Associate Degree Nursing General Info
The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) completion program is designed for students who have completed the Practical Nursing program at Northwest Iowa Community College, or for Licensed Practical Nurses seeking to continue studies for an ADN (RN). The program prepares students to provide safe, holistic, person-centered care across the lifespan. Learning occurs through theory, laboratory, simulation, and supervised clinical experiences in area healthcare facilities, where students apply competencies in medical-surgical, geriatric, obstetric, pediatric, and psychiatric nursing. Throughout the curriculum, students focus on developing clinical judgment and management skills, enabling them to collaborate and lead effectively within healthcare teams. Graduates are prepared to assume the responsibilities of registered nurses in a variety of care settings.
Official NCLEX examination results for all approved nursing programs in Iowa are provided by the Iowa Board of Nursing and may be viewed using the following link: https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/medical/nursing-professional-midwifery/nursing-education/nursing-program-statistics
Consideration for acceptance to the Associate Degree Nursing program requires meeting the following criteria:
NCC PN/EPN Applicants:
• Documentation of current, unencumbered licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse is required prior to beginning clinical rotations.
NCC PN/EPN Graduate Applicants:
• Applicants who have been out of NCC’s Practical Nursing program for one year or more must provide documentation of current, unencumbered licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse prior to program admission.
• As required by Iowa law, criminal history and child and dependent adult abuse record check must be completed to determine eligibility for clinical participation.
Transfer Applicants:
• Applicants who have completed a Licensed Practical Nursing program at another college are required to
provide documentation of program completion.
• Documentation of current, unencumbered licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse is required prior to program admission.
• As required by Iowa law, criminal history and child and dependent adult abuse record check must be completed to determine eligibility for clinical participation.
• Applicants must complete Composition I and a transfer level math course prior to program admission.
This program requires an additional acceptance process. Information can be found through the Admissions Office.
Future Ready Iowa Scholarships
FREE TUITION / IOWA LAST-DOLLAR SCHOLARSHIP
THIS PROGRAM QUALIFIES. Iowa needs people like you to fill exciting jobs in growing industries. To help keep Iowa moving forward, you can get free tuition for programs that lead to high-demand jobs and good-paying careers. Earn a one-year or two-year degree—all with free tuition. For specific details of the Future Ready Iowa Scholarship (including how to apply) and for a full list of every NCC program that qualifies – click here. Contact NCC’s Financial Aid Office at 712-324-5061 or finaid@nwicc.edu for more information.
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Award
- Associate of Applied Science Degree
Length
- Summer Term and Two Semesters
- Summer semester entry
Student Profile
- Excellent people skills
- Genuine desire to care for people
- Communication skills
- Possess math & science background
Program Location
- This program is available on campus. General education courses are available online.
- Take a virtual tour of the Health Science Building
Contact Admissions
-
712-301-2573 | 712-301-1401 |
712-301-7033 - 800-352-4907
- Email Admissions
Student Story JENNIFER MAINA
“I feel I have a calling to help people. I want to work with the developmentally delayed population. I knew NCC had a great program with instructors who push you to be prepared to pass your RN exam. I appreciate the friendly and accommodating staff at NCC!”
Associate Degree Nursing student
Sheldon, IA
Requirements for this program
The following prerequisite courses must be completed prior to the Spring semester.
| Course # | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
SUMMER TERM| 10
| | |
| BIO183-A | Microbiology | 3 |
| BIO184-A | Microbiology Lab | 1 |
| PSY241-A | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| SOC110-A | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
FALL SEMESTER| 16 |
| |
| ADN770-C | Nursing I | 9 |
| ADN771-C | Nursing I Clinical | 3 |
| ADN776-C | Mental Health Nursing | 3 |
| ADN777-C | Mental Health Nursing Clinical | 1 |
| SPRING SEMESTER | 15 | |
| ADN772-C | Nursing II | 5 |
| ADN773-C | Nursing II Clinical | 1 |
| ADN774-C | Nursing III | 3 |
| ADN775-C | Nursing III Preceptor | 2 |
| ADN778-C | Nursing Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| ADN779-C | Advanced Nursing Capstone | 1 |
| Practical Nursing Diploma Credits | 45 | |
| Associate Degree Nursing Credits | 41 | |
| Total Credits | 86 |
Graduates may transfer credits to four-year programs to obtain their Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Attractive employment opportunities for nurses are available in all areas of the country. Current and future shortages of nursing personnel have and will create numerous professional opportunities for registered nurses.
Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Passing this exam is required to become a Registered Nurse. NCC’s Associate Degree Nursing graduates have exceptional pass rates for the NCLEX-RN exam.
As required by Iowa law, nursing courses with a clinical component may not be taken by a person:
• Who has been denied licensure by the board.
• Whose license is currently suspended, surrendered, or revoked in any United States jurisdiction.
• Whose license is currently suspended, surrendered, or revoked in another country due to disciplinary action.
To advance or graduate in the Associate Degree Nursing program, students must receive a “C” or above in all coursework.
Frequently Asked Questions
Working in clinics, as a traveling nurse, in Home Health, in industrial nursing, in nursing homes, and in hospitals. Associate Degree Nursing graduates have exceptional pass rates for the NCLEX-RN exam. The typical job placement rate for NCC nursing students is 100%!
If you stay in northwest Iowa, the salary range is $29.50 – $44.50/hour.
You will have a combination of Theory, Lab, Clinical, and Preceptor Hours.
NCC is very well structured so students can go on to complete their BSN degree. Our technology is top notch, and you will get clinical experience in a large regional medical center.
Northwest Iowa Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The Nursing Programs (PN, Extended PN, ADN, Extended ADN) are approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing.
Program Learning Outcomes
1. Apply the nursing process in providing individualized, holistic nursing care for clients across the life span with variable needs for the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of optimal health.
2. Integrate concepts of critical thinking, collaboration, and evidence-based practice to foster independent judgment and decision making in one’s nursing practice.
3. Provide safe, high quality, comprehensive nursing care for clients and families by applying principles of safety, health teaching, and current technology
4. Minimize risk of harm to patients and providers through both system effectiveness and individual performance.
5. Utilize principles of communication to provide a therapeutic environment for the client, family, and members of the health care system, regardless of gender, socioeconomic environment and subculture.
6. Use information and technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision making.
7. Manage the delegation of nursing care through safe, effective and efficient use of human and material resources.
8. Integrate nursing practice with professional and legal standards, ethical principles, and sensitivity to the cultural differences of clients.
9. Function effectively within nursing and inter-professional teams, fostering open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision making to achieve quality patient care.
10. Demonstrate commitment to ongoing personal and professional development through involvement in the nursing profession and lifelong learning.
Financial Aid
The Financial Aid Office will work with you to reach the goal of attending college. Federal and state programs, scholarships and other funding sources, may be available to help you to afford college. We know there are a lot of questions and stress planning to pay for a college education. The Financial Aid Office staff administers aid programs and counsels students in planning individual methods of meeting college costs. Contact the Financial Aid Office for answers to any questions regarding financial aid. What are you waiting for? Let’s get started! Northwest Iowa Community College follows a nationally accepted philosophy in administering financial aid programs.
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