Associate of Science in Nursing
Our Program How and When to Apply Background Preparation Clinical Work Experience Faculty Job Outlook
Become a Registered Nurse. A registered nurse cares for the sick and injured and promotes wellness. Nurses balance technical skills with care and compassion. As a nurse, you empower patients to achieve or maintain good health. You give them comfort, help them reach higher levels of functioning or assist them with a peaceful end of life.
Our Program
Once you complete your Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree you’ll be eligible for the Registered Nurse licensing examination. After successful completion of the licensing exam, you will be eligible to provide entry-level, holistic nursing care for a wide range of patients, residents and clients in many different health care settings.
We have a five-semester curriculum with a total of 72 credit hours, which includes 33 credits from liberal arts and sciences and 39 credits of nursing. Our college also serves as an ASN degree program sending institution in the Iowa Board of Nursing Articulation Plan for Nursing Education. Through this plan, nursing education programs cooperate so students can learn and advance their career goals with minimal learning repetition.
ASN students with prior degrees/college wishing to enter the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Online (BSN) may choose the Integrated Option. ASN students who have completed a previous bachelor's degree or a majority of the required liberal arts and science credits required for the BSN may seek admission to the Integrated Option for the BSN Online program. The Integrated Option leads ASN students to initial eligibility for the registered nurse licensing examination, while progressing with their coursework towards a BSN. Click here for additional admission requirements. Click here to view the integrated option curriculum.
Our nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and is approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing.
Once you successfully complete this program, you have the opportunity to advance into the Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program at Mercy College.
How and When to Apply
Because classes are ongoing, you may begin the ASN program in either the fall or spring semesters. Applications to the ASN program must be received by the Office of Admissions for fall admission by July 1; for spring admission by November 1. Your admission into this program is on a competitive basis, so early application is encouraged. Following general College admission, students may enroll in Liberal Arts and Science (LAS) courses in the Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences prior to admission into the ASN program.
Background Preparation
You need to successfully complete one year high school (or a college equivalent) biology, chemistry and English coursework before admission. In addition, you should take one year of high school algebra I or one semester of college-level pre-algebra or algebra I. We also recommend that you take high school (or college equivalent) algebra II, social sciences, foreign language, fine arts, and computer science courses before entering our program.You must also complete a 150-hour nursing assistant course within five years of admission into the ASN program. Students are encouraged to take LAS courses at Mercy College to meet any unmet program requirements above. Students who have not completed the 150-hour Nursing Assistant course prior to applying to the College may take it concurrently with LAS courses their first semester.
Clinical Work Experience
As part of your studies, you’ll receive direct patient contact through on-the-job clinical work experience (called practicums) at Mercy Medical Center. You’ll also work at Mercy affiliate locations and at many other leading health care organizations in central Iowa, to get hands-on learning throughout your course of study.
Faculty
Our dedicated instructors are totally committed to student learning. They teach critical thinking and clinical judgment and actively involve students in their studies. They develop caring relationships with students and help them with professional development. Each faculty member has a unique personality with specialized educational skills. They are professional educators and nurses with clinical practice experience which they bring to the classroom. You’ll find they continually collaborate with other nursing professionals and involve students as they serve as role models for professional practice.
Job Outlook
Once you have completed your ASN degree, you’ll have the knowledge and skills to be eligible to sit for the registered nurse licensing examination. Today’s job market for registered nurses is excellent, although opportunities may vary by geographical area and setting. As our population grows and ages, the demand for nurses is expected to grow accordingly. You can get more details and statistics about specific roles and job opportunities from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics website.
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