Nursing-Advanced Standing, AAS

This program offers the opportunity for current Iowa Licensed Practical Nurses to complete an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Nursing. Students enter the third semester of the Associate degree Nursing curriculum. Upon successful completion of Semesters 3, 4 and 5, students are eligible to take the NCLEX exam for Registered Nurse Licensure (NCLEX-RN). The program is approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), Inc., 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326, 866-747-9965).

For more information about the Nursing-Advanced Standing program, please visit our website at www.dmacc.edu/programs/nursing.

Locations: Ankeny, Boone-Summer and Fall semester. 

  Carroll, Newton-Summer term only.

Evening option may be available on select campuses. Liberal arts courses may be taken on any campus where they are offered. Students who start a program on one campus will not be permitted to transfer to another campus. Once a student is admitted to a campus they must complete their nursing education on the campus where they started.

Program Entry Requirements

1. Complete an application for admission to the Advanced Standing Nursing program.
2. Attend a required Nursing information session, a registration session and a Nursing program orientation.
3. Provide proof of completion of an approved Practical Nursing program with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above.
4. Provide a copy of current Iowa LPN licensure (or other state licensure, recognized by Iowa pursuant to the Nurse Licensure Compact).
5. Complete DMACC’s Assessment Requirement.
6. Complete Nursing program admissions testing with satisfactory minimum scores in reading, writing and mathematics.
7. Meet the minimum established score on the required PN-to-ADN Assessment Test.
8. Complete the following courses with a grade of “C” or better (not C-) in each:
   1. BIO 733 - Health Science Anatomy
        
   2. BIO 734 - Health Science Physiology
        
   3. ENG 105 - Composition I
        
   4. PSY 111 - Introduction to Psychology
        
   5. PSY 121 - Developmental Psychology
        
9. Provide proof of high school graduation or GED completion.

Criminal background checks must be completed by each student. Criminal convictions or documented history of abuse may delay or prevent students from participating in clinical education experiences. Results of the criminal record/child and adult abuse registry checks will be released to the Department of Human Services, which will determine if the crime or abuse warrants prohibition from clinical education experience. Students unable to participate in clinical education will be unable to complete the Nursing program. In accordance with DMACC’s contract with affiliated agencies, results of the criminal record/child and adult abuse registry checks will be released to contracted agencies only upon their request.

Proof of immunizations and annual TB testing are required of all Nursing students. A physical exam must be completed within one year prior to program entry. Completion of the Student Health and Immunization Record form and current certification by either the American Heart Association (CPR for the Healthcare Provider) or American Red Cross (CPR for the Professional Rescuer and Health Care Provider) are required before beginning clinical rotations. Proof of a current flu vaccination is required of all Nursing students by January of each year.

The Advanced Standing Nursing program utilizes www.CertifiedBackground.com to track immunizations, health records and CPR certification for each student after their acceptance into the program. Students must wait for directions, which will be provided at the required Advanced Standing Nursing Registration meeting, before uploading their CPR and health records. Students are responsible for the cost of this service and any related expenses.

Graduation Requirements

To earn an Associate in Applied Science degree (AAS) in Nursing, a student must complete all coursework as prescribed and have a grade of “C” or above in all ADN and support courses in the curriculum. In order to progress to the next semester, courses must be successfully completed in the semester identified or in a previous semester.

In addition, completion of the Associate in Applied Science degree (AAS) in Nursing requires the successful completion of the required standardized exit exam taken during Semester 5 of the curriculum.