Description
The Associate Degree Nursing Program prepares men and women to function effectively as registered nurses in a health care team. NUR classes are offered only in the Fall and Spring Semesters.
Admission Requirements
Most programs in the Health Education Division are limited access programs, meaning they have special, particular or additional admission and/or placement requirements beyond those normally required by the College. In many cases, these requirements include prerequisite classes that must be completed prior to the students’ placement into courses in the particular program area. Clinical seating availability is limited in all health education programs. Applicants must complete TCTC admission requirements and the additional program clinical admission requirements.
Because prerequisite requirements may exist for limited access programs, the following curriculum displays are for information only and should not be interpreted as an exact representation of course progression. The information outlines program course requirements necessary for completing a particular program of study. Students should confer with their program advisor for more specific information.
It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of limited access program admission, program progression and program prerequisite requirements. Students should confer with their program advisor anytime clarification or explanation is needed.
In addition to meeting general admission requirements, Health Education majors are required to meet the curriculum specific requirements outlined below:
- Students must complete recommended developmental studies courses based on course placement criteria.
- Students must have an institutional GPA of 2.0 or higher. There are additional progression requirements in the Catalog. Nursing (Associate Degree and Transition Nursing) require a grade of “B” or higher to progress in all NUR courses within the program. A student may repeat the maximum of two major courses. Students should also refer to individual program handbooks for additional information.
- Students must meet required divisional or program Technical Standards.
- Students who transfer into associate degree programs must have a transfer or institutional GPA of 2.5 or higher on previous college work (TCTC GPA supersedes any outside GPA). Students who transfer into Tri-County Technical College’s nursing program will be required to submit a letter of good standing from their previous ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) or CHE (Commission on Higher Education) approved program department head or administrator. The letter should state that the student is eligible to continue in the program from which they are transferring. Nursing courses to be transferred must have been taken within the previous two years. Students who meet these requirements will then be required to pass both a comprehensive exam with an “80” or higher and demonstrate program skills competencies for any nursing course(s) for which the transfer credit is requested. If the student does not pass the exam(s), credit will not be awarded, and the student will be required to take the course and/or restart the clinical program. All students who wish to transfer into the nursing program will be required to submit an application through competitive clinical entry.
- Students who transfer into Associate Degree Nursing must have BIO 101, Biological Science I, prior to starting the clinical program.
- Students are required to carry professional liability insurance, which is obtained through the College.
- Some clinical agencies may require proof of personal health insurance. This is the sole responsibility of the student. Students should contact the Dean of Student Development for more information.
- Clinical agencies require criminal background checks for nursing. Certain clinical agencies may require more than one background check and/or drug screen. The results of the criminal background check and yearly drug screen determine if a student is eligible to enter clinical agencies. A student must be able to enter and/or remain in all clinical agencies to progress within a program. Inability to progress within a major for this reason will result in administrative withdrawal from the program. Note: Most Health Education programs require certification or licensure in order to use titles and/or practice the profession. Conviction of a felony, a plea of guilty to a felony, or certain misdemeanor convictions may make the applicant ineligible for certification or licensure. (Any student who may have concerns regarding Background Check results should contact the South Carolina Board of Nursing at (803) 896-4550 or https://llr.sc.gov/ for further instructions related to State licensure.)
Health Education Medical Requirements
Students admitted to Health Education programs (except Veterinary Technology) must present proof of immunization or immunity to measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox) and annual flu vaccine. (Health forms are available from the Division Office or Department Head.) All students in Health Education programs (except Veterinary Technology) must have documentation of Tuberculosis status. Immunization to Hepatitis B is expected as a means to avert serious illness and to meet clinical agency requirements. A student who refuses immunization to Hepatitis B is required to sign a declination form, which will be kept in the student’s file. Some clinical agencies will not require a signed declination form.
Entry to Clinical Program - Nursing
All students declare a program of study during the admissions process. Students may find the curriculum guide representative of their course of study by going to the TCTC public website, www.tctc.edu. It is the responsibility of the student to track the progress of program prerequisites. The student must meet with an assigned program advisor each semester for guidance to ensure prerequisite changes have not occurred. (Changes in program and curricular requirements can occur.) If an entrance policy changes for a particular program, the student’s requirements will remain the same unless the student changes major, withdraws from enrollment, or is not enrolled for two consecutive terms. If such a withdrawal or non-enrollment occurs, the student is required to meet new entrance policies outlined in the current College Catalog.
