Associate of Science in Nursing: Associate Degree at Accredited Online University

Technological advances and an increase in the country’s aging population are expected to contribute to the projected growth in opportunities for qualified nurses. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment of registered nurses is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2020.*

| Curriculum | Tuition and Fees

Program Highlights

The Associate of Science in Nursing program is designed for those with no prior nursing education as well as those who have a nursing background and would like to expand their educational horizons. The program blends the flexibility of online coursework with real-life learning experiences at clinical practicum sites and participation in nursing skills labs. Students are required to complete their clinical practice experience at facilities in Palm Beach County, Broward County, or Miami Dade County in Florida. Students must participate in the clinical practicum experience to fulfill program requirements.

Kaplan University, Pembroke Pines
10131 Pines Blvd, Suite B
Pembroke Pines, FL 33026

Career Opportunities

At Kaplan University, our Associate of Science in Nursing is designed to help you develop the knowledge, clinical skills, and work habits to direct and manage patient care, communicate with patients and caregivers, and participate as a member of a health care team in the nursing profession.^†

What Are The Possibilities After Graduation?

Prepare for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses^® (NCLEX-RN^®)^‡
If you successfully complete the associate's degree program and pass the NCLEX-RN^® exam, you are eligible to enter the online RN-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing completion program or to pursue the RN-to-Master of Science in Nursing option with a nurse educator or nurse administrator specialization.^§

Curriculum for the Associate of Science in Nursing

Course #	Course Title	Credits
CM 107	COLLEGE COMPOSITION I	5 COLLEGE COMPOSITION I Students will learn how to communicate effectively in their professional field using various writing styles. Students will also identify and further develop their own writing process. Grammar and mechanics will be reviewed, helping students focus on the areas that will improve their writing.
CM 220	COLLEGE COMPOSITION II	5 COLLEGE COMPOSITION II This course helps students apply research and critical thinking skills to develop effective arguments. Students will create professional writings, incorporating post-draft revision strategies, working constructively with colleagues.
IT 133	SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS	5 SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS This course teaches students to use application software. Topics include an introduction to the Windows operating system and to Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Students also learn how to apply soft ware applications within a profession.
MM 212	COLLEGE ALGEBRA	5 COLLEGE ALGEBRA This course covers topics of algebra, including linear functions, equations, and inequalities, systems of equations in two variables, polynomial functions, rational and radical equations and inequalities, exponential and logarithmic functions, ratios, proportions, variation, and graphing.
PS 124	INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY	5 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY This course provides a broad introduction to the field of psychology, one of the social sciences. Students will be introduced to a range of topics that offer insight into human thought and actions, including what motivate us to study human behavior, ethical decisions, problem solving, and theories on memory, learning, intelligence, and personality. This course will highlight the use of critical thinking and the application of the concepts. In addition, it will draw on practical psychological concepts related to students' personal and professional relationships.
SC 121	HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I	5 HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I In this course, students are taught the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Topics include the various body systems, structures, cells, and tissues and the principles of homeostasis. Students are introduced to the organization and structure of the human body. This course includes a lab component.
SC 131	HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II	5 HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II In this course, which is a continuation of SC 121: Human Anatomy and Physiology I, students are taught the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Topics include the various body systems, structures, cells, and tissues and the principles of homeostasis. Students focus on the organization and structure of the human body. Th is course includes a lab component.
SC 246	FUNDAMENTALS OF MICROBIOLOGY	5 FUNDAMENTALS OF MICROBIOLOGY Fundamentals of Microbiology will review basic microbial cell structure, function, and genetics. The role of microorganisms and their affect on humans and the environment will also be explained. Aspects of medical and public health will be emphasized, as will bacterial and viral diseases, parasites, immunology, and epidemiology. Course material and labs are directly relevant to studies in health sciences, biological sciences, nursing, and genetics.
SS 144	SOCIOLOGY	5 SOCIOLOGY This course is designed to introduce students to sociology, the scientific study of societies and groups, as well as the social context of human behavior. Students will examine core sociological concepts and research strategies, along with topics such as socialization, crime and deviance, social class, and the stratification of wealth, race, gender, and age in a global context. Other areas of study include family, religion, education, economy, health care, and government. By the end of this class, students will have a solid understanding of how their own lives are shaped by the larger society around them and the influence society has on people's attitudes and behaviors.

