Associate of Science in Nursing

Our Program   Licensure/Certification Rates How and When to Apply   Background Preparation    Clinical 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.

Students who enter the ASN program with 30 or more transferrable credits, a G.P.A. of 2.7, and a grade of B or higher in the first nursing course (NSG101) may be eligible for the BSN Integrated program. Students in the Integrated BSN program are eligible to take BSN core courses while simultaneously completing the ASN program. Click here for additional admission requirements. Click here to view the integretated 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.

Licensure and Certification First Time Pass Rates

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 June 15; for spring admission by October 15. 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 School 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.

Prior to enrolling in NSG 101/102, students must complete BIO 133 Health Science Anatomy with Lab (college-level anatomy). A six-semester plan of study will be necessary for students without this program prerequisite.

Clinical Experience 

As part of your studies, you’ll receive direct patient contact through on-the-job clinical 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.