Nursing A.A.S.
Overview
Learn the fine art of nursing.
The Nursing Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree program prepares you for a career as a registered nurse. Nursing courses include didactic and clinical training over a two-year period that includes but is not limited to fundamentals of nursing, pathophysiology, pharmacology, nursing care of the adult in a medical-surgical setting and an intensive care unit, family nursing including care of children and expectant mothers, mental health nursing, and community health nursing.
In addition to classroom education, you will participate in clinical settings in hospitals and agencies located in middle Tennessee. The program includes a course to help with the transition from student into independent clinical decision-makers. This degree program trains you to work with persons from various cultures across the life span and the wellness-to-illness continuum.
At the conclusion of the program, you are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The NSCC nursing program has established excellent program outcomes which allow its registered nurses the ability to sustain lifelong professional accomplishments in fields such as obstetrics, psychiatric care, critical care, and many others.
Application
The deadline for the Fall 2023 cohort has passed. Applications for the Spring 2024 cohort will open in September.
Information Sessions
Information Sessions for the upcoming Spring 2024 cohort will be held on the dates and times listed below. If you want to be admitted into the program, attendance at one of the Information Sessions is mandatory prior to the submission of your nursing application. The application, selection, and admission process will be reviewed in great detail. Please be on time as you will not be allowed into the session after the designated start time.
| Date | Time | Zoom Link |
|---|---|---|
| March 8 | 11 AM | Zoom Link |
| March 29 | 5 PM | Zoom Link |
| April 6 | 11 AM | Zoom Link |
| April 20 | 5 PM | Zoom Link |
If you have additional questions regarding the application, selection, and admission process for the Nursing program at Nashville State Community College, please send an email to nursing@nscc.edu and put Nursing Application and Admission in the subject line.
Advising Sheets
Traditional A.A.S. Nursing Program
2022-23 Advising Sheet
2021-22 Advising Sheet
2020-21 Advising Sheet
2019-20 Advising Sheet
LPN to RN Bridge Program
2022-23 Advising Sheet
2021-22 Advising Sheet
2020-21 Advising Sheet
2019-20 Advising Sheet
Vision, Mission, and Values
As an integral part of Nashville State Community College, the nursing program derives its overall philosophy and purpose from the mission and goals of the college. Nashville State is first and foremost a teaching and training institution that places high value on maximizing student access to educational programs and on graduates’ success in finding employment or continuing their education. The culture of Nashville State values:
- Helping students succeed in reaching their educational and career goals.
- Providing learning opportunities to serve students in occupational and educational settings.
- Responding to the educational and training demands of both students and employers.
- Advancing the economic development of the service area.
The faculty support and implement the mission, goals, and philosophy by providing an innovative, creative, and comprehensive curriculum in an interactive environment. We acknowledge the diverse needs of our students and clinical agencies as we work together for community enrichment.
The Nashville State nursing program is committed to fostering an environment that promotes self-directed professionals in the art of caring, interpersonal communication and critical thinking. Our vision recognizes graduates as patient advocates who are stakeholders of the health and welfare of the community; thus our motto is NSCC Nursing: From Classroom to Community.
Vision
Nashville State Community College nursing program’s vision is to prepare nurses who demonstrate professional competency in their application of the art and science of the nursing process, who are committed to serve the communities in which they live.
Mission
Nashville State Community College nursing program aspires to professional excellence in teaching and learning with a dedication to provide evidenced-based nursing practice through discovery, integration, application, innovative technology and scholarship. We are committed to fostering an environment that promotes self-directed professionals in the art of caring, interpersonal communication and critical thinking. Our vision recognizes graduates as patient advocates who are stakeholders of the health and welfare of the community.
Values
The Nashville State nursing program cultivates a dynamic learning environment that embodies accountability/trust, caring, creativity/passion, diversity, excellence, and lifelong learning.
Accountability/Trust
The ethical, moral and legal responsibility of professional nursing practice to serve others without self interest. Trust denotes a positive relationship of openness and fairness while creating an environment of safety, dignity and respect.
Caring
A foundational practice where the nurse is a privileged observer of the human response.
Creativity/Passion
Devotion and dedication of both heart and mind to the practice of professional nursing.
Diversity
A broad holistic approach to guide nursing care practice which assimilates a person's beliefs, customs and values and improves the human condition without judgment.
Excellence
Competent professional nursing is actualized through quality education in an environment of honesty, integrity and respect.
Lifelong Learning
A voluntary commitment in the pursuit of knowledge to enhance personal or professional growth.
