The Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing prepares students who wish to pursue careers as Registered Nurses (RNs). Graduates may seek employment in acute care, doctors’ offices, health departments, home health services, hospices, long-term care facilities, and mental health and rehabilitation centers. The program provides a background for maximizing transfer opportunities to baccalaureate nursing programs. Students take courses in both theoretical and practical applications of nursing care. The program integrates clinical laboratory practice using state-of-the-art patient care simulators and laboratory equipment for enhanced preparation in the field of health care.

The A.A.S. in Nursing requires five full-time semesters of study and is fully accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC). The National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (3343 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 866.747.9965) may be used as a resource for program information. Further, the program is approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing. The Board of Nursing can deny licensure to any applicant who has filed false credentials, who has falsely represented facts on the application for licensure, and/or has committed a felony or misdemeanor. Some health facilities may not employ individuals who have committed certain criminal acts and may conduct criminal background checks before hiring. Background checks for criminal history and sex offender crimes against minors are required for entrance into some clinical agencies. Students who have convictions may be prohibited from clinical practice and may not complete the degree program.

Admission to the program is competitive. Prospective nursing applicants who are accepted into Tidewater Community College must attend a nursing information session. Students are admitted into cohort groups—two groups admitted in the fall semester and two groups admitted in the spring semester. Applications are accepted between September 1 and May 15. All admission documents must be submitted and admission requirements must be met by
May 15. The criteria for admission to the nursing program are outlined in the Registered Nursing Program Admissions Procedures and Information Booklet for Students. Additional information related to diagnostic testing requirements is included in this booklet. Students are selected based on a weighted point system as outlined in the Information Booklet noted above.

Students are responsible for costs related to required testing fees, liability insurance, uniforms, books, criminal history and sex offender crimes against minors’ checks, parking at clinical sites, and nursing skills packs.

Progression

Students must pass each nursing course in order to proceed to the next course. For clinically-based nursing courses, students must pass both theoretical and clinical components of each course to meet designated clinical hours. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 to continue in the program.

LPN to RN Options

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) who wish to pursue their RN course work have two options: articulation or advanced placement. Articulation awards credits based on previous learning experiences at LPN programs after students successfully complete Nursing 115 (Transition from LPN to RN Education). For more information on these options, students should review the specific admission requirements outlined in the Registered Nursing Program Admissions Procedures and Information Booklet for Students.

Withdrawal/Re-enrollment

Students who withdraw from the program are encouraged to schedule an exit interview with a member of the nursing faculty or the program head. Those who withdraw due to academic failure may not re-enroll more than once and must have a cumulative GPA of 2.4 or higher for readmission consideration. Students seeking re-enrollment must write a letter of intent to the nursing program head. Re-enrollment must occur within two years to maintain previously earned credits. Pending space availability, students may demonstrate certain competencies and meet health/clinical requirements to be considered for re-enrollment. Students who have failed two nursing courses will not be re-enrolled.

Transfer

Students transferring from other nursing programs must meet the admission requirements of the Tidewater Community College program. Letters of reference and nursing course syllabi must be submitted to the nursing program head. Students who wish to have transfer credit of nursing courses at previous institutions must have completed such courses within two years of beginning the program at TCC. Students who have failed two nursing courses at other programs will not be admitted. Specific details regarding transfer of credits may be found in the Registered Nursing Program Admissions Procedures and Information Booklet for Students.

Additional information related to admission, progression, and transfer options may be found at www.tcc.edu/academics/programs.

Associate of Applied Science Degree: Nursing (156)

Contact(s):

• Nursing
• TCC Information Center