Nursing, A.S.

Program Code: 0208/0299

The A.S. degree in Nursing prepares students for careers as registered nurses. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 975-5000, acenursing.org, and is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing and may be applied toward a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at Florida’s state colleges and universities. Graduates are eligible to apply for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

For additional information, visit our website at SJRstate.edu/nursing or call: (386) 312-4176 (Palatka Nursing Office) or (904) 276-6863 (Orange Park Nursing Office).

Program Mission Statement

The Department of Nursing Education supports the mission of St. Johns River State College. The Department of Nursing Education prepares students to enter the workforce with the ability to think critically about actual or potential self-care deficits, and demonstrate caring behaviors while practicing within the legal and ethical scope of professional nursing practice. Nursing students are prepared to function competently as entry level nurses upon graduation.

End of Program Student Learning Outcomes

1. Utilize nursing judgment to provide safe and effective care for a variety of client populations. (Nursing Judgment)
2. Collaborate with interdisciplinary members of the healthcare team to manage client care. (Collaboration)
3. Utilize evidence-based practice to evaluate care processes, quality and safety improved client outcomes. (Evidence-Based Practice)
4. Implement practices that support the clients’ cultural and societal beliefs. (Culture)

(Note that students who are only taking prerequisites for admission into the program and who are not pursuing other degree programs are not considered regular, admitted students and are therefore not eligible for either federal or state forms of financial aid).

The program consists of 72 credit hours of general education, nursing related and nursing core courses.

Spring and fall cohorts are available on the Orange Park and Palatka campuses. The online application is available May 1 - May 31 for fall and September 1 - September 30 for spring. A summer cohort is available on the St. Augustine campus every year. The online application is available January 1- January 31, every other year, for summer.

The Nursing core courses will be offered on SJR State campuses for the respective programs with selected clinical experiences in health care facilities within and around the tri-county service area of SJR State. A student must earn a grade of “C” or above in all courses required in the program.

Admission Requirements

The ASN program is a limited access program.

To apply for admission to the Nursing program a student must have completed all of the following:

1. Application process to SJR State;
2. Application to the nursing program; students from the college service district of Clay, Putnam and St. Johns County will be ranked first in the selection process.
3. Successful completion of all general education and Nursing related courses with a GPA of 3.0 or above by the end of the application period and complete the A2 HESI Assessment Exam.

Student Selection Process

To be considered for admission, the student must be cleared by Admissions/Records indicating that all external college transcripts have been received and that the student has a cleared admission file.

The student selection process is based on the following point system: (MAXIMUM POSSIBLE POINTS 58) 

1. 2-5 POINTS AWARDED - Current licensure as a Certified Nurses Aid (CNA) or a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).  Two points for licensure OR five points awarded if programs were taken at SJR State. 

2. 2 POINTS AWARDED - Residents in Clay, Putnam, or St. Johns counties, Florida. 

3. 1 POINT AWARDED - Residents in Duval County, Florida. 

4. 1 POINT AWARDED - Previous SJR State ASDN program applicant. 

5. 5 POSSIBLE POINTS- HESI (A2) Summary Score. Five points for a score 295-300, four points for a score 289-294, three points for a score 283-288, two points for a score 277-282, and one point for a score 270-276. 

6. 4 POSSIBLE POINTS - Points tabulated from GPA in the pre-requisite courses. Four points for 3.7- 4.0, three points for 3.4-3.699, two points for 3.1-3.399, and one point for 2.8-3.099 

7. 30 POSSIBLE POINTS - Points tabulated from earned grades from the pre-requisite science courses. The method of point calculation for this category is based on the following formula:

   • Points for grades on First attempt: A=5 points, B=4 points, C= 3 points, 

   • Points for grades on Second Attempt: A=3 points, B=2 points, C= 1 point

   • NO points will be given for subsequent attempts. 

8. 6 POSSIBLE POINTS AWARDED - One point for EACH A&P or Microbiology course taken at SJR State. 

9. 5 POINTS AWARDED - If ALL prerequisite courses are completed prior to application. 

In case two or more students are tied in points for the last available position, admission will be awarded to the student with the highest HESI score. 

The St. Johns River State College Associate in Science degree in Nursing program does not accept the transfer of NUR core courses. 

Post Admission Requirements:

Following acceptance into the program, ASN students must complete/attend the following requirements. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in administrative withdrawal from the Nursing program.

1. All students are asked to sign a consent and waiver to perform a criminal and professional background check and drug screen. Failure to provide consent will render the applicant ineligible for admission to the program. Admission to the program is conditional upon the results of the criminal and professional background check and drug screen. Additionally, second-year students are required and financially responsible to submit an annual drug rescreen as a clinical requirement. Additional random and scheduled drug screening may be required at any time during the program.
2. Attend nursing student orientation online prior to the first day of class.
3. Prior to the first day of class, students must complete the American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers (CPR and AED) program - good for 2 years.
4. Have an annual physical examination verifying acceptable health status and completing all the requirements for the nursing program. Requirements for the physical are included on the form provided to each student after admission to the nursing program.
5. Have liability/malpractice insurance of $1,000,000 per incident and $3,000,000 per aggregate. (Payment included with lab fees during registration)
6. Initiate and maintain an annual subscription to required third party clinical compliance sites as a clinical requirement. The initial payment is included with course fees during registration. The annual renewal is the financial responsibility of the student and is submitted individually.