LPN Career Mobility Ladders
(Designed for the student who does not intend to transfer into a baccalaureate degree program.)
Both Career Mobility Ladder Options A and B are articulation plans for the licensed practical nurse (LPN). Qualified LPNs can complete the Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing requirements in three semesters of full-time nursing study. LPNs are admitted on a space available basis.
Admission Requirements – Option A
In addition to the admission requirements for the Major in Nursing, licensed practical nurses seeking admission through the Career Mobility Ladder Option A must meet the following admission requirements.
1. Meet all College general requirements for admission as a degree-seeking student as stated in the catalog.
2. Successfully pass the challenge examination for nursing (Foundations of Nursing) within three (3) years prior to the semester seeking entry.
3. Worked at least 6 months as an LPN in a health care setting.
4. Complete prerequisite course requirements prior to the semester requesting entry.
5. Earned a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale for academic subjects.
Admission Process
1. Submit the following to the Admissions office:
a. official college transcripts
b. high school transcripts or GED
c. ACT or SAT exam results (Applicants should have a composite score of 19 or higher. A composite score below 19 will be accepted if all required remedial and developmental courses are completed).
2. Submit a completed Nursing Program LPN Mobility Application to the Health Sciences/Nursing office (William R. Walter Bldg., 112). Forms are available in the Health Sciences/Nursing office or on the Nursing Program Web page (www.columbiastate.edu/nursing).
3. Submit documentation of work as an LPN in a health care setting for at least 6 months.
4. Complete an interview with the Nursing Program director or designee, if requested.
5. Complete prerequisite courses with grades of “C” or better.
6. Once admitted, students are required to submit the same documentation for health and CPR requirements, malpractice insurance, and health insurance as other nursing students by the first day of nursing classes. If the documentation is not completed prior to the first day of classes, students will not be permitted to start the Nursing Program.
Continuation Requirements
The same continuation requirements apply to all students in Nursing. These are stated under “Continuation Requirements” listed under the Major in Nursing (A.A.S.) section.
Required Courses
Prerequisites: 11 credit hours
• BIOL 2010 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: (4)
• BIOL 2020 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: (4)
• PSYC 1030 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: (3)
Block Credit: 8 credit hours
Credit for NUR 1115, NUR 1118 and NUR 121 will be awarded upon successfully passing the Foundations of Nursing Challenge Exam and NUR 1126, NUR 1127, NUR 1128 and NUR 122.
Second Semester - 16 credit hours
• BIOL 2230 - Microbiology Credits: (4)
• NUR 122 - Pharmacology Credits: (2)
• NUR 1126 - Basic Medical-Surgical Nursing Credits: (3)
• NUR 1127 - Health of Women and Infants Credits: (2)
• NUR 1128 - Nursing II Clinical Credits: (2)
• PSYC 2130 - Lifespan Psychology Credits: (3)
Sophomore Year
Third Semester - 17 credit hours
• Humanities/Fine Arts Elective Credits: (3)
(See Elective Options below)
• ENGL 1010 - Composition I Credits: (3)
• NUR 2116 - Intermediate Med-Surg Nursing Credits: (4)
• NUR 2117 - Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Credits: (2)
• NUR 2118 - Nursing III Clinical Credits: (3)
• NUR 2188 - Applying Surgical Concepts Credits: (1)
• NUR 2189 - Applying Psychiatric Concepts Credits: (1)
Fourth Semester - 14 credit hours
• SPCH 1010 – Fundamentals of Speech Credits: (3)
or
• COMM 2100 - Argumentation and Debate Credits: (3)
• NUR 2125 - Advanced Med-Surg Nursing Credits: (6)
• NUR 2128 - Nursing IV Clinical Credits: (3)
• NUR 2198 - Applying Pediatric Concepts Credits: (1)
• NUR 2199 - Applying Medical Concepts Credits: (1)
Total Credit Hours: 66
Elective Options
Elective options are listed on the Associate of Arts & Associate of Science Degree Requirements page.
Admission Requirements – Option B
In addition to the admission requirements for the Major in Nursing, licensed practical nurses seeking admission through the Career Mobility Tract Option B must meet the following admission requirements.