Theoretical Framework
The theoretical framework of the nursing program at Nashville State was designed using: Leininger to address cultural care and diversity; Maslow to emphasize the importance of meeting basic human needs; Nightingale to support the importance of the environment within nursing practice; Orem to support our dedication to service; Pender to address how nursing students must overcome barriers to be successful; and Watson to address the caring within nursing practice.
Person
The person is a unique being with spiritual, cognitive, biophysical, psychological, emotional and sociocultural dimensions. A person is motivated and influenced by beliefs, values, goals and perceptions. A person possesses dignity, rights, worth, and deserves respect and the opportunity to make choices affecting health across the life span. An individual has adaptive abilities to meet hierarchical needs as they develop through life cycles and stages. The individual strives to maintain homeostasis.
Environment
The environment has dynamic internal and external influences that impact individuals, families, groups, and communities. These influences are defined by physical, intellectual, emotional, cultural and societal forces which require adaptation to maintain holistic health.
Health
Health is a dynamic process influenced by the environment and uniquely defined by the individual. Illness is an imbalance from homeostasis and the holistic health of the individual while wellness can embody the presence or absence of disease.
Nursing
Nursing is an art and a science requiring the application of knowledge and technical skills that focus on the caring of individuals, families, groups, and communities using a holistic approach. Nursing actions are developed through assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Nursing actions are also developed from the scientific process, the development of critical thinking, communication, and independent judgment. Nursing actions are directed toward caring for individuals, families, groups, and communities to attain and/or maintain optimum health throughout the life span. Nursing roles include care provider, coordinator/manager of care, and a member of the interdisciplinary health team. Collaboration, organization, delegation, accountability, advocacy, collegiality, ethics, and leadership reflect nursing roles that encompass the Standard of Professional Performance. Nursing is practiced as both a science and a caring art in primary, secondary and tertiary care settings.
Teaching
Teaching is an energetic interaction between the teacher and the student. The teaching role advocates facilitation, role modeling and mentoring of all students. Multiple teaching modalities are integrated to address various student learning styles. The nursing program reflects an organized curriculum increasing in difficulty and complexity over time.
Learning
Learning is a life-long, ongoing process which is progressive, cumulative, and is evidenced by behavioral change. The education process involves recognition of each student as a unique individual and requires open communication between the student and faculty member. The learner is an active participant who is accountable for the pursuit, acquisition, application and personalization of knowledge. It is the responsibility of the teacher to provide a positive learning environment to promote learning. Learning is enhanced through multi-sensory approaches, and the provision of a variety of learning experiences. Learning requires opportunities in the clinical setting to provide the application of knowledge and acquisition of skills. Learning experiences are directed toward growth of independent thought, critical thinking, and mastery of clinical skills needed to provide safe, competent care to individuals, families, groups, and communities.
The conceptual framework of the Nashville State nursing program philosophy and mission (depicted in the illustration below) demonstrates how the key concepts and constructs of leadership, communication, critical thinking, and the nursing process are integrated throughout the curriculum. These key concepts and constructs are reflected in the program outcomes, the semester student learning outcomes, and the course student learning outcomes.
Expected Behaviors
In accordance with the ANA Standards of Professional Performance and the National League of Nursing graduate competencies, the graduate of the Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) nursing program at Nashville State Community College will demonstrate the following professional behaviors upon completion of the program:
Communication
Communicate effectively using:
- Verbal
- Nonverbal
- Written techniques including information and technology.
Nursing Process
- Evaluate outcomes of clinical decisions implemented to provide safe and effective evidence-based nursing care.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of caring interventions that incorporate principles of dignity, diversity, safety and knowledge.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented teaching plan to meet the learning needs of patients, families, and/or groups.
Critical Thinking
- Analyze subjective and objective data to identify actual or potential health alterations.
- Manage care through effective use of prioritization, delegation, informatics, and resources.
Leadership
- Practice within the ethical, legal and regulatory frameworks of nursing and standards of professional nursing practice.
- Collaborate when planning, implementing, and evaluating care.
