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Registered Nurse (RN)

Associate in Applied Science

Program Overview

What do hands-on clinical practice, exceptional license pass rates and caring faculty all have in common? One word: Delta. If you’re looking for a registered nursing program in the Great Lakes Bay Region, consider becoming a Pioneer. Nursing graduates are prepared to jump right into the workforce or transfer to a four-year university.

During your journey to become a nurse, you’ll practice critical thinking, leadership and team building and you’ll be prepared to work in a variety of environments with diverse patient populations. You'll learn in Delta’s state-of-the-art health professions lab. The approximately 9,000 square foot space provides an outstanding simulated hospital patient care environment for students to learn and practice nursing skills. You'll have the knowledge, skills and confidence you need when beginning your clinical education.

The RN program prepares you to function effectively as a member of the health care team. This program requires dedication, critical thinking, ability to collaborate and the development of sound clinical knowledge and skills. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX).

Our RN graduates work in clinical settings such as acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, doctor's offices, home health care, hospice, industrial and prisons.

The Nursing Associate in Applied Science is offered in both full-time and part-time tracks.

Professional licensure

This program prepares you to take the NCLEX exam in the state of Michigan. Graduates who want to practice in other states should contact the program coordinator and review NCSBN.org.

Be successful. Develop these skills.

  • Critical thinking
  • Compassion
  • Detail-oriented
  • Emotional stability
  • Organization
  • Physical stamina
  • Stress management
  • Dexterity
  • Customer service
  • Problem solving
  • Communication
Accreditation
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

The Associate Degree nursing program at Delta College at the Delta College Campus located in University Center, MI 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 Degree nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.

Michigan Board of Nursing

All of our nursing programs, Associate Degree in Nursing (both full-time and part-time tracks), including the Transition to ADN track, and our Practical Nursing Certificate program have approval from the Michigan Board of Nursing. The ADN program has been approved since 1964 and the LPN program since 1990. The Michigan Board of Nursing can be contacted at:

Bureau of Health Services
Ottawa Building
P.O. Box 30670
Lansing, Michigan 48909-8170
517-335-0918

Application process

Getting your degree in a health field is unique compared to other Delta programs. You must first take your prerequisite core courses, and then you'll apply for validation.

What's validation?

The registrar's office validates your prerequisite courses to confirm you are eligible to begin the clinical portion of you program.

Success Tips

  • Declare the nursing program.
  • Meet with your advisor regularly. Stay on track with what you need to do to apply.
  • Apply for validation with the Registrar's Office once you've started your final semester of prerequisite courses.
  • Stay connected for important updates from Delta!
Basic nursing skills requirement

Students entering the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program or Practical Nurse (PN) program must provide documentation of ability to perform specific nursing skills prior to entry into the clinical portion of the program. Students must be competent in performing ALL of the specific nursing skills that are learned and practiced as a CNA (recording vital signs, eating, dressing, grooming, bathing and toileting).

The nursing curriculum, for the ADN and PN programs, builds on this knowledge and expects each student to perform in a safe and competent manner related to these functions.

Student achievement outcome data

We think it's important to know how we're doing so we can continually improve our programs – collegewide. We work really hard to give our students the best possible education. So, we annually evaluate and show you what we find out.  

NCLEX Results  

The licensure pass rate is the percent of first time takers achieving a passing score on the NCLEX-RN. 

Year (January 1 - December 31) First Time Test Takers Achieving a Passing Score) First Time Test Takers Achieving a Passing Score (National Average)
2021 88.4% 78.78%
2022 87.88% 77.91%
2023 98.2% 87.75%

Program Completion Rate

The completion rate is percentage of graduates within 100% of the program length.

 Start Year Program Options Graduates at 100% of Program Length Aggregate

2019

Part-time
Full-time
LPN/Paramedic

54.1%
64.7%
37.5%
57.6%
2020 Part-time
Full-time
LPN/Paramedic
52.5%
59.67%
71.9%
60.2.6%
2021 Part-time
Full-time
LPN/Paramedic
45%
52.8%
86.7%
58.53%

Job Placement

The job placement rate is the percentage of graduates employed full or part time in a nursing related position as indicated on the Career Program Graduates survey. 

Completion year Job placement rate
2019/2020 100%
2020-2021 100%
2021/2022 100%
Short wait times
Current wait times from semester of validation to clinical entry

With your successful validation, you're guaranteed a spot in the program if you follow the  required  steps.

Current wait times from semester of validation to clinical entry as of February 2022 are below, although please know that these are estimates and subject to change.

  • RN Full-time Track
    2 - 4 semesters
  • RN Part-time Track
    2 - 6 semesters
  • Paramedic/LPN to RN Transition Track 
    1 - 3 semesters 
  • LPN
    2 - 3 semesters

Related Programs

Delta College offers a variety of nursing programs – one perfect for you.

Licensed Practical Nurse to RN – Associate in Applied Science

Are you ready to take the next step in your nursing career? The LPN to RN track at Delta College is a special option for currently licensed LPNs with a minimum of one-year, full-time equivalent work experience. It may be completed in 16 months. 

SEE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Licensed Paramedic to RN – Associate in Applied Science

You'd like to take your healthcare career in a different direction and Delta has the perfect program for you. The Paramedic Transition to RN program is for currently licensed paramedics with a minimum of one-year full-time equivalent work experience.

SEE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Practical Nurse – Advanced Certificate

Ready to get going in your nursing career? Find a fast-track to working in the medical field by getting an advanced certificate in practical nursing. During your journey to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN), you’ll practice critical thinking, team building and communication. You’ll be prepared to work in a variety of environments, including home healthcare, hospitals, clinics and nursing homes.

SEE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Explore all programs

Delta College offers over 140 degree, certificate and training options. Whatever your path, when you leave here, you’ll be ready.  

EXPLORE ALL PROGRAMS

Transfer opportunities

One of the very best things about Delta College is your ability to start here and transfer on. And, in the process, save thousands (and thousands) of dollars. It's a smart choice! In fact, if you're interested in earning a bachelor's in nursing you have several options by coming to Delta first, and then transferring.

  • Delta College is in partnership with Davenport University to provide students enrolled in Delta’s Registered Nurse (RN) program an opportunity to concurrently enroll in a Master of Science in Nursing. Students may concurrently take courses and transfer credits toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree completion program and then continue on toward a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) at Davenport University.

  • Delta College also has a partnership with Saginaw Valley State University to provide a concurrent program in which students in Delta’s ADN program may take classes toward their BSN at the same time. The advantages of this program for students is that it allows them to attain their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) within two or three semesters of completing their Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), and the total cost of their education is less than if they were to take all of their courses through the university.

Learn about more transfer options to earn your bachelor's in nursing

Interested? Make an appointment with academic advising to discuss your interests. Courses transfer differently based on the university you plan to attend. An advisor can help you determine the exact courses you need to get the education you’re looking for.

The transferability of courses between colleges/universities depends on the institution into which you transfer. Visit Transfer Programs and Procedures to see the full procedure.

Technology

Our students get the latest technology so they can graduate and be ready to hit the ground running.

Stethescope

The certification (NCLEX) pass rate of our graduates is consistently higher than the national and state averages.

Daisy McQuiston

"The thing that sets Delta apart is our relationships with the local community, the hospital settings – they really know what level our students are able to be at when they graduate. We have a program that stands behind the expectations and the requirements for the hospitals."

Daisy McQuiston
Associate Professor of Nursing