South Central College’s (SCC) Nursing Program is committed to excellence and provides invaluable educational preparation through classroom, lab, and clinical experiences. SCC offers a Practical Nursing Diploma, Practical Nursing AAS Degree, and an Associate in Science Degree Professional Nurse program.
Practical Nursing Diploma (Preparation to become an LPN)
- The Practical Nursing Diploma Program is for those students who are interested in becoming LPNs
- The PN Diploma Program will be "Pre-Nursing" + 1 year in the core-nursing program
- To view the Practical Nursing Diploma program guide, click here.
The 40 credit Practical Nursing Diploma teaches students to collect data related to a client’s physical and mental functioning, administer prescribed medications, demonstrate effective therapeutic communication, provide thorough reporting and recording, prioritize and care for multiple clients with a variety of disorders, perform technical nursing skills and understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality.
A student who completes the Practical Nursing program is awarded a diploma and is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (N.C.L.E.X.) for licensure in Practical Nursing (PN).
Associate in Applied Science Degree (Preparation to become an LPN)
- The Practical Nursing AAS Degree Program is for those students who are interested in becoming LPNs
- The PN AAS Degree Program will be "Pre-Nursing" + a year and a half in the core-nursing program
- To view the Practical Nursing AAS Degree program guide, click here.
The 60 credit Practical Nursing AAS Degree teaches students to collect data related to a client’s physical and mental functioning, administer prescribed medications, demonstrate effective therapeutic communication, provide thorough reporting and recording, prioritize and care for multiple clients with a variety of disorders, perform technical nursing skills and understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality.
A student who completes the Practical Nursing program is awarded a diploma and is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (N.C.L.E.X.) for licensure in Practical Nursing (PN).
Associate in Science Degree (Preparation to become an RN)
- The Associate in Science Degree Program is for those students who want to become RNs
- The A.S. Degree will be "Pre-Nursing" + 2 years in the core-nursing program
- To view the Associate in Science Degree program guide, click here.
Already an LPN?
Returning LPNs have an adjusted course plan. Click here to view the Associate in Science (RN) Degree program guide for students who already are LPNs.
Students will be taught to demonstrate professional and caring behaviors, utilize therapeutic communication techniques, perform a holistic assessment, assess the strengths and resources of clients and families, coordinate care for clients and families, teach necessary health information to consumers of health, apply mathematical calculations to safely administer medications, collaborate with members of the healthcare team and apply critical thinking and the nursing process consistently.
A student who completes the 64-credit curriculum is awarded an Associate of Science Degree and is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (N.C.L.E.X.) for licensure as a Registered Nurse.
Students that earn an Associate of Science Degree may transfer credits to a four-year institution to work towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. Students will be required to take additional liberal arts and science courses, and should visit with whichever institution they wish to transfer to for further information.
The Associate in Science Degree Professional Nursing Program is a candidate for accreditation by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.
Program Admission
Application to both the Practical Nursing and Associate of Science Degree is a separate process from admission to the college. The Nursing Program accepts applications once a year from January 1 to the last Friday in January. For more information on how to apply, click on “How to Apply”.
It is strongly recommended that any student who is considering nursing as major attend a Nursing Information Session. You may also view these mini online presentations:
After attending a Nursing Info Session interested students should contact the pre-nursing advisor at 507-389-7324.
The Nursing Program is very rigorous. For students wishing to complete the program on a part-time basis, it is recommended they take as many of the required liberal arts and science courses as possible before beginning the program (during their “pre-nursing” time).
Practical Nursing Program Core Competencies
As a result of completing this program, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate effective therapeutic communication to foster interactions with patients and other members of the healthcare team.
- Conduct observations of clients while providing physical and psychosocial nursing care.
- Demonstrate competence of nursing skills while caring for clients.
- Administer medications safely within the scope of nursing practice.
- Provide thorough reporting and recording to assist in continuity of care for clients.
- Measure the effect of one’s own nursing actions.
- Demonstrate the ability to prioritize and care for multiple clients with a variety of disorders under the direct supervision of the registered nurse.
Associate in Science Degree Nursing Program Core Competencies
As a result of completing this program, the student will be able to:
- Develop professional behaviors appropriate to the Associate Degree Registered Nurse.
- Utilize therapeutic communication skills with clients, support person/s, and members of the health care team.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply critical thinking by making clinical judgments to ensure safe client care.
- Demonstrate holistic comprehensive assessment skills.
- Demonstrate competence in application of the nursing process to clients with multiple needs.
- Teach the client and support person/s the information and skills needed to achieve client outcomes.
- Collaborate with the client/significant support person/s and members of the healthcare team to evaluate progress toward achievement of outcomes.
- Coordinate and manage care for clients and support person/s.
Want to learn more about the two nursing programs? Join us for one of our monthly Information Sessions!
Click here to view the dates of our upcoming Info Sessions.
At the Info Sessions participants will hear about:
- Steps on becoming a pre-nursing student
- Differences between pre-nursing and nursing programs
- Program Policies
- Admission criteria (point system)
- A question/answer period is included
- Note: Attendance at one Info Session is a required component to the core-nursing application
Approval:
SCC’s Nursing Program is approved by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and the Minnesota Board of Nursing.The Associate in Science Degree Professional Nursing Program is a candidate for accreditation by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.