Outcomes
Student Learning Outcomes
| Concept/Construct | NSCC Nursing Program Student Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Leadership | Practice within the ethical, legal, and regulatory frameworks of nursing and standards of professional nursing practice. Collaborate when planning, implementing and evaluating care. |
| Communication | Communicate effectively using verbal, nonverbal, and written techniques including information and technology. |
| Critical Thinking | Analyze subjective and objective data to identify actual or potential health alterations. Manage care through effective use of prioritization, delegation, informatics, and resources. |
| Nursing Process | Evaluate outcomes of clinical decisions implemented to provide safe and effective evidence-based nursing care. Evaluate the effectiveness of caring interventions that incorporate principles of dignity, diversity, safety, and knowledge. Evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented teaching plan to meet the learning needs of patients, families, and/or groups. |
The Nashville State Community College nursing program student learning outcomes for both the course and the semester reflect Bloom’s Classification of Cognitive Skills. These cognitive skills encompass several levels of learning from the acquisition of facts in semester one to the ability to think critically in semester four. The cognitive skills as revealed and demonstrated through the student learning outcomes are used to organize both the semester and course curricula, guide the method of instruction, direct learning activities, and evaluate student progress. The student progresses from a level of nursing education that is fundamental and knowledge-based to a level of education that requires the analyses of complex problems that reflect an advanced depth of knowledge and skill. The progression of the level of learning required to meet the student learning outcomes is displayed below.
| Semester | Knowledge | Comprehension | Analysis | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester One | 25% | 25% | 25% | 25% |
| Semester Two | 20% | 20% | 30% | 30% |
| Semester Three | 15% | 15% | 30% | 40% |
| Semester Four | 10% | 15% | 25% | 50% |
Program Outcomes
In accordance with the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), the following Nashville State Community College nursing program outcomes have been identified along with the expected levels of achievement.
- Licensure exam pass rate.
The annual NCLEX-RN pass rate for first-time test-takers will be at or above 80%. - Program completion rate.
60% of students will complete the NSCC nursing program within four semesters or 150% of the program length. The retention/graduation rate is calculated by comparing the number of students/fall admission classes who complete the nursing program with the number of students who were admitted to the nursing program with that same class. - Job placement rate.
85% of NSCC nursing graduates who self-report employment will be employed as registered nurses within six to twelve months post-graduation.
Nashville State Community College Nursing Program Outcomes Levels of Achievement
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensure Exam Pass Rate | 100% | 97% | 100% | 100% | 88% | 98% |
| Program Completion Rate | 60% | 60% | 54% | 67% | 65% | 68% |
| Job Placement Rate | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 97% | 100% |
Accreditation
The Nashville State Community College nursing program has full approval status by the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
The Associate Degree Nursing program at Nashville State Community College at the White Bridge campus located in Nashville, TN 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.
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program: http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
The ACEN is recognized as the accrediting body for all types of nursing education programs by:
- U.S. Department of Education (USDOE)
- U.S. Uniformed Nursing Services (USUNS)
- Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veteran Affairs (VHA)
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
- State Boards of Nurse Examiners (SBNE)
- Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
- Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA)
- Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
- Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health Professions, Division of Nursing (USHHS)
- Employers
- National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing Specialties (NCC)
Contact the ACEN
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1500, Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
www.acenursing.org
Admission and Selection Process
Admission and Selection Criteria for the Traditional A.A.S. Program
NSCC nursing will admit two classes per academic year into the traditional A.A.S. program. The application cycle for fall admissions for each academic year will occur from January 1 to March 1. The application cycle for spring admissions for each academic year will occur from August 1 to September 1. A student may apply for admission to the nursing program during the time allotted. The following criteria must be met:
- Students should be in good standing with Nashville State Community College and must be enrolled at NSCC at the time of the application.
- Students must maintain a "C" or better in each of the pre-requisite courses found in the link below.
- Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.8 or greater in all REQUIRED courses to be eligible for an interview. Any courses taken beyond the required 27 credit hours will not be considered in the final calculated GPA for admission.
- Students must achieve a score of "Proficient" on the ATI-TEAS Exam.
- Students have two options for the admission process during the application cycle. This must be identified on the application:
- Students must complete all prerequisite courses "In Process" by the spring semester preceding enrollment in the nursing program. A student will not be accepted for enrollment in the nursing program if prerequisites are to be completed in the summer.
- Students must complete all prerequisite courses "In Process" by the summer semester in order to be considered for spring admissions into the nursing program.
Required documentation must be completed upon submission to the nursing department and will not be reviewed if not complete. Applications received before the process opens or after the final deadline will not be accepted for review.
Selection Criteria and Selection Process
Advising Information for Acceptance into the NSCC Nursing Program
Prerequisite courses total 27 credit hours of English, Math, and Science. Required courses and a sample schedule can be found by clicking each of the links below:
Nursing Admission Course Requirements
All students wishing to apply for acceptance into the NSCC nursing program should declare a major of either University Parallel with a Health Science concentration or a Health Science major. This will allow the student to complete the prerequisite courses to apply for admittance into the nursing program.