1. Meet all College general requirements for admission as a degree-seeking student as stated in the catalog.
2. Successfully pass the challenge examinations for nursing (Foundations of Nursing and Nursing Care During Childbearing) within three (3) years prior to the semester seeking entry.
3. Worked at least 6 months as an LPN in a health care setting.
4. Complete prerequisite course requirements prior to the semester requesting entry.
5. Earned a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale for academic subjects.
Admission Process
1. Submit the following to the Admissions office:
a. official college transcripts
b. high school transcripts or GED
c. ACT or SAT exam results (Applicants should have a composite score of 19 or higher. A composite score below 19 will be accepted if all required remedial and developmental courses are completed.)
2. Submit a completed Nursing Program LPN Mobility Application to the Health Sciences/Nursing office (William R. Walter Bldg., 112). Forms are available in the Health Sciences/Nursing office or on the Nursing Program Web page (www.columbiastate.edu/nursing).
3. Submit documentation of work as an LPN in a health care setting for at least 6 months.
4. Complete an interview with the Nursing Program director or designee, if requested.
5. Complete prerequisite courses with grades of “C” or better.
6. Once admitted, students are required to submit the same documentation for the health and CPR requirements, malpractice insurance and health insurance as other nursing students by the first day of nursing classes. If the documentation is not completed prior to the first day of classes, students will not be permitted to start the Nursing Program.
Continuation Requirements
The same continuation requirements apply to all students in Nursing. These are stated under “Continuation Requirements” listed under the Major in Nursing (A.A.S.) section.
Required Courses
Prerequisites: 11 credit hours
• BIOL 2010 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: (4)
• BIOL 2020 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: (4)
• PSY 1030 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: (3)
Block Credit: 10 credit hours
Credit for NUR 1115, NUR 1118, NUR 121 and NUR 1127 will be awarded upon successfully passing the Foundations of Nursing Challenge Exam, Nursing Care During Childbearing and NUR 1126, NUR 1128 and NUR 122.
Second Semester - 14 credit hours
• BIOL 2230 - Microbiology Credits: (4)
• NUR 122 - Pharmacology Credits: (2)
• NUR 1126 - Basic Medical-Surgical Nursing Credits: (3)
• NUR 1128 - Nursing II Clinical Credits: (2)
• PSY 2130 - Lifespan Psychology Credits: (3)
Sophomore Year
Third Semester - 17 credit hours
• Humanities/Fine Arts Elective Credits: (3)
(See Elective Options below)
• ENGL 1010 - Composition I Credits: (3)
• NUR 2116 - Intermediate Med-Surg Nursing Credits: (4)
• NUR 2117 - Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Credits: (2)
• NUR 2118 - Nursing III Clinical Credits: (3)
• NUR 2188 - Applying Surgical Concepts Credits: (1)
• NUR 2189 - Applying Psychiatric Concepts Credits: (1)
Fourth Semester - 14 credit hours
• SPCH 1010 – Fundamentals of Speech Credits: (3)
or
• COMM 2100 - Argumentation and Debate Credits: (3)
• NUR 2125 - Advanced Med-Surg Nursing Credits: (6)
• NUR 2128 - Nursing IV Clinical Credits: (3)
• NUR 2198 - Applying Pediatric Concepts Credits: (1)
• NUR 2199 - Applying Medical Concepts Credits: (1)
Total Credit Hours: 66
Elective Options
Elective options are listed on the Associate of Arts & Associate of Science Degree Requirements page.
The challenge examinations are administered in March and November. Deadline for submission of application and payment of fees is the first Friday in February and October. The challenge examination may be repeated once. Examination results are valid for a three year period. To register for one or both parts of the challenge examination, the student will:
• Pay the examination fees at the Columbia Campus business office (this is the only location that can accept fee payment).
• Bring or mail the receipt, the LPN Mobility application, LPN license, and a copy of your driver's license to the Health Sciences/Nursing office on the Columbia campus. If mailed, submit a copy of the LPN license.
Note: This is a national exam developed by the National League of Nursing (NLN). Results of this can be used at nursing schools nationwide (contact specific schools for admission policies). Success on one or both parts of the Challenge Exam does not guarantee entrance into the nursing program. LPNs are admitted on a space available basis.