Lewis-Clark State College Nursing Program Review

Lewis-Clark State College (LCSC), located in Lewiston (close to the border of Washington), is a small public university. Just over 3000 students are enrolled in the college, studying business, liberal arts, science, and education. Lewis- Clark State College also offers a variety of work-training programs and non-credit continuing education classes. Among its professional programs are several nursing programs; Lewis-Clark State College offers a bachelor’s degree in nursing, as well as an associate degree in nursing.

Certified Nurse Assistant Training

Lewis-Clark State College’s Department of Workforce Training runs a course that trains Certified Nurse Assistants (CNA). While this could be a step into an entry-level position in the nursing field, it is also a required first step for students who wish to enroll in either the associate degree in nursing or the traditional bachelor’s degree in nursing. The course runs for twelve weeks. It consists of both classroom work (which can be completed either online or on-site) and clinical instruction. Courses are offered throughout the year.

Associate of Applied Science in Nursing

Lewis-Clark State College’s Associate of Applied Science in Nursing is approved by the Idaho Board of Nursing to train students to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). The program begins each spring, and takes sixteen months of full-time study to complete, including prerequisites. Before enrolling in the program, students must complete seventeen or eighteen credits of prerequisites, and become CNAs. Students take prerequisites in the fall semester, begin the nursing program in the spring, continuing studying through the summer, and graduate at the end of the next fall semester. They are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX_PN) at the end of the program.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Lewis-Clark State College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Prospective BSN students spend four semesters completing foundational, liberal arts courses as well as science prerequisites. They must also become CNAs before applying to the BSN program. After being accepted to the BSN program, they spend four semesters studying nursing in the classroom and in various clinical sites. Most clinical sites are close to Lewis-Clark State College’s campus, but sometimes students may need to commute as far as Spokane, Washington for clinical rotations. Including core requirements, BSN requirements, and clinical hours, students must earn 128 credits for graduation. By graduation, students are prepared to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX_RN).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN to BSN

To accommodate working RNs who wish to complete a full BSN degree, Lewis-Clark State College offers a special RN to BSN track via distance learning. All classes are available online, and students may arrange to do clinical hours in a location that is convenient for them. To earn the BSN degree, RNs must complete both general education requirements and nursing requirements, both of which are less than the requirements for the traditional BSN degree. Generally, an RN who holds an associate degree can receive thirty-five credits toward the general education core, leaving only four prerequisite classes to take. (This may vary depending on the RN’s transcript.) In addition to the prerequisites, a student must complete twenty-five credits of nursing courses. At the end of the program, the RN earns her BSN, and is poised for career advancement as well as graduate education in the nursing field. Like the traditional BSN program at Lewis-Clark State College, the RN to BSN track is accredited by the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – LPN to BSN

An LPN in good standing can earn a full BSN through the LPN to BSN bridge program. Unlike the RN to BSN track, the LPN to BSN track is not available online. The LPN must take all the general education/prerequisite courses that a student in the traditional BSN program has to take, but he is able to place out of the lower-level nursing courses on the basis of his education and work experience. An LPN has to earn forty-eight credits in total of nursing classes. The LPN to BSN program takes four semesters of full-time study, not including prerequisite coursework. At the conclusion of the program, the LPN is ready to take the NCLEX_RN, and advance into an RN position.

Contact:
Lewis-Clark State College
500 8^th Avenue
Lewiston, ID 83501

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