The program is designed to prepare graduates for a challenging and satisfying career as an Entry-level Registered Professional Nurse. The curriculum includes a balance of nursing, Core curriculum, and support courses. Students have the opportunity to apply nursing theory and skills in the campus skills and simulation laboratories, in clinical settings which may include hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, schools, clinics, and physicians’ offices. Students are expected to provide their own transportation to all clinical experiences.

Fairmont State’s Associate of Science in Nursing program is designed to produce a graduate who is able to

1. Provide patient- centered care to patients in response to their changing health needs.
2. Advocate for patients in ways to promote their self-determination and ongoing growth.
3. Apply evidence-based practice, and clinical judgment in the provision of patient centered care.
4. Use the nursing process, information management systems, teamwork and interprofessional collaboration to provide safe, effective, quality care aimed at promoting the patients’ health.
5. Provide compassionate patient-centered care through roles of care provider, manager, educator, leader, and advocate.
6. Communicate professionally and collaboratively with patients and members of the healthcare team.
7. Demonstrates responsibility and accountability for professional nursing practice and lifelong learning.
8. Integrate current best practices to deliver safe and effective patient-centered care aimed at improving quality of care and care outcomes.

Applicants are admitted to the nursing major as they complete the admission process and meet the admission requirements of Fairmont State and the Associate of Science in Nursing Degree Program. Accepted students will be admitted into the next admission class for the Traditional ASN, ASN Hybrid/Weekend, and LPN-ASN programs. As classes are filled, a waitlist is established. Applicants remaining on the waitlist must reapply for the next semester and/or academic year. Application and admission requirements can be found on the website at https://www.fairmontstate.edu/schoolofnursing/academics/asn-admissions-requirements

To progress in the nursing program, a student must receive a grade of “C” or higher in each nursing and required support course. Failure to meet either of these requirements will result in a student being re-sequenced in the program according to the College of Nursing Readmission Policy. A student may only be re-admitted to the nursing program two times. To graduate from the nursing program, a student must have a grade of “C” or above in every nursing and support course and a cumulative 2.0 grade point average.

Graduates of the program are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) for licensure as a Registered Professional. For licensure in West Virginia, candidates must meet the following legal requirements delineated in the West Virginia Code, Chapter 30, Article 7, Section 11.WV Code 30-7-11. Denial, Revocation Or Suspension of License; Grounds For Discipline.

The Board shall have the power to deny, revoke or suspend any license to practice registered professional nursing issued or applied for in accordance with the provisions of this article, or to otherwise discipline a licensee or applicant upon proof that he or she:

1. Is or was guilty of fraud or deceit in procuring or attempting to procure a license to practice registered professional nursing; or
2. Has been convicted of a felony; or
3. Is unfit or incompetent by reason of negligence, habits or other causes; or
4. Is habitually intemperate or is addicted to the use of habit-forming drugs; or
5. Is mentally incompetent; or
6. Is guilty of conduct derogatory to the morals or standing of the profession of registered nursing; or
7. Is practicing or attempting to practice registered professional nursing without a license or registration; or
8. Has demonstrated abnormal prescribing or dispensing practices pursuant to 30-3A-4 of this code; or
9. Has willfully or repeatedly violated any of the provisions of this article.

The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program at Fairmont State University located in Fairmont, WV is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326. (404)975-5000.  The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate of Science in Nursing program is continuing accreditation.  View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSerach.htm.  This accreditation applies to the traditional ASN, hybrid/weekend ASN, and LPN-ASN programs. 

The ASN nursing program is accredited by the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses (WVBOERN).

Students who plan to pursue initial licensure outside of West Virginia should be aware that state licensure requirements may vary and are subject to changes. Each state and territory have different professional licensure and certification requirements. The programs at Fairmont State University have been designed to meet relevant requirements for programs in the State of West Virginia. Students who are considering an academic program that may allow them to pursue professional licensure in another state or territory are strongly encouraged to check their state’s or territory’s information and contact the appropriate licensing agency to seek information and additional guidance before beginning a program outside of their state.  Information can be found on the School of Nursing website entitled “Licensure Disclosure.”

Associate Degree Nurses are qualified to work in hospitals, nursing homes, physicians’ offices and clinics. Graduates may also continue in higher education toward Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in nursing and related fields.