Curriculum
Program Mission
The South College Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program is designed to build a knowledge base and clinical expertise for the generalist in nursing practice. The faculty supports the commitment to lifelong learning in a dynamic and culturally and ethnically diverse health care environment, promoting client advocacy, achieving, and maintaining clinical competency, and providing service for the community and the profession.
Program Vision
The South College Associate of Science in Nursing Program aspires to become an associate degree program of distinction through an integrated and student-focused curriculum. The program is committed to providing an education that values excellence in ethical patient care and professional growth and integrity.
Program Overview
The Associate of Science in Nursing program at South College is designed to promote a strong academic and clinical foundation including the fundamental skills required of a nurse generalist, including the basics of medical care, critical thinking, interpersonal skills, and technical competence required for taking required certification/licensure exams.
Participants in the ASN program will be provided opportunities to learn key aspects of collaboration, participation in interdisciplinary care, and patient communication. To deliver the highest-quality education, we use tools such as case studies, presentations, Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) resources, and other creative teaching approaches.
The knowledge gained in this program is foundational for registered nurses pursuing additional undergraduate and post graduate educational programs.
Program Outcomes and Student Learning Outcomes
The program outcomes for the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program are to provide undergraduate students with the:
- Critical thinking, interpersonal, and technical skills of a nurse generalist.
- Academic foundation necessary to pursue post licensure education.
Upon completion of the ASN program, the graduate will meet the following student learning outcomes:
- Incorporate the principles of ethics, professionalism, practice accountability, and integrity as the standard of care in ASN practice.
- Facilitate therapeutic communication effectively with diverse patients and members of the health care team to obtain the most favorable outcomes.
- Analyze and evaluate nursing interventions to promote optimal patient outcomes across the continuum.
- Utilize clinical judgment to support patient centered decision making and provide evidence-based nursing care.
- Collaborate with patients and members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team to develop and implement holistic care.
- Integrate evidenced-based practice and technology to teach individuals, families, and populations while providing holistic nursing care.
These End of Program Student Learning Outcomes are based on the NLN Outcomes and Competencies of Associate Degree programs (2010c), ANA Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice (2015), and Quality and Safety Education for Nurses Competencies (2024).
Minimum Academic Requirements for Admission
Cohorts will begin depending upon enrollment and approvals from the associated state board of nursing. All students must meet the requirements for general admission to South College in order to pursue core/general education courses. General admission to South College does not guarantee admission to the nursing program. Application deadlines are available in the School of Nursing and the Admissions Department.
Admission decisions will be made based on a holistic review of academic qualifications, previous educational experiences, and standardized test scores. The School of Nursing reserves the right to update or modify admission criteria as deemed necessary.
Applicants must meet the following requirements to be admitted without stipulation*:
- Meet General Admission requirements to South College.
- Complete the following prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better:
- Submit a School of Nursing application by the application deadline.
- Entrance Exam:
- Achieve a minimum ATI TEAS Assessment score at the academic preparedness level of BASIC or equivalent score on the HESI A2**.
- Scores below this threshold will not be considered for admission.
- After completion of all pre-requisite courses, students will be considered for admission into the nursing program if they meet the following criteria:
- Achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.5 for science prerequisite courses (A& P I and II, Microbiology, and Pathophysiology).
- Achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.5 for all required prerequisite courses.
- Achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.5.
* Pittsburgh Campus Only:
Applicants to the Pittsburgh Campus must also successfully complete the following high school units with a minimum grade of “C” (a unit is defined as 1 year):
- 4 units of English
- 3 units of Social Studies
- 2 units of Math (one must be Algebra)
- 2 units of Science with a Lab (Chemistry is preferred but not required)
College level courses may be substituted if high school requirements are not met.
** HESI A2 Entrance Exam will be accepted at as an equivalent passing score.
Applicants who are not in good academic standing from a previous nursing or allied health program (e.g., Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, EMT, etc.) or who have been dismissed from such a program must submit the required School of Nursing Mitigating Circumstances Form and provide supporting documentation of the mitigating circumstances to be considered eligible to apply to the South College School of Nursing. Admission is not guaranteed, and the School of Nursing may require a letter from the former program explaining the circumstances.
