Nursing - A.A.S.

For more information on this program, contact the Nursing division at 615-230-4760.

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing prepares students for a career as a registered nurse. Nursing and pre-nursing education courses provide the student with the foundation for skills, attitudes, and knowledge for professional nursing. Graduates are prepared to provide holistic nursing care to persons from various cultures across the life span in a variety of healthcare delivery settings. Graduates will be eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for licensure as a Registered Nurse.

Admission to the program is limited and selection of students is competitive. Meeting the minimum program requirements for application does not assure acceptance into the nursing program. A point system is used to rank each applicant. There will be a cohort of students admitted to the Gallatin and Livingston campuses each summer. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure all application materials are received in the Nursing Office by April 1st. Applicants who meet the deadline will be notified in writing of their admission status. All general education, sciences, and elective courses required for the Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing must be completed or in progress at the time of application with a minimum GPA of 2.9. Any courses in progress at the time of application must be completed before the nursing program courses begin. The Nursing program application will be available beginning December 1st and due April 1st. 

All students graduating with a degree from VSCC are required to take the Educational Testing Service Proficiency Profile (ETSP) to meet graduation requirements. More information can be found at https://www.volstate.edu/testing.

For more information about Vol State’s Nursing program, visit www.volstate.edu/nursing or contact the division office at (615) 230-4760.

The Associate of Applied Science in nursing program is fully approved by the Tennessee board of nursing.  Effective February 16, 2021, this nursing program is a candidate for initial accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.  This candidacy status expires on February 16, 2023.  Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000 http://www.acenursing.us/candidates/candidacy.asp.  Note: Upon granting of initial accreditation by the ACEN Board of Commissioners, the effective date of initial accreditation is the date on which the nursing program was approved by the ACEN as a candidate program that concluded in the Board of Commissioners granting initial accreditation.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the graduate will have developed the skills, knowledge and abilities to accomplish the following:

1. Professional Behavior: Perform within the ethical, legal and regulatory frameworks of nursing and standards of professional nursing practice.

2. Communication: Communicate effectively using verbal, nonverbal, and written techniques including information technology.

3. Assessment: Use subjective and objective data to identify actual or potential health alterations.

4. Clinical Decision Making: Evaluate outcomes of clinical decisions implemented to provide safe and effective evidenced-based nursing care.

5. Caring Interventions: Practice the effectiveness of caring interventions that incorporate principles of dignity, diversity, safety, and knowledge.

6. Teaching and Learning: Evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented teaching plan to meet the learning needs of patients, families and/or groups.

7. Collaboration: Collaborate when planning, implementing, and evaluating care.

8. Managing Care: Manage care through effective use of prioritization, delegation, informatics, and resources.

CIP Code: (31) 51.3801.00