Competitive Clinical Entry - Associate Degree Nursing
Competitive clinical entry guidelines have been implemented for Associate Degree Nursing students. Competitive clinical entry allows the most qualified students to enter the clinical portion of the program. Nursing students are strongly encouraged to have certified nursing assistant (CNA) training prior to the competitive clinical entry application process.
For the most current Competitive Clinical Entry information, interested students can go to
www.tctc.edu/nursing or contact the Health Education admissions liaison office (Pendleton Campus, Fulp Hall, Room 401, 864-646-1620) for more information. The application is an automated document found on the Get Set tab in eTC for eligible students.
To have eligibility, an Associate Degree Nursing student must:
- have minimum AITS (Adjusted Individual Total Score) ATI TEAS score;
- have a minimum transfer or institutional GPA of 2.5;
- participate in the online version of Updates to Nursing Workshop; and
- have taken BIO 101, ENG 101, MAT 120 and BIO 210 (or be registered for it) with a grade of “C” or higher.
Anatomy and Physiology courses must be completed within five years of entering the clinical phase of the Nursing program. Anatomy and Physiology classes may be repeated only two times to achieve a passing grade.
Applications must be submitted each term until clinical entry occurs. Application deadlines will be firm. Information, such as detailed instructions, complete worksheet and policy, can be found at the www.tctc.edu/nursing.
Entry to Clinical Program - LPN Transition to RN
The program curriculum guide can be found on the TCTC public website at www:tctc.edu/nursing. It is the responsibility of the student to track the progress of program prerequisites. The student must meet with an assigned program advisor each semester for guidance and for confirmation that prerequisite changes have not occurred. (Changes in program and curricular requirements can occur.)
Once requirements are completed, the student must go to the Nursing Office, Pendleton Campus, Fulp Hall, Room 401 or 404 to submit a “Notice of Completion” form with all required documentation. (The form is available on eTC public website at www.tctc.edu/nursing.) Students must also submit a competitive entry application.
Students who transfer into Associate Degree Nursing must have BIO 101, Biological Science I, prior to starting the clinical program.
Applicants must:
- complete the college admission procedure;
- have graduated from an ACEN-accredited program or equivalent Military training;
- have minimum scores on ATI TEAS test;
- have a minimum score of level 2 on ATI Fundamentals for RN test;
- have a minimum score of level 2 on ATI Anatomy and Physiology test;
- participate in the online Updates to Pre-Nursing Workshop;
- have a current, active and unencumbered Multi-State PN license;
- have taken BIO 101, ENG 101, MAT 120 and BIO 210 (or be registered for it) with a grade of “C” or higher;
- have a transfer or institutional GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Anatomy and Physiology courses must be completed within five years of entering the clinical phase of the Nursing program. Anatomy and Physiology classes may be repeated only two times to achieve a passing grade.
Applications must be submitted each term until clinical entry occurs. Application deadlines will be firm. Information, such as detail instructions, complete worksheet and policy, can be found at the TCTC public website for Associate Degree Nursing at www.tctc.edu/nursing.
Upon successful completion of NUR 121 with a “B” or higher, credit will be awarded for NUR 120 and NUR 106 (9 semester hours). An Additional 28 credit hours are required for a total of 37 semester credit hours.
Program Notification
Accepted students will receive an e-mail through the student’s Tri-County Technical College e-mail account. This e-mail serves as an official offer for a seat into the program and identifies the program deposit and fee deadline date. Failure to pay the program deposit fee by the specified date will result in non-entry. Once the student pays the non-refundable program deposit fee, a seat will be held for entry into the next program class. The student must continue to maintain the minimum GPA even though the program deposit fee has been paid.
Program Outcomes
Upon completion, students will be able to:
- Advocate for patients and families across the lifespan
- Provide safe and effective patient care using nursing judgment
- Develop their role as a professional nurse
- Evaluate evidence-based practice to improve patient care
Graduation Credits Required: 68
