general college English proficiency requirements, all applicants for whom English is not their native language (including International and/or U.S. residents) or who have not attended 4 years of U.S. high school and achieved a HS GPA of 3.0 or higher must meet additional language proficiency requirements for admission to the Dakota Nursing Program. These requirements must be met prior to consideration for admission. 

Minimum TOEFL Scores for Admission to the Dakota Nursing Program 

To be considered for admission to the pre-licensure program, English as a second language (ESL) applicants must achieve minimum scores on the TOEFL internet-based test (TOEFL iBT) of: 

Minimum Cumulative Score of: 

• 86 Combined 

AND Minimum Individual Scores of: 

• 26 in Speaking 
• 20 in Writing 
• 20 in Reading 
• 20 in Listening 

Test Preparation and Registration 

1. Complete information on the TOEFL iBT, including free test preparation materials, testing sites, and registration is available online at https://www.ets.org/toefl. Applicants may register for the TOEFL iBT by Internet, telephone (1-800-468-6335) or mail. 
2. Request official TOEFL iBT scores to be sent to: 
   • Bismarck State College – Enter Institution DI Code: 6041 
   • Dakota College – Enter Institution DI 3398
   • Lake Region State College – Enter Institution DI Code: 6163 
   • Williston State College – Enter Institution DI Code: 6905 
3. Only official score reports will be accepted. TOEFL scores are valid for two years from the test date. 
4. The cost of any/all required testing is the sole responsibility of the applicant. 
5. Applicants are allowed two (2) attempts at the TOEFL exam with a minimum of 4 weeks (28 days) between attempts per application period. 

Duolingo English Test (DET) Information and Scores for Admission to the Dakota Nursing Program Minimum Overall Score of:

• 115

It is expected that the applicant reaches a content score (variation as determined by the admission and progression committee) of 90 in the following four areas: 

• Literacy (Reading) 
• Comprehension (Listening) 
• Conversation (Speaking) 
• Production (Writing) 

Test Preparation and Registration 

1. Complete the registration process at https://englishtest.duolingo.com/applicants     
2. Request score be sent to your college. (BSC, DCB, LRSC, WSC)   
3. Only official score reports will be accepted. DET scores are valid for two years from the test date.
4. The cost of any/all required testing is the sole responsibility of the applicant. 
5. Applicants are allowed two (2) attempts at the DET with a minimum of 30 days between attempts per application period.  

Nursing students for whom English is not their native language should be aware that they may not be able to complete the program of study within the described time frame. Students are encouraged to consult the nursing advisor before submitting the nursing program application. This gives the opportunity to discuss requirements and to decide to either take the TOEFL exam if applicable or seek assistance to be successful on the TOEFL exam in the future.

Reference:

A Minimum English Proficiency Standard for The Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) (2009). Retrieved July 12th, 2015, at https://www.ncsbn.org/TOEFL_iBT_Proficiency_Standard_Process.pdf 

Students accepted into the nursing program must have access to reliable, high-speed internet. 

Checklist for the Advance Standing ADN (LPN to RN) Applicants 

1. Complete an application for admission to your local college (Dakota College) 
2. Complete the electronic application for the Dakota Nursing Program with a   current, valid, unencumbered United States LPN license number for verification. 
3. Provide copy of current CPR certification for BLS Provider 
4. Pass a preadmission examination (ATI Comprehensive PN Predictor). 
5. If required by English as a second language (ESL) applicant, TOEFL exam results. 
6. Provide 2 professional references. 

*All applicants will be invited to an interview if they meet all requirements and will be notified by July 30th. 

*Advanced Standing applicants who are qualified for admission will be on a waiting list until all internal applicants have completed the ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor during the first week of July. 

Incomplete applications are not able to be processed and will be refused.