Anoka Ramsey Community College Nursing Program Review

Located in Coon Rapids, Anoka County, the college has a history dating back to 1965. It started at an auxiliary wing of the Centennial High School until its relocation to the current main campus site in Coon Rapids. The college has undergone expansion in trying to reach the community by establishing a satellite campus at Cambridge.  As a community college, Anoka- Ramsey Community College (ARCC) offers certificate, diploma and two-year associate degree programs to over 10000 students annually

Anoka-Ramsey Community College Nursing Program

The nursing programs at Anoka-Ramsey Community College have been approved by the Minnesota Board of nursing and also fully accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. There are two options for the nursing programs that lead to the award of an associate in science with a concentration in nursing degree. The programs are explained below:

2-Year Nursing Program

This program has been specifically designed for students who have no prior nursing experience. Students enrolled in this program will be expected to take a total of 64 credits of which, 30 are general education and the remaining 34 are nursing credits. The learning mode is full time for both clinical and classroom instructions in a period of two years. Students can also take courses at both campuses in Cambridge and Coon Rapids. Basically, students are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam after successful graduation with the associate of Science in nursing degree.

LPN Mobility Program

The program is designed for career advanced needs of licensed practical nurses certified in Minnesota State. It takes students three semesters to complete the program after receiving the 12 advanced placement standing from the LPN license. Starting on the nursing courses for the associate degree does not require students to sit for a transition/ bridging exam. Instead, the transition courses are offered along with the usual nursing courses during the three semesters of study.

 In total, student being enrolled for the LPN mobility take fewer credits than fresh entry level nursing students. After exemptions, 22 nursing credits are taken at Anoka Ramsey community college as opposed to the 34 for the 2-year program students. Just like the first option, the program makes the students eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and become registered nurses.

ADN to BSN Opportunities

The college has made arrangement with other universities to allow ADN graduates to further their career by taking a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree. On this note, students can finish a BSN right at the Cambridge campus of the college courtesy of the Bemidji State University or at Coon Rapids campus via direct articulation agreements between Anoka Ramsey and Metropolitan State University

On a further note, Anoka-Ramsey Community College has also formed articulation agreements with the following major universities and colleges to allow students transfer credits towards a BSN.

  • Winona State University
  • Augsburg College
  • Minnesota State University- Moorhead
  • Minnesota State University –Mankato
  • College of St. Scholastica
  • Bethel University

Contact:
Anoka-Ramsey Community College
300 Spirit River Drive, South Cambridge,
MN 55008