Nursing | Williston State College

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Nursing

 
Williston State College offers two different degree types in the Nursing Program.
The Williston State College, Associate Degree in Nursing program is accredited through the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA).

The Associate Degree in Nursing program delivered via distance education at Williston State College is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington D.C. 20037. Phone 202.909.2487.

Program Certificate (PC)

Minimum required credits for PC: 43
PC Student Education Plan (SEP)

Program Description
The Dakota Practical Nursing program prepares students to work as licensed practical nurses (LPN) under the supervision of a registered nurse, physician, or dentist. LPNs perform acts utilizing specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities for people in a variety of settings (2003 ND Nurse Practice Act). Employment is found in hospitals, nursing homes, health centers, and clinics, as well as in a variety of other settings. This program of study leads to a Certificate. Upon completion of the program, the individual is qualified to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses, as required by the North Dakota State Board of Nursing for licensure as an LPN. Graduates may apply to the Dakota Associate Degree Nursing Program at the consortium colleges or transfer many of the credits earned to another community college or university. The Dakota Practical Nursing Program is offered in collaboration between four colleges: Bismarck State College, Lake Region State College, Dakota College at Bottineau, and Williston State College.

Students in the practical nursing program will be required to attend summer semester. Students enrolled in programs that require attendance during summer term in order to graduate must consider additional financial planning in order to meet costs during the summer term. 

Criteria for Admission
Admission to the practical nursing program is on a competitive basis. The following must be met to be considered for admission:

  • Admission to Williston State College.
  • Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent with a 2.5 GPA or higher. If a student has completed 12 credits of college classes, the college GPA will be considered instead of high school GPA.
  • Proof of current CPR training for Health Care Providers from the American Heart Association or the Red Cross.
  • Student must have completed at minimum ASC 093 with a “Satisfactory” grade or “C” or better so they are prepared to enter MATH 103 College Algebra (or higher math courses), OR equivalent scores for EdReady/ACT/PLAN/SAT/COMPASS. (Math Skills Readiness must be completed within 5 years of application). 
  • ACT composite score of 19, or
    • ACT/COMPASS/ASSET/Acuplacer/SAT test(s) with an equivalent score, or
    • Successful completion of 12 credits of college courses with a mimimum GPA of 2.5
  • Completion of ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) with a score of 45.0% or higher. (*Reminder: This is an IN-PERSON exam; WSC does not accept online proctored TEAS Exams.)
 
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50.
  • For any required college courses completed prior to admission, the grade in that course must be a 2.0 (C) or higher, and nursing GPA for all completed required nursing courses must be 2.75 or higher. 
  • Anatomy and Physiology I and II with Lab (A&P II must be taken within the last 7 years)
  • Introduction to Pharmacology (must be taken within the last 7 years) 
  • Developmental Psychology 
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Composition I
  • Other: Microbiology (required for ADN program)
  • For those of whom English is not their native language (including international and/or U.S. residents), additional language proficiency requirements must be met by successfully passing the TOEFL exam or utilizing DuoLingo.
  • Prior to entering class all students must pass a drug screening exam and criminal background check. 



Application instructions for admission to the Dakota Nursing Program may be obtained from www.dakotanursing.org. The admissions committee will review the application and qualifications of each individual. Students will be notified in writing of their acceptance status. The number of students admitted will vary by location. 
 

Program Outcomes
Students will be able to demonstrate:
  1. Teamwork & Communication - Participate as a member of the interdisciplinary health care team through effective communication in the delivery and management of client care.
  2. Professionalism & Leadership - Incorporate professional standards and scope of practice as a certificate practical nurse while pursuing professional growth within legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks.
  3. Client-Centered Care - Provide culturally competent care for clients while promoting their self-determination and integrity.
  4. Evidence-Based Practice & Nursing Judgment - Utilize the nursing process, science, and clinical reasoning to provide quality evidencedbased client care.
  5. Quality Improvement & Safety - Employ evidence based decision making to deliver safe and effective client care and to evaluate client outcomes.
  6. Informatics - Utilize appropriate technology to communicate effectively and manage information in the delivery of client care. All courses required for the practical nursing program must be passed with a minimum of a "C".
Program Requirements
In addition to the program-specific requirements, please see the general graduation requirements for CTE programs.