Applicants who are not in good academic standing from two previous nursing or allied health programs (e.g., Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, EMT, etc.) or who have been dismissed from two such programs will not be considered for admission or readmission to the South College Nursing program.
TEAS Assessment
TEAS Assessment requirements and procedures:
- Applicants are required to take the ATI TEAS Assessment as part of the application process*. The TEAS Assessment schedule and additional information is available in the Admissions Department, Student Services Department, and/or School of Nursing.
- Applicants have three attempts within 12 months to achieve the required score of BASIC or higher on the ATI TEAS entrance exam.
* Applicants to the LPN/ASN program are not required to take the ATI TEAS Assessment. Applicants must meet the additional admissions requirements: proof of a current, unencumbered Licensed Practical Nurse license and proof of completion of other certification program for LPN license. Refer to the Additional Admissions Requirements outlined on the program page.
Readmission:
- For applicants seeking readmission, a retake of the entrance exam is not required.
Readmission eligibility will be assessed based on previous academic performance and adherence to the school’s policies.
Competitive Admissions and Ranking Criteria
Admission to the School of Nursing is competitive and dependent upon class size. Applicants will be ranked based on an approved ranking system that includes, but not limited to, GPA and TEAS score.
Requirements for Admission (Other Than Academic)
Prospective students must meet the following requirements to be admitted without stipulation. Stipulations must be met as described below or the offer of admission may be withdrawn:
- Take the required drug test by the application deadline*.
- Complete the background check application by the application deadline*.
- Attend the nursing orientation on the scheduled date in its entirety.
*Prospective students who fail either the drug test or background check will be canceled.
In addition, each prospective student must provide proof of ability to perform the skills needed to practice nursing effectively. Health care facilities must meet federal guidelines, and students must also meet these requirements in order to be allowed to gain clinical experience. All nursing students must comply with communicable diseases/blood-borne pathogen requirements that the clinical agencies require. Therefore, proof of the following are minimum requirements for the nursing applicant (additional requirements may apply depending on clinical agency requirements):
- Health history and physical exam certifying ability to function in the required capacity prior to admission to major courses.
- Common communicable disease immunization or immunity, including MMR (2 in series if born after 1957), TDaP (booster required every 10 years) and Varicella vaccine (2 in series). Some clinical facilities may require titers for MMR, HBV, and Varicella even though you have proof of previous immunization.
- Hepatitis B immunization (3 in series) or HEPLISAV-B (2 in a series one month apart.) or completed Declination Form for Hepatitis B Vaccination depending on the requirements of the clinical affiliate. The Declination Form must only be used for medical reasons and must be documented by student’s primary care provider. A vaccine titer test showing immunity is also acceptable.
- Annual Flu immunization or completed Declination Form for Influenza Vaccination depending on the requirements of the clinical affiliate. The Declination Form must only be used for medical reasons and must be documented by student’s primary care provider.
- Annual screening for tuberculosis.
- Acceptable drug screen.* Students may be required to obtain more than one acceptance drug screen per year depending on the requirements of the clinical affiliate. In any case where a drug screen is positive and no authorized prescription is produced to validate the presence of the drug in the individual’s system, continuation in the program will be denied. Upon notification of the drug screen results, the student will have 5 working days to provide prescription validation. Students are responsible for costs associated with any required testing.
- Acceptable criminal background check for a minimum of past 15 years. Students may be required to obtain more than one acceptance criminal background check per year depending on the requirements of the clinical affiliate. If the background check reveals previous criminal convictions, admittance into the program will be made on a case-by-case basis. Students who are denied clinical experiences due to past convictions may be unable to progress in the program which will result in failure to complete the required courses for the program.
- Proof of health insurance coverage throughout the entire nursing program.
- Annual training on blood-borne pathogens.
- Valid American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers** Course Completion Card or Certificate.
