Nursing Credential: Associates of Science

• 78 SEMESTER CREDITS
• 80 WEEKS
• CIP CODE: 51.3801

GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES

• 30 SEMESTER CREDITS
• 30 WEEKS

CORE COURSES

• 48 SEMESTER CREDITS
• 50 WEEKS

PROGRAM OBJECTIVE

Upon completion of this program, the graduate will be able to sit for the Florida Board of Nursing Licensure Examination requirement NCLEX-RN. Once licensed, graduates can obtain employment as an entry-level Professional Nurse (RN).

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The program is designed to offer students foundational academic knowledge, health sciences, and core nursing principles in a course sequence that builds cognition and skills upon earlier learning experiences. Students learn the health science knowledge required for execution of the nursing process which is central to the scope of practice of the Professional Nurse (RN). Students will undergo routine educational assessment to measure knowledge and skills throughout each phase of the competency-based curriculum, proving cognition and psychomotor development throughout each stage, and modality of the program.

PROGRAM OUTLINE

COURSE SCHEDULING POLICY

A student in the ASN Program at Riggs College can only take a maximum of 4 classes per semester. The table below classifies each course according to its appropriate class value. If all prerequisites are in the "2 Classes" category can only be combined in a manner that culminates to 4 classes. The only exception to this new policy is during the final term when students will be able to take 5 classes (Nursing Leadership, Community w/clinical, and Geriatrics w/clinical).

Prerequisites must be completed prior to being enrolled in a core nursing class.

Examples of appropriate course scheduling are provided below.

Examples of acceptable course scheduling for ASN program:

• Med-Surg* class and clinical (2) + prerequisite (1) + prerequisite (1) = a complete scheduled semester.
• Med-Surg* class and clinical(2) + Mental Health class and clinical (2) = a complete scheduled semester.
• *Med-Surg I or II

Other Important Considerations Regarding Transfer Credits & Scheduling:

• Chemistry/Chemistry lab cannot be used as a substitute for Microbiology/Microbiology lab.
• Anatomy & Physiology I class and lab must be completed prior to be scheduled for Anatomy & Physiology II class and lab.
• All students in the ASN or LPN-RN program must take Microbiology, Geriatrics, and Nurse Leadership.
• A student’s progression through the program is determined only by these factors:
• The policies in the most current School Catalog.
• The educational track as approved by the Commission for Independent Education (CIE).
• The student’s attendance throughout the semester.
• The student’s academic performance throughout the semester
• Achieving a 75% or higher for all nursing core theory classes.
• Achieving a grade of PASS for all Clinical/Lab courses.

Note: Riggs College reserves the right to modify or amend policies at any time in regards to remaining compliant with the Commission for Independent Education (CIE), Florida Department of Education and any changes to the school catalog or school policies.

CREDENTIAL GRANTED UPON COMPLETION

Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive an Associate of Science in Nursing Degree.

DELIVERY METHOD

• Theory Classes – Some offered online (synchronous).
• Laboratory Classes – Offered through simulation training or at the school campus.
• Clinical Classes – Offered through simulation training or at designated locations.

PROGRAM LENGTH

Full time students complete the program in 61 weeks. Students transferring the general education courses and enrolling to the nursing courses only, complete the program in 45 weeks.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Prospective students must comply with admissions requirements as stated in this catalog under Admission’s section.

EXTERNSHIP POLICY

Riggs College students must complete all clinical hours satisfactorily. The complete Externship Policy is included as a section in this catalog and reviewed with each student prior to enrollment.

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT

Riggs College graduates of the ASN program are required to pass the NCLEX-RN state certification exam and obtain and maintain an active residential state RN license to receive employment as a Registered Nurse. For information regarding the NCLEX-RN examination and eligibility requirements, visit the Florida Board of Nursing www.floridasnursing.gov

ADDITIONAL FEES NOT INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM

• Admission Requirements Cost
  Under the admissions section of the catalog, is a list of expenses associated with the admissions process not included in the program enrollment fees: Background Check, Physical, and Admissions testing.
• School Uniform – Scrubs
  Riggs College requires all active students to be always dressed in the school’s scrubs [uniform]. The cost for the school’s scrub is $150.00 and the student clinical bag is $110.00 from Pocket Nurse.
• NCLEX Application and Examination Fee
  The NCLEX examination fee is to be paid by the student. Visit www.floridanursing.gov for current information.

PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE

This is required prior to students’ first clinical. The cost for each student is $115.00 to be paid by the student, included in the program’s tuition and fees under "Other Costs". The Professional Liability Insurance provides students the following benefits:

• Professional Liability Coverage
• Defendant Expense Benefit
• Personal Injury Insurance
• Damage to property of others
• First Aid Expenses
• Deposition Representation
• Sexual Misconduct/Abuse and Information Privacy Coverage (HIPAA)

ASN GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES REQUIREMENT

Students must fulfill general education requirements to graduate. Students with 3 or more General Education courses may take nursing core classes in tandem while completing general education classes.

General Science – 12 Credits Required

Classes must include:

• Microbiology with Lab (4 credits)
• Human Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab (4 credits)
• Human Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab (4 credits)

Humanities – 12 Credits Required

Classes must include:

• English Composition (3 credits)
• Oral Communications or Public Speaking (3 credits)
• General Psychology (3 credits)
• Human Growth and Development or Developmental Psychology (3 credits)

Mathematics - 6 Credits Required

Classes must include:

• College Algebra (3 credits)