Course #	Course Title	Credits
NU 104	PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR NURSING	5 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR NURSING This course focuses on concepts of pathophysiology essential to understanding alterations in body systems and developing professional nursing clinical decision-making skills for health promotion, risk reduction, and disease management across the life span. The course provides a comprehensive nursing approach to common alterations in body systems and addresses etiology, clinical presentation, and appropriate treatment of the disease process.
NU 106	NURSING FUNDAMENTALS	7 NURSING FUNDAMENTALS This course introduces students to the role of the professional registered nurse, the role of other health care providers, and the health care system from a historical, legal, and ethical perspective. Topics will include health and health promotion throughout the lifespan with a focus on the nursing process. Students will learn initial assessment and vital sign monitoring. With an emphasis on client safety, students will learn the fundamental nursing skills of communicating therapeutically, providing comfort, bathing and personal care, meeting nutritional needs, and assisting with mobility. Cultural diversity and care of the older adult will be introduced. Students will learn to effectively document client records and to provide reports to other providers. This course includes lab and clinical components.
NU 107	PHARMACOLOGY FOR NURSING	6 PHARMACOLOGY FOR NURSING In this course, students are taught principles of pharmacology including its relationship to the health of individuals and families. Course topics include drug actions, drug interactions, therapeutic and adverse effects of drugs, food-drug interactions, drug classifications, and basic pharmacology of commonly-used medications. Emphasis is placed on nursing responsibilities and client education.
NU 113	MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING I	7 MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING I This course will prepare students to use the nursing process to care for adult medical and surgical clients. The course will focus on developing basic critical thinking, health promotion, communication, and assessment skills. Care planning, nursing interventions, patient education, and health care technologies will also be addressed. Course-specific content will include nursing care related to health care alterations in the following body systems: respiratory, cardiac, renal, endocrine, and peripheral vascular. Students will participate in clinical education activities in a medical surgical acute or chronic care setting.
NU 122	MATERNAL INFANT NURSING	6 MATERNAL INFANT NURSING This course will prepare students to care for women and infants during the prenatal, labor, delivery, postpartum, and neonatal periods. Topics will include issues affecting childbearing families including fertility, pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum care, and common problems in infancy. The course will also address common mental health issues affecting families during the transition to parenthood. Through clinical and/or laboratory simulation experiences, students will address the health needs of women and infants before, during, and after pregnancy as well as throughout infancy.
NU 132	MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING II	6 MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING II This course will prepare students to implement the nursing process in the care of adult medical and surgical clients. The course will focus on application of critical thinking, risk reduction, communication, and assessment skills developed in Medical Surgical Nursing I. Care planning, nursing interventions, patient education, and health care technologies will be addressed. Course-specific content will include nursing care related to health care alterations in the following body systems: gastrointestinal, neurological, musculoskeletal, integumentary, sensory, and reproductive. Students will participate in clinical education activities in a medical surgical acute or chronic care setting.
NU 222	PEDIATRIC NURSING	6 PEDIATRIC NURSING In this course, students will learn about normal growth and development of children, health care needs of children and families, health promotion, risk reduction, and childhood health problems of acute and long-term nature, as well as the influence of illness on the family. Through structured, sequential, competency based clinical assignments and/or simulation experiences, students will address the health and nursing needs of children and beginning/developing families.
NU 242	MENTAL HEALTH NURSING	5 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING In this course, students are taught the major theoretical concepts in mental health related to the assessment of needs and the planning of care for persons with mental health problems. Emphasis is placed on examination of mental health disorders and the various roles and functions of the mental health nurse. Through structured, sequential, competency-based clinical and/or lab assignments, the student will care for persons with mental health conditions requiring professional treatment.
NU 261	MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING III	6 MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING III This course will prepare students to care for adult clients experiencing complex multisystem medical-surgical, rehabilitative, or restorative conditions. The course will focus on application of management, leadership, critical thinking, risk reduction, communication, and assessment skills. In addition to the refinement of clinical skills and knowledge gained in Medical Surgical Nursing I and II, students will gain experience in practice management, leadership roles, and the use of health care technologies within their clinical practice. Clinical placements will take place across a variety of settings.
NU 280	LEADERSHIP AND TRENDS IN NURSING	5 LEADERSHIP AND TRENDS IN NURSING This course is designed to explore the role of the nurse as a leader in the profession and in health care delivery. Through this course, the student will gain a better understanding of leadership styles and techniques and will enhance their individual leadership skills in maintaining standards of care. The course also emphasizes the professional role of the nurse in assisting individuals in the community in locating and utilizing appropriate community resources. Principles and theories of leadership will be integrated and related to the role of the professional nurse in the delivery of care to individuals, groups, and communities.
NU 295	CAPSTONE IN NURSING	6 CAPSTONE IN NURSING The capstone is designed to build on the concepts covered in nursing courses students have taken as a part of their program. This course assists the student in the integration of the competencies essential for the practice of professional nursing. The student will progress to more independent functions in clinical experiences. The clinical site will be dependent upon the student’s needs and based upon the joint analysis of the student and faculty prior to the placement. Throughout the term, students will focus on preparation for the NCLEX-RN® examination.

