Nursing (A.A.S.)

Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (A.A.S.)

Accreditation. The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program at PSCC at the Strawberry Plains, Magnolia, and Blount County campuses located in Knox County and Blount County Tennessee 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 of Applied Science in Nursing program at Pellissippi State Community College is Continuing Accreditation. View the public information disclosed by ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website.

Program Description. The Nursing program offers two pathways to the A.A.S.: the Traditional pathway and the LPN/Paramedic to R.N. pathway. Students following the Traditional pathway may complete general education and other required biology courses along with nursing courses, but it is recommended that the non-nursing courses be completed before students enter the Nursing program. Students following the LPN/Paramedic to R.N. pathway must have completed a diploma or other certification program for LPN or EMT-P licensure and will receive credit for NRSG 1710 - Fundamentals of Nursing after completing NRSG 1600 - Transition to Professional Nursing . Students following the Traditional pathway begin nursing courses in the fall and spring semesters; students following the LPN/Paramedic to R.N. pathway will begin nursing courses in the spring semester. The LPN/Paramedic to R.N. program is a hybrid program. The Nursing program is offered at the Blount County, Magnolia Avenue, and Strawberry Plains campuses. Per criteria of the Tennessee Board of Nursing, graduates are eligible to take the nursing licensure exam (NCLEX-RN) to become registered nurses and begin a nursing career.

Program outcomes. Upon completion of the Nursing program, the graduate will have developed the skills, knowledge and abilities to accomplish the following:

Practice within the ethical, legal and regulatory frameworks of nursing and standards of professional practice. (Professional Behavior)
Communicate effectively using verbal, nonverbal and written techniques including information and technology. (Communication)
Analyze subjective and objective data to identify actual or potential health alterations. (Assessment)
Evaluate outcomes of clinical decisions implemented to provide safe and effective evidence-based nursing care. (Clinical Decision Making)
Evaluate the effectiveness of caring interventions that incorporate principles of dignity, diversity, safety and knowledge. (Caring Interventions)
Evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented teaching plan to meet the learning needs of clients, families and/or groups. (Teaching and Learning)
Collaborate when planning, implementing, and evaluating care. (Collaboration)
Manage care through effective use of prioritization, delegation, informatics and resources. (Managing Care)

Contact(s): Nursing Pathways, (865) 539-7307; or (865) 225-2330

Traditional Pathway

It is recommended that students complete non-nursing courses before beginning the Nursing program. Prerequisites may apply to specific courses; it is the student’s responsibility to determine whether prerequisites have been met. All students must have a C or better in required math and science prerequisite courses. In addition, all students are required to made a C or better on all nursing specific courses to progress in the nursing program. Prior to registering each semester, the student is expected to consult with a pre-nursing or nursing advisor.

LPN/Paramedic to R.N. Pathway

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Paramedic to Registered Nurse (RN) Pathway builds on knowledge and skills acquired in an LPN/Paramedic program, providing students an opportunity to earn an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Nursing and become eligible to apply for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. Applicants must meet specific prerequisites, including completion of designated general education courses and must possess an active, unencumbered LPN license/Paramedic license with eligibility to practice in the state of TN. After admission to the pathway, the curriculum spans three semesters, emphasizing core nursing competencies, including professional behavior, communication, assessment, clinical decision-making, caring nursing interventions, teaching/learning, collaboration, and managing care for diverse populations. Clinical experiences are conducted in a variety of healthcare settings with travel required. Graduates of the LPN/Paramedic to RN pathway are well-prepared for continued professional growth and advancement.

General Education Core

COMM 2025 - Fundamentals of Communication ♦ Credit(s): 3
or COMM 2045 - Public Speaking ♦
ENGL 1010 - English Composition I ♦ Credit(s): 3
HUM/FA¹ - Humanities/Fine Arts Elective 3 Credit(s)
MATH 1530 - Introductory Statistics ♦ Credit(s): 3
PSYC 1030 - Introduction to Psychology ♦ Credit(s): 3

Required Science Courses

BIOL 2010 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I ♦ Credit(s): 4
BIOL 2020 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II ♦ Credit(s): 4
BIOL 2130 - Microbiology Credit(s): 4

Major Courses

NRSG 1320 - Women’s Health & the Childbearing Family Credit(s): 3
NRSG 1330 - Pediatric Nursing Credit(s): 3
NRSG 1340 - Mental Health Nursing Credit(s): 3
NRSG 1360 - Pharmacology in Nursing Credit(s): 3
NRSG 1600 ² - Transition to Professional Nursing
NRSG 2240 - Professional Practice in Nursing Credit(s): 2
NRSG 2630 - Medical Surgical Nursing II Credit(s): 6
NRSG 2640 - Medical Surgical Nursing III Credit(s): 6

Total Credit Hours Needed for Graduation: 66-67

¹HUM/FA
See the General Education section of this Catalog for electives.
²Students following the LPN/Paramedic pathway must have completed a diploma or other certification program for LPN or EMT-P licensure and will receive credit for NRSG 1710 after completing NRSG 1600 .