Nursing

Program Information

The Associate of Applied Science Registered Nursing program provides students with knowledge and competencies for the professional practice of nursing. Students are instructed in the provision of nursing care for clients across the lifespan. Clinical experiences are provided at area hospitals and health care agencies.

Students who have satisfactorily completed the program when meeting eligibility requirements by a licensure board may sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN®). The Associate of Applied Science Registered Nursing program is approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing. The program has a competitive admissions process.

Effective May 31, 2023, this nursing program is a candidate for initial accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. This candidacy status expires on May 31, 2025.

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400

Atlanta, GA 30326

(404) 975-5000

http://www.acenursing.com/candidates/candidacy.asp

Occupational Choices

The Bureau of Labor Statistics published the following prediction: “Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 16 percent from 2014 to 2024.” There were 3.13 million registered nurses employed in the U.S. in 2016. That number will grow to 3.19 million by 2024. The largest employers of registered nurses were 61 percent worked in hospitals, 18 percent in ambulatory healthcare services, 7 percent in nursing and residential care facilities, 5 percent in government and 3 percent in state, local, and private educational services.

Source:  Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, September 8, 2022

Average Full-Time Wage

In May 2021, the median annual wage for registered nurses was $77,600. Consequently, the highest 10 percent earned approximately $120,250, while the lowest 10 percent earned less than $59,450.

Source:  Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, September 8, 2022.

Admission Criteria

Applicants should complete and submit an Associate of Applied Science Registered Nursing Program application and request for copies of college and high school transcripts sent directly to the College’s Admission Office.

Minimum admission standards include:

  1. Unconditional admission to the college (must complete college application).
  2. Receipt of a completed application for the nursing program by the established deadline for admission.
  3. Minimum 2.50 GPA required on academic core courses.
  4. Minimum of 2.50 high school GPA for students without prior college work (GED acceptable in lieu of high school transcript).
  5. Math and Science courses must be within a 5-year period of application to the nursing program for eligibility requirements.
  6. Good standing with the College, including a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 2.50.
  7. Meeting the essential functions.
  8. Official results of the ACT (a minimum of an 18 composite score is required) must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office with a copy attached to the nursing program application. The writing component of the ACT is not required for consideration for admission to the nursing program.
  9. Transfer students must be in good standing from the transferring institution with a letter from the Program Director and a minimum of 2.50 cumulative GPA with nursing courses no more than one year from the date of application. Acceptance of transfer students into the program is not guaranteed.

Nursing Program Selection Criteria

1. Points for grades in the following nursing required core general educational courses are as documented:

  • A = 3 points, B = 2 points, C = 1 point
  • ENG-101 English Composition
  • MTH-100 Intermediate College Algebra
  • BIO-201 Anatomy & Physiology I (BIO 103 is a pre-requisite for this course)
  • BIO-202 Anatomy & Physiology II
  • ORI-101 College Orientation

2. An additional 10 points may be awarded as determined by the individual college policy and procedure.

3. A minimum 2.50 GPA is required in the core general educational courses for the nursing program. Not all courses may have been completed at the time of admission to the nursing program; however, students may experience less conflict in scheduling classes if general education classes are completed prior to entering the professional phase of study. Core general educational courses taken in high school as dual enrollment will be used in GPA calculation.

4. Associate Degree Nursing general education courses:

  • ENG-101 English Composition I
  • MTH-100 Intermediate College Algebra (or higher-level math - Pre-Cal, Finite Math)
  • BIO-201/202 Anatomy & Physiology I & II
  • BIO-220 Microbiology (BIO 103 is a pre-requisite for this course)
  • PSY-210 Human Growth & Development
  • SPH-106 or 107 Fundamentals of Oral Communication or Public Speaking

Humanities elective:

  • ART-101 Art Appreciation or MUS-101 Music Appreciation
  • PHL-106 Intro to Philosophy
  • PHL-206 Ethics & Society (Preferred)
  • REL-100 History of World Religions
  • SPA-101 Intro to Spanish IMinimum 2.5 cumulative GPA at the current, native institution or cumulative 2.5 GPA at the institution from which the student is transferring.

5. Minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA at the current native institution or cumulative 2.50 GPA at the institution from which the student is transferring.

6. ACT- minimum requirement composite score of 18 score/points.

7. Minimum 2.5 cumulative high school GPA for students without prior college courses (GED as applicable).

8. Meeting the essential functions of nursing.

Transfer Policy

The transfer policy applies only to students desiring to transfer between Alabama Community College System institutions. It does not apply to students wishing to transfer from other institutions. Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the nursing program director. Acceptance of transfer students into the program at TSCC is not guaranteed.

Awards Available

Associate of Applied Science
Registered Nursing

Program Contact

Dr. Debra Lett, PhD, MSN, MPA, RN
Director of Nursing/Instructor
334-420-4497
Location:  Trenholm Campus - Bldg. B

The College regularly evaluates student learning outcomes for each program as part of ongoing planning and evaluation.

Estimated Program Length & Cost *

Award Length Credit Hours Tuition/Fees Books Tools Supplies
Associate Degree 3 Terms 67 $11,457  $1,400  $845  $600 

Estimated Testing Fees:  $3500 per semester

* Tax not included.  Prices are subject to change without prior notice; the cost of books may vary considerably among suppliers.  The cost of general education books is in addition to the total listed above.  The length of the program is based on full-time status of 12-15 credit hours per term.  Enrollment in transitional-level general education courses will alter the length of the program.

Degrees