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Career/Program Overview

The associate degree registered nurse (RN) is prepared to practice nursing in situations involving direct patient care, most frequently in the hospital or long-term care facility.  Graduates are prepared to function as defined in Minnesota statutes by a) providing a nursing assessment of the community; b) providing nursing care supportive to or restorative of life functions such as skilled ministration of nursing care, supervising and teaching nursing personnel, health teaching and counseling, case finding and referral to other health resources; and c) evaluating these actions. 

Curriculum-at-a-Glance

Coursework includes 30 credits of Minnesota Transfer Curriculum General Education and 34 nursing core requirements.  These core courses include:  Fundamentals of Nursing, Adult Nursing I and II, Maternal Newborn Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Pediatric Nursing, Advanced Concepts, Leadership and Management, and Professional Practice Issues. 

For more detailed program information, refer to RCTC’s program course requirements at  http://www.rctc.edu/catalog/programs/index.html.

Program/Degree Options

The Associate degree in Nursing (RN) is 64 credits and can be completed in as little as two years. 

RCTC can offer students a career path in nursing beginning with the Nursing Assistant program, then advancing to the Practical Nursing Diploma program and then completing an Associate in Science Degree in Nursing (RN).  The Nursing Assistant Certificate is 6 credits in length and can be completed in approximately six weeks.  The Practical Nursing Diploma program is 37-38 credits in length and can be completed in 10 months.

Program Start Date(s)

Students can begin general education requirements any semester.  RCTC starts an RN cohort in fall and spring semesters.  Specific applications deadlines for each of these semester starts are noted on the program website below.

Career Opportunities/Information

According to iseek career information, Minnesota employment of registered nurses is expected to grow through 2008.  Nationally this trend is expected to continue through 2010.  The fastest growth of jobs for registered nurses is expected in home health care and long-term care facilities. 

Articulations/Accreditations

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination – Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN).  The program is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing and is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).

Rochester Community and Technical College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission:  A Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

For additional information on the most current list of RCTC program articulations see us at: http://www.rctc.edu/catalog/articulations/index.html