INTERESTED IN NURSING SCHOOL?

 

Ways To Become a Registered Nurse

 

There are two different avenues to becoming an RN (registered nurse). One is to earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ASN or AAS); the other method is to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (BSN). After being granted either degree, the graduate must then pass the Tennessee State Nursing Board licensing exam (NCLEX) in order to become an RN.

 

ASN and AAS degrees usually require about a year of pre-requisite courses, followed by two years of Nursing School (in which the student takes approximately 10-12 hours each semester). Area colleges which offer ASN or AAS degrees include: Pellissippi State Community College, Roane State Community College, Walters State Community College, and Lincoln Memorial University.

 

BSN degrees require about two years of pre-requisite courses, followed by two years of Nursing School (in which the student completes about 15-17 credits per semester). Area colleges offering BSN degrees are: University of Tennessee, East Tennessee State University, Tennessee Wesleyan College (in conjunction with Fort Sanders Hospital), and Carson Newman College.

 

All of the area BSN colleges, and Lincoln Memorial, also offer BSN degrees for those who are already RNs (RN to BSN programs). In fact, PSCC has articulation agreements with Tennessee Wesleyan College and East Tennessee State University, allowing PSCC’s AAS in Nursing graduates to transition smoothly into their RN to BSN programs.

 

The decision about which schools to apply to should be made early, as the requirements for the different nursing schools vary significantly. The interested student should visit all schools of interest and talk with their representatives in order to make a good choice. Pellissippi State advisors can assist you in choosing appropriate pre-requisite courses for the nursing school(s) to which you wish to apply. Please be advised that entrance into nursing schools is not automatic; students must apply, showing evidence of high grades and other criteria. Students should apply to the university/college, as well as to the nursing school. Note that application dates are often well in advance of the entrance date.

 

Advising for Pre-Nursing Majors

 

If you are planning on attending Nursing School, you should register under one of the following major codes:

 

NURS - any Nursing School other than UT

            INUR – UT

 

If you have not chosen one of those as your major code, you should do so by going to the PSCC Admissions Office and filling out a change of major form. ALL PRE-NURSING ADVISING IS DONE BY SPECIALIZED PRE-NURSING ADVISORS IN THE PSCC PRE-NURSING ADVISING OFFICE LOCATED IN ALEXANDER 107 (694-6460, pre-nursing@pstcc.edu). YOU SHOULD SEE AN ADVISOR IN THAT OFFICE DURING PRIORITY REGISTRATION TIMES, OR ANY TIME YOU NEED ADVICE CONCERNING YOUR COURSE CHOICES. You may obtain additional information from that office, from the table outside AL218, and from our PSCC website: www.pstcc.edu/departments/nursing.

                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                    9/28/09