* Marijuana, or its metabolite, is not an accepted substance in drug screens and will result in a positive drug screen. Prospective students whose drug test results are positive for marijuana, or its metabolite, will be offered one additional opportunity to reapply for admission into the next admission cohort after the initial positive results. Prospective students whose repeat drug test results are positive for marijuana, or its metabolite, will be denied admission indefinitely.
**American Red Cross Course accepted on select campuses based on clinical affiliation guidelines; you can reach out to your clinical coordinator to make this determination.
Additional immunizations (such as COVID) and or Titers may be required per clinical facility. Students who choose not to meet the requirements of clinical sites will not be able to participate in clinical experiences as a student at those sites. This includes students who have received partial vaccinations but who are not fully immunized or students awaiting action on a clinical facility exemption request, if applicable. This may seriously impact ability to progress, graduate on time, or graduate at all.
Prospective students or students who do not comply with all communicable disease/bloodborne pathogen requirements and accurately maintain their records in the institution’s clinical tracking portal will be canceled or withdrawn.
Functional Capacities (Technical Standards)
Prospective students must demonstrate the following functional capacities. Prospective students who believe that they will not be able to meet one or more of these requirements without accommodation or modification must notify the Dean/Associate Dean of the School of Nursing, and a determination will be made on a case-by-case basis whether reasonable accommodation may be made. In no instance will an accommodation be made which will compromise nursing care, or that will put patients or other students at risk. Accommodation granted when a student is generally admitted to South College are not guaranteed to apply to admission to the nursing program.
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Function
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Requirement
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Examples of Tasks For
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Vision
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Adequate to ensure safety of self and others in classroom and clinical settings.
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Patient assessment; response to treatment; medication preparation and administration; reading of patient charts and physician orders.
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Hearing
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Adequate to allow effective communication with patients and others in person and by electronic means, and to ensure safety of self and patients.
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Face-to-face communication with patients, families and the health care team; telephone consultations; heart tones; breath sounds; bowel sounds and other assessments.
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Tactile Sensory
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Adequate to allow effective evaluation and therapeutic intervention related to nursing care, and to ensure safety of self and others in providing care.
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Palpation used in assessment; vital signs; medication administration, IV starts.
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Gross motor strength and coordination
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Adequate to ensure safety of self and others in class and lab sessions and clinical activities.
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Patient positioning and transfer; walking, standing, bending, and/or stooping for extended periods involving patient care; moving of equipment/beds.
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Fine motor strength and coordination
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Adequate to allow mastery of activities requiring detailed movements.
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Multiple skills in patient care; treatments; medication preparation and administration.
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Critical thinking ability
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Adequate to allow mastery of basic course content and to demonstrate sound judgment in simulated and real life nursing situations.
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Effective use of nursing process; planning and implementation of the nursing care plan; identification of cause and effect relationship in order to modify nursing care plan; determination of unsafe situations; planning course of actions to meet needs of patient, family, community and nursing profession.
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Interpersonal Skills
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Adequate to allow establishment of effective working and/or therapeutic relationship with patients, families and professionals.
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Establishing therapeutic relationship with patients and families; working with health care team; collaboration with other disciplines.
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Communication
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Adequate to allow completion of course work and effective verbal and written communication with patients, families, communities, peers, and others.
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Class activities; therapeutic communication; writing/research at the bachelor’s level; documentation of patient care; education of patient/family/community.
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Licensure
Upon completion of degree requirements, each student must make application to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). Professional nurses are prohibited in all states from practicing nursing until the examination is successfully completed and licensure has been granted. Specific information regarding licensure will be provided to the student during the last quarter of the nursing program. State Boards of Nursing have the responsibility and right to deny licensure to persons who have been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation. Persons having a criminal record should consult the Rules and Regulations of the Tennessee Board of Nursing available online at https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/1000/1000-01.20210630.pdf or other applicable state nursing board.
Background Check: Students are required to sign an acknowledgment form that they understand that our school background check may not reveal potential barriers to licensure in each state. Each Board of Nursing conducts extensive background checks upon application for licensure with that state. Graduation from this program, does cannot specifically guarantee licensure in each state.
