College of Nursing

Nursing Pathway

The Nursing Pathway Program is designed for students who have been admitted to a nursing program in an upcoming semester or for students who are interested in pursuing a degree in nursing. A student can be in the nursing pathway program for a maximum of 45 credits prior to the need to change their major.

Many of the courses in the Nursing Pathway Program meet the Fairmont State University Core Curriculum requirements for graduation or lay the foundation for an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) 

The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Program has a long history of successful graduates dating back to 1964. Mildred Montag was the founder of the program. Graduates of the program have consistently exceeded state passing rates on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and are in great demand by employers. 

Three program tracks are available for students.   

• The Traditional ASN  track is best for individuals who can attend college courses on campus with clinical rotations occurring on a variety of days and times.  The program is completed in four semesters over two academic years. 
• The LPN-ASN  track is an asynchronous online evening program with clinical two to three days a month designed for LPNs who wish to become RNs.  The program is completed in three consecutive semesters, including summer with clinical learning activities occurring in the Fairmont, WV region. 
• The Weekend-Hybrid ASN track is for non-traditional students or students who have already have a degree.  The program is offered on weekends and is completed in four consecutive semesters, including summer. 

The ASN nursing program enhances learning through clinical experiences in the authentic arena (hospitals, clinics, community settings), in our state-of-the-art simulation, and our skills labs. 

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) 

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program has a long history of successful graduates dating back to 1989.

The BSN program offers two program tracks and one specialty certification.

• The Traditional BSN program track started in 2023.  The program is completed in eight semesters or less depending on college course work previously completed.  Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensing exam and work as a registered nurse upon successful completion of the licensing exam.
• The RN-BSN program track provides associate degree and diploma nurses the chance to enhance their opportunities beyond the bedside and clinical practice area to the management and leadership arena or graduate education. Students can maintain full-time employment while pursuing this degree through asynchronous online learning and flexible, realistic practicum experiences as a part-time or full-time student. Courses incorporate a variety of real-life projects that assist you to broaden your knowledge and skills. 
• School Nurse Certification provides the educational background for BSN prepared RNs to meet the WV Department of Education criteria for employment as a school nurse.

Our faculty, staff, state-of-the-art equipped skills and simulation lab, and clinical partners offer students an excellent opportunity to develop their professional skills. 

Studying at the College of Nursing, you'll learn from an excellent faculty (comprised of healthcare professionals) who truly care about your success. With their expert guidance, you will have opportunities to put all the skills and techniques you've learned into practice in our simulation lab and in real-world clinical settings. Our facilities, technology, and equipment are all top-notch and up-to-date, so you can be assured that you'll be able to seamlessly transition into a professional situation. Fairmont State's College of Nursing has been named a Top-Ranked School by Study.com and a Best Ranking Nursing Program by RNCareers.org.

As reported from our 2024 data:

• 100% employment rate for all graduates.
• 3000+ College of Nursing graduates currently making a difference West Virginia and beyond.
• 80.29% of our admitted students completed the program on time and with their original cohort.
• 87.85% First attempt NCLEX-RN Licensure examination pass rate for the traditional ASN and weekend/hybrid ASN program.
• 87.15% First attempt NCLEX-RN Licensure examination pass rate for the LPN to ASN program.