College of the Great Smoky Mountains - Southwestern Community College, serving Jackson, Macon,  and Swain Counties and Cherokee/ Qually Boundary

 

 




Nursing Home Page


Barbara Connell
Barbara Connell
A.A.S., Valencia Community College; B.S.N., M.S.N., Western Carolina University
828.586.4091, ext. 307
800.447.4091, ext. 307
2nd floor, Balsam Center
bconnell@southwesterncc.edu

Ellen Heim
Ellen Heim
B.S.N., Western Carolina University
828.586.4091, ext. 505
800.447.4091, ext. 505
2nd floor, Balsam Center
eheim@southwesterncc.edu

 


Delia Frederick
Delia Frederick
B.S.N., Univ of South Carolina
M.S.N., Univ of North Carolina
828.586.4091, ext. 258
800.447.4091, ext. 258
2nd floor, Balsam Center
dfrederick@southwesterncc.edu



Dianne English
Dianne English
B.S.N., UNC-Chapel Hill
M.S., Clemson
828.586.4091, ext. 336
800.447.4091, ext. 336
2nd floor, Balsam Center
denglish@southwesterncc.edu

 

 

 

 


 

 
 
Nursing Associate Degree Program of Study

 

Transfer agreements between Southwestern Community College and other colleges or universities allow graduates of certain SCC programs to transfer credits towards a Bachelor of Science degree to the participating university or college. The amount of transferable credit varies among programs and colleges. Please refer to the specific agreements for details on transferable credits.The Associate Degree Nursing (nonintegrated) curriculum provides individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide nursing care to clients and groups of clients throughout the lifespan in a variety of settings.

Courses will include content related to the nurse’s role as provider of nursing care, as manager of care, as member of the discipline of nursing, and as a member of the interdisciplinary team.

Graduates of this program are eligible to apply to take the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), which is required for practice as a Registered Nurse. Employment opportunities include hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, physician’s offices, industry, and community agencies.


Associate in Applied science Degree (AAS) A45120
Non-nursing classes may be taken prior to the time they are scheduled in the curriculum but if they are not, they must be taken at the times listed below. All nursing courses must be taken in the order they appear in the curriculum.

TRADITIONAL SCHEDULE OF COURSES
Fall Semester 1        
Prefix Number Title
Class
Lab
Clin
Credit
   
click on title for course description
       
BIO 168 Anatomy and Physiology I 3 3 0 4
ENG 111 Expository Writing 3 0 0 3
NUR 115 Fundamentals of Nursing 2 3 6 5
NUR 117 Pharmacology 1 3 0 2
      ___ ___ ___ ___
    Totals 9 9 6 14
(Eligible to test for Nurse Aide I listing)        
             
Spring Semester 1        
BIO 169 Anatomy and Physiology II 3 3 0 4
NUR 133 Nursing Assessment 2 3 0 3
NUR 135 Adult Nursing I 5 3 9 9
PSY 150 General Psychology 3 0 0 3
      ___ ___ ___ ___
    Totals 13 9 9 19
(Eligible to test for Nurse Aide II listing)        
(Advanced Placement students enter the program)
             
Summer Semester 1        
NUR 118 Nutrition/Diet Therapy 2 0 0 2
NUR 125 Maternal-Child Nursing 5 3 6 8
Choose one of the following:        
ENG 113 Literature-Based Research 3 0 0 3
ENG 114 Professional Research & Reporting 3 0 0 3
      ___ ___ ___ ___
    Totals 10 3 6 13
             
Fall Semester 2        
BIO 175 General Microbiology 2 2 0 3
NUR 185 Mental Health Nursing 3 0 6 5
NUR 188 Nursing in the Community 1 0 6 3
Choose one of the following:        
COM 110 Introduction to Communication  3 0 0 3
COM 231 Public Speaking 3 0 0 3
      ___ ___ ___ ___
    Totals 9 2 12 14
             
Spring Semester 2        
NUR 235 Adult Nursing II 4 3 15 10
NUR 255 Professional Issues 3 0 0 3
*** *** Humanities Elective 3 0 0 3
      ___ ___ ___ ___
    Totals 10 3 15 16
(Eligible for AAS Degree and NCLEX-RN)        
Total Semester Hour Credits: 76  

Nursing Program Information
Haywood, Southwestern, and Tri-County Community Colleges offer a joint associate degree nursing program through a consortium agreement known as the Region A Nursing Consortium. These three colleges serve the seven western counties of North Carolina. Haywood Community College is the administrative unit for the consortium.

