New models of care and the aging baby boomer population increase the demand for nurses in almost every health care setting. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates demand for registered nurses will grow 7 percent between 2019 and 2029. Even as health care needs heighten demand, the reduction of the active workforce as a large number of nurses near retirement age create even greater challenges for health care employers.
Nursing programs such as the Associate Degree in Nursing provide a constant supply of nurses to meet demand. Unfortunately, limited resources and capacity affect their ability to enroll more students. The American Academy of Colleges of Nursing found that nursing programs turn away more than 75,000 qualified applicants yearly due to staff shortages, limited clinical spots, and lack of funding. The abysmal enrollment statistics indicate a greater need for preparation when applying to a nursing program. Previous health care experience, such as Certified Nurse Assisting, Home Health Aide, Licensed Practical Nursing, completing prerequisite courses with a stellar GPA, and proper research on the industry to present your case during the admission interview will improve your chances of acceptance.
Southwest Tennessee Community College
Southwest Tennessee Community College offers a Generic Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Nursing Track and an LPN Mobility Track that leads to an AAS in Nursing degree. Didactic and hands-on training prepare students for licensure in the state and immediate employment in the field. Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Successful completion of the program does not guarantee receipt of a registered nurse license as criminal convictions could affect eligibility. Southwest’s Nursing Department is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The nursing program is approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing Department of Health.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 65
Duration: 4 semesters
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
General Education Courses – Human Anatomy and Physiology I, English Composition I, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, Introduction to Psychology, Humanities/Fine Arts (3 credit option)
Core Courses – Foundations of Nursing, Foundations Clinical, Dosages and Solutions, Principles of Nutrition, Medical Surgical I, Adult Health Nursing I Clinical, Women’s Health & Childbearing Family, Nursing of the Childbearing Family Clinical, Microbiology, Pediatric Nursing, Nursing of Children Clinic, Mental Health, Mental Health Nursing Clinical, Medical Surgical II, Adult Health Nursing II Clinical, Nursing Management, Introductory Statistics
Admission criteria:
- Secure admission to Southwest as a regular admission student
- Submit a completed application for the Nursing Program by the published deadline
- Must have a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 or a minimum 2.5 cumulative CPR on college courses completed
- Must be eligible to enroll in English I and Probability and Statistics
- Take and pass the Nursing Pre-admission Exam with the minimum required score
- Submit a type-written letter describing the applicant’s desire to practice as a registered nurse
- Formally accept admission in writing upon acceptance
- Submit copy of medical record with documentation of immunization – MMR, Hepatitis B, negative TB skin test or chest x-ray
- Complete a satisfactory drug screen
- Complete a criminal background check before participate in the clinical area
- Attend a mandatory new nursing student orientation
- Completion of courses with a grade C or better is recommended but not required – Anatomy and Physiology I and II and Microbiology
- Applicants to the LPN mobility Track must have a current, valid, unencumbered TN or compact state LPN license and current CPR certification,
Program Cost:
Tuition costs $108 per credit in-state and $274 per credit out-of-state. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
Website: https://www.southwest.tn.edu/nursing/
Address: 5983 Macon Cove, Memphis, TN 38134
Phone: 901-333-500
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 92%
Dyersburg State Community College
The Nursing Program at Dyersburg State Community College prepares students to assume the role of a beginning practitioner in healthcare. The school offers a traditional nursing track (day and evening) for persons who are new to nursing. Licensed Practical Nurses who hold a valid and current license may apply to the Advanced Standing LPN-RN Fast Track Nursing Program. The program facilitates working LPNs who will begin the program in May and complete it in one year. A one-year paramedic-RN program is also available for paramedics. Program graduates will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for licensure as a Registered Nurse. The traditional evening track admits 24 students every other fall semester. Classes meet two nights a week plus clinicals scheduled on Friday evenings or Saturdays.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 66
Duration: 4 semesters
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
General Education Courses – Human Anatomy and Physiology I, English Composition I, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Statistics, Microbiology, Humanities/Fine Arts (3 credit option)
Core Courses – Fundamentals of Nursing, Fundamentals Clinical, Medical Surgical Nursing I, Mental Health Nursing I, Women’s Health & Childbearing Family, Pediatric Nursing, Medical Surgical Nursing II, Medical Surgical Nursing III
Admission criteria:
- Must be accepted to DSCC as a regular admission student
- Submit a completed Application for Nursing to the Department of Nursing by the specified deadline
- Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 for all courses eligible for the nursing curriculum and a minimum grade C
- Take and pass the TEAS and file results with the application for admission
- Complete a criminal background and drug screen as required by the clinical facilities
- Submit proof of a satisfactory physical exam indicating physical and mental condition, evidence of current immunization for Tdap, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and negative TB test or chest x-ray
- Must have valid Basic Life Support (American Heart Association) CPR card
- Attend an interview with a member of the Nursing Department
Program Cost:
Tuition costs $6,507 per year for in-state students who are living at home and $25,371 for out-of-state students. Books and supplies cost an additional $1,800 per year.
Website: https://www.dscc.edu/node/2937
Address: 1510 Lake Rd, Dyersburg, TN, 38024
Phone: 731-286-3200
Email: info@dscc.edu
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 95%
Jackson State Community College
Jackson State Community College prepares students with foundational knowledge and skills to succeed on the NCLEX-RN exam and practice as a registered nurse. They will learn how to manage client care, communicate and collaborate with the health care team to promote patient health, and adhere to the legal and ethical standards of the profession. Students must complete 68 credit hours to graduate from the program. The career program received an exception to the 60-hour limited from the TN Board of Regents to allow the additional hours needed for achieving learning outcomes and meet the requirements of accrediting agencies. The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing is approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing and is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). New students are admitted twice a year. Applications for the fall semester must be submitted by March 1 and by September 1 for the spring semester.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 68
Duration: 4 semesters
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
General Education Courses – Human Anatomy and Physiology I, English Composition I, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, General Psychology, Introduction to Pathophysiology, Humanities/Fine Arts Elective
Core Courses – Fundamentals of Communication or English Composition II, Life Span Psychology, Foundations of Nursing I, Nutrition in Nursing, Foundations of Nursing II, Adult Health Nursing I, Adult Health Nursing II
Admission criteria:
- Obtain regular full admission and maintain good academic standing at Jackson State
- Complete all the support courses with a grade C or better
- Submit a completed application to the Nursing program by the published deadline
- Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or greater
- Submit official transcripts of high school and college work to the Office of Admissions
- Submit ACT exam scores
- Declare any disciplinary, suspended, revoked, or denied health care license
- Report any felony convictions
- A criminal background check, TB test, and drug screen must be completed upon admission to the program
- Provide documentation of current immunization
Program Cost:
Tuition costs $208 per credit in-state and $732 per credit out-of-state. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
Website: https://www.jscc.edu/academics/divisions/nursing/nursing-pathways/nursing-pathway.html
Address: 2046 North Parkway, Jackson, TN 38301
Phone: (731) 424-3520
Toll-Free: (800) 355-JSCC
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 99%