The ARCC Associate of Science in nursing dual enrollment program at Anoka-Ramsey Community College at the Cambridge and Coon Rapids Campuses located in Cambridge and Coon Rapids Minnesota is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000

The associate degree nursing program Anoka-Ramsey Community College at the Cambridge and Coon Rapids Campuses are accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA, 30326 The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the associate degree nursing program is Continuing Accreditation with Conditions for two years to the associate nursing program and requested that Follow-Up Report be submitted by February 2027. If the Board grants continuing accreditation following the review of the Follow-Up Report, the next evaluation visit will be scheduled for Fall 2032. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website. acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm.

New Program Student Learning Outcomes

For students admitted starting Fall 2024: Upon completion of the associate of science (AS) degree in the Nursing program’s four semesters, students will meet the following learning outcomes.

1. Demonstrate professional nursing behaviors including comportment, self-reflection, self-analysis, self-care, and lifelong learning.
2. Demonstrate leadership skills and use information technologies to enhance quality nursing care and improve health outcomes.
3. Evaluate evidence utilizing informatics to guide decision making.
4. Collaborate with inter/intra-professional teams to provide holistic nursing care.
5. Adapt communication strategies to effectively respond to a variety of health care situations.
6. Incorporate ethical and evidence-based practice within the nursing discipline and organizations.
7. Practice holistic, evidence-based equitable person-centered care promoting social justice for individuals, families, and communities.
8. Demonstrate clinical judgment founded on practice standards, conceptual knowledge and safety principles.

Acceptance to the nursing program allows for dual admission to Anoka-Ramsey Community College and also to the Metropolitan State University or Minnesota State University-Moorhead culminating in a baccalaureate degree at students' university of choice.

Students meeting the criteria below are invited to apply to the nursing program at Anoka-Ramsey Community College.

Application Periods:

January 1 through February 1: Fall Start June 1 through July 1: Spring Start

The following criteria are required for application to the nursing program at Anoka-Ramsey Community College.

1. General admission to Anoka-Ramsey Community College must be completed.
2. General Education courses
   Admission credit is awarded for general education courses that are completed with a C or higher grade at the time of application. Admission credit details are outlined in the Nursing Holistic Admissions Criteria document. Additional resident credit is awarded if at least 4 of the 9 general education courses were completed through ARCC or ATC. Required general education courses are listed on the posted Nursing Program Curriculum plans. Official transcripts are required to verify transfer courses.
3. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)certification
   The certification number for current or expired CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) certification is required at the time of application or proof of completion of a CNA program for students that completed coursework but did not take the test for registry. The certificate number (current or expired) or the name of school or facility where course was completed, and completion date must be listed on the nursing application. LPNs are not required to have CNA certification. Substitutions for CNA for other trainings or certifications will be considered only if additional training and education documentation is provided with the Nursing Program Exception Request. That form that is available on the nursing webpage.
4. All applicants are required to complete the Health Science Reasoning Test (HSRT) before applying to the nursing program. TEAS is not accepted.
   - Registration steps for the HSRT testing and other resources about test preparation is available at HSRT resources and testing in Testing Services at ARCC
   - A minimum HSRT score of 74% is required before applying to the nursing program.
   - Scores for HSRT tests taken at other colleges/institutions cannot transfer to ARCC, nor can ARCC transfer HSRT scores for tests taken at ARCC to other colleges/institutions.
   - The HSRT may be taken at ARCC once per application cycle and scores are valid for 2 years. The highest score vs. most recent score is used for admission scoring if students have more than one valid HSRT test taken within two years at the time of application.
   - HSRT testing is open for three months for respective application cycles: November 1 through February 1 for fall applicants, and April 1 through July 1 for spring applicants.
5. Advanced standing applicants, Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) must maintain unencumbered licensure from any state in the United States during their entire time in the nursing program. Applying for advanced standing is available for Fall semesters at the Coon Rapids campus and for Spring semesters at the Cambridge campus.

Accepted applicants must submit evidence of having completed the following criteria to the ARCC nursing department prior to the start of nursing courses and must remain current throughout the program. Requirements include, but may not be limited to:

• Documentation of current CPR Healthcare Provider.
• Completion of current Minnesota Human Services Background Check.

If an applicant has  been arrested, charged or convicted of any criminal offense, he or she should investigate the impact that the charge or conviction may have on his or her chances of employment or licensure as a registered nurse and the student’s  chances to obtain federal, state and other higher education financial aid ( by Minnesota Statute 135A. 157).

If the applicant refuses, or is disqualified as a result of the background study, the applicant will be unable to successfully complete the requirements of the program.