Persons interested in entering the nursing program are encouraged to apply to the college serving their area of residency. Due to enrollment limitations, interested individuals are urged to begin the process of application as early as possible. Information on nursing and the program requirements are available in the Nursing Department of each of the three member colleges. Applications may be obtained from the Admissions Office at any of the colleges.

All students who successfully complete the program receive an Associate in Applied Science degree with a nursing major (ADN), and are eligible to write the NCLEX-RN for licensure as a registered nurse. Successful completion of the nursing program does not guarantee licensure. The Board of Nursing may not issue a license to an applicant who has been convicted of a felony.

The Schedule
The schedule is designed for full-time study. For the first two semesters, nursing classes are held on the campus of the college of enrollment. Beginning with the third semester, nursing classes are held on one of the three college campuses. Non-nursing courses in the curriculum may be completed at the college of enrollment or wherever is most convenient for the student. Students, however, are responsible for having their transcripts for non-nursing courses taken at other colleges sent to the college of enrollment. Clinical experiences are provided in a variety of settings throughout Western North Carolina.

The structure of the nursing program permits individuals to make choices about their career in health care. After the successful completion of one semester, a student is eligible to test for listing as a Nurse Aide I; after two semesters, to test as a Nurse Aide II.

Students may apply to any one of the three Consortium member colleges. The college of enrollment confers the associate degree and maintains permanent student records.

Students who hold a current, unencumbered LPN license in North Carolina and who have taken and passed NUR 189 can apply for enrollment as advance placement students. Qualified LPNs who wish to complete the educational requirements for registered nursing may enter the nursing program at the beginning of the third semester as advanced placement students depending on available openings.

Health Occupations Aptitude Examination (HOAE)
Applicants seeking admission into the Nursing program must take the Health Occupations Aptitude Examinations (HOAE). The Health Occupations Aptitude Examination measures abilities, skills, knowledge, and attitudes important for successful performance in the field of Nursing. The resulting scores are a component in the highly competitive nursing selection process. The HOAE may be taken once in an admission cycle (February 1-January 31).

The examination consists of five parts: academic aptitude, spelling, reading, comprehension, natural science, and vocational adjustment. A $15 fee is charged for test administration and scoring. A test schedule and registration card must be obtained from your advisor after the Application for Admissions is processed. For more information, contact the Dean of Student Services or the Nursing Department.

Admissions Criteria
All applicants for admission to the associate degree nursing program will follow a standard admission process, be given identical information regarding the nursing program and the criteria for admission, and assigned a nursing advisor who will follow the applicant through the pre-nursing period.

When the individual begins the process, whether it be through the Admissions Office or the Nursing Department, information and instructions are furnished to the applicant along with an explanation of the program’s structure and the next step in the admissions process. Admission application forms are available through the college of enrollment. The applicant will also be referred from Admissions to Nursing or Nursing to Admissions for further information and processing.

PHASE I - To be completed by January 31
The criteria for admission to the nursing program include:
1. A completed college Application for Admission.
2. Evidence of high school graduation or completion of GED certificate (High school seniors must send an interim transcript by January 31).
3. Official copies of all high school and college course transcripts (High school seniors must have a final transcript sent within one month of graduation).
4. Satisfactory scores on the college placement test or completion of necessary remediation. (See SCC Placement Test Requirements in Admission Enrollment section.)
5. Completion of the Health Occupations Aptitude Examination, HOAE, which may be taken once in an admission cycle (February 1-January 31). (See HOAE requirements in Admissions Enrollment section.)
6. Evidence of completion of algebra, biology, and chemistry at high school level or above with a grade of “C” or better on each.
7. Evidence of a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or grater on a 4 point scale on the most recent transcript with 10 semester hours completed.
8. A GPA of 2.0 or greater must be maintained throughout enrollment.
9. All grades on co- or pre-requisites must be “C” or better to be eligible for fall placement.
10. All requirements must be completed by January 31 for all applicants.
11. Advanced placement applicants (LPNs) must have completed NUR 189 (Nursing Transition) with a grade of “C” or better. A prerequisite for enrolling in NUR 189 is a current, unencumbered North Carolina license to practice as an LPN. In addition to the above, advanced placement applicants must have completed ENG 111, PSY 150, and BIO 168 & BIO 169, or the equivalents, with a grade of “C” or better on each by the end of Spring Semester in the year in which they wish to enter the nursing program.

