Nursing, A.A.S.

Degree:  Associate of Applied Science
Major: Nursing
Department: Nursing
CIP Code: (31) 51.3801.00

For more information, visit the Nursing Department webpage or 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 lifespan 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. There will be a cohort admitted to Springfield each fall. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure all application materials are received in the Nursing Office by April 1st prior to the term in which they are applying. Applicants who meet the deadline will be notified in writing of their admission status. All general education core, 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 is available year round. 

LPNs: When accepted into the AASN program, LPNs with a current, unencumbered Tennessee license, may waive out of Fundamentals of Nursing (NRSG 1710) upon successful completion of assigned prior learning assessments (PLAs).  Prior learning assessments include successful completion of the following:  Care plan, physical assessment lab checkoff, medication administration lab checkoff, Foley catheter insertion lab checkoff, intravenous catheter insertion lab checkoff, a dosage calculation exam, and completion of a fundamentals review packet.  All other AASN admission requirements apply.  Contact the nursing division for specific details.

Program​ Learning Outcomes
Upon completion, 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, multiple populations, 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.

Graduation Requirement

• All students graduating with a degree from VSCC are required to take the E-Proficiency Profile (EPP) to meet graduation requirements. More information can be found on the Graduation Exit Exam webpage.