My Academic Plan

Program Description

The LPN to ADN Bridge nursing program at the Westminster Campus is a three-semester advanced placement program allowing currently licensed Practical Nurses career mobility to obtain an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing. Upon successful completion of the LPN to ADN Bridge program, students are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam to become a Registered Nurse (RN). There are additional options to obtain your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) concurrently or immediately following the ADN program.

FRCC's nursing degree is approved by the Colorado Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Inc. (ACEN). More information about the Nursing Associates of Arts degree can be found at AAS in Nursing.
   
Below are several options available to FRCC Nursing students:
    
Practical Nursing: Exit Option (47 credits, 4 semesters): This option allows students to complete the first year of the A.A.S. Nursing and NUR 169 to receive a certificate and be eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).
  
RN to BSN Option: RNs can earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Metropolitan State University of Denver. A minimum of 120 credits are required (A.A.S. credits count), which includes 40 credits of upper division work.
  
Dual Enrollment Options: Current FRCC Nursing students have the below choices:
  
MSU Denver: While taking courses at FRCC toward your A.A.S. in Nursing you can take online courses from MSU Denver that count toward obtaining a BSN. For more information, visit the MSUD Nursing website.
UCCS: While taking courses at FRCC toward your A.A.S. in Nursing you can take online courses from Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs (UCCS) that count toward obtaining a BSN. For more information, visit the UCCS Nursing website.
UNC: While taking courses at FRCC toward your A.A.S. in Nursing you can take online courses from the College of Natural & Health Sciences - School of Nursing at the University of Northern Colorado that count toward obtaining a BSN. For more information, visit the UNC Nursing website.
CU Denver: While taking courses at FRCC toward your A.A.S. in Nursing you can take online courses from University of Colorado Denver College of Nursing that count toward obtaining a BSN. For more information, visit the UCD Nursing website.

The Nursing Advanced Placement Bridge Program is offered at the Westminster Campus only.

First Semester

Courses should be completed in the order listed below. If you are unable to complete the entire semester list, complete as many courses in this sequence as your schedule allows.

Faculty Recommendations:

1. English Composition I (ENG 121)*; Pre/Coreq: Equivalent testing score or enrollment in or completion of CCR 092 or CCR 093 or CCR 094. The CCR course may be taken concurrently with this course.

2. Human Growth & Development (PSY 235)*; Pre/Coreq: Equivalent testing score (e.g., ENG 121 or higher) or enrollment in or completion of CCR 092 or CCR 093 or CCR 094. The CCR course or ENG 121 may be taken concurrently with this course.

3. Anatomy & Physiology I (BIO 201)*; Pre/Coreq: ENG 121 or ENG 122. These courses may be taken concurrently.
Note: Must be completed within 7 years of program admission.

4. Dietary Nutrition (HPR 108) or Human Nutrition (HWE 100)*. Recommended: HWE 100 if pursuing a BSN.

5. Microbiology (BIO 204)*; Pre/Coreq: ENG 121 or ENG 122. These courses may be taken concurrently.
Note: Must be completed within 7 years of program admission.

6. Anatomy & Physiology II (BIO 202)*; Prerequisite: BIO 201; Pre/Coreq: CCR 092 or CCR 093 or CCR 094 or equivalent testing.
Note: Must be completed within 7 years of program admission.

7. Math for Clinical Calculations (MAT 103) or Math for Liberal Arts (MAT 120) or higher; Prerequisite: MAT 050 or higher with a grade of "C" or better or appropriate diagnostic scores. Corequisite for MAT 103: MAT 091. Corequisite for MAT 120: MAT 092.
Note: Recommend taking Statistics (MAT 135) for transfer to BSN. MAT 120 requires equivalent testing score or enrollment/completion of CCR 092 or CCR 093 or CCR 094. ENG 121 can be taken concurrently with MAT 120.

8. Pathophysiology (BIO 216)*; Pre/Coreq: BIO 201 and BIO 202. Note: Must be completed within 7 years of program admission.

9. One General Education course from Arts & Humanities (GT-AH) or Social & Behavioral Sciences (GT-SS).
Note: GT-AH or GT-SS courses: If you are considering to complete a BSN through an RN-to-BSN completion program, please consult your intended transfer institution for advising regarding which of these courses might be most appropriate.

* A minimum GPA of 2.75 in these prerequisite courses is required. No prerequisite coursework may be in progress at the time of application.

Second Semester

Courses should be completed in the order listed below. If you are unable to complete the entire semester list, complete as many courses in this sequence as your schedule allows.

Faculty Recommendations:

10. Transition from Licensed Practical Nurse to Associate Degree Nursing Student (NUR 189); Pre/Coreq: Completion of prerequisite coursework with a grade of "C" or better and minimum GPA of 2.75. Must have a current Colorado LPN license.
Note: Offered in Summer session. Must be accepted to the FRCC-W Advanced Placement Bridge Program.

Third Semester

Courses should be completed in the order listed below. If you are unable to complete the entire semester list, complete as many courses in this sequence as your schedule allows.

Faculty Recommendations:

11. Advanced Concepts of Medical-Surgical Nursing I (NUR 206); Pre/Coreq: Completion of prerequisite nursing coursework with a grade of "C" or better.

12. Pharmacology II (NUR 212); Pre/Coreq: Completion of prerequisite nursing coursework with a grade of "C" or better.

13. Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (NUR 211); Pre/Coreq: Completion of prerequisite nursing coursework with a grade of "C" or better.

Fourth Semester

Courses should be completed in the order listed below. If you are unable to complete the entire semester list, complete as many courses in this sequence as your schedule allows.

Faculty Recommendations:

14. Advanced Concepts of Medical-Surgical Nursing II (NUR 216). Pre/Coreq: Completion of prerequisite nursing coursework with a grade of "C" or better.

15. Transition to Professional Nursing (NUR 230). Pre/Coreq: Completion of prerequisite nursing coursework with a grade of "C" or better.

Note: Math Assessment Score of 60 or successful completion of MAT 050 prior to admission to program. Nursing faculty highly suggest general education courses be taken while awaiting admission to the Nursing program.