PHASE II
Following completion of all criteria, the Admissions Office will notify the applicant of his or her status. After the January 31 deadline has passed, all eligible applicants will be scored in accordance with the selection system criteria:
Up to 25 points for Health Occupations Aptitude Exam
Up to 10 points for residency:
  10 points - Service area resident
  5 points - Consortium service area resident
  2.5 points - North Carolina resident
  0 points - Non-resident
Up to 12 points for grade point average
  12 points = 4.0 GPA
  10 points = 3.51-3.99
    8 points = 3.0–3.50
    4 points = 2.51–2.99
    2 points = 2.0-2.50
Up to 29 points for college courses completed with a grade of “C” or better
  5 points – BIO 168
  5 points – BIO 169
  5 points – BIO 175
  2 points - *CHM 131 & 131A Introduction to Chemistry or
CHM 136 Survey of Chemistry II or
CHM 151 General Chemistry I
CHM 152 General Chemistry II

1 point - CIS 110 Introduction to Computers
1 point - ENG 111 Expository Writing
1 point - ENG 114 Professional Research and Reporting
1 point - ENG 115 Oral Communications or
             COM 110 Introduction to Communications or
             COM 120 Intro to Interpersonal Communication, or           
             COM 231 Public Speaking
1 point - HEA 110 Personal Health/Wellness
1 point - MAT 140 Survey of Mathematics or MAT 115 Mathematical Models
1 point - PSY 150 General Psychology
2 points - PSY 241 Developmental Psychology
1 point - MED 121 Medical Terminology I
1 point - MED 122 Medical Terminology II

Up to 10 points for other educational experience or current licensure
2 points - Health Occupations I or Allied Health Science I
3 points - Health Occupations II or Allied Health Science II
4 points - LPN
5 points - Nurse Aide I
10 points - Nurse Aide II
2 points - EMT
4 points - Paramedic
2 points - Certified Medical Assistant
5 points - Bachelor of Science Degree or higher

Up to 25 points for interview (46 highest ranking candidates will be interviewed for the program.)
*WCU requirement for Capstone

The points will be totaled and 26 applicants at each college with the highest numerical score will be accepted into the nursing program. High school students selected for the program will be given provisional acceptance contingent upon graduation from high school. Determination of eligibility for advanced placement applicants will also be made in accordance with the January 31 deadline. These applicants will be given provisional acceptance contingent upon the satisfactory completion of all prerequisite courses by the end of the spring semester of the year in which they wish to enroll. Space available to advance placement applicants will be determined at the end of spring semester. Advance placement applicants will fill available spaces at the college of application beginning with the highest scoring applicant then the second highest scoring applicant, etc, and moving downward until spaces are filled.

Qualified applicants who have not been assigned a space in the program will be placed on a waiting list for the college of application. Should a space become available, the next applicant on the list will be contacted for admission to the program. If spaces are still available at a member college after all applicants to that college have been assigned, the remaining lists will be merged and assignment offered to the highest scoring applicant, then the second highest scoring applicant, etc. and moving downward until all spaces have been filled. In the event of a tie in the admission scores of two or more applicants, the applicant with the earliest date of application for nursing will be accepted.


PHASE III
The Admissions Department will notify all applicants of their status (provisionally accepted or wait list) after the January 31 deadline. Applicants being notified of provisional admission to the program will also receive health forms. These forms must be completed and returned to the Nursing Department of the college of application within 30 days. The Nursing Department will contact the applicant if any problems are noted on the forms and allow 30 days for resolution of these problems. Original copies of completed health forms will be kept on file. Letters of full acceptance to the nursing program will be sent to all accepted students by the Admissions Department when all required forms are on file. With the exception of high school students and advanced placement applicants, the acceptance process will be completed no later than April 15. Full acceptance for high school students and advanced placement applicants will be granted after the completion of the contingencies listed above.

Wait list applicants who are accepted into the nursing program after the initial class selection have 30 days to complete their health forms and an additional 30 days to resolve any identified problems. This process will remain in effect even if classes are in session. The applicant will be permitted to attend classes while completing the required forms but may be restricted from clinical participation until the immunization and physical forms are on file. All forms must be on file before the late-entry student may progress to the following term.