BIOL 220 | Anatomy & Physiology I L/L | 4 credits
BIOL 221 | Anatomy & Physiology II L/L | 4 credits
ENGL 110 | College Composition I | 3 credits
NURS 120 | Foundations of Nursing | 3 credits
NURS 121 | Practical Nursing I | 3 credits
NURS 122 | Clinical Practice I | 3 credits
NURS 124 | Clinical Practice II | 3 credits
NURS 126 | Clinical Practice III | 3 credits
NURS 127 | Practical Nursing II: Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing | 2 credits
NURS 129 | Practical Nursing III | 3 credits
NURS 145 | Introduction to Maternal-Child Nursing | 2 credits
PHRM 215 | Introduction to Pharmacology | 3 credits
PSYC 111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 credits
PSYC 250 | Developmental Psychology | 3 credits
UNIV 100 | College Strategies 1 credit OR UNIV 101 | College Transitions | 1 credit

View course descriptions.

Upon completion of the 11-month program, students will be eligible for a Certificate in Practical Nursing.

Students must have a NDUS e-mail account and access to reliable high speed internet. Some course components may be offered in an online format. Classes will be presented using a variety of technology. Students must complete the 43 credits, passing each class with a minimum of a "C", with a 2.75 GPA or higher.

Clinical experiences are supervised by WSC nursing faculty. Clinical experiences will be provided at CHI St. Alexius-Williston, local clinics, Bethel Lutheran Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, the State Hospital in Jamestown, ND, and at other specified locations.

Opportunity for validation of student achievement of specific course objectives by alternate methods is provided by the Nursing Department. Nursing faculty will review each situation on an individual basis. For further information, contact the Nursing Program Director.
 

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

Minimum required credits for AAS: 62
AAS Student Education Plan (SEP)
 

Program Description
The Dakota Associate Degree Nursing program is designed to be a 1+1 nursing program in which completion of the first year meets the requirements for a practical nursing certificate and completion of the second year of this program meets the requirements for an AAS degree in Nursing. Students must be an LPN with an unencumbered USA license or be in the final process of completion of the Dakota Practical Nursing program. The Dakota Associate Degree Nursing curriculum prepares individuals with the knowledge, abilities, and skills to practice nursing independently through application of the nursing process to provide safe nursing care to individuals and families across the lifespan in a variety of settings. Upon completion of the program, the individual is qualified to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, as required by the North Dakota State Board of Nursing for licensure as a RN.

Employment opportunities include acute care centers, long-term care facilities, clinics, outpatient offices, industry, and community agencies. Graduates may transfer many of the credits earned in the associate degree program to a baccalaureate nursing program. The Dakota Associate Degree Nursing Program is offered in collaboration between four colleges: Bismarck State College, Lake Region State College, Dakota College at Bottineau, and Williston State College. 


Criteria for Admission
For current Dakota Practical Nursing Students:
  1. Successful completion of the first year of the Dakota Nursing Program with a minimum GPA of 2.75 in all prerequisite and program courses.
  2. Proof of current CPR training for health care providers.
  3. Submission of appropriate forms available from the nursing department by the designated date.
  4. Successful completion of the preadmission examination.
For all other applicants:
  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.
  2. Proof of current CPR training for health care providers.
  3. Admission to WSC, 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 Associate Degree Nursing Program may be obtained from www.dakotanursing.org.
  4. Successful completion of the preadmission examination.
  5. Completion of the following courses, each with a grade of "C" or better, and an overall GPA of at least 2.75:
    a. ENGL 110 College Composition I
    b. PSYC 111 Introduction to Psychology
    c. BIOL 220 Anatomy & Physiology I L/L
    d. BIOL 221 Anatomy & Physiology II L/L*
    e. PHRM 215 Introduction to Pharmacology*
    f. PSYC 250 Developmental Psychology*
    g. UNIV 100 College Strategies or UNIV 101 College Transitions as determined by college advisor
    * Must be within seven years of ADN admission
  6. Minimum GPA of 2.75 in all prerequisite and program requirements, having passed all required courses with a minimum of a "C" and overall cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 or higher.
  7. For those of whom English is not their native language (including international and/or U.S. residents), additional language proficiency requirements must be met by successfully passing the TOEFL exam.
The Admissions Committee will review the application and qualifications of each individual. All applicants must pass a background check and drug screen.

