THE ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN NURSING DEGREE PROGRAM PROVIDES THE FOUNDATION COURSES FOR INDIVIDUALS TO PURSUE AN ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN NURSING. IT PREPARES A BEGINNING GENERALIST PRACTITIONER WHO WILL ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PROFESSIONAL NURSE WITH COMMENSURATE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ATTITUDES IN A STRUCTURED ENVIRONMENT IN A VARIETY OF PRIMARY, SECONDARY AND TERTIARY SETTINGS.THE GRADUATE IS PREPARED AS A PROVIDER OF CARE, TEACHER, LEADER AND MANAGER FOR CLIENTS WHO HAVE COMMON, WELL- DEFINED HEALTH PROBLEMS. AS AN ADVOCATE, THE GRADUATE COLLABORATES WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF THE HEALTH CARE TEAM IN DESIGNING COMPREHENSIVE CARE FOR THE CLIENT AND FAMILY UTILIZING ESTABLISHED RESEARCH AND VALUING ITS INFLUENCE ON PRACTICE.