Nursing Additional Information

Students must complete specific general education courses prior to enrolling in the first term of nursing courses. Both BIOL 2010 - Anatomy & Physiology I & BIOL 2020 - Anatomy & Physiology II must include a laboratory component.  BIOL 2020 - A & P II  and HSC 190 - Introduction to Human Pathophysiology must have been completed less than five years from the term of initial program enrollment.

Once enrolled in the nursing program, all required courses must be completed with 150% of program length of initiating nursing coursework. 

Required Pre-Requisite Courses for Enrollment

The following courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or above to enroll in nursing courses:

• ENGL 1010      English Composition I
• BIOL 2010       Anatomy & Physiology I
• BIOL 2020       Anatomy & Physiology II
• HSC 190          Introduction to Human Pathophysiology

• Must meet all program admission requirements; be selected for program admission, and complete all enrollment requirements.
• Submit a written request for transfer, explaining their rationale.
• Submit a letter of recommendation from the dean/director of the previous nursing program verifying the student is in good standing and eligible to return, or continue enrollment in nursing courses.
• Submit all official transcripts, course syllabi and clinical evaluation tools for nursing courses completed in the prior nursing program. 
• Should understand that nursing courses from other nationally-accredited programs will be evaluated for transfer on an individual basis and if transferred, all nursing courses must be completed with three years of initial enrollment in nursing courses.

Readmission Applicants:

• Must submit readmission request forms by specified deadlines and must meet program admission, enrollment, and continuation requirements.
• Must be able to complete nursing course work within 150% in the defined program length.
• Will be considered for readmission status only once if unable to progress academically in the program. When repeating a course, all course prerequisites and requirements must be fulfilled.
• May be required to submit evidence of remediation, counseling, or other activities in an effort to enhance academic success.
• Must be recommended by consensus of the faculty if dismissed from the program due to unsatisfactory clinical performance or academic misconduct.
• Should understand that program requirements may change and if readmitted, the student must meet the requirements in effect at the time of their readmission. 
• Should understand that readmission is not guaranteed and if the number of readmission requests exceeds available space, applicants will be evaluated for readmission according to the program's readmission evaluation criteria.

Policies Related to Enrollment and Retention

• If two grades of "D" or below are earned in clinical courses the student will be dismissed from the Program. Program applicants who have received two nursing course grades of "D, F, or W" during two or more terms in a collegiate-level nursing program are ineligible for admission or enrollment unless Academic Fresh Start status has been granted by JSCC. Grades of “C” or above are required to enroll and progress.
• Academic requirements of the program include achievement of performance competencies in real-world clinical setting caring for hospitalized patients at affiliate partner facilities.  Program affiliate partners have established several requirements before permitting students to participate in clinical experiences at their site. A clinical affiliate partner may determine not to allow your presence at their facility, which could result in an inability to successfully complete the requirements of this program. Clinical affiliate partners may also change or add requirements during a student’s program enrollment.  Individuals should know that clinical placement, as well as whether to admit an individual to a facility, are those of clinical partners and not the college.  Students must be age 18 or older to participate in clinical and incur all costs related to clinical requirements. Transportation to and from clinical agencies is the responsibility of the student and travel outside of the Jackson area and/or on weekends or evenings may be required.  Clinical affiliate partners require students adhere to their facility protocols and procedures, which may include additional immunizations, health screening/monitoring, and masking to prevent transmission of infection.
• Students are required to comply with program-specific enrollment and clinical placement requirements, including satisfactory completion of prerequisite courses, orientations and clinical trainings, health verification and immunizations documentation, drug screening and criminal background checks, AHA CPR certification, and obtaining textbooks, uniforms, and specific supplies prior to enrolling in nursing courses.  Current immunization requirements include: completion of MMR, Varicella, TDAP, Hepatitis B, and COVID-19 series. Annual TB screening and influenza vaccine documentation is also required. Students must attain specific academic and performance standards to progress in the Program and achieve a satisfactory score on a comprehensive exam to complete the program.  Details of these standards and requirements are available from the Nursing Office and are published in the Nursing Student Handbook, on reserve in the College library.
• Background checks, alcohol and drug screens may be required by the program clinical affiliate sites prior to beginning clinical training.  Based on the results of these checks, a clinical training site may determine to not allow your presence at their facility.  This could result in your inability to successfully complete the requirements of this program.  Clinical Agency placement requirements must be met.  Additionally, a criminal background and some other background check findings may preclude licensure or employment in nursing.  More information is available from the Nursing Program.

Core Performance Standards for Retention in Nursing Program

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, students must be, with reasonable accommodation, physically and mentally capable of performing the essential functions of the program. The Core Performance Standards for Admission and Progression developed by the Southern Council on Collegiate Education for Nursing and adopted by all nursing programs in the Tennessee Board of Regents system include:

1. Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment.
2. Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families and groups.
3. Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form.
4. Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces.
5. Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective nursing care.
6. Auditory abilities sufficient to monitor and assess health needs and hear verbal instructions.
7. Visual abilities sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in nursing care.
8. Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment.

Admission to the nursing program is not based on these standards; instead, they are used to assist each student in determining whether accommodations or modifications are necessary. Each of these standards is reflected in nursing course objectives and provides an objective measure for students and advisors to make informed decisions regarding whether the student is qualified to meet requirements.