The “SAVE Act” requires Tennessee Department of Health (including all Boards, Commissions, and contractors), along with every local health department in the State, to verify that every adult applicant for a professional license is either a U.S. citizen, a “qualified alien,” or a non-immigrant who meets the requirements set out at 8 U.S.C. 1621.
Grading Scale
The grading scale used by the School of Nursing for all administered courses is as follows:
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Letter Grade
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Q.P.
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Percentage Score Range
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A
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4.00
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94-100%
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B
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3.00
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87-93%
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C
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2.00
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80-86%
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D
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1.00
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73-79%
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F
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0.00
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Below 73%
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Academic Standards and Progression
The South College School of Nursing upholds high standards for academic integrity, clinical competency, and professional behavior. The following policies outline criteria for progression, grounds for termination and dismissal from the nursing program, and options for readmission.
To progress in the nursing program, students must meet academic, clinical, and professional expectations, which are reviewed each quarter.
Minimum Requirements for Progression
- A numeric test average of 80% or better is required in all upper division nursing courses in order to continue in the nursing program. This grade is calculated based on written/online tests and the final exam, equally weighted.
- An overall course average of 80% or better is required in all upper division nursing courses in order to continue in the nursing program. This grade is calculated based on the grading criteria in each course syllabus. Students who achieve less than an 80% overall course average in any course are ineligible to enroll in subsequent courses.
- Students are required to pass both the clinical and laboratory components associated with the didactic content. Failure in any component of a nursing course requires the repeating of all components of that course. No credit is given unless all components of a course are successfully completed. Final grades are not rounded.
- Students requesting or receiving a grade of incomplete (“I”) in any nursing course(s) may enroll and participate in the next quarter’s courses. However, continued progression in the nursing courses is contingent upon removal of the grade of “I” and receipt of a passing grade by the drop/add date as described in the South College Catalog.
Clinical Conduct Standards and Evaluation
Clinical performance is an integral component of the educational process in nursing. Satisfactory clinical performance is an overriding concern in professional practice. Clinical objectives and student behaviors for evaluating these objectives are defined for each clinical nursing course and are located in the course syllabus. A student’s clinical performance is evaluated by the clinical faculty in each course.
Professional behaviors expected of the student are confidentiality, respect, accountability, valuing of people’s differences, preparation to ensure safe clinical practice, and adherence to South College and agency policies and procedures. All nursing students are accountable and responsible to report unsafe and/or unprofessional behavior of other students to their clinical faculty.
Academic Progression
Quarter 1 Cohort Students Who Are Unsuccessful in Any Course:
Students who are unsuccessful in any Quarter 1 nursing cohort course(s) are placed on Academic Probation. Students must submit a Letter of Intent to the Admission, Progress, and Retention (APR) Committee upon receipt of notification of Academic Probation for any initial cohort course. The student must outline in the Letter of Intent the reasons identified for the unsuccessful course(s) attempt and identify a plan for academic success that will be implemented during the retake of coursework. The student is referred for advising to the assigned Faculty Advisor and the Financial Aid Department staff and automatically registered for the repeated course(s). If a seat is unavailable in the subsequent cohort, the program administration will coordinate with the student on the next available start date.
Drug Calculation Competency Requirement:
Drug calculation proficiency is assessed as part of specific nursing courses. Students who fail this competency in any course requiring a dosage exam receive a course failure. Students who are unsuccessful in one nursing course may submit a Letter of Intent to the Admissions, Progression, and Retention (APR) Committee. This letter should address reasons for previous lack of success and outline changes to support future academic success. The APR Committee reviews the Letter of Intent and notifies the student in writing of its decision in relation to the student’s request to progress in the program. After two attempts of any course requiring a dosage exam, a student is subject to dismissal (See Grounds for Dismissal section).