Sample Schedule of Course Requirements
View a sample schedule to assist you in setting a course of action for your 27 credit hour schedule based on the date you wish to apply. This sampling is just a 1-year schedule and may vary depending on financial aid requirements or personal goals.
LPN to RN Bridge Program
Program Requirements
LPN to RN Bridge Program Application
Applications for the LPN to RN bridge program should be submitted during the application cycle. Upon acceptance, the student will be given further information to complete a 5-week process of assignments in order to earn 7 Prior Learning Assessments (PLAs) for NURS 1710. After completion of the 5-week process, the student will be offered admission to either the first or second semester. These assignments are self-driven; however, each will be assigned deadlines for completion.
1. All items listed below must be completed as part of the application process for the LPN to RN bridge program. The maximum number of student positions for the LPN to RN bridge program is 8 per admission cycle. An application will be accepted for review if the following requirements are met:
- Admission to NSCC: Students may apply online here.
- NSCC 27 credit hour requirements (see table below)
- ATI-TEAS Score of “Proficient”
- Students should visit the NSCC nursing webpage for instructions on signing up for the TEAS exam.
- GPA > 2.8
- GPA includes ONLY required courses for admission to the NSCC nursing program (27 credit hours of course requirements)
- PN license #
- A student is required to place license # on the application. Students will not be considered for admission to the NSCC nursing program if their license is encumbered upon review at the TN Dept. of Health.
- Proof of 1-year work as PN (verification of employment history)
- Students will not be considered for the LPN to RN bridge program if their work history, as an LPN, is less than 1 year. Students should fill out the following form (located in the link below labeled- Work History Verification Document) and upload the completed document into the online application form when it is available on December 1st.
- Work History Verification Document
- Professional letter of reference from a current or previous employer.
- A professional recommendation letter from your current or previous employer must be mailed to the Nashville State Community Healthcare Professions Division for review. Personal references will not be accepted as part of the application process. The reference letter must be received by the department no later than February 1st. Your recommendation letter must be mailed to the following address:
Nashville State Community College Healthcare Profession Division
Attn: Jenny Heath, Secretary III
120 White Bridge Pike
Nashville, TN 37209
- A professional recommendation letter from your current or previous employer must be mailed to the Nashville State Community Healthcare Professions Division for review. Personal references will not be accepted as part of the application process. The reference letter must be received by the department no later than February 1st. Your recommendation letter must be mailed to the following address:
| Required General Education Coursework (must complete all 3 courses totaling 9 credit hours) | Credit Hours |
| ENGL 1010 English Composition I | 3 |
| Humanities Elective | 3 |
| PSYC 1030 Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Required General Education Coursework Options (must complete only ONE of the following 3 credit hour courses) | Credit Hours |
| COMM 2025 Fundamentals of Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 1020 English Composition II | 3 |
| PSYC 2130 Life Development Psychology | 3 |
| BIOL 1215 Principles of Nutrition | 3 |
| Core Requirements (must complete all 4 courses totaling 15 credit hours) | Credit Hours |
| BIOL 2010 Anatomy and Physiology I* | 4 |
| BIOL 2020 Anatomy and Physiology II* | 4 |
| BIOL 2230 Microbiology* | 4 |
| MATH 1530 Introduction of Statistics* | 3 |
| *Core Requirements must be completed with a grade of "C" or better and it is recommended that these courses be completed within the past five years. Any grade below a "C" will not be accepted coursework towards admissions. |
2. Qualified applicants will be required to complete 4 items necessary to receive 7 credit hours of Prior Learning Assessments (PLA’s) for NURS 1710 (Fundamentals). Instructions on completing these 4 items will be provided. We DO NOT recommend purchasing any textbooks or registering for the Kaplan PN Transitions Exam until receipt of the acceptance letter. The four items include:
- Kaplan PN Exam
- Full Head to Toe Assessment Checkoff
- Completion of 5 Care Plans - Pass 2 of 5 with ≥ 77%
- Dosage Calculation Test
If the student successfully completes the 4 items listed above by the assigned deadlines, the student will receive 7 credit hours for NURS 1710 (Fundamentals). The student will then be offered admission into the 2nd-semester cohort beginning in the fall.
OR
If the student is unable to successfully complete any of the 4 items, the student will have the option to join NURS 1710 to complete the A.A.S. program beginning in the fall.