Total Program Requirements	110 Total Program Requirements

Core Requirements
Major Requirements
Total Program Requirements

You Could Save Time and Money on Your Kaplan University Degree

Credit for Prior Learning

Our undergraduate degree programs feature large pools of open electives designed to offer greater flexibility when applying transfer credits toward program requirements. In addition, you can enroll in our portfolio development course, which helps you document your work and life experience in a portfolio you can submit for consideration for college credits. Qualifying transfer credit may reduce your total costs for undergraduate programs. Refer to the University Catalog for our transfer of credit policy.

Students in the Military

Kaplan University is proud to support our military and veterans in their educational pursuits by offering significantly reduced tuition. Undergraduate program tuition is reduced up to 55 percent for active-duty servicemembers and up to 38 percent for veterans. In addition, Kaplan University participates in the Yellow Ribbon program for all of our graduate programs, and both active-duty servicemembers and veterans are eligible for special tuition rates for these programs. A 10 percent tuition reduction is also available to spouses of active-duty servicemembers. For more information, call 866.583.4412 (Toll Free) to speak to a military Admissions Advisor or visit the Kaplan University military site.

Tuition and Fees

Cost per credit hour	$371.00
Total program requirements Associate of Science in Nursing	110
Total cost of tuition	$40,810.00
This program requires a $100 technology fee per term. Students enrolled in the Associate of Science in Nursing are required to pay a clinical fee of $300 per clinical course in the program. There are eight clinical courses in the program. Applicants to the Associate of Science in Nursing program are required to complete a preadmission test at an outside testing facility. The test administration fee is $35 and is the responsibility of the applicant. The fee in nonrefundable. A nonrefundable application fee, depending on your program and as described in the Tuition and Fees Supplement, may be required at the time of enrollment. We encourage you to explore the availability of financial aid and scholarships. For more information, contact an Admissions Advisor.

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* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012–2013 Edition, Registered Nurses, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Registered-nurses.htm. (Accessed April, 2012) National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.
^†Kaplan University's programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment in their field of study, or in related fields. However, the University does not guarantee that graduates will be placed in any particular job, eligible for job advancement opportunities, or employed at all. Additional training or certification may be required.
^‡This program is designed, among other things, to help eligible students prepare for the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) exam sponsored by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. However, the University cannot guarantee a student’s eligibility either to take any exam or become certified or registered. A student’s eligibility may depend on work experience, completion of high school (or its equivalent), not having a criminal record, meeting other licensure or certification requirements, or the program or University itself having appropriate accreditation or licensure. Externship sites may themselves require a criminal background check or medical examination.
^§Kaplan University does not guarantee the transferability of credit from any of these sources. See the University Catalog for Transfer of Credit and Prior Learning Assessment policy.

Associate of Science in Nursing

School of Nursing