Legal Limitations of Licensure

1) A graduate of a state-approved nursing program who has been convicted of a violation of the law other than a minor traffic violation may be denied licensure.  Program applicants should be aware that conviction of the following crimes would make you ineligible for Registered Nurse licensure in the State of Tennessee: Aggravated Assault, as in T.C.A. 39-13-102; First Degree Murder, as in T.C.A. 39-13-202; Second Degree Murder, as in T.C.A. 39-13-207; Voluntary Manslaughter, as in T.C.A. 39-13-211; False Imprisonment, as in T.C.A. 39-13-302; Kidnapping, as in T.C.A. 39-13-303; Aggravated Kidnapping, as in T.C.A. 39-13-305; Robbery, as in T.C.A. 39-13-401; Aggravated Robbery, as in T.C.A. 39-13-402; Especially Aggravated Robbery, as in T.C.A. 39-13-403; Aggravated Rape, as in T.C.A. 39-13-502; Rape, as in T.C.A. 398-13-503; Aggravated Sexual Battery, as in T.C.A. 39-13-504; Sexual Battery, as in T.C.A. 39-13-505; Statutory Rape, as in T.C.A. 39-15-506; Theft of Property, as in T.C.A. 39-14-103; Theft of Services, as in T.C.A. 39-14-104; Forgery, as in T.C.A. 39-14-114; Falsifying of Educational and Academic Records, as in T.C.A. 39-14-136; Arson, as in T.C.A. 39-14-301; Aggravated Arson, as in T.C.A. 39-14-302; Burglary, as in T.C.A. 39-14-402; Aggravated Burglary, as in T.C.A. 39-14-404; Incest, as in T.C.A. 39-15-302; Aggravated Child Abuse, as in T.C.A. 39-15-402; Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, as in T.C.A. 39-17-1003; Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, as in T.C.A. 39-17-1004; Especially Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, as in T.C.A. 39-17-1005; Assisted Suicide, as in T.C.A. 39-13-216; Rape of a Child, as in T.C.A. 39-13-522.

2) RN licensure in the state of Tennesee requires US or naturalized citizenship.

3) A graduate's eligibility for licensure is determined on an individual basis by the Tennessee Board of Nursing.

The estimated cost list provides an overall estimate of nursing program costs for LPNs enrolled in the LPN-RN Career Mobility Option.  The costs quoted on this list are only estimates and are subject to change without prior notice.  The maintenance fees are based on tuition and required campus fees for 2021-2022, and are for enrollment in nursing courses only.  The other expenses are for nursing courses and nursing related expenses only.  Expenses for other courses must be added to the costs listed below. Travel to and from campus and clinical sites is not included. 

Check with the bookstore each semester for the books required in each course.  Note the textbook list/expense is heavy in the first course as many of the books purchased in the first term are used throughout the remainder of the nursing program.  For this reason, students are encouraged not to sell their textbooks at the end of each term.  Students are also encouraged to check with faculty before purchasing a used textbook as a course may require use of online publisher resources, which are not available, or require an additional access fee, when using a used textbook.  Estimated costs are rounded to the next whole number.

End of Program Student Learning Outcomes

1. Assessment: Analyze subjective and objective data to prioritize actual and/or potential health problems.
   1. Analyze and prioritize information from client, laboratory/diagnostic tests, health records, observations, etc.
2. Clinical Decision Making: Utilize clinical decision making to provide safe and effective evidence- based nursing care to groups of clients.
   1. Develop plan of care based on assessment findings, developmental, and cultural considerations
3. Caring Interventions: Determine caring interventions that incorporate principles of dignity, diversity, safety, and knowledge.
   1. Practice therapeutic interventions consistent with policy and standards, available technology, and client needs
   2. Demonstrate competence in the performance of course-specific and previously acquired nursing skills
4. Communication: Communicate effectively in complex and challenging situations.
   1. Practice caring and respect for unique values and needs of clients and families
   2. Formulate therapeutic communication to assist clients to express concern, cope with change, and resolve problems
   3. Report and record clear, concise, and relevant data to support client safety and continuity of care
5. Teaching and Learning: Evaluate the effectiveness of teaching plans to meet the learning needs of clients, families, and/or groups.
   1. Employ principles of teaching and learning to meet the age appropriate educational needs of clients, families, and/or groups
6. Collaboration: Partner with various members of the healthcare team to achieve quality outcomes and continuity of care.
   1. Employ, evaluate, and improve effective team functions in multiple, varied, and complex settings
   2. Case management, referrals, and discharge planning
7. Managing Care: Coordinate and manage the care of groups of clients in structured healthcare settings.
   1. Prioritize delivery of care for groups of clients
   2. Continuous quality improvement
   3. Interpret impact of selected healthcare trends on cost of healthcare and role of healthcare team
   4. Utilize informatics and technology to promote client safety and health
8. Professional Behavior: Practice within the ethical, legal, and regulatory frameworks of nursing and behaviors expected from members of the discipline.
   1. Adhere to legal and ethical practice standards, program and agency policies
   2. Seek opportunities for role, knowledge, skill, and/or professional development
   3. Model accountability for competence, integrity, civility, and conduct

The student who successfully completes the Jackson State Community College nursing program will demonstrate eight core competencies of nursing.  The expected levels of achievement for program outcomes relating to program completion rate, licensure pass rate, job placement, graduate satisfaction, and employer satisfaction are as follows:

1. Licensure exam pass rate is greater than 80% annually for all first-time NCLEX-RN examinees.
2. Program completion rate is at least 25% of enrolled students complete the program within 100% of the intended curriculum length.
3. Job placement rate is at least 90% of program graduates (who seek employment) are employed in a nursing position within one year of graduation.

4. Other Outcomes

   1. Upon program completion, ninety (90) percent of students will report satisfaction with their preparation to fulfill end-of-program student learning outcomes.

   2. Ninety (90) percent of employers will report satisfaction with graduate preparation to fulfill end-of-program student learning outcomes, six to twelve months after graduation (based upon employers who respond to the survey). 

*Rates rounded to nearest whole number