Nursing Entrance Exam (TEAS)
The ATI-TEAS exam is required by all prospective nursing students and is only good for 2 years from the last date taken. Please note, that students wishing to enroll in NSCC part-time to complete prerequisites should not take this test upon admission to the college, but wait until close to their application process. A student may be instructed to take the ATI-TEAS exam again should it have been taken before the 2-year requirement.
Directions for Nursing Entrance Exam (TEAS)
Registration for Nursing Entrance Exam (TEAS)
ATI-TEAS Testing Sites
Nashville Lab Four
44 Vantage Way, Suite 503
Nashville TN 37228
Cookeville Higher Education Campus
1000 Neal St.
Cookeville, TN
The Oaks
1102 Kermit Drive, Suite 101
Nashville, TN 37217
Study Materials for the ATI-TEAS Exam
Study materials are available for purchase through ATI at www.atitesting.com/teas/. Please visit the link below for a 6-week study plan in preparation for the ATI-TEAS exam.
Program of Study
The Associate of Applied Science degree program in Nursing emphasizes patient-centered approaches to nursing care. The graduate nurse is able to provide highly skilled nursing care for patients and families in a variety of health care delivery settings.
The NSCC nursing program is a Full-Time intensive commitment with multiple courses every semester including didactic, clinical, and simulation.
View the required nursing courses upon admission to the NSCC nursing program. The curriculum is set forth by the NSCC Department of Healthcare Professions and maintains compliance with the TN Board of Regents, Nashville State Community College, the TN State Board of Nursing, and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Cost
Estimated Expenses
In an attempt to keep expenses at a reasonable cost to the student, the faculty at NSCC research the nursing budget annually. Per this goal, estimated expenses vary at an approximate 2-year expenditure of $10,000 for all tuition, fees, and additional expenses; however, there may be unforeseen expenses required beyond items listed below.
Additional Expenses: Fees beyond college tuition and expenses are varied.
These fees include, but are not limited to:
- Textbooks
- Uniform (including stethoscope, pen light, etc.)
- Nursing pin
- Nursing lab fee
- Kaplan nursing
- NCLEX-RN Licensing Exam Fees
- Criminal Background & Drug Screen
- Liability Insurance
- CPR Certification Course
- Physical Exam
- Vaccinations
Nursing Student Handbook
Additional Nursing Resources
Nursing Education in Tennessee: Review other nursing program in the state of Tennessee. View LPN, ADN, BSN, and graduate study programs which will assist in choosing the right nursing program for you.
Tennessee Nurses Association: The TNA provides supportive information for the profession of nursing including education and research.
National Council for Licensing Examinations: The NCSBN is the regulatory body for all nursing board examinations. Students can review this website for information regarding testing for the boards.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing: The ACEN is NSCC's accrediting body. The website will provide information regarding site visits and information regarding the process of obtaining accreditation.
Tennessee Board of Nursing: The TBON is a branch of the TN Department of Health. There are multiple vital pieces of information found on this site including legislation and license verification.
American Disabilities Act: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, all applicants and admitted students must be, with reasonable accommodation, physically and mentally capable of performing the essential functions of the program outlined in the Core Performance Standards of Admission and Progression developed by the Southern Council on Collegiate Education for Nursing and adopted by all Nursing Programs in the Tennessee Board of Regents system (TBR Policy 2:03:00:00 II B 6)
Nursing Faculty Contact
Program Office
Room W-35, Weld Building, White Bridge Campus
nursing@nscc.edu
(615) 353-3647
Donna Whitehouse, MHA, OTR
Associate Professor / Interim Dean of Healthcare Professions
Donna.Whitehouse@nscc.edu
615-353-3382
Elizabeth (Beth) Youngblood, RN, WHNP, BC, CNE, Ed.D.
Director of Nursing
Elizabeth.Youngblood@nscc.edu
615-353-3602
Vickie Bissinger
Assistant Professor
Vickie.Bissinger@nscc.edu
(615) 353-3751
Emma Greene
Assistant Professor
Emma.Greene@nscc.edu
(615) 353-3601
Diane Leonard
Instructor
Diane.Leonard@nscc.edu
(615) 353-3752
Melissa Paty
Instructor
Melissa.Paty@nscc.edu
(615) 353-3602
Anna Richards
Instructor
Anna.Richards@nscc.edu
615-353-3735
Ellen Schoen
Instructor
Ellen.Schoen@nscc.edu
(615) 353-3602
Jenny Heath
Secretary III, Healthcare Professions
Jenny.Heath@nscc.edu
(615) 353-3647