Voluntary Withdrawn Students and Students Who Are Unsuccessful in One Course:
Students who voluntarily withdraw in good academic standing, by the drop/add date of any cohort quarter, or who are unsuccessful in one nursing course, may submit a Letter of Intent to the Admissions, Progression, and Retention (APR) Committee. This letter should address reasons for previous lack of success and outline changes to support future academic success. The APR Committee reviews the Letter of Intent and notifies the student in writing of its decision in relation to the request to progress in the program.
Dismissal and Termination Policies
Grounds for Program Dismissal
Students may be dismissed from the BSN program for any of the following reasons (in addition to those stated under the Grounds for Termination section):
- Drug Calculation Competency: Failing the required drug calculation competency in two courses or failing twice in the same course. Students have two attempts in each designated course to pass the drug calculation competency.
- Repeated Course Withdrawals: Voluntarily withdrawing from the same nursing course twice.
- Inadequate Professional or Clinical Judgment: Documented cumulative incidents reflecting poor professional or clinical judgment. These incidents accumulate across all quarters and clinical experiences.
In the event of a dismissal, the student will receive a letter detailing the reasons for dismissal, along with the next steps should a readmission appeal be warranted.
Grounds for Program Termination
Students who are terminated from the nursing program will receive a letter of termination from the associated campus Associate Dean of Nursing. Students will be dropped from all current and future scheduled courses and will be moved to inactive status by the Registrar. Students who receive a termination notification are ineligible for readmission. However, the School of Nursing reserves the right to review and accept any request for consideration of readmission, only in the event the student experienced a significant mitigating life event that directly impacted the ability to be successful in the program. In the event the student receives a termination notification from the program and wishes to request a review for readmission, a meeting should be requested with the campus Associate Dean of Nursing who will then advise as to future steps.
Students may be terminated from the nursing program for any of the following reasons:
- Noncompliance with College or Program Policies: Failing to adhere to policies outlined in the School of Nursing Undergraduate Student Handbook, South College Student Handbook, or South College Catalog.
- Falsification of Information: Falsifying information submitted to South College or the School of Nursing, including application materials or academic records.
- Academic Integrity Violations: Engaging in academic dishonesty, including cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized sharing or access to exams, or possessing unauthorized copies or photos of exam questions.
- Unsafe or Unprofessional Clinical Behavior: Demonstrating unsafe, illegal, incompetent, unprofessional, or unethical behavior in clinical practice.
- Attendance Violations: Failing to comply with the attendance policy as outlined in program documents.
- Failure to Meet Financial Obligations: Nonpayment of tuition and fees.
- Repeated Academic Failures: Earning a failing grade (D or F) in two or more nursing courses, or the same course twice, whether in the same or different quarters.
Program Readmission Policy
The School of Nursing may consider appeals for readmission for students who were dismissed, terminated, or withdrawn in poor academic standing from the program only when evidence of significant mitigating circumstances that impacted their academic or clinical performance can be documented. These circumstances may include:
- Major family obligations or life events
- Relocation
- Significant financial barriers
- Medical events affecting performance
The following steps should be taken to submit an appeal for readmission:
- Submission of Appeal to APR Committee: Students seeking readmission must submit the Dismissal and Disciplinary Action Appeal Form along with supporting documentation within three days of the termination or dismissal notification. For students who voluntarily withdraw and are not in good academic standing (i.e., multiple course failures, an accumulation of program occurrences, or prior appeals), the appeal should be submitted prior to the quarter in which readmission is requested. The Admission, Progress, and Retention (APR) Committee will review the appeal and notify the student of its decision in writing. The same information, evidence, claims, position, or arguments must be submitted at each level of appeal.
- Appeal to the Associate Dean of Nursing: If the APR Committee denies the appeal, the student may submit the same Dismissal and Disciplinary Action Appeal Form and documentation to the associated campus Associate Dean of Nursing within three days. The Associate Dean of Nursing will review and notify the student of the decision in writing.
- Continuation of Appeal: A denied appeal may be further submitted to the Dean of the School of Nursing within five business days, and if necessary, to the campus Dean of Academic and Student Services, and ultimately to the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) (See the Dismissal and Disciplinary Action Appeal Process outlined in the South College Catalog).
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