The Associate of Applied Science Degree Nursing Program prepares individuals to become registered nurses. The associate degree nurse is a generalist whose practice encompasses the interrelated roles of care provider, coordinator/manager of care, and a member of the comprehensive health care team. Collaboration, organization, with delegation, accountability, advocacy, and respect for other health care workers characterize this role. The professional codes of conduct and the demonstration to commitment for continuous learning and self-development are interrelated within the program.
Admission Requirements (General)
A student desiring to pursue the associate of applied science degree in Nursing must:
1. Apply, meet the general admission requirements and be accepted by Northeast State Technical Community College.
2. Indicate the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing as the desired major on the Northeast State Application form.
3. See a faculty advisor from the Department of Nursing area prior to registering for classes and obtain faculty approval to register.
4. Complete all required remedial and developmental courses prior to enrolling in the Associate of Applied Science Degree Nursing Program.
5. Demonstrate computer competency or complete a computer literacy course.
Nursing Program Enrollment Requirements
A student desiring to pursue the associate of applied science degree nursing program must:
1. Complete all of the above listed requirements.
2. Complete BIOL 2010, BIOL 2020, ENGL 1010, and MATH 1530 with a grade of “C” or better in each course. Biological science courses previously taken must have been completed with the last ten years.
3. Complete the Nursing Entrance Test, (NET).
4. Achieve an overall GPA of 2.75 in all courses, excluding remedial/developmental coursework.
5. Submit a “Request for Admission into the Nursing Program” form to the director of nursing by the designated deadline.
6. Provide documentation to the director of nursing that the student is, with reasonable accommodation, physically and mentally capable of performing the essential job functions of a registered nurse as outlined in the Core Performance Standards of Admission and Progression adopted by the Tennessee Board of Regents institutions offering nursing programs.
Acceptance in the Associate of Applied Science Degree Nursing Program
Selection into the Nursing Program will be made by the Nursing Admission and Progression Committee whose membership consists of:
a. Dean of Health-Related Professions
b. Director of Nursing
c. Nursing Faculty
d. Representatives from the Nursing Advisory Council
e. Vice President for Academic Affairs (ex officio)
Selection Process for Admission into the Nursing Program
Students will be evaluated on:
a. Cumulative GPA for all college-level coursework, excluding
remedial/development coursework
b. Grades earned in BIOL 2010 and BIOL 2020
c. College credits attained excluding remedial and developmental
course work
d. Score on the Nursing Entrance Test
e. Level of education attainment - an associate or bachelor’s degree and/or
certification/licensure in a medical career field
Transfer Students – Individuals who have attended other colleges and desire to transfer into the Northeast State Nursing Program will be considered on an individual basis. Transfer requests should be directed to the Director of Nursing. Transfer students must meet the same standards and criteria as others desiring to pursue an associate of applied science degree in the Nursing Program at Northeast State.
Notification of Selection to the Nursing Program
The director of nursing will notify in writing students who have been selected for admission into the program. Students so notified must return the following by the date specified to the director of nursing:
1. An acceptance form indicating the student’s intent to enroll in the program
2. A signed and dated acknowledgement of the Northeast State drug/alcohol abuse prevention policy
3. A form denoting a recently completed (one year) physical examination by a licensed physician/nurse practitioner which documents the student’s good health and that the student has received a series of designated immunizations
4. Verification of current healthcare provider CPR endorsement
5. As required by clinical affiliate, undergo a criminal background check after admission into the nursing program and prior to beginning clinical rotations. It is the student’s responsibility to pay for the background check and to submit a copy of the results to the director of nursing by the designated date.
Non-compliance with any of the above requirements will result in forfeiture of admission into the nursing program.
Retention and Progression Requirements
To remain in good standing once admitted to the nursing program, the student must:
1. Comply with the policies of the college, the nursing department, and clinical affiliates.
2. Maintain a cumulative (all college-level courses completed) GPA of 2.0
3. Earn a “C” or better in each required nursing and biology course.
Students receiving a grade of “D” or “F” in a nursing or biology course
will be dismissed from the program.
4. Earn a grade of “C” or better in the lecture/laboratory and a grade of satisfactory” in the clinical component of each nursing course. Unsatisfactory performance in the clinical component will result in a grade of “F” for the entire course.
5. Demonstrate safe, professional, ethical, and legal conduct
6. Maintain professional liability insurance at a level required by clinical affiliate.
7. Maintain current healthcare provider CPR endorsement.
8. Successfully complete BIOL 1230, Introduction to Microbiology, prior to enrolling in the second semester of the nursing program.
9. Submit by the designated date and prior to the beginning of the second program year a “Self-Declaration of Good Health” form to include results of a TB test as may be required by a clinical affiliate. The student may be required to take another comprehensive health exam if the student has experienced during the first program year an illness, surgery, birth, or other significant healthcare issue.
10. Submit at any time during the program to a drug test if requested by the clinical affiliate or the director of nursing. A positive drug test is grounds for immediate dismissal from the nursing program.
Re-Enrollment Policies
A student who has been dismissed or has withdrawn from the Nursing Program may be readmitted. The following conditions apply to students seeking readmission:
1. The student applying for readmission to the nursing program must have a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher on all college-level coursework completed to be considered for readmission.
2. Only one readmission to the nursing program is permitted. This readmission must occur within one year from the date of dismissal from the nursing program.
3. A student must request readmission in writing to the director of nursing. A student desiring to apply for readmission into the nursing program during a fall semester must apply for readmission prior to January 31. A student desiring to apply for readmission into the nursing program during a spring semester must apply for readmission prior to September 30.
4. A student with previous unsatisfactory clinical performance must be evaluated and recommended for readmission by a consensus of the nursing faculty.
5. A student may be readmitted only if space is available.
6. Exceptions to the above readmission policy may be made by the director of nursing.
Non-compliance with any of the above requirements will result in forfeiture of admission into the nursing program.
Graduation
Students successfully completing all of the nursing degree curriculum requirements and meeting other college requirements for graduation will be awarded an associate of applied science degree in nursing.
Career Mobility Program
After successful implementation of the Northeast State nursing program, the director of nursing and the nursing faculty will develop a Career Mobility Program.
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