Students will be notified of their acceptance status.

Program Outcomes
Students will be able to demonstrate:
  1. Teamwork & Communication - Participate as a member of the interdisciplinary health care team through effective communication in the delivery and management of client care.
  2. Professionalism & Leadership - Incorporate professional standards and scope of practice as a certificate practical nurse while pursuing professional growth within legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks.
  3. Client-Centered Care - Provide culturally competent care for clients while promoting their self-determination and integrity.
  4. Evidence-Based Practice & Nursing Judgment - Utilize the nursing process, science, and clinical reasoning to provide quality evidencedbased client care.
  5. Quality Improvement & Safety - Employ evidence based decision making to deliver safe and effective client care and to evaluate client outcomes.
  6. Informatics - Utilize appropriate technology to communicate effectively and manage information in the delivery of client care. All courses required for the Practical Nursing program must be passed with a minimum of a "C".
Program Requirements
In addition to the program-specific requirements, please see the general graduation requirements for CTE programs.

BIOL 220 | Anatomy & Physiology I L/L | 4 credits
BIOL 221 | Anatomy & Physiology II L/L | 4 credits
ENGL 110 | College Composition I | 3 credits
NURS 120 | Foundations of Nursing | 3 credits
NURS 121 | Practical Nursing I | 3 credits
NURS 122 | Clinical Practice I | 3 credits
NURS 124 | Clinical Practice II | 3 credits
NURS 126 | Clinical Practice III | 3 credits
NURS 127 | Practical Nursing II: Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing | 2 credits
NURS 129 | Practical Nursing III | 3 credits
NURS 145 | Introduction to Maternal-Child Nursing | 2 credits
PHRM 215 | Introduction to Pharmacology | 3 credits
PSYC 111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 credits
PSYC 250 | Developmental Psychology | 3 credits
UNIV 100 | College Strategies | 1 credit OR UNIV 101 | College Transitions | 1 credit

View course descriptions.

Upon completion of the second year, students will be eligible for an AAS degree.

Students must have a NDUS e-mail account and reliable high-speed internet. Some course components may be offered in an online format. Classes will be presented using a variety of technology.

Clinical experiences are supervised by WSC nursing faculty. Clinical experiences will be provided at CHI St. Alexius Health-Williston, various local clinics, Northwest Human Services Center, Upper Missouri District Health Unit, and other specified locations.

Opportunity for validation of student achievement of specific course objectives by alternate methods is provided by the Nursing Department. Nursing faculty will review each situation on an individual basis. For further information, contact the Nursing Program Director.


Faculty

Gail

Gail Raasakka

Dakota Nursing Program WSC Nursing Program Director
Health and Wellness Department
1410 University Avenue
Stevens Hall (Leonard P. Nelson Health & Wellness Wing)
701.774.4290
Cecilia

Cecilia Lopez-Avila, BSN, RN

Nursing Instructor
Health and Wellness Department
Kandee

Kandee  Fredricksen

Nursing Program Administrative Assistant
Health and Wellness Department
1410 University Ave
Stevens Hall (Leonard P. Nelson Health & Wellness Wing)
701.774.4276
Elie

Elie Johnson

Nursing Instructor
Health and Wellness Department
1410 University Ave
Stevens Hall (Leonard P. Nelson Health & Wellness Wing
Kari

Kari Lesmeister

Assistant Professor of Nursing
Health and Wellness Department
1410 University Avenue
Stevens Hall (Leonard P. Nelson Health & Wellness Wing)
701.774.4277
Keri

Keri Fedler

Nursing Instructor
Health and Wellness Department
1410 Univeristy Ave
Stevens Hall (Leonard P. Nelson Health & Wellness Wing)
701.774.4505
Beth

Beth Howell, MSN, RN

Assistant Professor of Nursing
Health and Wellness Department
1410 University Avenue
Stevens Hall 160 (Leonard P. Nelson Health & Wellness Wing)
701.774.4597
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