*Any applicant who is not selected must resubmit an application each year the applicant wants to be considered for admission to the program.


ADVANCED PLACEMENT STUDENTS

Advanced placement applicants, in addition to meeting all admissions requirements stated above, must have completed NUR 189 (Nursing Transition) with a grade of “C” or better. A prerequisite for enrolling in NUR 189 is a current, unencumbered North Carolina license to practice as an LPN. In addition they must have completed ENG 111, PSY 150, and BIO 168 and 169, or the equivalent, with a grade of “C” or better on each by the end of Spring Semester in the year in which they wish to enter the nursing program.

Determination of eligibility for advanced placement applicants will also be made in accordance with the January 31 deadline. These applicants will be given provisional acceptance contingent upon the satisfactory completion of all prerequisite courses by the end of the spring semester of the year in which they wish to enroll.

Advanced Placement students are admitted to the program on a space-available basis. Spaces available will be determined at the end of spring semester. The applicant with the highest numerical score based on the Selection Criteria will be offered the first available space, then the second highest scoring applicant will be offered the second available space, etc., and moving downward until all spaces are filled.

READMISSION / TRANSFER POLICY
Due to the limited number of students who may be enrolled in the nursing program, readmission and transfer into the program are possible only on a space-available basis. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater to be considered. To be considered for readmission, the student must have successfully completed at least one nursing semester. Priority for readmission or transfer into the Region A Nursing Consortium program will be given as follows:

I. Priorities
  1. Former Region A Nursing Consortium students who were required to leave for active military service
  2. Former Region A Nursing Consortium students
  3. Transfer students  
II.

Selection Process

  A. Reentering Students
In the event that the number of Region A Nursing Consortium students reapplying exceed the number of spaces available, student selection will be accomplished in the following manner:
    1. Residency:  
      10 points - Service area resident
  5 points – Consortium service area resident
  2 points – North Carolina resident
  0 points – Non-resident
    2. The cumulative nursing course average (in the course unsuccessfully completed) at the time of exit from the program. Priority will be given to students who failed only one nursing course. If a student fails more than one nursing course, the grades form both courses will be averaged
    3. The residency score and the nursing course score (see #2 above) will be added and the students with the highest total numerical score will be admitted to the available spaces.
  B. Advanced Placement or Transfer Students
In the event that the number of students seeking entry as advanced placement or transfer students exceeds the number of spaces available, student selection will be accomplished in the following manner:
   
Up to 25 points for Health Occupations Aptitude Exam
Up to 10 points for residency:
  10 points - Service area resident
  5 points - Consortium service area resident
  2.5 points - North Carolina resident
  0 points - Non-resident
Up to 12 points for grade point average
  12 points = 4.0 GPA
  10 points = 3.51-3.99
    8 points = 3.0–3.50
    4 points = 2.51–2.99
    2 points = 2.0-2.50
Up to 29 points for college courses completed with a grade of “C” or better
  5 points – BIO 168
  5 points – BIO 169
  5 points – BIO 175
  2 points - *CHM 131 & 131A Introduction to Chemistry or
CHM 136 Survey of Chemistry II or
CHM 151 General Chemistry I
CHM 152 General Chemistry II

1 point - CIS 110 Introduction to Computers
1 point - ENG 111 Expository Writing
1 point - ENG 114 Professional Research and Reporting
1 point - ENG 115 Oral Communications or
             COM 110 Introduction to Communications or
             COM 120 Intro to Interpersonal Communication, or           
             COM 231 Public Speaking
1 point - HEA 110 Personal Health/Wellness
1 point - MAT 140 Survey of Mathematics or MAT 115 Mathematical Models
1 point - PSY 150 General Psychology
2 points - PSY 241 Developmental Psychology
1 point - MED 121 Medical Terminology I
1 point - MED 122 Medical Terminology II

Up to 10 points for other educational experience or current licensure
2 points - Health Occupations I or Allied Health Science I
3 points - Health Occupations II or Allied Health Science II
4 points - LPN
5 points - Nurse Aide I
10 points - Nurse Aide II
2 points - EMT
4 points - Paramedic
2 points - Certified Medical Assistant
5 points - Bachelor of Science Degree or higher