Completed health and immunization record, including proof of current immunizations and tuberculosis testing, and/or other requirements as defined by the clinical agency.

Admission policies are subject to change without notice. Applications will be accepted under the terms in place at the time of application and received by the nursing department. It is the responsibility of the student to keep up to date on any changes that may affect their qualifications for acceptance.

Nursing Curriculum Plan Traditional starting Fall 2026

Nursing Curriculum Plan LPNs starting Fall 2026

Fall 2025 (and after) Nursing Curriculum Plans for RNs (Traditional)

Fall 2025 (and after) Nursing Curriculum Plan for LPNs

Spring 2025 (and Fall 2024) Nursing Curriculum Plan (Traditional) for RNs

Spring 2025 (and Fall 2024) Nursing Curriculum Plan for LPNs

NCLEX First Time Pass Rates

Completion Rate of Program

Employment and Continuing Education

Nursing program applicants are required to complete the Health Science Reasoning Test (HSRT) and earn a minimum score of 74% before applying to the program.

• Registration steps for the HSRT testing and other resources about test preparation is available at HSRT resources and testing in Testing Services at ARCC
• A minimum HSRT score of 74% is required before applying to the nursing program.
• Scores for HSRT tests taken at other colleges/institutions cannot transfer to ARCC, nor can ARCC transfer HSRT scores for tests taken at ARCC to other colleges/institutions.
• The HSRT may be taken at ARCC once per application cycle and scores are valid for 2 years. The highest score vs. most recent score is used for admission scoring if students have more than one valid HSRT test taken within two years at the time of application.
• HSRT testing is open for three months for respective application cycles: November 1 through February 1 for fall applicants, and April 1 through July 1 for spring applicants.

Be sure to review the information on the Minnesota Board of Nursing website for important information about preparing for the NCLEX. Graduates from the ARCC Nursing Program are required to complete the virtual ATI (VATI) NCLEX preparation.

Alignment with U.S. States and Jurisdiction’s Nursing Educational Requirements

The Student Nursing Association (SNA) is a student run organization that is dedicated to promoting the success and health of all Anoka-Ramsey students and the community we serve.  We strive to provide education and leadership opportunities to all students. We are a member school of the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) whose mission is: to mentor students preparing for initial licensure as registered nurses, and to convey the standards, ethics and skills that students will need as responsible and accountable leaders and members of the profession.

National Student Nursing Association (NSNA): www.nsna.org/

*Some occupations may require advanced education

• Ambulatory Care Nurse
• Case Manager
• Clinic Nurse
• Community Nurse
• Correctional Nurse
• Critical Care Nurse
• Enterostomal Therapy Nurse
• Flight Nurse
• Forensic Nurse
• Gastroenterology/Endoscopy Nurse
• Home Care/Visiting Nurse
• Infection Control Nurse
• Intravenous Therapy Nurse
• Long-Term Care Nurse
• Managed Care Nurse
• Maternal/Child Nurse
• Medical Equipment Sales and Training
• Mental Health Nurse
• Parish Nurse
• Perioperative Nurse
• Pharm/Med Sales
• Rehabilitation Nurse
• Research Nurse
• School Nurse
• Staff Nurse
• Subacute Care Nurse
• Telephone Triage
• Travel Nurse

Successful completion of the Nursing degree program at the Anoka-Ramsey Community College will meet the requirements for certification by the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
Certification is required by Minnesota as well as by some states to acquire a state license to practice the profession of Nursing or for employment as a certified/licensed Nurse. Anoka-Ramsey Community College highly recommends that you contact the appropriate state licensing board in the state or locality in which you wish to practice or be employed.

State Board Licensing Contacts

For questions, please contact Dr. Sandra Kohler or Dr. Gwen O'Brien.

***Disclaimer: The information above is valid as of July 31, 2022. The information is not a legal determination, but is based on non-legal interpretation of the information provided by the respective Boards of Nursing. Each nursing program should validate information for their particular program. This information was provided by the System Director for Nursing Initiatives.

The Nursing Department highly recommends attending an information session to learn more about the application process for the nursing program and what being a nursing student at Anoka-Ramsey entails. Each Session includes a tour of the nursing area on the designated campus.

April 16

10 to 11:30 am - Cambridge Campus E241 (tour at end)
11 to 12:30 pm - Cambridge Campus E241 LPN Track specific (tour to start)

April 21
4 to 5:30 pm - Cambridge Campus F105 (tour at end)

April 22
2 to 3:30 pm - Coon Rapids Campus BN225 (tour at end)
3 to 4:30 pm - Coon Rapids Campus BN225 LPN Track specific (tour to start)

April 27
9 to 10:30 am - Coon Rapids Campus BN218 (tour at end)