January 17-18, 2002

ITEM 114-401-R0102   Approval to retitle the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing to Associate of Science in Nursing; Miles Community College

THAT:  Miles Community College (MCC) proposes to retitle the degree awarded for the existing registered nurse program. The current degree title of Associate of Applied Science in Nursing will be changed to Associate of Science in Nursing. The purpose of the proposal is to comply with the Montana Board of Regents request and the Two-Year Committee's general recommendation (attached) that all Montana two-year Associate Degree Registered Nurse Programs carry the title of Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN).

EXPLANATION:  Over the past few years, all of the Practical Nurse Programs in Montana have changed from Certificate Programs to Associate of Applied Science in Practical Nursing Degrees. To facilitate clear differentiation in the various levels of nursing preparation, the MCC Nursing Program requests to be titled Associate of Science in Nursing. The proposed degree title is congruent with the national trend towards titling two-year nursing RN degrees as Associate of Science in Nursing Degrees. The change will decrease confusion and facilitate ease of student transfer between the MCC Registered Nurse Program and other Associate Degree Registered Nurse Programs.

The MCC Registered Nurse Program curricular changes have been approved by the MCC Academic Standards and Curriculum Committee to carry the title of Associate of Science in Nursing. The total number of credits required by the MCC Registered Nurse Program curriculum will remain unchanged at 72.

The rationale for maintaining the current number of required credits is that the National League for Nursing, one of the MCC Nursing Program's accrediting bodies, mandates that all Associate Degree Registered Nurse Programs be no more than 72 credits. The MCC Nursing Program's approval from the National League for Nursing (NLN) extends until 2006. Since the current MCC Nursing curriculum has been approved as meeting or exceeding the NLN standards, there will be no change in the nursing course requirements. The proposed changes will occur in the elevation of the general education course requirements only. This proposal creates a Registered Nurse curriculum that is equitable in general education requirements to the MSU-Northern Associate of Science in Nursing Program.

ATTACHMENT:  Proposal