View Special Program Admission Requirements
View Required Courses
View Course Descriptions

The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) curriculum prepares men and women to assume responsibilities as direct care providers in a variety of health care settings. The program is designed to help students integrate nursing principles and theories with the sciences and to utilize the nursing process in the practice of holistic nursing.

Graduates of the ADN program are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The ADN graduate is qualified to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN).

The Associate Degree Nursing program is approved by the Board of Nursing for SC and is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission ( 61 Broadway - 33rd Floor, New York, New York 10006).

Health Requirements: Students enrolled in clinical nursing courses are required to provide evidence of two-step tuberculosis skin testing upon admission and there after an annual PPD. Also, documentation of two positive varicella, rubella, Rubeola titers and evidence of vaccination against tetanus within the last 10 years. Students shall have on file prior to entry into clinical courses one or more of the following: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) immunization record or antibody titer showing a positive antigen response to HBV. A current health form and prescription document must be on file at all times while in the clinical nursing courses. Students are not eligible to participate in practice activities at clinical sites until this information is completed and on file.

Transportation to clinical practice sites: Each student should have and maintain a valid driver’s license and is responsible for transportation to and from hospitals and other clinical practice sites.

Readmission: A student who has been suspended or has withdrawn from the nursing program and subsequently readmitted will be subject to the current nursing programs academic standards and policies and available space in courses.

Attendance requirements: The nursing program adheres to the college’s attendance policy. In addition, students are expected to attend all clinical nursing activities. Make-up time for missed clinical nursing experiences will be determined at the discretion of the faculty and availability of clinical facilities. Faculty may require withdrawal of any student who has missed sufficient practice to prevent completion of clinical objectives.

Application for licensure in professional nursing: Prior to completion of the nursing program, students are expected to apply for the professional nursing licensing examination, which is administered by the Board of Nursing for South Carolina or its counterpart in the jurisdiction where the student will seek initial employment after graduation (approximate cost is $300). Students in the Nursing program are also bound to conduct themselves according to the professional standards set forth by the American Nurses Association Code for Nurses. Conviction of a crime other than a minor traffic violation could result in ineligibility for professional licensure. Under these circumstances, early notification to the Board of Nursing is recommended to clarify mechanisms related to eligibility determination.

Advisement Information

• Students may begin the program during fall or spring terms. Nursing courses are offered during the day only. Beginning fall 2008, the number of nursing students accepted each semester is 32.

• Requirements for program entry include ENG 101, BIO 210, MAT 120 or MAT 102 and PSY 201. Also, evidence of a valid CNA certification must be on file prior to clinical entry. This certification must remain current through the first semester of the clinical program. Once students meet entry criteria, they submit a program-ready application to the Student Success Center during the designated period.

• Beginning with the January 2010 nursing programs, students will be required to have completed CNA certification and attach the certification to the program-ready application. They will no longer be able to take AHS 117 the semester prior to entering the program. Students must have completed the CNA class and passed the state certification exam prior to the program-ready deadline of September 30, 2009.

• Completion of the Associate in Applied Science with a Major in Nursing requires five semesters upon acceptance to the Major Studies coursework.

• Effective immediately, the elective that was formerly a free elective must now be a humanities/fine arts course. The number of hours required for the degree has not increased. SPA 105 may count as a humanities elective.

• Students should explore their reactions to all kinds of bodily fluids and be prepared for exposure to unpleasant smells and to dangerous and contagious diseases.

• Students should not work more than 20 hours/week when clinicals start and should have a backup system in place for daycare and transportation before the semester begins. Clinicals may include days, evenings, nights and weekends in any of the seven counties or surrounding areas.

• Students must attain a minimum 2.5 GPA before entering the clinical phase of ADN classes.

• Students should take General Education courses before starting program. If student plans a four-year degree, recommend MAT 120 over MAT 102. Nursing students take a math test during NUR 106 and NUR 116, and must pass with a 95% within three attempts. Students failing to meet these requirements are dropped from nursing classes--another reason among others for making sure students understand the importance of gaining math competencies.

• Applicants for the Nursing program (ADN3 & LPN1) are required to complete AHS 117, The Care of Patients, or submit written verification of a Certified Nursing Assistant Certification before entering the clinical courses.

• Requirements for enrolling in AHS 117:
  * Minimum placement scores for RDG 100, ENG 100 and MAT 152.
  * Criminal records check.

• All students will be required to take standardized nursing tests during each semester, according to the ATI Testing and Remediation Guidelines in the ADN program.

• Total expenses over the course of the program may reach approximately $7,000 for college tuition, fees, books, uniforms and other equipment.